Heading for Bigfoot Country

Tomorrow morning my son Wesley and I are taking off for a two week jaunt to Northern California....and....apparently in just the nick of time since it is going to be between 104-108 over the next four days. It should be in the mid sixties in all the places we camp over the next two weeks. All of our trip will be spent on the Northern California coast and Redwood National Park. Wesley and I love the North Coast of California. This will be about our ninth or tenth trip to this area and I never get tired of spending some quality time in a part of the state that doesn't seem like California. North of San Francisco is so different than the rest of the state. Alot of small towns, rolling hills, magnificient forests, and people who just live by a different drum beat. I'ts like a time warp traveling through such towns as Garberville, Mendocino, Fort Bragg, Willits, Cresent City, Ukiah. Bigfoot and Hobbit country I like to call it.....I do have some mixed emotions on this trip. It will only Wesley and I. I look forward to some serious father and son bonding time but I also am going to miss my other son Paul and my girlfriend Lynn. Last summer we all travelled together to Oregon and had such a great time but this year our schedules and individual interests just didn't work out. It's kind of sad. This will be the first summer in 16 years I won't be spending my vacation with my son Paul. Paul, actually didn't want to go this year because he didn't want to be gone so long from his friends. As a parent it's hard when our children begin to want to spend more time with their peers/friends but I need to accept and respect this part of the maturation cycle of growing up.....But....I do look forward to spending time with Wesley. Wesley loves the outdoors and we are goind to have a great time hangin out, riding bikes, hiking, and catching some of the upcoming flicks coming out at the theatre in the next couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to Lady in the Water, Monster House, and Miami Vice and hope to see all three films while I am on vacation....Also, do hope to catch up on my sleep and reading while on vacation. It is very difficult for me to get good sleep in Bakersfield because it is so hot in the summer but that will change Sunday when we enter country where the tempertatures will be 40 plus degrees cooler...and...do intend to get some serious reading done. I'm taking about five books with me and I should get plenty of quality reading done since I won't have any distractions. I've been reading some books on archetypes lately....Jungian stuff....find it fascinating and stimulating and hope to post some thoughts when I get back......anyway....Hope the world doesn't blow itself up while I am gone. Am really concerned by the recent events in the Middle East and just hope and pray that all sides will seek out peaceful solutions to their problems and things don't escalate. Am not particularly optimistic because all sides "seem" entrenched in their own perspective and belief that they are on the ritht side which generally doesn't bode well for transformative resolutions......I'll post a few pics when I get back and hope the rest of you don't get burn't out or two depressed by the happenings in the world while I am gone.....

Mendocino: First Stop on the Bilbo Express

Back from Vacation

Just got back from the first leg of my vacation to Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes with my girlfriend Lynn. We spent the first five days at Tahoe and the last three in the Mammoth Lakes area. Tahoe was a bit hectic with the crowds, Casinos, and all. There is alot to do in the Tahoe area. We went on a boat ride, vistited a Viking Castle, spent the day at Virginia City, bicycled, saw the Pirates of the Caribbean, and the firework extravaganza on the Fourth of July. I can't really say what my favorite activity was and confess I am a bit jaded when it comes to vacations and travelling. I have travelled alot over the years and it really doesn't matter much anymore what I do. I just like being in cooler weather and doing things at my own pace and rhythm. So much of our lives is dictated/ controlled by others or time schedules and I cherish anytime I can do what I want, when I want. My friend Seth met up with Lynn and I in Mammoth. We didn't do much in Mammoth because Seth was hammered after hiking 20 miles while climbing 13,000 foot Banner Peak. Seth is a hiking/climbing machine who loves the mountains as much as I do. The highlight of the Mammoth trip was the bear that came through the camp during the morning we broke camp. I got within ten feet of him in an effort to take a picture but some guy scared the bear away before I could get a picture of him on the table about to grab a couple of wine bottles and some other snacks the guy left on the table. I have seen my fair share of bears over the years and am not really afraid of them unless it be a Grizzly bear or a mother with cubs. Most bears are probably more afraid of you than you are of them and all you have to do is holler, wave your hands, and generally they head off into the forest. There is still a significant amount of snow in the mountains and I always find it strange to run across large amounts of snow in the middle of the summer. I have even come across frozen lakes as late as the middle of August in the Sierra's of California. Most people don't realize that the Sierra Nevada mountains of California get an incredible amount of snow some years. Mammoth Mountain recieved over 50 feet of snow this year. That's right, 50 feet, which translates into over 600 inches......We spent the last day in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite is on the way home from Mammoth. We spent most of the day in the "high country" of Yosemite and very little time in Yosemite Valley. Most tourists only visit the valley and are unaware of some of the other incredible sights outside the valley. The Valley is spectacular but is also "very" crowded anytime during the spring or summer......Anyway.....I am back now for a couple of days before I head out on the second leg of my vacation with my son Wesley who finishes summer school at the end of the week. Wesley and I are going up north to the coast of California and Redwood National Park. We might even head up the Oregon Coast for a day or two. I love the north coast of California. The weather is cool, there aren't too many tourists and it's primitive for the most part which is what I really appreciate from time to time. We will be gone for two and half weeks before I come back to start work during the first week of August...Bummer...Oh well.....I can't complain because most people hardly get much time off for vacation......

Mammoth Lakes Pics

Lake Tahoe Pics

Viking Castle

Summer Vacation

Well, I am just minutes away from the beginning of my five week vacation. My girlfriend Lynn and I will be heading to Lake Tahoe in a few minutes for five days and than we will head over to Mammoth Lakes for another four days before I head home next week. When I get back I will pick up my son Wesley and we will head up north for two and a half weeks to God's country, the north coast and Redwood National Park. I am really looking forward to going to Lake Tahoe tomorrow because Lynn and I hope to catch the firework show over the Lake tomorrow night. It should be stupendous. Normally I am not a big Fourth of July kind of guy because I hate all the crowds and all but tomorrow I will suck it up because I anticipate that the firework displays over Lake Tahoe will be worth the hassle of feeling crowded. ....Earlier today I was contemplating why I spend so much time each summer camping and away from home and here are some reasons why I love camping and am willing to put my body in harm's way of mother nature.....

Reasons I love camping and travelling

1. I go camping because I can. I am a teacher and I have the summers off.

2. It's therapeutic and cheaper than seeing a shrink. The average "good" shrink goes for about 100 dollars an hour. If I spent the entire day seeing a shrink it would cost between 800 to 1000 dollars. I can do an entire day of camping for less than 50 dollars. What a bargain!

3. Camping stimulates my senses...which...is something everyone needs. The smell of fresh pine needles, the sound of rushing water, the sight of a snow covered mountain peak, and the exposure to clean, cool air is good for one's soul.

4. I'ts slows me down. When I am at home I find it difficult to relax and chill. The phone rings, the internet is constantly beckoning me, or the television seeks my audience...but....when I am camping I can naturally slow down because I don't have all the distractions, gadgets, or other people needing or seeking my attention.

5. It's a great bonding experience. If you really want to get to know someone take them camping. Sleeping in the same tent, sitting and staring at the campfire, or going hiking or fishing are the kind of things that creates the type of memories that will last a lifetime.

6. I need an escape. That's right....I "need" an escape. Escapism gets too much bad press in my opinion. Everyone has their own coping/escape strategies and I just wish folks would own up to them. So what is it that I am trying to escape?....For starters, the city of Bakersfield and it's hellish summer weather and terrible air quality, the hustle and bustle of living in the city, the boredom of doing the daily routines, and the ongoing responsibilties of daily life. Sometimes you just need to get away from of it for your sanity and the sanity of others......well, that's all I have time for now and it's now time to get in the car and head down the highway. I'll be back next Wednesday for a few days before I head out again, so, in the meantime I hope everyone stays out of trouble and enjoys the fruits of summer......

Blast from my Past: Phil Keaggy