Cabarton Ranch on the North Fork Payette River is owned by Ann’s Dad’s cousin David MacGregor, who invited us up to spend the Christmas/New Year week. I’m hoping for snow at the nearby Tamarack ski area, but so far it’s pretty bare up here, so Ann and I walk up Cabarton Road to the town…

It’s early December, cold, and we’re looking for some winter hikes close to Reno. This area in the hills east of town seems to have a big network of trails that climb up right from the trailhead – possibly good for workout hikes. We make our way up one rocky little trail and down another.…

The day before Thanksgiving we move from the high, airy Mid Hills campground at 5600 feet above sea level to the much balmier Kelso Dunes at 2400 feet. My couple of hikes in the dunes put me into a rare camera frenzy. The dunes are providers of unusual sights. A few tamarisk trees provide a…

Today Ann and I split up – for a few hours. She does the 9 mile trail hike from the Hole in the Wall campground to Mid Hills, while I move the camper and run back to join her. This campground is high and airy, and I find a site with fantastic views. Mid Hills…

Some leaking transmission fluid under our truck and a weak camper battery make us question our plan to spend Thanksgiving in the remote Mojave National Preserve. We decide neither problem is too serious, and head out for the Hole-in-the-Wall campground. We arrive at sundown, with just enough time for a short exploration of Banshee canyon.…

Looking forward to a quiet thanksgiving week, we pack the camper and head south toward the Mojave. Desert Driving Break Harlequins and Mallards greet us for a break in Bishop. Harlequins and Mallard in Bishop And our friend Ted greets us for some long overdue grilling and yakking. The weather turns stormy when we get…

Note: posted 19 days post-outing. Twice now we’ve gone to the Emerald Bay trailheads on lake Tahoe to hike or climb and instead found ourselves fleeing crowds, mayhem, and full parking lots. A visit from our friend Peter prompts us to get up early on a chilly day to beat the rush and explore the…

Posted 13 days after the fact. Amazing autumn weather gives us a chance to do this classic hike in the Desolation Wilderness before it’s snowed in. We’re joined by Uri, a visitor from Israel whose good humor and conversation enhances the experience. We stay in the camper nearby and walk to the trailhead in the…

Note: posting this 18 days after the fact – catching up! Mom and I gathered mushrooms in the Tobico marsh last year around this time also – maybe it will become a tradition. It’s too late for the sulphur shelves this year, but Mom finds enough gypsies for a good snack when we get home!…