Stumpy Meadows May 2020

This has surely been a challenging year. My big trip was cut short due the pandemic and I have been pretty much stuck at home for several weeks since then. Thankfully I have managed to get in a few sanity saving outings in the van.

I am, for really the first time, starting to feel old. I am starting to accept that senior title. In a couple of months I will turn 66. I am realizing that my body and mind are aging. When I first awake in the morning I am stiff and sore. It may take hours to feel fully functional.  When my grandson grabs my hand just wrong, I wince in pain. Arthritis and compressed discs are taking their toll. And maybe the worse thing...I cannot get down on the ground to play with the grandkids anymore. It is just too hard to get back up.

Maybe it is just the inactivity. Hopefully with summer approaching and covid restrictions lifting, things will get better. I feel healthier when I am camping. Maybe it is the maneuvering in tight quarters in the van that keeps me more limber. When camping, I am more active. I hike everyday usually morning and evening. I kayak and bike. I keep moving.  I really need to get back on the road! 

My biggest fear is that at some point I will not be able to kayak. Lugging the boat around, and getting in and out of the boat has become a little more challenging.  There are a lot of us in my group in my age range. And I know we are all facing similar issues. We have several in their 70’s. These guys and gals are great role models!  So here is to a better year.

Yesterday I paddled Stumpy Meadows. It is a beautiful little reservoir that suffered a horrendous fire a couple of year ago. This creates a somewhat eerie landscape. I saw a couple of osprey diving for dinner, which is always a treat.

Russian River RV Park May 18

This was a last minute choice when my Yosemite trip fell through. Crazy priced at $63.00 a night. I thought it might be worth it as it boasts being on the Russian River. Well...the River is a bit of a walk and pretty shallow. Could not kayak there. That being said it was still beautiful.

The park is large and hilly. I was lucky, along with a couple of friends to get loop A. This loop had the most private spots that were closest to the river. So all in all, nice find when there are so few open parks. Oh yeah, the park is next to highway 101, so some road noise. The drive up was pretty and at 3.5 hours, nice and close. 

Luckily for me, friends Trey and Becky suggested we kayak lake Sonoma. I hadn’t even thought of it. So we went and it was beautiful!!! Great kayaking and camping.  

Lake Almanor - May 14

I have been staying home and self isolating for almost 7 weeks. And then my May Yosemite trip got cancelled. Other trips coming up are unsure!!! I badly needed to get outside somewhere in nature and preferably by water. I started with RV parky and started checking for any possible open Campground or RV Park. I lucked out and found this gem. Lake Almanor. It was on my list to check out for future camping and kayaking but it was open now!! I texted my fellow Travato sisters and said let’s go! They were as anxious as me to hit the road.

Lake Almanor is beautiful. The campground is somewhat small and all the sites are good sized. All three of us scored great water front sites. It was pretty empty which made it even more special.  I loved my little camp spot on the water. The weather was all over the place with rain, wind and occasional sun. But it was just what the doctor ordered. We hunkered down when it rained then headed out to walk around the lake when it cleared.

And the rainbow we saw (pictured below) was AMAZING!

I will be coming back to this place again!