September 7, 2013

Another Season in the Sierra

As summer turns to fall, David and I have been reminiscing about the summer and how lucky were are to get to spend so much time in such a special place. It is so neat to live out here and watch the seasons change, especially in the high country where the summer is so fleeting. It is already getting chilly and the leaves of the trees are changing colors in the mountains. Since we haven't really put any pictures of the summer up yet, here are some photos of where we've been throughout the last few months.

Late spring runoff.

Backpacking for David's work. Fox poo, here we come!

Stone tool on ridgeline we were surveying for fox poo.

Dosy Basin, at the campsite and time to make dinner! 

David and Marty in Lundy Canyon/
On a backpack over Mono Pass, we saw these red and white mountains in the distance. Turns out they are called the Red and White Mountains. We immediately decided to go there soon.  A couple weekends later we took a long (20 mile) day hike to McGee Pass in the Red and White Mountains. We were rewarded with incredible views and a dinner of Thai food back in Mammoth. 

View of Red and White Mountains from Mono Pass.

Almost to McGee Pass, Red and White Mountains.

The different kinds and color of rock is super cool. 
The Rim Fire this summer has been pretty crazy. It is the largest fire ever in Yosemite and one of the largest in California. It will impact natural and cultural resources in much of the northwest section of the Park. Historically, low-intensity fires occurred every 10-20 years in this area. However, 150 years of fire suppression has caused really heavy fuel loading.
View of the Rim Fire from Tuolumne.
Over Labor Day weekend, we headed to King's Canyon National Park for a two night, three day backpack around the Rae Lakes loop, which was amazingly beautiful. It is similar to Yosemite, but more rugged and less people. I had never been backpacking in King's Canyon before, so it was a real treat.

David is excited to make dinner. 

Waterfall at Bubb's Creek.

July 20, 2013

Ghost Town

David's family is visiting from Indiana, and we are staying at a comfy house a the base of Lundy Canyon on the eastern side of the Sierra, not too far from where David lives for his job. Most days have been consumed with eating good food and playing bannanagrams, but today we took a stroll around Bodie, a 19th century ghost town in the California State Park system. This former mining town contains dozens of standing buildings, many still with furniture and other household item. 

Bodie is surronded by sagebrush and hills, just east of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. 

Inside of an old church, with an organ. The dry climate has helped preserve the structures and their interiors.

Bigfoot spotting.


June 18, 2013

Rhubarb Cake

Well, since the last post, many important things have happened - we got married, we went on a short honeymoon, David started a new job, I got a new job, I went to a class in Arizona and I visited the Midwest for a couples weeks. But rather than discuss any of those things in detail, today I want to talk about a topic near and dear to my heart: Rhubarb.

Mom and Dad have had a rhubarb patch in the backyard in St Paul for as long as I can remember. Ever spring, they make a delicious rhubarb cake. It is tart, sweet and light. Today I made the cake for the first time. Yum!
The rhubarb patch

Piece of cake
Rhubarb Cake Recipe

Cake:
½ c shortning
1 ½ c white sugar
½ tsp salt
1 egg
1 tsp soda
1 c sour milk (milk + 1 tbsp vinegar, let set for five minutes)
2 c + 1 tbsp flour
3 c rhubarb cut fine

Topping:
1/3 c brown sugar
1/3 c nuts
1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350.
Cream shortening, add sugar and beat well. Add salt and beat in egg. Mix sour milk and soda. Add soda and milk mixture – add the flour alternating. Stir in rhubarb.
Pour in greased 9x13 pan.
Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over batter.
Bake for 45 minutes. 

April 9, 2013

Portland in the Springtime!

In the last few weeks, Portland has been busting out with flowers, and the whole city is full of color and light green. And it smells great around here. Plus Ira is just getting cuter and cuter. 

Told you so - super cute!
Everyone has bulbs popping up in their yards. 
Pretty flowers. 

Millions of flowers all over the city. 
Even looks pretty in the rain!
Ira is drooling a lot. Must be my cooking. 
And Purple Rain is playing at the Bagdad!
Even the pizza comes with art.

March 17, 2013

From the Atlantic to the Pacific

Mom and I had a great time in Jupiter, Florida visiting grandma. We went to lots of yummy restaurants, walked along the beach everyday, ate tons of sweets, caught up on family feud, played bingo, and even kayaked with manatees! I had a great time visiting with grandma, hopefully I can go back soon - if she lets me, of course ;).
Grandma's lucky turtles at a bingo game. 
Mom knows how to relax in Florida - sun, beer and cookbooks. 
Grandma has lots of wonderful friends in Florida. Added bonus: one is a baker and cake decorator!
Grandma and I take a break from rummicube to pose for a picture. 
I hopped on a plane to San Francisco, where David and I got to see a good friend from Earlham, Bethany. We then headed to Point Reyes to go backpacking. We got great weather - sunny and warm with no rain! I was pleased to learn that the area is also famous for cheesemaking. My three days of hiking was rewarded with gourmet mac and cheese!
Looking west along the coast while hiking at Point Reyes.
Enjoying some delicious water. 

Pretty flower. 

March 2, 2013

Portland!

I'm headed to sunny Florida and California after an amazing month+ in (not so sunny) Portland. Since mid-January, I've been engaging in my traditional Portland standbys - drinking beer and coffee, studying at the library, and eating brunch. I've mostly been busy with my new favorite activity: hanging out with Leah, Chris and my adorable nephew Ira.
Leah, Ira and I.
Proud Uncle!
When he cries it sounds like a goat.
He likes napping. And yawning.
Yup. He's pretty cute.