Category Archives: AdventuresWithYum

Ahhh, Truckee…

Just got back from Truckee–our first trip of the year. It’s only been three months since our last trip, but it seems like forever. We really need to spend more time in the mountains.

We drove up Sunday afternoon, spent the night, and drove home this afternoon. It’s pretty nice being a two-hour drive away. And it was sooo relaxing. There was snow everywhere and it was very quiet. And very cold–last night it was around 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

I barbecued some ribeyes and baked potatoes last night for dinner. For midnight snacks we had some napoli pizza. This morning we had leftovers and some nice English Breakfast tea.

It’s always nice to spend time at the cabin. Even if you don’t do anything but lounge around and chat, like we did this trip. The minute you set foot in the door you can feel your stress melting away…

Xmas = Ber

Yum has been listening to and singing along with Christmas carols since the beginning of September.

September. You know, when it’s still 110 degrees outside?

This matters not to Yum. You see, her theory is this: Once the months start ending in “brrr” it’s Christmas.

SeptemBER, OctoBER, NovemBER, DecemBER–it’s Christmas.

What have I gotten myself into?

Hoping for Hope Valley

On Sunday afternoon, Yum and I went for a short little drive.


View Larger Map

Only a few hundred miles.


Silver Fork of the American River


Yum with her new friend in Kirkwood


My new crush, Hope Valley.

Hope Valley is such a beautiful place. It lies between Kirkwood and the Cal-Neva border along highway 88. It has everything that I look for in the mountains: bleach-white granite rocks, high altitude(7,000 ft.), a trout stream (West Fork of the Carson River), designated camp grounds (US Forest Service link), alpine scenery(meadows, high mountain peaks), and my beloved pine and aspen trees.

I’ve spent all day Monday and today dreaming about Hope Valley. I can’t wait to go back for another visit.

Click here for some more pictures of our roadtrip.