GGs on the Go

03/03/2025

Springtime in Cathedral Hills!

02/17/2025

Today we hiked the Bear Gulch Trail near Buncom. On our way back, we stopped for a cute cow crossing the road (in no hurry).

02/05/2025

2015 Hut-to-hut adventure across the Swiss Alps!

02/05/2025

2006 One summer’s day, we set out to do an out and back hike from Tuolumne
Meadows. We had our poles, food, hydration. Everything we needed…we
thought. We were in hiking summer attire. We hadn’t quite realized we’d be at
elevation and could be caught in some snow fall. It did snow lightly. We hiked on.
As we approached our turn around point; the trail simply “called” to continue.
Hikers know the voice. So on we went. Just a bit further. Then a bit further still.
And yet even further. At some point we decided to just ‘go for it’ (translation: do
the 26 miles to Yosemite Village and shuttle the 50+ miles back to our vehicle).
We had the shuttle schedule; including last shuttle of the day. We knew the
ranger stations close and do not allow hikers to shelter in for the night. No
problem. On we went…
I guess we hadn’t accounted for the decent into the valley from the high country.
Granite rocks and steps became excruciatingly painful at each step. This
significantly slowed our pace. Since there was no turning back now; we
continued on towards our shuttle.
As fate would have it; we missed the shuttle. Night was falling and we were over
50 miles from our vehicle. Naturally we thought to hitchhike back to our car.
Who wouldn’t pick up 2 women; right? Complicating the situation were the
murders in the Park earlier that season. That there were not a plethora of
vehicles out in the evening was an understatement. We tried flagging them down
but none stopped. It was getting colder and darker by the minute. Being ever
resourceful; we decided to try flagging down a car with a $20 bill. That worked.
A lovely young man and his girlfriend ferried us back to our car. We lived to
share the story.
We were grateful. Adventure completed. (The next day however, we could barely
walk…)

02/05/2025

2005 —We left our home in Southern California with our wilderness kayaks; intent on a multi-day
adventure on Lake Powell. The drought had dropped the lake significantly so the lake scape was
calling to be explored by kayak and on foot. Our wilderness kayaks had ample room for a tent;
sleeping bags; food; stove, etc. The beauty of our journey lay ahead and we answered.
Having never before been on Lake Powell; we were surprised at both it’s size and all the motorized
vehicles on the lake. Nonetheless we launched and ventured deep into the lake and it’s many
arms. The nights were peaceful and star filled. We were sometimes challenged by the wakes
emitting from the speed boats out there recreating too closely alongside us.
Towards the end of our excursion; the weather sharply changed. The skies darkened
dramatically and we noticed all the boats heading for the boat launch. The rains came down in
torrents and the lightening was striking close. By this point; it was a race for the boat launch
along with all the other boats that had dallied to long on the water. The proximity of the
lightening gave a burst of speed to our paddling efforts yet one can only paddle so fast. The boats
overtook us and passed us. Apparently it was every boat for themself; survival of the fittest.
Since I am writing this account; clearly we reached the take out place where our car was parked.
We loaded our kayaks in the torrential rain. The lightening was all about. We were drenched.
Next time, we said, we’d scout the weather patterns and look in particular for monsoons before
setting out on a journey. Not sure we’ve done that yet…

01/18/2025

Perhaps Baba Yaga is out there lurking in the shadows somewhere…

Ellendale Creek Loop on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/ellendale-creek-loop?sh=fjbxac

11/26/2024

11/08/2024

Washington is currently showcasing its beauty.

10/26/2024

Lori navigated through a flock of turkeys gathering for their evening meal.