RenoVous

  We took the Old US 40 route around Donner Lake and across the Yuba River. Then we found ourselves on the North Fork American River from Emigrant Gap.

  We stumbled onto a place, Twenty Mile House, which now serves as a wedding venue. But it's an historic stagecoach stop and trading post along the Middle Fork of the Feather River. Built in 1854, it also served as the post office of Cromberg. The old cemetery was covered in snow so we didn't stop. More in Graeagle, we passed the old dairy. Built in 1910, it was originally a box factory for the California Fruit Exchange in support of the local timber industry.

This is a throwback to a weekend in Tahoe 8 years ago. Fallen Leaf Lake

  Camp #2 at Robinson Creek. This site is more outside of Bridgeport, closer to home. Another named Twin Lakes. Tomorrow we head south again for some history.

  Mammoth Lakes was a nice little town, reminded me of places around Tahoe. Above is Lake Mary, and she overflows into Lake Mamie. Which then flows to Twin Falls, and the Twin Lakes. We drove down from here to the lakes level. We made it up the Minaret Vista. From here we wanted to drive on towards Devil's Postpile, but the gate was closed to private vehicles.  Shuttles only.  No thanks.

  The road down from Colfax to the river is narrow and curvy. Views from our campsite. It was hot but the North Fork American River felt amazing. And it was a beautiful place. So yeah, I said we were heading to Auburn, but it was a part of the Auburn State Recreation Area in Colfax. And tomorrow I'll be off because we're having a Cousins Day at Six Flags! ^_^

  The famous tunnel view from Yosemite. On this day of National Parks Week, we learn about the innovative projects happening in the parks. When we visited in 2015, they were restoring the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.  This year they are working on traffic flow and shuttle stops as well as campground rehabilitation. Conservancy will be done surrounding Bridalveil Falls, to reduce crowding and protect natural resources.  (It wasn't flowing on our trip). The park is also establishing a new welcome center, but here is their first. Built by the Sierra Club in 1903-04 to honor charter member, Joseph LeConte, the memorial served as an information center at the northern terminus of the John Muir Trail. "It demands of those seeing it for that first time that they reorganize their sense of proportion about the real world."

  Gordon Boettger rode the Sierra Wave from Minden, NV to Cedarville, CA - logging 3,058 km, which is 50 more than the previous record. The Sierra Wave is an air current created by winds that lift off the Sierra Nevada mountains, generally called lee waves. Gordon has been gliding since he was 13, with his first solo flight at 14, and a power solo on his 16th birthday. He flies an Arcus, which is legal for night flight and is equipped with night-vision goggles.  It is reliable at high altitudes and in cold temperatures. His ultimate goal is a two-day flight into the center of the US, exceeding 2300 km. Interview

  We didn't set out for Tahoe, but it's where we ended up with a cheap motel. In the morning, we found an adorable and delicious coffee shop. And we still wanted our camping breakfast, so we found a spot around Prosser.