Snap!

My classical guitar was in a crazy drop tuning (C#-G#-C#-F#-B-C#) for some time because I was just hooked on playing Willy Porter's "Moonbeam" when, out of the blue, I was in the kitchen and heard a pop that turned out to be my D string (now 1/2 step lower) breaking. I hadn't yet had a chance to replace it, but I figured since I couldn't remember the last time I had changed my strings that I best just put a whole new set on.

Last night I had some extra time and really wanted to get new strings on so I could play a bit, and play for K when she comes in--a matter of hours now!--so I sat on my futon with guitar in lap, package of Savarez Red Cards on my knee, and pitchpipe on the coffeetable. I changed all of them, despite taking a long time, and noted that it was probably one of the best string-applications I had done, based on how they were wrapped and tied off. I was putting on the finishing touches: one last stretch, one last retune, the snipping the loose ends. And I cut the G a little too close to the bridge, because as soon as I turned the guitar to play it, the string just snapped and unwound the last 1/4" where it had previously been securely looped.

So pardon me, because I need to run to a music store to pick up a set and an extra G.

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Working hard on Labor Day

I had been talking for quite some time about going backpacking over a three-day weekend. When Fourth of July didn't work out for packing (did a nice dayhike instead), I had to jump on Labor Day. Earlier in the week I sent out an email to anyone at work I could think of that may like the outdoors, and got a few responses. So Geoff, Conor, and I were going to Sequoia National Forest.

Conor had volunteered with the ranger there two summers back, so he really knew the place well. We went to Mineral King, which is in the southern part of the forest, about a 5 hour drive from where we live, the last hour of which is 15mph steep winding mountain road.

After renting a bear canister for our food and getting the appropriate backcountry permits, we hit the trail Saturday around 3pm, a rather late start. Apparently the sequoia trees in this section of the forest weren't "the big ones," but many of them sure looked huge to me. We hiked in past creeks, waterfalls, sequoias, and firs, about 7 miles to Franklin Lakes, where we set up camp right around sunset. I was surprised at how many people were out there, but considering that much of my other backpacking has been in the Midwest where people generally become sedentary at age 32, I suppose I shouldn't have been so shocked to see about 8 parties of 2-4 people.

The morning arrived and we took a minute-and-a-half swim in the 40 Farenheit waters of our lake. Packing up camp, we ended up getting a late start on the trail again, about 9:30 or so. The whole trip we kept a pretty strong pace despite the elevation and the incline, but we took frequent enough breaks, particularly at the nice vistas and other lakes that we didn't really feel rushed.

Night two came as we were all exhausted, barely arriving at the Lost Canyon junction before dark. This after a day of traversing Franklin Pass, stopping by Lake Forester and Little Claire Lake, passing through areas of bare rock, old-growth forest, and country-club-like grasses and creeks. Night two was also pretty cold, and the next morning we awoke with frost on the tent poles.

A reasonable start that morning, feeling refreshed after a good night sleep but still with sore feet, and we did the climb to Columbine Lake before lunch. Crossing a meadow complete with meandering stream and permafrost patches, we began the ascent to Sawtooth Pass. From the Pass we could look down to see the Ranger Station far below, as well as Sawtooth Peak (which we decided we weren't going to summit) and so much of the rest of our surroundings as well. The descent on loose scree was a bit tricky, but by the time we arrived at Monarch Lake the terrain had become more stable. Our descent continued through evergreen forest for the remainder of the afternoon. We arrived at the parking area around 5, tired and looking forward to dinner and pie at Silver City Resort.

The stats: two and a half days, nearly thirty-one miles, starting elevation around seventy-eight hundred feet, peak elevation around eleven thousand nine hundred. Combined over two hundred digital photos, some of which I've posted on my Flickr account. Views of a few animals: mule deer, marmots, grouse, tarantulas; views of so many different types of landscapes: old forest, young forest, meadow, solid bare rock, loose rock, lakes, streams, waterfalls. The aftermath: a little sunburn, some sore feet, full stomachs from our dehadrated camp meals and the Silver City burgers and pie, a handful of inside jokes, and some wonderful memories.

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Stargazing Revisited

I had quite the experience going to see the Perseid Meteor Shower this year. Yes, I know it occurred in mid-August, but as for this post, better late than never, right?

I nearly had forgotten that the Perseids were going on, but then at work that Friday a few weeks back Ryan mentioned that he and his girlfriend and another couple were driving out to dark skies. At lunch hour I looked online for a place to camp further north, and eventually decided on Lake Piru in Ventura County. So after work I rushed home and grabbed everything I could think of: tent, sleeping bag, stove, flashlight, and fishing rod for the morning.

I got to the lake and checked in, getting a campsite not really as near the water as I had hoped. Realizing I had left my fishing license at home, I inquired as to the cost of a day license, but it just wasn't worth it. So no fishing for me in the morning. Blech.

Setting up my tent at the site, I realized that I had also left my food sitting in a grocery bag in my apartment. I had a plum and an orange, but my dinner and breakfast were neatly stiuated an hour and a half drive away. Frustrated, I got some firewood and prepared for a long night. About this time a woman from the site across the way from me (they looked like they had about 8 people: big base camp tent and two trucks) comes over and introduces herself, saying that her girlfriend felt bad because it looked like I was alone here. I explained that sometimes I just like getting away, and when invited to hang out with them I gave a "maybe" that meant "probably no." But a few minutes later, after I got my fire going, she came back, skipping arm-in-arm with a teenage girl, and asked if I could help get their fire going. So I decided I may as well socialize. I get to their fire ring and see a few huge, soaking wet logs simply smoking. The teenage son didn't realize that you need small, dry stuff to start the fire. Chalk it up to inexperience: everyone has to learn sometime. So I get the fire going while the whole group dogs on the son.

These people were really nice. Lots of fun. They offered me carne asada and Coors and tacos, even though I hadn't mentioned anything about my lack of food. And their food was good. For the rest of the evening I sat by their campfire, piecing together how they were all related (the teenage kids were the children from a previous relationship of the girlfriend of original woman who came to get me; her brother and his wife were also there; and there was a couple with them who were long-time friends with all of them) and talking about California life, outdoors, work, and other things. The kids were really interested in seeing the meteor shower, so I told them I'd get up around 1:30 am to head down to the lake and they could meet me then. Eventually, the last of the adults decided it was sleepy-time, and I retired to my tent as well. These folks saved my night.

Getting up at 1:30 wasn't that bad. I actually woke up a good ten minutes before my watch was set to beep. I tried to quietly get my shoes on but I realized that there were still a few campsites nearby where people were playing poker by lantern-light or stoking at the fire with spent marshmallow-sticks. I met the kids and we headed down to the lake to get away from the campground lights. Unfortunately, it was still awfully cloudy, but we were all troopers and stared up at the sky for nearly an hour. A few times, I wasn't sure if it was our eyes playing tricks or if there may have been a small break in the clouds, because it really did look like meteors, but not nearly as spectacular a show as last year. Nonetheless, it was nice to get out and feel the early-morning air and share it with these people who I just met.

I woke up with the sun, packed my things, and looked across the way to see the entire campsite sleeping well past 7:00. Before driving away I wrote a little note and left it on their picnic table, thanking them for the food and company last night.

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Exactly what I was looking for

As we enter mid-September, I was beginning to worry that my new Southern California home would fail to deliver my favorite season. After a lifetime of midwestern autumns, I notice that many of my lunchtime conversations have been laments about the leaves not changing, the air not getting cool and crisp. This morning, over my breakfast coffee, I perused REI's new mailing, which featured Fall's Favorite Places, rain protection, cozy fleeces, and trail runners and cross-trainers that can keep your feet dry even in wet conditions. I long for fall.

Today is Casual Friday at work. Despite the "casual everyday" policy and the "even more casual Friday" culture, this is my first time wearing jeans on the job. It feels very good.

Out the door of my apartment, it was cool and half-cloudy. My arms sticking out from short sleeves actually felt comfortable, for once the impending sweat retreating back into the lower layers of my pores. This was a great morning.

Driving south, there was a fog over the mountains. The sun had not yet broken through, and the air was heavy with moisture instead of smog.

And the radio played Counting Crows and Norah Jones.

So it may get sunny and hot later. But right now I don't care. I'm on an autumn high. This morning just felt right. It was exactly what I was looking for.

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T-minus one week

Kristin visits me exactly one week from today! I absolutely cannot wait.

Where the hell have I been these last four weeks? Busy, tired, not really wanting to spend time in front of a computer. But I promise, I'll update you all soon enough.

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