9.41 Hike along and up Horsetails Falls, enjoying rock climbing

Part way up Horsetails Falls

Editor going vertical, better than 'ballistic'

Look who popped out from between the granite

Unfortunately, we have had to dismiss our editor. It was not easy or desirable but insubordination is not acceptable even in today’s very understanding world. As we move forward, we are pleased to announce her replacement who happened to be available quite fortuitously. Sometimes things work out that way. We are confident that our new editor will add a different dimension to our travels and hopefully, writings. May we introduce her, pictured below:

New editor lends a hand

We arrived in Kyburz on Sunday afternoon without much fanfare. Everyone knows just where this town is but for the one or two who might have forgotten. It is 25 miles west of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 50. Of course, you knew that. After leaving Sacramento, we noticed the eastern side looked like a grass desert. The vegetation is completely dry giving the countryside that yellow wintry ‘Highveld’ look. Once we got closer to the Sierras, less than an hour traveling, the change was remarkable—mountains of granite covered with an abundance of trees, all green.

NASA builds a space station in Kyburz

Spring tides force Pacific Ocean east

Kyburz’s growth seems to be slow. With a population, according to the highway board, of 139 people, we believe change won’t be arriving soon unless the president makes a campaign stopover. Jenni identified great hikes close by and so we bunked down for three days. Yesterday, we added another hike, therefore extending our stay in the city…town. We occupy the only motel in the area, the other being in Strawberry some ten miles east; we are also the only ‘guests’ in the motel, too. We wonder when their busy season commences. We half expect the highway population board to read 141 soon. By the way, the American River runs towards our hotel room window, kinks to the right and passes our bathroom—a wonderful position—particularly, outside flooding season.

Look Ma, no hands

Another look at this flow of water

We headed for Horsetails Falls, an area covered in granite, of course. We scaled the boulders and rocks towards the source of the falls, while keeping an eye on the water barreling its way down the channel. It amounted to an uphill hike for two miles outbound followed by rock scrambling, vertical in many place, as we climbed. For those who enjoy boulders and rocks such as ourselves, this is rocky paradise.

In some of the positions we found ourselves, the idea we think, is not to look down. There’s something sinister about ‘the force’, which seems to attract one while peering over cliff edges. There is also something incredible in working as a couple to support each other with an encouraging word, a hand held out in support, a foot stretched for the partner to step upon…the occasional chocolate bar…

The Pyramid River, definitely nowhere near 'de nial'

Lean on me, My Friend—we all need someone to lean on, sometimes

We move further east on the morrow but could be back as early as next week if we are persuasive with our editor. Perhaps we should offer her the job back, although we have not been at all impressed with the glint in her eye since her premature retirement.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

"Excuse me, which way is up?"