Taylor Creek Salmon Run

My Grandparents were close by in Lake Tahoe this Fall. Visiting them there is always a special treat for us. We get them all to ourselves and get to enjoy all of our favorite place, TAHOE! They were camping in a different spot than usual and there were trees that were climbable everywhere. The kids had a ball giving me a heart attack.



One of the things on our bucket list has been to make the trek to Taylor Creek to watch the Kokanee Salmon run. Somehow we manage to miss it every year. My Grandparents visit was timed perfectly for us to go all together. Taylor Creek Visitor Center has a short hike called, The Rainbow Trail. The hike is beautiful, easy and has a steam profile chamber, where you can observe see the creek from underwater and watch the fish in action through a panel of windows.



The hike is shady and stunning. There are markers explaining the different plants and animals you might see on your way.



There are a ton of areas to get right up to the waters edge and you could reach out and touch the thousands of fish filling the creek.





There were also plenty of bugs! This little guy was a huge hit.





They were just fascinated with how he moved and how soft he was. We spent a good twenty minutes examining him. It always amazes me, the wonder of children!



My Grandparents took the kids into the viewing chamber but I had my dog in tow so I had to stay on the trail. I went around and found a beautiful spot where a butch of fish had accumulated. When they can out the other side I brought them to my secret location.

As we sat there ooohhhh and ahhhhhing the fish, I heard a very low guttural growl. I looked at my dog and back up to the creek and saw the BIGGEST bear I had ever seen in Tahoe! This picture does no justice to how close and giant this guy was. Jacob snapped this photo as I quietly gathered the kids to leave. The creek was maybe a foot deep here and it would have taken seconds for him to cross. I was so proud none of the kids screamed!

Fall

Fall, like spring, is a busy time on a farm. Lots of cleaning and shoring up for winter. Building new shelters for animals and feed. Weaning our summer babies and integrating them into the herd. Selecting the new breeding lines and implementing a program. Lots to do and shorter days to get it done.

Fall also brings our much awaited field trip to California's Apple Hill. Apple Hill is a farming community encompassing Camino and Placerville, Ca. There are approximately 50 growers in apple hill that specializes in agrotourism. From you pick orchards to vineyards to petting zoo's there really is something for everyone.



I think it is hysterical that although we live on a farm and have a built in petting zoo, my kids look so forward to this trip. We drive the roads between farms commenting on structures, layouts and what we could dos. Even the 3 year old gets into it.

This year I scheduled the kids a candy making class at one of our favorite farms and the kids were thrilled. The not so thrilling part was that Apple Hill had no apples, there was a late frost. My kids took to calling it appleless hill as the day went on. We refused to be let down and chose to pick our pumpkins out instead. We also pet some animals, talked shop wit a few farmers and toured our old favorite farms. It was a great day despite the appleless situation.



We did notice that a lot of the farms were for sale, even some of the oldest and best. It was a sad thing to see. A mix of age, economy, taxes, regulations and weather have been too much for these small farmers to bare. I am hopefull like minded families will come in and continue the tradition.

Boys Of Fall

Jake and Owen are playing football this season. I usually try to keep a cool facade when my kids express interest in a sport so I don't unduly influence them. When the boys came and asked me I couldn't help but start shaking my internal pom pom's and reflecting on my days as a Pop Warner cheerleader. I have to say there is just something about a boy in a football uniform! My heart be still!



We have an awesome league here. It is all about the love of the game. Pop Warner has even teamed up with The University Of Nevada Reno for a special day of training. It was so cute to watch these big boys of football get down on the ground and run plays with even the littlest guys in football (by this I mean Owen at 36 lbs and 5 years old, he is the smallest)


After practice they players all posed for photos together and even signed some autographs.



The boys are looking forward to UNR's season opener, when they get to be down on the field to cheer on the players.

This weekend was Jamboree for both boys. Owen's was first on Friday night. I do have to say that the Tiny Might teams are unfairly stacked. Our team was a last minute pull from other overly full teams. Of course the other coaches sacrificed their youngest and smallest players. Our team, Wolfpack Powder, is made of the smallest, youngest, first year players. That being said these boys are full of heart and will be a force out there on the field. After the first two scrimmages I saw the animal in Owen come out. He really started to get it and was all over his man. I was ecstatic.

Here is my little stud! All geared up!

On the sidelines with the offense. Just in case you misunderstood SMALLEST player.


Owen is number 33 and here he is blocking that huge kid in the right of the frame.


When you cant push them over backward just pull them down on top of you. This poor number 34 never knew what hit him. Owen would tackle him, the play would end and he would get up and Owen would tackle him again. He got so frustrated he started stomping his feet and crying! I was so proud!!!!!

Here is the cutest victory dance ever created on a football field. You think he likes the game?


Jake's Jamboree was this morning. His team is huge so out of three games he only got to play one.


He is number 78.









The VICTORY dance! Jake got a holding call and he was bummed but I was proud of him. This is his first year and he did awesome. I can't wait for all the games this season. I did try to kiss the boy and he said "awww..MOM", so we all know I will be kissing the heck out of him all season. I think Rob might even get in on the action.