Recovery ....

I'm not talking about a 12 step program to recovery from ... you know drugs or alcohol...

this

would have to be recovery from vacation. 

I know boo hoo ....

but Rock Creek kicks your butt.

That camping stuff is hard work.

I was barely recovering from the June trip when I found myself on my way back up

with the Rush's ...

and boy was it a great trip. 

Kristi took tons of pictures so

you can check them out on her blog. 

The kids were great, the fishing fantastic and

the weather a bit on the chilly side 

...we were

so busy we almost ran out of time to eat one night. 

How does something like that happen?

I did spend the night

in my motor home "all alone"

one night. 

That is something I have never done before

and it was kind of an adventure (albeit a small one) 

Before Tim dropped me off he courteously mentioned

that he hoped I wouldn't be visited by bears

during the night and that did make me think. 

I slept like a baby however and didn't give it a second thought until Kristi knocked on my door next morning.  I peeked out and she was there with her coffee and gleam in her eye that said....when are we going to start fishing? 

She asked, since I peeked out, if I thought she was a bear.....I said no but the real answer was...........maybe.

So I will leave you with one picture

since a post isn't a post without a picture.

This is one of my favorite
adventures from the trip

and I guess I need one of us

and last but not least the visitor I had

on my evening alone.

Tall, dark and a lot of fun

Until my next vacation...

Can't Get Enough

.....Rock Creek

On our last day at Rock Creek...

after losing 2 of our group to an early departure,

we tried to fit as much as we could into that last day. 

We started off the day with some fishing.

Everyone fished....but the most successful fishermen

were the "Tubers"

Kevin finally decided to try Ron's tube

and boy did he love it.  

After a quick lesson

and a cute new outfit...Kevin was

ready to roll float

The day was gorgeous and the water like glass

Ron chose to fish with Sue this day...so Kevin was a lone floater.

Sue caught a nice fish, with

a little help from Ron.

After fishing...lunch at Pie in the Sky....

and eating Pie...in the Sky,

the ladies decided to have

a relaxing afternoon in the campsite drinking wine

and reading our books. 

That turned into a short nap

Next...showers

(often and ordeal with the limited water)

and then

off to Mammoth for a bit of sight seeing and dinner.

We went to upper Twin Lakes

as well as Lake Mary and Lake Mamie

From the top of the waterfall you can see

Upper and Lower Twin

and we also smelled a photo op

Whoever took the pictures of us (can you guess who?)

decided to

add some extra footage...

We were right at the edge of the waterfall

Yes ... you guessed it, the prankster himself...Marc

From there it was off to dinner in Mammoth and

"Mammoth Margaritas"

Yummy

A little light shopping.

Marc was looking for a nice swimsuit to wear on

the upcoming men's trip

I'm not to sure what Ron was shopping for

but everything looks manly on Ron.

and a little something for the girls.  Marc

bought all the girls a cute T-shirt.

and last but not least...that night I realized I

was out of water and would not get a morning shower

before the drive home.

Marc to the rescue.

He carried at least 3 of these bad boys to fill

my tank.  I was so grateful, I gave him Kevin's scotch.

I decided next mornings shower was the

best ever...

as was Marc.  Thanks Marc!!!

I may post some campfire dinners...but since

I will be going back up to Rock Creek with

the family...we shall see.  I do have other

interests afterall.

I am linking to Susan @
A Southern Daydreamer
for
Outdoor Wednesday

Mesquito Flats

Kevin woke up bright and early the next morning

at Rock Creek and decided to fish. 

The morning was cold, so I didn't hesitate

to send him off with my well wishes

and kick back. 

I actually built myself a fire and enjoyed my coffee.

and enjoyed the sunshine

Before I knew it plans had been made for

a hike to Mosquito Flats.  I think

our ultimate elevation was in the neighborhood of

10,000 plus feet.

The plan was to hike to the "Meadow"

It didn't take us long to get a ways up the mountain.

It's always nice to use a photo op to

rest and get used to the altitude.

Can you see Greg in the background with his map.

Yes, Greg was our navigator.....???

Greg had an ulterior plan. 

He had visions of going to

Ruby Lake

which was a much more vigorous hike.

Before we knew it we were way above the "Meadow"

I do remember once or twice someone asking

Greg if we were going the wrong way.

His reply was always the same.

"NO"

I think we spotted the meadow from way up here...

as he was still checking his map.

It was a gorgeous view

But alas, Greg's plan ran into a small snafu....

SNOW

We were forced to turn back because the path was

still snowed in.

So back down the mountain we went....

to the

"Meadow"

Greg was a bit too smug and never

admitted he sent us the wrong way.

We were lucky enough to get someone

to stop and get

a picture of

our little hiking group.

and each lake we passed

was more beautiful then the last.

and Greg is still looking at his map....

and once again we were twarted. 

Snow as well as a

rushing stream kept

us from our ultimate goal.

Just on the other side of this stream

about 1/2 mile in was the lake we were heading to.

But because the rocks were a bit

slippery and the path was

covered with snow we turned back.

On the way back...

there was a little snowball fight going on.

Unfortunately, Kevin was aiming for Marc and

hit Cheryl right in the shoulder.

No worries...Cheryl is a trouper.

Boys will be Boys!!

or Girls!!

It was a great hike...I think we

hiked at least 10 miles...if not 10 maybe 9,

but for sure at least 8 ....

We did miss Kris and Ron though....

Ron fished

in Mammoth for the afternoon

and Kris enjoyed her book back at camp.

I am linking to http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

for Outdoor Wednesday.

Rock Creek Adventure Tours ....

Who knew I could have so much fun?

Kevin and I headed up to the High Sierras,

between Bishop and Mammoth, about 10,000 feet

up the mountain,

past Schatz Bakery

(actually past Schatz after stopping for some goodies)

to a favorite little slice of heaven. 

Our campground,

East Fork,

was our destination for a few days of fun with friends. 

We were lucky enough to have 3 other couples join in the adventure and from the sign,

it looks like a little competition too. 

As we all began arriving, and almost before their camp was set up, Kris pulled out her trusty chalkboard .....

We could always count on her to

give us the news of the day and of course

which camp would host the bonfire that evening.

For some, it was the first visit

to the campground.  Of course a little

exploration was in order. 

Kevin on the other hand,

started coming to East Fork as a kid....

so he

headed off to throw his hook in the creek.

Can you see him in the distance?

The water was extremely high and the creek was

running faster that normal. 

Be careful!!!

Marc was always around to

look after Cheryl.  This was

Cheryl's first time camping and fishing so

Marc was extra attentive....we do want

her to love it and want to come back.

Was he saving her or trying to push her in?

Hard to tell in this picture.

Greg said, Kevin looks like he is right

out of an L.L. Bean catalog.

Marc and Cheryl on their way to our first

evening bonfire at the Moore's

(Taco and Margarita Night)

This was just the first peek into a weekend of fun

and some beautiful scenery.

Almost just a tease....

because I haven't even taken you outside

the campground yet.

Isla de Vieques

Between my monthly bunco,

hosting a baby shower,

attending a pig roast and completion (almost)

going on in the Porkadillo,

I have not had a second to breath. 

I'm not complaining because it has been an

exciting and productive week,

but I still haven't posted the rest of the pictures

from our Puerto Rico trip. 

I would skip it but the best

part of the vacation was our excursion the the island of Vieques. 

Vieques is a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico

which you can reach by private boat,

airplane or $2.00 ferry. 

We opted for ferry, so bright and early

Thursday morning

(Wednesday we spent at the private beach in the bubble)

we packed our bags

and headed out about an hour and a half from

"The Bubble"

to stand in line for tickets on the ferry.

We arrived an hour and 15 minutes

later to the small port of Vieques,

caught a taxi and drove about 15 minutes more,

arriving at our small Bed and Breakfast

on the Caribbean side of the island.

Preston was feeling a little sick, so Kevin and I ventured out alone to one of the beaches across from out hotel. 

The ocean was wonderfully

warm and calm with miles of sandy beach.

Kevin...equipped for an

afternoon of sun and surf

While we were sitting there contemplating

the reasons why we had not brought beverages

with us we were visited by these guys.

The island is full of wild horses.

We headed back looking forward to dinner, beverages and a trip

to Bioluminesence Bay ahead of us.

Our Bus was going to pick up right in front

of our hotel, so we choose a great

restaurant right next door for dinner.  It was delicious!!!

and then our bus arrived .....

(good thing we had several beverages

with dinner or we would have been a little nervous)

The bio bay experience was incredible.  Picture

yourself swimming in a bay of pixie dust

clinging to you. 

It made you glow

and was almost magical. 

Pictures were

impossible because with the light of the camera you

couldn't see the glow of the pixie dust. 

Click on

the link and you'll get an idea of what we saw...nothing like

the reality of it though.  Puerto Rico is

one of 3 places in the world that can boast of this phenomenon

http://www.biobay.com/

Next day we were off to see the beautiful

beaches of Vieques.

We followed Karsten, Laura and the boys.

These beaches were deserted and absolutely

beautiful.

We enjoyed a bit of a breakfast beverage....

We went from beach to beach along the coast...

and we took the time to swim at each beach

above and below

Kevin was on a constant quest for

fish....

but the beaches were so sandy

there was little fish activity

Our favorite beach? 

Blue Beach.

We were planning to head back on Friday...

but Karsten made

an executive decision and

decided we should stay another night...

Bummer huh? 

We were so excited. 

Then he told us his friend was heading

over to Vieques in his 50 foot boat and we

would be having cocktails with him...

on his boat.

So our ride arrived to take us to the boat.

This is Paco...

our host

Sunset from the boat

So after a wonderful 3 days on

Vieques we headed back to port...back

to the ferry and home to "The Bubble"

It was a great trip...Karsten and Laura were the

most incredible hosts. 
They have already invited us back.

(we were actually planning a catamaran trip in the

Carribean with them for next year)
It was amazing.