Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Tomorrow is a big day.  First, we begin our four-week, 4,000 mile adventure thru the Northwest. It starts with a six-day encampment of our California families along the shores of Lake Tahoe – the first of our cornerstone stops.  The six-day stop at Lake Tahoe serves up the opportunity to get off the grid; to camp and hike in a lush, yet somewhat dry, pine forest; to enjoy the water; to gaze at the stars in a clear sky; and most importantly to spend quality time with family while making and eating gourmet camp food – hence we now refer to as ‘gamping’.

After leaving Lake Tahoe we’ll head North-East with stops at: Lassen Volcanic National Park; Mount Bachelor/Bend; Pendelton, Oregon; then cutting through Washington to Coeur d’Aene and camping at Farragut State Park, Idaho; then on to Glacier National Park-West and Glacier National Park-East; next we’ll begin our return journey  by way of  the Columbia Gorge, and Northern California’s old-forest redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants.

The mapped path serves as an intent only, and may be adjusted if we discover a yet-unknown line of interest or a need to dodge the various wild fires [there are currently 14 major fires in California]. Much of Glacier National Park was closed the last two weeks due to a six-square mile fire.  The Going-to-the-Sun Road between Logan Pass and St. Mary is still closed and the campground we plan to stay at has been evacuated.  Fortunately the West side of the park is still open.  Our plan to walk on a glacier may be dashed. We monitor the situation, daily.

The second event tomorrow is Jon Stewart’s  last The Daily Show.  We’ll miss it.  It’s his “Good Night, Mrs. Calabash – wherever you are!”   [Jimmy Durante]  moment.

Unlike my past postings, this sashay will be heavier on photos and lighter on text.  I’ll introduce the various participants as we meet up with them along the way.