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Idyllwild Getaway

For part of the long July 4th weekend, we decided to head up to Idyllwild for some hiking.  The drive up as very nice and there was little traffic.  We stopped at a coffee cart in Anza and then headed to the ranger station to pick up permits since we would be heading into the wilderness area.

The first hike started at Humber Park.  We took the Devil's Slide trail up to the sadden, then the PCT over to Taqhuitz Peak and visited the fire watchtower.  On the way back, we took a longer path through Law's Meadow.

We stayed at Creekside Inn, which was newly redone and very nice.  Dinner was at the Gnome.

Next day, we first tried to find a smoothie place but couldn't find one which is odd.  We then headed north to the Black Mountain trail parking lot.  This trail was much steeper than Devil's Slide and we only did half of it before turning around.

On the way back home, we stopped at the famous Paradise Valley Cafe for lunch.

PCT junction to Taqhuitz Peak

Taqhuitz Fire Tower

Downtown Idyllwild

View of San Gorgonio from Black Mt. Trail

On Black Mt. trail

Meet Lily!

After much debate, we got a new dog, Lily!  She is a rescue from Mexico and is very similar to Sophie.  She is very shy but we hope she will get used to us quickly.

First walk at the lagoon

Getting some sun

Father's Day Weekend Activities

• Beach was too crowded so we hiked the lagoon
• Hiked San Dieguito Park loop
  
• Walked the dog
• FPC fundraiser at Rockin; Baja Lobster

 

Guest Shoot at Escondido Fish & Game

A friend invited me and a new shooter to Escondido Fish and Game for some pistol fun.  Good times!

 

Pistol range at EF&G

 

Stack of Books Read

• Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall
  
• An Atlas of Extinct Countries by Gideon Dafoe
  
• Island Infernos: The US Army's Pacific War Odyssey, 1944 by John C. McManus
  
• Revolutionary War Soldier 1775 - 1783 by Keith Wilbur
  
• Dutch Oven Camp Cooking by Vernon Winteroni
  
• Abandoned Southern California by Joanna Kalafatis
  
• The Imperial Japanese Navy in the Pacific War by Mark Stille
  

Memorial Day Weekend Activities

• Beach sprints after a long lay off due to knee injury
  
• Hike Monserate Mountain
  
• BBQ with good friends
  
• Troop 782 Memorial Day flags at San Dieguito Academy war memorial
• Baking cookies!

Monserate marker (what's left of it)

Monserate Peak

San Dieguito War Memorial

 

Final Scoutmaster Campout at Fiesta Island

After 11 years with Troop 774 as ASM and SM, I attended my last campout in an official capacity.  We were back at Fiesta Island again as we were sailing on the council boat on Sunday and camping at CFI was very convenient.  It was typical CFI: watch rocket launches, service hours cleaning the endless amounts of trash, campfires, dutch oven cooking, scout skills, and great weather.

Embry-Riddle Graduation

Bengt graduated from ERAU!  We had great weekend in Prescott and moved him back home while he looks for a job.

ERAU graduation crowd

New grad