Quick Trip to California, Part III

We rose in the wee hours and headed north, stopping at Shasta Lake to stretch our legs. So good to see the lake full again!

Angel wasn't so sure about what was going on, but she seemed to be enjoying herself.

That first glimpse of Mount Shasta was just as exciting going back the other way!

We took 97 off of I-5 and stopped at Grass Lake, Oregon for lunch. Dad tried one of the Chocolate Pecan Caramel Rice Krispie treats that Gay and I made.

The verdict?

Thumbs Up!

We stayed in Bend, Oregon that night, and ate supper at Black Bear Diner. Dad was all business.

The next day we continued on 97 through the beautiful high desert of Eastern Oregon. Dad took photos of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens as I drove (that's for you, Debra).

I wanted to take more photos of the awesome high desert, but I knew my camera would not do it justice. You really just have to experience it yourself. Please put it on your bucket list. Take 97 from I-5 through Oregon to I-84 and the Columbia River Gorge. The panoramic views of pasture, valleys, mountains and rock formations are breathtaking.

And, suddenly, I was home! And Bruce and Dad and Angel were yukkin' it up on the front porch.

Stay tuned for tales of Dad's and Angel's adventures in Northern Idaho.

Quick Trip to California, Part II

Day Two in California: I visited my BFF, Debra, and her hubby, Martin.

Hung out on the front porch in the rockers they bought in my neck of the woods a few years ago.

Watched the ducks play on Dragonfly Pond and listened to the roosters crowing across the street.

Admired her beautiful rose garden and then spied...two goats on a berm!

Goats like carrots. So do dogs.

OK, Buddy, here you go.

Rosie finally descended from her perch to say hello.

Debra's garden is compact and organized. Those whirligigs really do keep the birds from eating her strawberries.

And I had to stop in and say hi to the ladies.

The greenhouse smells soooooo good.

Told a corny joke to Bud and made him laugh out loud!

Too soon, it was time to say goodbye. OK, Deb, next time you need to come to my house!

The last full day I was in Sacramento, I visited my sweet yoga sister, Gay.

I felt like I was on a Food Network show: Gay's Home Cooking. "Today, Gay's friend Yami joins her in the kitchen to make some of her favorite dishes"!  First up: Bang Bang Shrimp, something I've been wanting to try ever since Gay sent me the recipe. I was too chicken to try it by myself, though. It was delicious!

For dessert, we made Chocolate Pecan Caramel Rice Krispie Treats. There are no words.

Lucky me, I got to take a whole container home with me! Thank you, Gay!

For supper on the last night in Sac, Dad and I went to one of my favorite restaurants: Espanol. I absolutely love their Eggplant Parmigiana. I based my own recipe on theirs, but instead of frying the eggplant, I bake mine. A bit healthier, but, after eating theirs again, I realize mine is not as tasty!

Man, oh man, that is good.

Dad was pretty happy to be there, too.

One last evening on the deck. Dad has done some remodeling out there and it is much more spacious.

Angel, are you ready to roll? We're getting up early tomorrow and heading north!

She says "Let's Go!"

Stay tuned for Part III, wherein we hit the road and head home to the beautiful Inland Northwest.

Quick Trip to California, Part I

I recently drove down to California to kidnap my Dad and his dog, Angel, and bring them back up to Idaho for a long visit.

I started out driving through Washington down to the Columbia River. It was a gorgeous day, the traffic was light, and I was looking forward to seeing Dad and Angel.

Looking west along the Columbia

I made my way down to Salem, Oregon to spend the night. I found an excellent sushi restaurant for supper. I miss sushi. Haven't found a decent sushi place yet around where I live now.

No, this sushi wasn't pink. It was called a Mango Tango roll. The light at the sushi bar was an electric blue.
Believe me, the sushi was delicious!

The next day I continued south on I-5 until I got to a rest area north of Mount Shasta. It was a very pleasant spot for lunch. The scenery on this trip was spectacular.

A peaceful place to rest and have a bite to eat.

I love that first view of Mount Shasta. It almost takes your breath away. What an awesome sight.

I can't imagine climbing to the top.
I don't even like climbing to the top of a ladder.

After a long day of driving down the central California valley, I finally arrived at Dad's house. He was happy to see me. And, boy, was I happy to see him! And get out of that truck.

After a delicious supper at Applebee's with family friends (Lucy, Gail, Mary, Terry and Arlene), I settled in for a much-needed night of slumber.

The next day, I drove to El Dorado Hills to visit with my dear friend, Cheryl. Cheryl and I worked together at the Dept. of Developmental Services. We had, hands down, the most fun I've ever had at work. I mean, we had fun WORKING. Doesn't get much better than that.

Cheryl with Rosie and Dixie

Cheryl lives on Folsom Lake at the top of a hill. She has a pretty awesome view from her front yard pastures.

Rosie and Dixie seem to like their digs, too.

Cheryl's backyard view is not bad, either. Folsom Lake is full again and everything is green.

Sunny D, Cheryl's Min Pin, likes to hang out with the grownups.

After chatting for a bit, we decided to take a hike down to a picnic table that Cheryl and her husband, Kevin, have by the edge of the lake.

It provides a peaceful view for a picnic or quiet conversation.

Then Cheryl asked "Are you up for a little hike? There's a nice trail right over here that loops back up to the house." "Sure!" I was going to ask if it was OK that I just had my sandals on, but then I noticed Cheryl was wearing flip-flops. So, off we went.

The trail started off fairly wide and open, but then got overgrown and barely visible. It had only been a week or so since Cheryl had hiked it, but it had rained and the grass and brush had become prolific. Soon, however, the jungle receded and we found the trail again.

Then I heard Cheryl say "Uh oh!"

The trail was underwater! It's supposed to go right over there where the trees are standing. I guess Folsom Lake really is back.

So Cheryl cut her own trail through the grass, over to where she knew the trail wound around. I followed carefully, keeping a sharp eye out for snakes.

The Goose Family cheered us on

We met up with the trail shortly thereafter and made our way back to her house, where we enjoyed a nice glass of wine with lunch.

Love the look on Cheryl's face. She didn't have another clean
wine glass so she used a short plastic glass. "Whatever!"

After lunch, we took a fun drive in their golf cart. We drove up through the wealthiest part of the neighborhood to the tippy top of the hills, overlooking the lake.

I see Cheryl's house! And one of her horsies!

A good time was had by all. Especially Sunny D.

"If only they would let me drive this thing." 

Stay tuned for Part II, wherein I visit Debra and Gay, and haul Dad and Angel back with me to the Inland Northwest.