Maybe in Oz

We never thought we'd find ourselves vacationing in Ohio (especially while living in Australia), but our wonderful friend Anita was getting married there and we couldn't miss it.  So after a few days relaxing at Sequoia Lake , we drove to San Jose and took a red eye flight to Cleveland. Who knew Cleveland would be such a pleasant surprise. Our friends from the bay area are living in Michigan for a few months and drove over to visit.  We decided to take the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad through Cuyahoga National Park, about 20 minutes South of Cleveland.  It was a cute old restored train staffed by volunteers who where absolutely tickled to share the journey with us.  As one volunteer told us, "Where else can you ride a train all day... for free?!"  Fair point train dude, fair point.   We enjoyed a pleasant ride down along a creek and back again.   Marsh Creek Above ground sewage pipe along the route. Ohio ski field.  (and we ...

Phil had wanted to climb Mitchell Peak and my dad told me there were great views from the top but I almost didn't want to go.  Luckily I got over myself and we headed out just after breakfast.  The start of the trail is before Lookout Peak, a climb we've done previously.  After driving for an hour and a bit, somehow we ended up at Lookout Peak.  We turned around and back tracked until we figured out where we went wrong - the turn off was just before the road goes from pavement to dirt.  Not long from the turnoff was a small parking lot with the Marvin Pass Trailhead sign.  We started at 8100 feet of elevation just before mid day.  The first part of the trail was really pretty, covered in pine trees and nicely shaded.  The switchbacks took us up very quickly though, and that elevation made breathing a bit more effort than we were used to.  We kept hiking up, and up, and up some more.  The shade disappeared and the sun got warmer and...

One of our favourite things to do while staying at Sequoia Lake is visiting Buck Rock.  It's a fire lookout that was built on top of a granite dome with great views of the area from the top.   You climb up rather steep 172 steps to the top, and there's a small room where the fire lookout worker eats, sleeps, and works while on shift with a narrow platform surrounding the outside.   The lookout fits a single bed wedged against one wall, a stove, tiny little kitchenette, visitor nook with books and things for sale, and a desk where the worker lays out maps, radios, and binoculars to scan the 360 degree view.  I can't imagine staying in such a small space - I'm pretty sure the only toilet option is to descend the 172 steps down to the small outhouse below.  I'd hate to have to go in the middle of the night during bad weather! Besides the view, my favourite thing about this spot is th hummingbird feeder.  I love being able to watch the bi...

We went back to the US a couple weeks ago for a wedding.  The timing was great because it was the week following my family's annual trip to Sequoia Lake.  We've gone the same week for the last 35 years, so we were happy that the trip across allowed us to go this year. Sequoia Lake is a man-made lake in Kings Canyon National Park, about an hour from Fresno and a 4 hour drive from LAX.  The cabin my family stayed in was quite "cozy" with two sets of bunk beds and a double bed.  15 hours on a plane, 4 hours in a car, and crossing the international date line made that bunk bed surprisingly comfortable the first night.  We were all wide awake in the middle of the night though when the family friend staying with us let out a blood-curdling scream.  Apparently she had a bad dream.  While I was awake I decided to get up and go to the restroom, but when I stepped outside the cabin I heard a bear snarling loudly.  Phil saw me cowering behind him and laugh...