Birthday Boy

Tahoe is 3 years old today. He loved all of his presents, especially the big bone.

Rocks and Rain

This is the reason I love this hike so much - the outstanding views. Even Tahoe was mesmerized.

Look at this wall of water coming toward the tent.

Self portrait.

Sandstone Buttes.

Images from Sedona

Pine cones on an agave.

A seasonal waterfall.

Tahoe found a drinking fountain.

Can you see my tent? It's on the edge of the tan sandstone cliff, just to the left of the tallest rock. I couldn't stake it out on the sandstone, but was so windy that I ended up tying it down with rope to keep it from blowing 1,600 feet down.

Bear Mountain

Tahoe and I backpacked one of my all time favorite hikes.

This little frog came out during the rain. He blends in perfectly with his surrounding.

Large prickly pear.

I had to stop four times to build a quick rain shelter while ascending the mountain.

Black River Video

California Video

I finally decided to try Blogger's new video upload. This is a video from last Spring Break in Anza Borrego, Mojave, & Death Valley. It's about 10 minutes long.

Victory in sight

After two weeks of strategic militaristic tactics, the surge is showing progress. We have located the enemy and nuked them with deadly toxins, thereby ensuring our security. The death toll has reached an all time high of 28. (This is what they look like under a black light.)

Thompson Trail

We parked at a trailhead near this picturesque cabin. I must have hit a big sharp rock on the way because I got a flat. It was a brand new tire, so I took it back to the store later and got a new one for free. I didn't mention that I was driving 40 miles an hour down a forest service road.

Traci and Tahoe lead the way. We saw several other dogs on this trail, and Tahoe was, by far, the most well behaved.

We found a pretty spot to camp by the river.

More mushrooms.

Black River

Tahoe and I rest in a quiet meadow.

Bottle gentian.

The weather was perfect - sunny and warm during the day with rain and hail in the evening.

Small snake.

Steeple Trail

Even though it was Labor Day weekend, we only saw two other hikers in this desolate wilderness.

The cold water cascades down the creek.

There were lots of fun river crossings.

Grant Creek

We camped near an old moonshiner's cabin, and found this strange totem-like carved wood.

Flute shaped orange mushroom.

Tahoe and I slept really well after backpacking all day.