David Multer

It’s been a long time since Gabe and I did a backpacking trip together. School will be starting soon so there’s no better time than the present. Backpacking permits for the less traveled parts of Yosemite are easy to get, so we’re off to Hetch Hetchy. It’s an area I’ve always wanted to visit, though doing it in August will be much hotter than I like. Gabe and I leave the house very early in hopes of getting on trail before it gets too hot. We’re loaded up and on our way. ...

Our first day on the coast included a couple of very nice hikes. Today we’re heading south along the coast towards Ano Neuvo. Looks like we’ll be able to hike the whole way on the beach! Unfortunately when we finally got to this rock outcropping, a number of posted signs warned us not to enter. I was really looking forward to walking all the way to the point across from the island. ...

I was thinking that a night on the coast with my most excellent wife would be a nice time, especially sinceI haven’t seen her for some time while she was driving back from Michigan. I’ve wanted to stay at Costanoa since it’s across the road from my favorite beach. First stop is over at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero. There are two nice hiking loops from the hotel. The first one goes up into the hills with some great views of the ocean. I really liked the chairs at the top of the hill. ...

One more long day of driving for everyone. The last stop of the trip is the Salt Flats in Utah. Gracie was really freaked out by it. Makes me want to hop in a really fast car and just go.

There are still plenty of elk hanging out in Estes Park this morning over by the Stanley Hotel. Monica has been looking forward to visiting the hotel given her love of dark horror stories. The area around Gem Lake is as beautiful as I remember from our days in Boulder. Then it’s the drive on Trail Ridge Road intoRocky Mountain National Park. Now that’s a great road! Charlotte was looking forward to some hiking in the area, but the kids are in a rush to head home. Looks like the short walk to the observation area is going to be the extent of the hiking. ...

No great photos to show off. I’m sure Charlotte was dead tired from another long day of driving and was just looking forward to heading off to bed. The elk just wander the streets in this town.

Charlotte, Nick, Monica, and Gracie are back on the road again. Today they left Bootjack very early in the morning and plan to make a few visits, and do a whole lot of miles. Some very pretty waterfalls along the way. Charlotte’s been looking forward to stopping in Madison to visit her sister Karen at her house for the very first time. Next stop is a visit with her friend Kim in Iowa. ...

Looks like it might be a two mile swim across the lake to catch that barge, and it’s moving pretty fast. I think Gracie would be willing to make a run of it if we’ll just open that porch door.

I’m on my own back in California while Charlotte and the kids head out to Lake Superior via the south entry. Charlotte and Gabe had talked about visiting the cliffs across from the lighthouse along the west side of the entry. Looks like it was well worth the trip. The lake gets really shallow over there. Eagles, boats, cool trees and houses on this side of the lake also. ...

Just a few random photos after I left for California. Nick really liked that army jacket, while George kept snapping photos, and Gabe does some fishing with Zach.