Wanderers in Wonder

Orcas off the coast of Norway. Keiko, originally named Siggi, was born off the coast of Norway in 1976. Orcas, often referred to as Killer Whales, are actually the largest member of the dolphin family. Males average 20 to 26 feet and 14,000 to 18,000 pounds. Females are 16 to 23 feet and 10, 000…

The Rogue River gets its start at a small spring in the Cascade Mountains just west of Crater Lake. The Rogue flows 215 miles to the Pacific Ocean. French trappers named the river La Riviere aux Coquins, The River of the Rogues. They did not think very highly of the local Natives. The ‘Living Stump’.…

The deepest lake in the United States, ninth deepest in the world, Crater Lake is stunning. Created 7,700 years ago when a volcanic eruption sent the mountain top flying, forming a deep Caldera. The water in Crater Lake is as pure as pure can be and crystal clear. The 9.9 trillion gallons of water held…

We met our friends, Bill and Greta, at their home in Central Point, Oregon. Cenral Point was so named by Isaac Constant who settled here in 1852 because it was at the center of the Rogue River Valley. Bill and Greta had a whole day of adventures planned. First stop a ‘Walking History Tour’ of…

Worlds largest Olive, fifteen feet tall and skewered with a toothpick, in ‘Olive City’, Corning, CA. In the early 1970’s a glassblower, Ray Hansen set up his ‘Glory Hole’ in Corning, CA. Ray apparently thought the Corning town name would bring in customers as Corning, NY is the ‘Glass Capital of the World’. Ray also…

Julian…Pie Town California… Apple with Caramel Sauce for Mary Ann, Rhubarb and Strawberry for me. Bake up a Pi inspired Pie for Pi Day. Peace…Wanderers in Wonder.

Maybe the most popular toy of all time, but legend has it that the first yo-yos were used as weapons by the Aztecs in Mexico and ancient tribes in the Philippines. The historic record is not very clear on these legends. A Greek vase, dated to 430 B.C., shows a boy playing with a yo-yo.…

Lassen Volcanic National Park informed us that the Campground was not open due to snow. Not only was the campground closed, but most of the park was closed. Quite unusual it is ninety five while I sit here banging on the computer with Lassen Peak in full view to the east. Plan B… Sycamore Grove…

A quietly interesting day.  Walking through Yosemite’s Sequoia Forest in Mariposa Grove, silence. Silence the likes of which we haven’t experienced in weeks of wandering Yosemite Country. Silence only interrupted by the pecking of a woodpecker or the chirping of a robin.  Silence, clearing the head, stirring the imagination. Such a different experience from what…

Wandering aimlessly in the Sierra Nevada Foothills we came across an art gallery with an interesting name. We wandered in and, what a stunning collection of the owner’s photography. Nancy was a wedding photographer in San Diego. In the early 2000’s she took a vacation to Yosemite National Park. In a conversation with a park…