Unexpected, extended stay in California: some thoughts

 

Katie in her beloved Sierra foothill granite

Daffodils blooming on Jan. 10!!

Villas, like this are common.  I felt like I was in Italy

Humongous mansions everywhere

Bedecked for a Christmas ride on the Folsom Lake trail.

What began as a Christmas trip to visit Katie's relatives in California turned into an extended stay because of a member's illness.

We stayed nearly a month in the Sierra foothills east of Sacramento enduring almost daily rain that translated into snow in the Sierra's --- up to a 17 feet badly needed and welcomed dump that nourished sadly depleted snowpack and began refilling reservoirs.

Family business kept me pretty much pinned down, except that I was able to walk to a National Recreation Trail on Folsom Lake and along adjacent ridges for daily hikes.

The rain had really greened up the area, and we even saw spring flowers like daffodils begin to bloom.  There are a significant number of deer, wild turkeys, coyote, buzzards and varieties of birds.  I was thrilled to see bluebirds nearly every day.

We had been fortunate to drive the 1,100 miles to California in dry conditions, and found a travel window with clear highways coming back.

I was impressed with how Cal Tran, California's highway department, had kept a clear path through the Sierras at Donner's Pass.

Lucky for us we missed the bitterly cold post-Christmas weather in Montana and enjoyed 50 degree temperatures in California.

Every time we travel there I'm overwhelmed by the wealth, the expensive cars and the multi-million dollar mansions that look more like Mediterranean villas.  My wife always reminds me that this area --- Roseville, Granite Bay, Folsom, Auburn, has nowhere near the wealth of a San Francisco or Los Angeles among its elites.

But I had to think that this represents the great economic divide in this country if what I was seeing in the foothills didn't represent some of the richest.

I thoroughly explored the Folsom Lake area trails, so much so that I even picked up a mild case of poison oak while bushwhacking off trail.

There are a considerable number of horseback riders using the trails, probably another indicator of the wealth.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the time or equipment with me to enjoy the nearby winter sports in the Sierras.

Oh, by the way, the cheapest gas we could find in Granite Bay, CA was $4.34.  On the way home, Wells, Nev., was cheap oasis at $3.18, much cheaper than the $3.43 at home.

I'm glad to be home and will hit the backcountry snow sports if the weather cooperates.