Grant and I left on Friday afternoon and headed through the smoke from the Chips Fire up north of Lake Almanor to Silver Lake, on the edge of the
Caribou Wilderness. We were joining Grant's friend Ben, his wife Ginger, their grandson Cody, and friends Wendy and her son Nathan to camp and go kayaking and horseback riding around the area. It was great fun. Grant celebrated his birthday on Sunday. We were out of the smoke, and it was beautiful, despite a lot of wind. Wendy rescued some abandoned kittens and brought them with her to nurse. Her son Nathan is a civil war buff and was quite delightful in his re-enactments and enthusiasm about it. Ginger, Wendy, and the kids left on Sunday late afternoon. I got to camp alone with the guys, and while they were not rude or uncivil, I will never camp with just guys again. Seems my idea of camping and theirs is very different.
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| View of smoke as we were leaving the Canyon to head north |
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| Upon arriving, first things first! |
Day 2
We had a fun day today. The morning was beautiful! The gals and kids took a ride along Silver Lake. After lunch, Wendy and Ben went for a ride and the rest of us went for a swim and to use the kayaks, although it was pretty windy. Cody was really cute about the kayak...he was very scared, but still wanted to go...he'd never been in a boat before, or even tubing, so he didn't know the feeling of bouyancy. He gripped on for dear life, but by the end of the ride, he let go long enough to wave at his Nana. Grant made dinner for us that night...really yummy! When it was time for s'mores around the campfire, wicked Grant brought out these huge marshmallows. We banned him from ever bringing them again the next morning. Sugar rush!!!
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| Union soldier Nathan with Ginger |
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| Cody, Tuffy, and Wendy |
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| Nathan and mom Wendy getting the horses ready |
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| Nathan getting set up to ride |
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| Glory with Sara, the freckled gals! |
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| Wendy at Silver Lake |
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| Nana Ginger and grandson Cody |
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| Watering the horses |
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| Happy Birthday Grant!! |
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| Tuffy and one of the 4 kittens Wendy brought with her to rescue them |
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| Our campsite |
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| Cody and I took a short trip...he was very brave! First time in a boat! |
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| Grant kayaking on Silver Lake |
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| Nathan and Ginger swimming |
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| Wendy at Silver Lake |
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| Grant made tacos for supper. |
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| Glory the Freckled |
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| Grant brought GIANT marshmallows and Cody stayed up all night. Thanks Grant! |
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| Feeding the kittens one last time before bed |
Day 3
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| Nathan fishing for minnows |
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| Our Confederate Scout, Nathan |
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| Cody does the breakfast dishes |
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| Ben saddles up for the afternoon ride |
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| Grant on Peter |
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| Wendy, Grant, and Ben hit the trail |
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| Checking out the days' pictures on the computer |
Day 4
Grant & Ben take one last ride
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| Smoke plume in the distance heading home from Lake Almanor |
Stuff stuff and more stuff
