Short trip at Kyburz Flat

We took a side trip to Alleghany, CA and couldn't find a good place to park. The snow was easily 4 feet deep with relatively steep snow plow banks along the side of the road. We ended up driving all the way up 49 to 89. It was certainly a beautiful drive, but not the most athletic trip. Alleghany will be worth a visit in the summer.

How can you trust Amazon rankings? network20q lecture 5

These are just some thoughts or comments on the non-math parts of the lecture. They are not notes!

Would I pick 2 reviews or 1000? I might if someone whose review I knew and respected was one of the two.

I wonder if Rotten Tomatoes is the same as Amazon? Or Yelp? I actually don't trust Yelp reviews although I do sometimes consult them. Yelp definitely has a gatekeeper problem. The YouTube comments are also completely useless.

Not sure I agree that electronics reviews are objective unless there's a match to specific requirements and objective test measures (no hotter than 98.5, battery lasts 10 hours).

Independence is interesting. On VRBO I felt social pressure to not say anything bad as almost all of the reviews are positive. People are on vacation and only want to say something positive about their fun time.

 The look over time charts seem like stock market charts.

It would be helpful in answering the questions if we could easily page back to the lecture. Or is that the point?

Of course, Reddit got IMDb to give top billing to an extra in a movie with Tom Cruise.

Girls Gone Camping 2012

We stayed at a nice house near Heavenly. First night we cooked delicious T-bones (with balsamic vinegar reduction and bleu cheese) and some red potatoes.

On Saturday we relaxed. I took a brief trip to Kiva Beach. Too bad Commando wasn't there as he would have given it 4 paws up. There was almost no one there when I arrived around noon and snagged a prime shady space leaning against a log. I didn't swim but did wade out a good distance to admire the view. Free parking, few people, and a spectacular view!

Met everyone else at Harvey's and tried to eat at Cabo Wabo. As it was closed, we ate at the American River Cafe across the street at Harrah's. It was extremely average if not more so.

We gambled for a bit with no big winner's and then headed back to the house to drink and play games. A card game called "Spite and Malice" was a hit although I am pretty sure that Shirley was just making the rules up. We also played Scrabble and almost everyone drank. Dinner that night was delicious pasta and meat balls.

On Sunday Tami and I headed for Spooner Lake and did a leisurely hike around (2.1 miles). It's a pretty enough lake with aspens scattered around and the trail is relatively level. It might even be possible to take a wheelchair around if one could stand being tilted to one side or the other. We headed off trail to view the various animal tracks in the mud and got covered in some bugs that were feasting on the young willows. The bugs were harmless. It's a nice enough hike but not particularly wonderful. The trail was busy (and will probably be nearly mall-like in the summer). Early spring and later in the fall (when the aspens turn) would be the best times to visit.

We did end up driving an older couple from Boston to find their car. They had passed us on the last uphill bit while we were gawping at some scenery and then discovered they couldn't remember where they had parked. It was just in another parking node but it's always irritating to finish a nice hike and then have to roam around a less than scenic parking lot with sore feet.

We headed back to the house where everyone else was relaxing and probably fighting off a bit of a hangover.

We watched a bit of relaxing TV and developed a crush on a guy named Morgan who was buying some property with his wife. Dimples for the win!

I headed back to Kiva beach. No one was there and, as it was late in day, I stayed on the sandy part and swam. The water was cold but tolerable. Once I'd put my towel on I was warm heading back to the car in spite of the stiff breeze. I warmed up in the hot tub and then drove with Tami and Malene to Mont Bleu. Tami gamble while Malene and I ate some tolerable appetizers. Although we'd snacked most of the day, I was getting hungry. We returned to gamble and lost our usual casino contribution.

Tami and Malene did a bit more gambling at Harvey's while I rested in the car and listened to some coyotes howling off in the distance. Apparently they've added some special chairs to the slots so they move around with the game action. It sounded fun!

Sunday was get away day. We divided up the food and the little remaining booze, cleaned up the place, and left for another year. Next year may be the coast although I would be happy to return to Lake Tahoe every year.

Ambled up Silver Creek on some use trails and then just bushwhacking. Met some dogs with a friendly owner. The bushwhacking was starting to be quite a bit too bushy so we crossed over the creek and then headed to the road. We got back just above the giant log that blocks traffic. It's not a bad area in any season, even this dry one. Unlike early spring, there weren't too many mosquitoes
Saw some fresh deer tracks so they'd better start hiding as I believe hunting season is soon.


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Bye-bye faithful old hiking boots

We've done plenty of miles together but it's time to say goodbye. We've been on dry trails and on wet trails and often on no trail at all. You've kept my feet warm and comfortable with no blisters. The foot doctor said that you had too many holes and too much water was pouring in. You couldn't be saved. Here's your last view over Caples Lake and Schneider Cow Camp road. Your laces have been removed and their memory will live on in my new boots. Happy trails and may you biodegrade with dignity in the Sacramento solid waste landfill.

Stroll near Upper Lola Montez Lake

Had both Harry and Commando on this trip. I do have some adorable pictures of them swimming and standing and may soon be able to link them here.

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Safety tip: Do not run through the gate!

Commando decided to run through the back gate. It wasn't one of his smarter decisions. The wound was disgusting to look at for me and VERY painful for him. Fortunately the emergency vet was able to patch him back up quickly. He was at the vet by 8 am on Saturday and home by about 1 pm. He was incredibly groggy the whole day. He seems much better today. He has eaten his treats and some breakfast. He still hasn't taken a drink so I'm a bit worried about that. Also, I haven't quite got the gate back up yet.

Best View of Codfish Creek Falls

This is a pretty but short hike to Codfish Creek Falls from the Ponderosa road bridge over the American River. The road exits from highway 80 at Wiemar Cross Road. Head right and down. The road is extremely narrow and is dirt for quite a bit. If you a have a wide car or can't back or have vertigo I would not recommend this road. It was relatively good this weekend but could easily become very rutted and not safe for low clearance. The trail is well marked, although the start isn't...stay on the Wiemar side of the river and head downstream. At just a bit past a mile there are some use trails that lead into what looks like a meadow. Don't take these. Stay on the trail to the right just at the tree line. After another couple 10's of a mile you'll be at the falls. In a wet year the falls will be more exciting. On the other hand, in a wet year the road might be a bit too exciting. I would recommend following the meadow use trails on the way back. They lead to the American River with some nice places to sit and stare at the water.

We hiked it late on Sunday. It was sunny but rain was expected. In spite of the rough drive, the late weekend, and the unsettled weather there were many hikers. I would not call this a very wild and scenic trip. Commando did pick up one tick.

Memorial at Rattlesnake Fire

On Sunday we drove up I-5 to Willows and then west on 162 to scout this part of the Mendocino National Forest. It is different terrain than the mountains to the east. In July 1953 15 men lost their lives in the Rattlesnake Fire. There is an elaborate memorial with photos and a full description of the incident. On the steep hillside across from the memorial crosses have been placed where each man died. It is both haunting and uplifting at the same time.

What are people searching for?

So, Google has some analytics and I was surprised to see how many keyword searches were related to dogs. Most of my content is about hiking not dogs...although, of course, Commando the Wonder Dog is my main hiking companion. It looks prettier on the analysis page.

Search Keywords

cgbikes.blogspot.com 40

rhodesian ridgeback australian shepherd mix

26

dalmatian pitbull mix

21

shepherd ridgeback mix

15

enchanted pools

14

wrights lake to twin lakes

12

cgbikes

11

pitbull dalmation mix

11

ridgeback shepherd mix

10

australian shepherd rhodesian ridgeback mix

8