No we didn’t go back to Vulcan, we visited Hat Creek Radio Observatory AKA Allen Telescope Array (ATA) or I want to say S.ETI.   No contact yet, maybe someday.  SETI uses the telescopes 12 hours a day and SRI uses them the other 12.  Bought my first shirt here.  UC Berkley started the telescopes here because it was very quiet they stopped in 2011. We were up and out the door by 8:45am and made our firststop by 9:15.  

Our second stop was Crystal Lake Fish Hatchery.  I was able to feed the fish.  It was funny to see them jump like crazy towards the direction of the pellets.  I could never be a fisherman though heavy feet when I walked towards the tanks where the big fish were they swam away.  Right before we left I checked out the albino trout I will post pictures when I have better internet.

After leaving the hatchery we came across some car sculptures then made a wrong turn. We drove for a while in the wrong direction, our goal was Burney Falls.  We made it right around lunch time only to find out my DV California pass would not be good after the end of July.  So we headed to the town of Burney for lunch at McDs and phone calls (no cell service at park).  I was so impressed with Roy 2 1/2 stops before lunch.

Back to the falls, where we found a parking space 75 feet from the overlook doable for both of us.  I’m still trying to learn my camera so more practice shots 😃.  It was getting warm dress in layers.  From here we went to Subway cave a lava tube this was cool in more ways then one.  My pictures didn’t turn out in fact they were spooky.  I was the only one who went down but Roy made it to the stairs going down to the cave.

On the way home there was a traffic alert so turning on the radio we here TRACK FIRE 3 miles past jct.  It comes to be a truck fire not to bad though.  Back to home base at 4pm and in bed by 10pm.  Tomorrow headed to Klamouth Falls one night.

Today is June 4th we’ve been gone 4 days already seems like we left yesterday.  Speaking of yesterday it was a very lazy day.  Roy and I took some time to use my tri-pod so I am more skilled to lay in wait for animals we’ll see.  Oh and that all important bear selfie (JK).  We are headed to Lassen National park where 10 miles of it is drivable.

Upon arriving at Hat Creek Resort, I immediately thought of summer camp meets Jason.  AWESOME!  We check in and cell phones, internet, cable, pay phone all don’t work (they say a lightening strike took the,m out last week) now I’m checking around for the hockey mask.  We are in the woods and there is a motel up front some cabins and then the rv park.

We decided to head to Lassen Volanic NP, good choice.  The park was nice even though I only saw the first 10 miles.  I did see geese on a log, deer no other animals that’s cool they aren’t hiding yet.  I saw and touched snow, it was COLD.  In touching it I remember why seeing it from the desert floor at home is as close as I want to be.

I have pictures I will be posting of snow grafitti.  I thought of my friend Shelby instantly because SHELBY was written in the snow.

Tomorrow we are headed to the fish hatchery, seti, and Subway cave.

Do NOT write blog when dead tired I am sorry to all for the short note that was hard to follow.  Let me tell you about the East Walker river near Bridgeport Ca,  it was high, muddy, and fast moving.  I now know why people want to white water raft, it helped me decide I’m going to try on this trip (something calmer).  The river was just very forceful no fly fishing today.

The spring run off from the mountains is still going strong, very impressed with the level of rivers and lakes there is still a healthy snow pack.  I was impressed to see Mona lake full and Lake Topaz by the state line also very full.  A couple of bridge crossings the water was up to the bottom of the under side which was good but I could see where washouts could happen.  

So now that it looks like I’ve become a water baby and left animals behind it is not the case I’ve just added to my loves.  The other side is we are back to just seeing moooos.

Signs signs and more signs, but no deer.  That’s ok we saw alot of snow still in the mountains in June.  Two out of the three passes through Yosemite are still closed.  Today the animals were all hiding they are saving themselves for me, I am amazed at how much cattle grazing occurs.  Could explain the lack of the wild animals.

I will write more tomorrow, we will be in Reno til Sun then on to lava tubes.

or at least that’s what my pjs say.  I am so looking forward to this escape.  The animals didn’t know I was coming saw a nice herd of wild horse one even had a foal with her.  Tomorrow heading towards Reno we need to be careful because there is a deer migration. Talk about unreal sights, past four corners on 395 there is a one and a half mile long half mile deep solar field it went on forever.  Saw the Crystal Geyser (sp) plant in Lone Pine, also saw SNOW I know I will see more. Saw the radio telescopes  near Barstow when I get better internet I will post more about them.  For those of you who know about tne draining of Owens lake to water LA they are making progress keeping water in it.    Headed to Reno for the weekend.  

We will be heading towards the cool, looks like in the nick of time.  Looks like high double, low triple digits are here to stay.  This is too soon.  I checked average temps of where we are head mid 60s, low 70s, almost winter coat weather.

We are headed down some interesting roads.  I mean packed dirt 18% grades, gravel roads steep roads.  I will be posting pictures after I get my heart out of my throat.

We are going to be boondocking a bunch of times hopefully to get closer to the animals.  

Now I need to get packing.  BTW we are headed back to Alaska only 10000 miles this year.

I don’t feel a year older today just a day older then yesterday.  I have been doing quite a bit of reflecting today, which I know should happen next year.  That’s what someone does at 50, I’m getting an early start.

Wow, let’s see the first thing that always happens today is it snows, being the fact the first day of spring and I was born in a snow storm.  It’s not snowing in Palm Desert but it might rain.

Second thing that struck me the varied amount of people who’ve touched my life in some way through the years.  I remember the first teacher who made me feel special. As silly as it was, we had to initial our papers, there was a DQ across the street so he had me put QD (cutey) on my papers, so he wouldn’t confuse the two.  My battles from Fort Sam who even though I was old enough to be the mom, made me feel cool enough to fit in.  I will say though, Shelby, Michelle, and Glick are responsible for some of my grey hair.  My husband Roy who has helped me over many a rough spot.  The group of nurses and or techs at the old Walter Reed who tried to teach my some rhythm, I still don’t have any.

Third thing is being the baby of the family I am the only one still in the 40s, something I can’t say next year. I always taunt that fact.

Fourth I am amazed at how many different adventures and places I’ve been.  Everything from being super book smart in school, a very wild child right after high school.  I settled into being a Gift Shop owner, went off and joined the Army at 39.  Wow, 10 years ago this summer.  I got diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 9 years ago this summer, this made me become retired.  

As far as places I’ve been grew up in Wisconsin, never really left there as a kid.  So as soon as I could I left for warmer climates, Florida called my name.  Right before I turned 25 it was on to Chicago, first experience with a big city, from here it was SoCal bound, Hollywood was amazing.  Roy and I spent time in Nevada a small town called Ely (that’s a whole blog by itself).  I went to Washington DC by myself when I was in the Army probably my favorite city to live in because of the rich history there.  I know reside in California again in the desert though, which is about 2 1/2 hours from Hollywood distance wise but a world away climate wise.

I guess what I’m trying to say is birthdays aren’t about how old you are but how many memories you’ve made and knowing how many more there are to come.

We are at the A-frame rally in Deadhorse State Park near Cottonwood AZ.  The event has been great but quite damp.  Last night my slide show went on but because of the rain we only had 5 people left.  Tonight we have rain again but it’s cold going down to 39.

The rally crowd had some newbies it is so cool to be able to show and share with people just starting out.  I was impressed with a lady who this was her first trip with her trailer and she came from Las Vegas, the navigation took her the mountain route over Jerome in the dark.  Very steep winding road in the dark, she is now a pro.

The tour of homes was enjoyable, there was a nice mix of older A-frames alongside some brand new trailers.  Yesterday we had a swap meet and were able to get rid of stuff we have not used, but still carried around.  Tomorrow is President’s day and most people will be heading home.  We will be heading home Tuesday.

Burrrrrrrr!!!  Yes, I am a wimp. I have adapted to SoCal temps so anything below 60 is chilly, anything below 50 is cold anything below 48 is what wasI thinking.  I was think I want to hang in Cottonwood with other Aframers.  Got in last night Roy brought the early arrivals KFC chicken and we had an impromptu potluck.  It has been a blast. Today I am giving a seminar on geocaching.