Shasta Bally

Leanna said I could put the photos from their trek up Shasta Bally on my blog. This is probably the closest I will ever come to hiking this trail!  I had the privilege of watching Trent while they were hiking up the mountain. The descriptions of the photos are in Leanna's words.

Road entrance. The sign says four wheel drive vehicles only, but the road is locked off. A truck with Federal plates did drive up and down while we were hiking. It had to go really fast to keep momentum up the 6 mile long climb.

on the way up, not too far into the trail

Liked how this tree made a bridge. Maybe a mile or mile and a half up the trail.

Our first big rest, about 1/2 way up

First glimpse of the lake

Oh little town of Redding... I can see all 90,000 people from up here!

Sundial Bridge. Zoomed 12 times optically, then that times 4 digitally, for a 48x zoom...

Resting point about 2/3 up (4 miles-ish)

pretty. Never see these in Redding

Within site! We're still probably a mile and a half away at this point.

Getting very close! Not too many trees anymore.

summit

views from the summit

Sheer cliffs. I wasn't going.

My favorite rock.

Some reservoir. Appeared to be way past Anderson somewhere.

We hiked to snow!

On the summit

Mystery mountain Dan wants to climb next.  

Look closely, Redding folk. Here's all our water! You can see Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta Lake and the Sacramento River in this shot!!! It was a bit hazy, so the river is hard to make out.

Starfish Island? I named it.

(Whiskeytown Lake)

(Redding)

Emma and Hanna's Birthday

I just had to post these pictures of Emma and Hanna that Minde shared on facebook.  I was planning to go to their birthday party but wasn't able to--when I was getting my car serviced on Thursday for the trip they found that transmission fluid has been leaking.   I was told that I shouldn't drive my car until the dealership that it was purchased from solved the problem and they can't look at my car until tomorrow.  

Emma and Hanna

Hanna

Emma

So cute!  Hopefully I will be able to make a trip to see Mike, Minde, Hanna and Emma later this summer.

A Nice Surprise

This evening I went to my mailbox and found this thoughtful card from my darling granddaughter Sara.

Thank you so much, Sara!  I am feeling much better.  

Jeni also sent me a nice note and a bookmark from Tonga.  Sean got this bookmark when he went to Tonga on a humanitarian  prosthetic service project.  About the bookmark -- (Jeni)  "It's made out of Tapa which is a gift of high value in the culture and traditions of the Pacific Islands.  Tapa is a handmade product from the bark of the Mulberry tree which is painted with traditional patterns and designs."

Thank you, Jeni!  

Maya's Birthday

Today  was Maya's birthday.  She is now six years old and will be starting first grade this year!

  Her birthday party was at Viking Skate Fun Center.

Trent decided skating wasn't for him.

Leanna helping Maya

Dan took Alex out on the floor.

They did a great job skating!  (This was their second time going to Viking Skate Country)

The skate center provided the cake.

Sophie

Damian and Blake

Shelley and Blake

Dan and Sophie

Fran and Steve

Time to make a wish and blow out the candles!

 The party was a success!

The scooter was my present to Maya.  She liked it so much that she said she wanted to kiss it.  

As soon as Maya got home she made me this thank you card--she is so thoughtful.

(I love Moema.  Thank you.)  Maya, Alex and Trent used to call me Mooma--now they call me Moema.

So cute!