As you can see the trip got off to a very cold and snowy start. I did confirm a couple of my old rules on this trip. How hard it rains is directly proportional to how familiar you are with setting up your tent. Let's just say I had only set this tent up once in the garage before the trip. When we arrived it was raining. Checked in and found our site. The rain stopped so WB and I started to put up the tent. And of course it did not go up the first time and than the heavens opened and the rain came down hard. Thanks to our neighbors and a very good absorbent towel from REI we got the tent up and somewhat dry. After a couple of hours at the lodge in Curry village we were somewhat dry and full since we decided to eat at the cafeteria. During the first night it decided to get cold and snow. And the guy across the way in a large RV decided he needed electricity all night by running his generator. But I had made the correct choice of sleeping bags and WB was warm and cozy but upset about the generator.
The morning however was beautiful.
After the storm cleared it was great. Each day the weather improved and the temps warmed up.
After the weather improved it was time for a bike ride. During which I confirmed my other theory. Bike problems are directly proportional to the distance back home. Or in this case camp. On the way in we passed a waterfall I had not seen before a mile or so past the 140 entrance to the park. It looked like it would be a great ride. Down through the valley down hill to the falls turn around and back up the hill and home. It started out just fine, pumped up the tires put on my warm bike stuff. Realized my helment and gloves were still on the work bench at home. Oh well red hat and some thin gloves had to do. Great ride down to the falls stopped enjoyed the views along the way with the rest of America. After viewing the fall turned around at the small parking lot, looked down. A FLAT TIRE. No problem I have all the stuff. Carefully changed the tube. Found the problem a small piece of glass.. Started to pump up the tire with my trusty 20 year old pump. Which, when tire was somewhat inflated BROKE. Great. Climbed on the bike the tire a little low was OK to ride. So needless to say it was a careful ride back to camp trying to avoid any pinch flats. But all in all a great ride. Pumping the tire up at camp with my floor pump made the next day's ride great.
We had a couple of good day hikes one to mirror lake picture above as proof.
Overall great first retirement trip. The WRX got 25MPG overall. Saw gas for over $4.00 for regular. Needless to say waited until interstate five to fill up on the way home. Ended the trip with a weekend in SLO visiting the college daughter and seeing some friends from SoCal.
Enough for now off for a bike ride. Davis Double coming up. Must train.
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