Flamingo on a Stick

Helicopter landing with injured person Let’s start with the rescue at the park. Remember that hike that John and I did a couple weeks ago? I mentioned that it was one of the most difficult hikes we have ever done. Well, someone got in trouble on that trail and a helicopter rescue was necessary. This trail is notorious for problems and Adolfo told me in the summer the helicopters land here at Canyon Creek about every 4-6 weeks to pick someone up. They usually send an ambulance up to the area, bring them down and load them to the medical helicopters here and take them out. Today we saw the ambulances go by and soon after a lifeguard helicopter landed in the grassy area by Putah Creek. A short while later a Highway Patrol helicopter showed up too. They couldn’t get the injured person down to the ambulance so this copter was outfitted to let the personnel get down on wires and haul the person up to the helicopter. So we watched them get the personnel and basket ready to go up for...

Coffee and Internet at Steady Eddy's, a great combination. Its a gorgeous day in California. We are sitting outside at Steady Eddy’s enjoying a cup of coffee and soaking in the sunshine. Last week there was little outside time as a string of 3 storms came through Northern California. We had plenty of rain and there were some mud slides on Hwy 128 but nothing too bad and though we got about 5 inches of rain we didn’t have the flooding some areas had. So the sun is back out and all is well. Two of our work camping couples left yesterday for different jobs. This park has issues keeping their work campers because of the lack of internet and phone service. We have decided to honor our commitment and John likes the work so we will stick it out until the end of January. Next week we are going on a little vacation to Sonoma for a couple days. I found a little Inn (Sonoma Creek Inn) just a few blocks from the Plaza that had a good rate of $200 that includes a dinning certifica...

Lake Berryesa Sunday John and I finally took the time to hike the hills near our campground. We had heard there was a five mile loop that had a trailhead just a short way up the road, close enough to walk to the trailhead. We got to the map of the trails and the loop is called the Blue Ridge Trail loop, 5 miles and listed as difficult. Now many of the tails we have taken that were listed as difficult we would consider as moderate so we decided we were up to the task and took off. In the case of this trail - difficult means difficult. It may be the most challenging trail we have hiked to date.  Lake Berryessa The climb up is pretty steady and steep for about 2 miles, some stairs and switchback. The stairs at times were the height of 2 steps and for my short little legs they became difficult after the first 50 or so (I didn’t count but I’m sure there were at least that many). After we finally reached the top of the first peak we looked out to see we would have some do...

Putah Creek that runs through the campground I know its been awhile but our internet has been a challenge. I can get on through our managers wifi (he’s connected directly to the parks satellite internet) but we know they have a pretty limited data contract and so we try not to abuse it. Its actually hard to abuse it because the signal is not very strong and disappears completely on a regular basis. I’ve learned that when I do have a signal I get my email right away then if it stays up I check Facebook so I can catch up on family. Once in awhile, usually late at night I can get on Pinterest or sometimes a blog or two. Before we came here I use to spend a couple hours in the morning cruising through the blogs I follow, now I try to get to a few when I get in town and find a wifi. The cafe we were using for wifi has a new owner and the last time we were there the internet wasn’t working and the owner said he was having issues with AT&T. Our guess is they raised his rate and he d...

Lake Berryessa, just across the dam from us I know it has been too long since my last post so I think I am going to do several posts to catch up and post them gradually this week when I am in town.  We actually have been really busy. When we first arrived here I was really worried about keeping busy since there really isn’t any specific work for me but that hasn’t been an issue.  John has been working more than his 24 hours a week so we are banking some hours for other days off. He is part of the maintenance crew and they are doing lots of renovation projects around the park. I think he likes the work and is enjoying the guys he works with. He works 6-8 hours a day Tuesday to Friday. One of the all ways in our haunted house The week before Halloween we all worked to put together a haunted house for the kids. It was a lot of fun and I learned that I was a great screamer, I don’t scream very often so it was a surprise to me. John manned a chainsaw (chain removed)...

Putah Creek We’ve been here at Canyon Creek for just over a week and we are beginning to feel settled in. The park is ok but in a great location. Winters is the nearest town and it is about 10 miles east of us on a very curvy road. This little town is actually a real gem. It has several good restaurants. ‘Preserves’ is mainly a bar but has a unique menu with gourmet cheeses and a jalapeno jelly they make themselves. They have about 20 beers on tap, many are crafted beers including several from a local microbrew started by the people who own the Berryesa Gap winery. Chueys is a Mexican restaurant that is excellent and Putah Cafe is a great place for breakfast. There is a steak place called Buckhorns that we will check out eventually. Actually our favorite spot is a little coffee shop called Steady Eddy’s. They have free wifi, great coffee and a great breakfast panini John and I share. That is where this post most likely will be made.  So we like this little town and we are e...

Sitting at a coffee shop in Winter Ca using there free wifi. We have arrived at our work camping spot. This is beautiful membership park but the parking is tight. Took a little doing but we got in our spot. When John did the phone interview he really didn't ask many questions so we found out that really all 24 hours expected from us are his, as a carpenters assistant. The good thing is he met his supervisor, Larry, and I think he will enjoy the work. Here's the challenge for me. There is no cell signal in the park so no internet in the rig, can connect via ethernet in the lounge. They are working on a wi-fi but it won't be up and running for 4-5 weeks. No tv signal so we may have to get satellite tv, maybe we'll see. So take care and we will post as we can. Happy trails....................

Once again its time to let the photos speak for themselves. Favorite photo of the day. Seven miles later, a beer and a lawn chair, it doesn't get any better than this. Happy Trails........................