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 ....