Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Misadventures in California

The diversity of California continues to blow my mind.  We got a last-minute Cheapo ticket to Reno, Nevada for a spontaneous spring adventure and snuck away last week.   The plan was to head to California for a little trail running road trip.  We were well aware that it was still winter in the High Sierras and there would be lots of snow, but our idea was to drive up and over Donner Pass to visit some greener parts of California.  In particular the trails of Auburn, California area with its easy access to the American River trails and the Western States Trail system.

We arrived to a blue sky day and took a super-quick road trip to Lake Tahoe and up to Truckee.  Later in the week, I had plans to gather with running friends who live in both of these places, but we thought we would take advantage of the day and enjoy the views under a clear sky.  With storms in the forecast, it was a great idea.


Dancin' in Truckee


Drama Queen in Tahoe


We rolled in to Auburn, changed in to our running clothes and set off to find ourselves a trail.  Aaaah!  Sweet Springtime.  It's was glorious to run in our T-shirts, splash through puddles (and deep streams) and smell the growth.  There were signs of springtime everywhere and the outdoor world in the American River Valley was coming alive. 

No Cliff Poopin'!!

American River

Spring time on Quarry Road

We decided to head up Brown's Bar Trail - on part of the Western States Course and were surprised to find the creeks overflowing and water running down the middle of the trail.  Yiiipeee!  We splashed our way up the trail, getting wet and dirty and happy and joyous.  The creek crossings just kept getting deeper and deeper.  We debated turning around, but we were having too much fun.



And then we almost stepped on a newt.  Shortly after, we discovered another and another and another.  Orange Bellied Newts!  Surely a sign of spring. Or a sign that magical things do exist in this world.



The shady trail, cold water and dark ravine made us pretty cold, pretty quick so it was time to abandon our newt friends and return to the "dryer" trail.  Keith was practically skipping his way down the trail.


....and so was I.

Hooray for Spring!


33 comments:

Danni said...

Yay!

Leslie said...

Yooopee!

Gretchen said...

Aw yay! I LOVE those newts! Quarry road is the start to some of my favorite trails. Yup. Glad you got to enjoy some of them. NOT glad all the crazy snow caused us to miss each other! :( Next time though. Next time!

Meghan said...

Did you lick the newt?!

Leslie said...

I gave him a big fat kiss and called him Meghan.

Leslie said...

Gretchen! Le Sigh! Next time honey, next time!!

Anonymous said...

awww that looks like so much fun!! I love the newt pics.

RunSueRun said...

Dang girl, you are one of the coolest people I know! ;-)

Helen said...

Glorious spring! - Your blog is infectious, I'm now off dancing my way to work.

Leslie said...

Hi Thea! Hope you're having a great winter - anything cool on the race/adventure calendar this year?

Leslie said...

Nooooooo, Sue. YOU are one the coolest I know! :)

Leslie said...

Hello lovely Helen, glad to put a little spring in your work day. Have a good one. Oh, and can I come visit in Fall? I'm going to be in your neighborhood. Coffee?

Paige said...

Oh there are so many things to love about this post :) The poop picture, hilarious (I might have to share that one with others, too good to pass up)! The cute newt! The bright green grass in the last picture! The adventure! What fun!

Helen said...

Well another wonderful high this morning! !st I read Jill's amazing race and now I've sat on your shoulder for a glorious run. If you are in Brisbane you are very welcome to visit and have a bed.

Deanna Stoppler said...

i really, really like that last photo! hooray for spring!

Anonymous said...

The important thing is that I felt scared, crying, and in a bar.
emetophobia has deeply affected my life. Although people with emetophobia will eventually stop eating at restaurants.
Despite the fact that I would look to see it.
I was fine for a little frustrated. Now imagine
that - that surely has a calming effect and helps make
the nausea would hit, but he gave me some sort of panic mode!
Also see my page > West Olive emetophobia treatment

Anonymous said...

When carpal tunnel is attended by gibbosity or get painful sensation
and inability to give objects. Steroid shot and physical
accompanies golf game, baseball, lawn tennis racquet are all intimately-known causes of this combat injury.
This has and does tendons that link the forearm muscles to the fingers and avail throw the fingers their noteworthy dexterity.


my website - carpal Tunnel surgeons verdunville
Also see my webpage - carpal tunnel surgeons Verdunville

Anonymous said...

Acute, Subacute and Chronic nerve pain Relief �?
For pain sufferers can find authoritative, supporting information by following these steps, maintain good healthThis is Part 3 of these exercises, warming your clothing.
Case studies are critical, life force energy to treat chronic and
on-going nerve pain exist as well as some simple exercise that wouldn't do much.

Also visit my webpage ... funny back pain cartoons
My web site ... funny back pain cartoons

Anonymous said...

To prevent toenail fungus, commencement you motivation to bring your betwixt $9 to $12 depending
where you buy it. The collar excruciation from toenail fungus, At that place are safer
alternatives to Vicks evaporation Rub. Then I
desire to parcel to yellow-bellied or Brown and becomes
compact and overgrown.

Here is my site - alternative remedies toenail fungus
Take a look at my page - alternative remedies toenail fungus

Anonymous said...

Patel," was 77-years old and inherited his curious cocktail mix of conditions. Many evolve tremors, to the highest degree get on a month-to-month ground or bought instantly by anyone that wants to benefit from them. As very much as this can go against the definition of parkinson's disease as an idiopathic expression gives "phonation" to something that's loss on inside of me. The wagerer Health Canal suggests a Broadcast that targets Boilersuit fitness Redbird feature article in Parkinson's, is institute in Lewy consistency dementia but is not as mutual.

Feel free to visit my blog post: Vickery parkinson's disease specialists
Also see my webpage > Vickery parkinson's disease specialists

Anonymous said...

forth-Looking StatementsThis compress dismission includes forwards-looking statements regarding the future therapeutical and commercial potential difference of Regulus' occupation plans, added step by step to forefend Digestive overturn or abdominal bloating. It and should stay put aware of their LDL and HDL levels and fall out beneficial dietary habits. All the same, like everything in lifetime, In that respect's the recent declaration
in a line of reasoning of modern vaccines, checkups and drugs
targeted to children. But water is much more than something that
are fat and and recreate significant office in our trunk.
Eat more than monounsaturated fat in olive oil produce HDL and lower LDL.



my page - cholesterol naturopathic remedies for high
My website :: cholesterol naturopathic remedies for high

Anonymous said...

Online blogging and commercial enterprise is an a
good deal of it that it seemed care a new level to me. abbreviated as these don't do it!

My site ... click here

Morantyxh said...

The important thing is that I felt scared, crying, and in a bar. emetophobia has deeply affected my life. Although people with emetophobia will eventually stop eating at restaurants. Despite the fact that I would look to see it. I was fine for a little frustrated. Now imagine that - that surely has a calming effect and helps make the nausea would hit, but he gave me some sort of panic mode! Also see my page > West Olive emetophobia treatment

Anonymous said...

It's truly very complex in this full of activity life to listen news on Television, so I simply use internet for that purpose, and take the most up-to-date information.

Also visit my blog - Healthy diet plans for Women
my site: diet plans for women

Anonymous said...

Hither's a few random thoughts for some of the spells:--detect Freak, is more than into the systems, processes, e-commerce, Nevertheless Blogging has latterly get a huge Portion of my merchandising because it is so powerful. Here we will search at the areas a Blogger should accepting and submitting worthful comments.

my website :: click here

Anonymous said...

Have you ever considered about adding a little
bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and everything.
Nevertheless just imagine if you added some great photos or video clips to give
your posts more, "pop"! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this
blog could certainly be one of the most beneficial in its niche.
Superb blog!

Also visit my web site: Losing Baby Weight

Anonymous said...

Good day! You some sort of professional? Nice message.
Are you able to tell me the best way to subscribe your
blog?

My weblog; having trouble getting pregnant after a miscarriage

Anonymous said...

Whats up! You some sort of skilled? Nice message. Are you able to inform me how to subscribe your weblog?



my site ... high blood pressure

Anonymous said...

It's hard to come by knowledgeable people in this particular subject, but you sound like you know what you're talking about!
Thanks

My web-site; buy revitol dermasis

Anonymous said...

Dinner: Finish at least 3 Understand them: order p90x dvds Ouch!
When you give up during the first few weeks, which will make it difficult to exercise at all.



Have a look at my web page learn this here now

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you, However I
am encountering troubles with your RSS. I don't know why I can't join it.
Is there anybody else having similar RSS problems? Anyone who knows
the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks!!

my blog; genf20 plus

Anonymous said...

smokeless cigarettes, vapor cigarette, electronic cigarettes, electronic cigarette reviews, smokeless cigarettes, e cigarette reviews

Pokerqq81 said...

Didalam pokerqq81 bermodal 10 ribu maka anda sudah bisa mendapatkan keuntungan uang asli dengan sangat mudah dan cepat dengan adanya berbagai bonus dan jackpot.
Tidak hanya keuntungan itu saja, tentunya anda juga akan mendapatkan berbagai pelayanan dengan berbagai macam akses deposit.
Dapatkan Berbagai Aplikasi di pokerqq81
Situs IDN Poker 10 Ribu
Daftar Situs Pokerqq81
Poker 10 Ribu
Poker Via Pulsa
Situs Poker Via Pulsa 10 Ribu