Camping: Arroyo Seco Day 2

May 6th

Today we went for a wandering hike in the opposite direction as yesterday.
But before we go on with today, I forgot to tell you about the people who ended up camping next to us last night.  They went to build a fire and were trying to break up branches by kicking them.  Dan lent them our hatchet.  Once they had enough wood, they realized they didn't have any sort of fire starter.  Dan lent them our matches.  I'm not sure if they'd ever been camping before.

A photo of Ta.

A photo of Dan taking a photo of Ta.

Ta is not excited about this photo.

Little tiny wildflowers.

Part of the trail, we think.

We were there!

And then we scrambled up a wall of dirt, because we missed the trail, and then saw a deer that Ta was totally oblivious of.  

Sometimes the trail went up, for a while.  It was hot.

Butterfly!

Artsy Yarrow.

Up around here we weren't sure if we were still on a trail or if we were following goats.

Mountains!

Another photo of Ta, the goodest girl.

Dragonfly sex? Or...maybe the brown one wants a hat.

Dan's artsy photo.

We stopped up here to have snacks.

Ta was excited to have some shade.

Around here we decided to head back down.  

We didn't know where the trail went or if it looped back or anything.

Ta and I were exhausted from the hike and both passed out in the tent.

I think this is an Acorn Woodpecker.  He's a bit puffy.

A less puffy woodpecker.

We checked the weather and it was supposed to rain all evening, night, and into the morning.  We decided to tear down the campsite and head home so we didn't have to pack all our wet stuff up in the morning.  I think it was a good test run for camping.

This concludes our adventures for today.

Camping: Arroyo Seco Day 1

May 5th

 This weekend we're going test camping in Arroyo Seco.  We haven't been camping in a while, so we're doing a trip not far from home in case everything goes awry. 

 We stopped to let Ta out and to take photos.  This is Cow Vetch (Vicia cracca) and it's pretty.

 The clouds and coming down on the picturesque countryside.

 Dan is taking Ta for a short walk.

I found this not quite a dandelion.  Puff and bud.

It was pretty long and kind of weedy, but neat.

We got to the campground and were told we couldn't check in for another hour or so.  The "park ranger" Dale was not pleasant to deal with.  We referred to him as Dipshit Dale from this point on.

We ultimately ended up camping up in that top little set of loops.

There was some deal with Dipshit Dale where we couldn't set up our tent until after a certain time because people might have those spots or something.  I don't know.  There were like, 4 other people camping here.  Whatever.  We drove up to this upper area and decided to take Ta out for a hike until it was the appropriate time to set up our campsite.

This is the Seco, Arroyo.  Creek, Dry.  It's not so dry right now.

This trip will feature Ta, because who doesn't need more Ta?

I think this is Indian Paintbrush and some yellow flowers.

All sorts of wildflowers!

River running through the valley.

Flowers on sticks!

Flowers and water and hills!

Dan and Ta on the trail.

Uh...a doll tied to a tree.  That's weird.

Little puff wildflowers.

Picturesque! 

We were there!

I found a tiny bit of shade.

Ta leading the way.

The trail was also a fire access road.  I think I'm taking a picture of flowers.  

None of those photos turned out.

Ta is investigating.

Ta and I in a tree!  Well, okay, it's me in the tree and Ta on the ground.

I think this is about where we turned around so that we could head back for the acceptable time for campsite set-up.  

Campsite!  Dan and I still know how to put up a tent.  Also Ta moved during the panorama.  Also Also, there was no one else over here.  Oh Dale.

This concludes our adventures for today.