Another beauty of a day, Wed. 2/16/22

 

What are you going to do when all these February days are blue-sky bright, AND warm and sunny?  Stay home?  Hibernate indoors somewhere?  Not us.  Nope.  We'll find a place to enjoy the outdoors and get some aerobic exercise in the bargain.  Win-win.

Both Jimmy and I left the house dressed in heavy shirts and vests 'cause mornings are so chilly.  Arriving at a lower elevation trailhead, we realized immediately that we were overdressed.  We always seem to do this.  Aha!  Because we always seem to do this, we keep short-sleeved shirts in a bag in the car wayback, so we changed shirts ASAP.  (When we got home, we promptly put two different short-sleeved shirts in the bag and returned it to the car.)  Sometimes we get it right.

Today we picked a well-used trail we've been on before:  The Point Defiance Loop Trail at South Yuba River State Park -- a pleasant 3-mile hiking trail that explores the confluence area of the Yuba and South Yuba Rivers.  It's up and down, with a roughly 600' elevation gain.  Usually we hike counter-clockwise here, but today we got crazy and decided to go clockwise.

Most of the first mile along the So Yuba River is like you see above -- a jumble of rocks and boulders to hop over or around.  We had to watch our footing here, and we were glad we had our walking sticks.

A few wildflowers (already, in February!) had popped up in this south-facing section.  Blue Dicks, left, and Bowl-tubed Iris.  Nice to see a bit of color.  Next month is when wildflowers will begin their spring show.

The So Yuba riverbed is chock-a-block with pebbles and rocks.  Heck, if you didn't know a river was supposed to be here, you'd swear the river'd dried up.  Nope, at this point, the river is flowing next to the far bank, below the trees.

And here, the riverbed narrows and a portion of the river begins to flow on our side.  A number of people passed us along this stretch, and then we were left alone the rest of the way.  Just the way we want it.

We liked the way the water has carved out around the two large underwater boulders.  The trail here is fairly high above the water.

Not just rocks to clamber over,

but trees to duck under!

The confluence of the Yuba and So Yuba rivers marks the beginning of Englebright Lake.  Although NorCal had a couple of big rains (and snows) late last year, we've had bupkis since 2022 began; hence, the water level is again low.

We've rounded the river bend, and are now looking at the Yuba River (or Englebright Lake in the map below).  And we'll start the long uphill slog following the above river ... good for the legs!  Not much color to be seen this time of year.

This loop trail (dotted line, above) was a good workout, and - lucky us - the day was simply spectacular.  Got our dose of Vitamin D, for sure.

About as high as we'll get before leveling out.

Look at the stunning aquamarine of the Yuba River.

We love the verdant green this time of year while tackling the 350' descent on single track switchbacks to the trail finish.  Can you see Jimmy on the dinky bridge over a very dry streambed?  A few of the oaks were leafing out, their tiny spring-green leaves so pretty against our very blue sky.

All around Nevada County, flowering trees are in full bloom.  The sweet scent is enough to make a person swoon!  I hear we're due for a big cool down next week.  Let's see what happens then.  

At our house, these brilliant yellow crocus flowers decorate our side yard.  We have several large clumps of them; not sure where I got the bulbs, but I'm enjoying their golden petals this year.

Glad we could be Out and About today.  Really glad we're retired so we can go and do on weekdays!

Good friends! February 2022

I doubt any of us knew when we began our online blogging many years ago, that we would form friendships as a direct result.  Online at first, and then in person.  True.  Without blogging, Jimmy and I would not have met Sue and Mo or Laurie and Odel.  Rooted initially in our motor home traveling, and then discovering all 'round compatibility, we've become good friends.  Laurie and Odel live a mere 60 miles south of us, but Sue and Mo are over 300 miles north in Grants Pass, OR.

Sue and Mo are exploring NorCal this week in their MoHo and penciled us in for a night.  I forgot to get a picture of their motor home snuggled in next to our Tergel, but once the traffic directors got their ducks in a row, the MoHo was squeezed in quite handily.  Little Matty bolted out of the cab to greet us and do what dogs do, as in sniff everything in sight.

Mo, Sue, me and Jimmy using the self-timer.  No hysterical laughter this time (for once, how rare!), just a group photo.  Ratty Matty perched on the stool.

It just so happened that they arrived as the Super Bowl came on TV, so we watched it (peripherally), tho none of us truly cared who won.  After dinner (chicken enchiladas, etc), Olympic ice skaters were on the menu, so to speak, and we gave them more than a passing glance.  We chatted most of the time, and it was wonderful to catch up in person.

The next morning after a light breakfast and lots more visiting, (and warm hugs) they moved on to their next stop -- a Harvest Host site in Auburn.  But, we had more planned!  We would meet up the following morning (Tuesday) at Awful Annie's Restaurant in Auburn for brunch, all of us, just as we did six years ago.  

January 2016 above, and February 2022 below.

Jimmy, Laurie, Odel, Mo, Sue, and me.

Everyone looks the same.  Younger?  😁

The six of us wanted to go on a short hike, so Laurie found this easy-peasy one-mile loop trail near Lotus, roughly 15 miles from Auburn along the scenic American River.  Part of the BLM Dave Moore Nature Area is designed for those who are physically challenged.  This loop trail "goes from the parking lot trailhead to the South Fork American River and back again, passing through several habitat types. Nestled in the heart of Gold Rush Country, the trail is lined with remnants from nearly 150 years ago when Chinese laborers channeled creek water by hand with pick and shovel for gold mining. Tailing piles from the Gold Rush period blanket the area which lend to the characteristic landscape that makes this area so unique."

One of the features along this trail is "Mushroom Rock," -- two stacked granite boulders with a softer layer of decomposed granite in between that's been weathered by the river in the past.  And doesn't it resemble a big ol' toadstool?  Pretty cool.

Odel and Laurie, at back, and Sue in front,

give you an idea of the mushroom rock's size.

Many-trunked, majestic California Madrone tree.  Huge!

Parts of the trail had handmade walls of lichen- and moss-covered rocks to guide us.  These walls looked old, and perhaps some were original to the gold rush era.

Mo, left, and Jimmy arrived at the river's edge before the rest of us.  Matty was in the lead and she loves sand and water.  My son, Matt, and I kayaked this section of the river five or six years ago, and I was terrified the entire time (so many rapids!).

We could not have picked a prettier day to be Out and About.  Cooler temps and cloudless skies made for a perfect hiking day.  Above, Odel, Laurie and I were discussing hidden dinosaur treasures along the trail.  If we spotted one, we could move it.  Just don't take any home.

Aha!  We spotted the first one.

I call her Ratty Matty 'cause she's a rat terrier.  She's a good pet.

Beautiful South Fork of the American River.

Lovely place for a walk.

Once I laid eyes on the first little dinosaur, I saw them everywhere.  Not just dinosaurs, but all kinds of cute li'l critters.  I usually moved them to a different "hiding" place.  A playful addition to a hike.

Back at the trailhead, the six of us dispersed to our cars.  More hugs and goodbyes, and we departed.  Such an extra-special day, and so much fun being a part of this group.  

On the way home, Jimmy and I had to make a stop Roseville, to pick up a new microwave oven.  Though the calendar says mid-February, nature thinks it's spring.  Unusually warm temps (till today) have fooled plants and trees into early budding/blooming.  The colors throughout the region are gorgeous -- trees of pink and white and whitish-pink, and swaths of yellow mustard made us oooh and aaah as we've traveled about.

It was a grand day.  Thanks for coming to visit, Sue and Mo!  See you next time.  Jimmy and I have lots more going on.  Stay tuned ....