I have to say, I wasn't looking forward to the Boy Scout campout at the start of the vacation. We left the Friday after work and I was pretty exhausted going into the outing, but it was great. We loaded up the bikes and headed up to Santa Margarita Lake. Due to the time of year, we had the campground to ourselves. Saturday, we biked down an old fire road on the east side of the lake, stopped at the general store for popsicles, and then had a quick dinner before heading out to meet up with the Central Coast Astronomical Society and their monthly stargazing night before returning for a night of roasting smores. Perfect bike ride, lots of laughter, great guys and good times – you actually couldn't ask for a better trip.
So it would seem no one likes to camp when the weather is a balmy 32° F
Andrew with his bed head
Out on the fire road
What a nice trail
Wahoo!
Rockin' the dock
Trailblazing
Andrew and me
The crew minus me – someone has to take the photo
Finding an old cellar
...and an old cistern
Peaceful arm of the lake
Stay on the bridge!
The remains of another old structure
Wow! What a view.
Nice open rooms, solidly built, but a real fixer-upper
Swapping stories back at camp
Even though the campout was chilly, the days were really pleasant. It was 75° on Christmas day. Oh, and my younger brother came up to visit with their new little 8-month old boy, Keaton.
The boys decided they wanted to go surfing on Christmas.
"Dad, take it quick, the waves are calling..."
Tim riding one in
Jonathan showing off his longboard skills
Drew chilling with the volleyball crowd
"California dreaming on such a winter's day..."
So each year, the Madonna Family puts a Christmas Tree up on top of their mountain (elevation 1,292 feet or 394 meters). Jonathan and I decided to hike up at sunset and see the lights up close before it was taken down this year. Anyway, he had such a swell night, he caught the hiking bug and wanted to go every day after that.
A panchoed Jonathan ready to hike
Sun already setting
Chasing the shadows up the hill and looking back towards our home
Sunset over Laguna Lake
What a spectacular sunset
Looks like something out of a Technicolor Western to me
The Laguna side of town in pinks and purples
Jonathan with our goal in sight
Loving the view!
Looking up the tree from the base
Last glimmers of the fading sun over SLO
City lights starting to emerge
Another view of SLO with Highway 101 in the foreground
Self-portrait of Jonathan and me
A cactus shaped like a foot that Jonathan wanted to remember
The next morning Jonathan wanted back on the trail, so we hit the Johnson Ranch trail with my friend Peter, his son Sam, and their dog Pepper. My middle son Andrew also joined us. (By the way, Sam became an Eagle Scout last year (the youngest in the history of our Boy Scout Council - anyone care to guess how old he was?)
Sam, Johnny, and Drew
Headed out on the trail
I don't think there's a peak boys don't like to climb
Another halcyon day
How idyllic
Drew and Sam swapping stories
My friend Peter
Exploring the sycamores
A little surprised the stream was still running
Pepper sensed cows ahead
Nearby cattle roundup - the dog at the bottom left did most of the work
And back up another rock
And the next day, Jonathan decided to we needed to go hiking yet again. When we had gone up Madonna Mountain, he looked across the way and asked which was bigger, the hill we were on or the next one over. I think my answer cemented his desire to go up Bishop's Peak (elevation 1,559 feet or 475 meters).
Jonathan eager to begin the trail
First through the woods
And then up the hill
Quick stop for a rest break
Jonathan was excited to see how small the Christmas tree looked over on Madonna mountain
Here's a panorama shot of San Luis Obispo from the almost top of Bishop's Peak
Watching the fog roll in as the sun sets
A view of the morros headed north towards the coast
And looking back towards the south
Jonathan was very proud to have made it to the top
Another day in SLO Town coming to a close
"Dad take my picture here, it'll look like I'm really strong."
Well, that was pretty much my break. Oh, I almost forgot, Tim also became a licensed driver! Kristine and I are very proud. I can't believe time goes by so fast!
