The Road Genealogist: 2016

Friday, September 30, 2016

Rocky Mountain National Park - Part II

Rocky Mountain National Park - Part II Scotts Valley, CA, Library

I'm always interested in any creeks, streams, or lakes; that's to determine whether they contain trout. I felt this creek was too small to provide a habitat for trout even though it appears several visitors had scrambled down to it. As for drinking the water -- beware of giardia lamblia!!

These photos were taken on 8 September 2016.

As a former classmate often reminded me the Sierra Nevada in California is one continuous block of granite whereas the Rockies are several different blocks or ranges. And there are more 14,000 ft peaks in Colorado even though the highest peak in the contiguous 48 states is Mt Whitney in California.

Here's my rig on one of the wide-outs with some alpine peaks in the background.

In order to post the rest of the photos of Rocky Mountain Natl Park I'll omit captions for now and hopefully be able to add some of them later.

More of my photos to follow as time permits; in the interim, check out Google's massive collection.

Links:

National Park Service webpages for Rocky Mountain Natl Park
Wikipedia article on RMNP
Google photos of Rocky Mountain National Park (Great Photos!!)

Routes:

F 13 Jan Actual Route: DWLs - PA VA Hosp ER - PA VA Hosp Pk Lot
Sa 14 Jan Actual Route: PA VA Hosp - Mt View W/M - SV Lib -DWLs
Su 15 Jan Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib -DWLs
M 30 Jan Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - Apco Propane - DWLs
T 31 Jan Actual Route: DWLs - Dominican Hosp ER - DWLs
W 1 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Th 2 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Sa 11 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - Apco Propane - DWLs
Su 12 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - Aptos Lib - Marina - W/M - $ Tree - DWLs
M 13 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - DWLs
T 14 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
F 24 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - Marina - Monterey VA Clinic - Aptos Lib - DWLs
Sa 25 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - Apco Propane - DWLs
Su 26 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - Vineyard Church/SV Civic Ctr Pk Lot- DWLs
M 27 Feb Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Th 9 Mar Actual Route: DWLs - SJ VA Clinic - Walmart - SV Lib - DWLs
F 10 Mar Actual Route: DWLs - SC Barber Shop - Walmart - DWLs
Sa 11 Mar Actual Route: DWLs - SC Barber Shop - Walmart - DWLs
Su 12 Mar Actual Route: DWLs - SC Barber Shop - Walmart - DWLs
Sa 25 Mar Actual Route: DWLs - Aptos Lib - Marina Walmart - DWLs
Su 26 Mar Actual Route: DWLs - Live Oak Lib - Capitola Lib - DWLs

Finding Campgrounds:

RV Campgrounds from TrailerLifeDirectory.com
Family Camping Directories from Woodalls.com
Free campsites website
Info on finding BLM Campgrounds

N.B. I receive nothing from Trailer Life, Woodalls, or FreeCampsites.net for including links to their free campground lookups.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Christmas in Salinas, 2016

Christmas in Salinas, 2016 Scotts Valley, CA, Library

    Due to a flu virus both my brother-in-law Phil and his daughter Lori missed the Christmas Day festivities.

    But Blaise and Michelle stepped forward and hosted the Christmas dinner which had originally been scheduled at Lori's home; her husband Greg and their two sons were at Blaise & Michelle's home.

    But since Michelle advised me that they do not post their photos to the Internet I'll only include photos of those who had no objections -- such as their Christmas Tree.
    I shall do an L-Clan Mailing List update with photos of Blaise & Michelle's family and relatives as time permits.

Lori's husband Greg Voogd flanked by their two sons: Tyler on the left and Nick on the right.

Posey, Blaise & Michelle's hungry Lab. She was named after Giants catcher Buster Posey. She patrolled the Christmas dinner table -- to prevent any food scraps from "going to the backstop."

Links:

See post immediately below, Christmas Eve in Scotts Valley, 2016

Routes:

F 13 Jan Actual Route: DWLs - PA VA Hosp ER - PA VA Hosp Pk Lot
Sa 14 Jan Actual Route: PA VA Hosp - Mt View W/M - SV Lib -DWLs
Su 15 Jan Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib -DWLs
M 30 Jan Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - Apco Propane - DWLs
T 31 Jan Actual Route: DWLs - Dominican Hosp ER - DWLs
W 1 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Th 2 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Sa 11 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - Apco Propane - DWLs
Su 12 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - Aptos Lib - Marina - W/M - $ Tree - DWLs
M 13 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - DWLs
T 14 Feb Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs

Finding Campgrounds:

RV Campgrounds from TrailerLifeDirectory.com
Family Camping Directories from Woodalls.com
Free campsites website
Info on finding BLM Campgrounds

N.B. I receive nothing from Trailer Life, Woodalls, or FreeCampsites.net for including links to their free campground lookups.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Christmas Eve 2016

Christmas Eve 2016 Scotts Valley, CA, Library

    I spent Christmas Eve this year with the family of my late brother Warren.

    Unfortunately I did not show the person using my camera what button to press; and because some other camera settings were changed, there was no flash.

    Jarrod Lemmon is in the center flanked by his mother Cynthia on his left and his wife Heather to his right.

Here's a group photo with everyone gathered around yours truly -- the oldest & presumably the most senile. Back Row: Connor Lemmon, his father Sean, Jarrod, & Cynthia; Front Row: Traci, Connor & Bailey's mother, Bailey & Heather

Links:

Christmas Eve in Scotts Valley, 2012

Routes:

Sa 24 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - WHLs -DWLs
Su 25 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - Aptos Lib - Jane's - Blaise's - DWLs
M 26 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - Apco Propane - DWLs
T 27 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - DWLs
W 28 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
T 29 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - Moss Landing -Salinas Vy Ford - W/M - DWLs
F 30 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - DWLs
Sa 31 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - DWLs
Su 1 Jan Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
M 2 Jan Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
T 3 Jan Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
W 4 Jan Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Th 5 Jan Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - S/W - DWLs

Finding Campgrounds:

RV Campgrounds from TrailerLifeDirectory.com
Family Camping Directories from Woodalls.com
Free campsites website
Info on finding BLM Campgrounds

N.B. I receive nothing from Trailer Life, Woodalls, or FreeCampsites.net for including links to their free campground lookups.

Monday, August 15, 2016

Rocky Mountain National Park - Part I

Rocky Mountain National Park - Part I Scotts Valley, CA, Library

.

The Grand Lake Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park as seen through my dirty front whindshield.

These photos were taken on 8 September 2016.

A sign in Harbison Mdw reminds visitors that Elk Mating Season is in the fall and that Harbison Mdw and and four other areas are open for viewing elk except from 5 pm to 7 am during the months of September & October.

The southern end of the Never Summer Mountains; most of the peaks are 12,000'.

A look across a fenced meadow.

This nice-looking stream is one of the many tributaries of the Colorado River. While hunting is not permited in the park, those with Colorado fishing licenses can try their luck.

Panning upward note that there are quite a few dead trees. While the forest just to the north of Yosemite in California is experiencing a pine bark bettle infestation, I not sure what killed these conifers.

Zooming upward and to the right, this shot captures both Alpine & Subalpine terrain. The former is above 11,400 ft. while the latter is found from 9,000 to 11,400.

The "hang-out" for those animals, such as pikas and marmots, which gather and create their "haystacks" beneath the rocks for the winter

A look from Fairview Curve at the Kawuneeche Valley along the upper reaches of the Colorado River.

A sign explaining the death of trees because of the Western Pine Beetle, which can be found in many forests from Canada to Mexico. In Rocky Mountain Natl Park these 1/8 to 1/3 inch bark beetles have decimated many large lodgepole pines. While cold temperatures can kill beetles eggs and their larvae winter temperatures have been higher than normal for about ten years in the Rockies.

More of my photos to follow as time permits; in the interim, check out Google's massive collection.

Links:

National Park Service webpages for Rocky Mountain Natl Park
Wikipedia article on RMNP
Google photos of Rocky Mountain National Park (Great Photos!!)

Routes:

F 9 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - Apco - DWLs
Sa 10 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Su 11 Dec Route: DWLs - $ Tree - SV Lib - DWLs
Sa 24 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - WHLs -DWLs
Su 25 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - Aptos Lib - Jane's - Blaise's - DWLs
M 26 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - Apco Propane - DWLs
T 27 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - DWLs
W 28 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
T 29 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - Moss Landing -Salinas Vy Ford - W/M - DWLs
F 30 Dec Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - DWLs

Finding Campgrounds:

RV Campgrounds from TrailerLifeDirectory.com
Family Camping Directories from Woodalls.com
Free campsites website
Info on finding BLM Campgrounds

N.B. I receive nothing from Trailer Life, Woodalls, or FreeCampsites.net for including links to their free campground lookups.

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Revisiting the Midori Haus

Revisiting the Midori Haus Scotts Valley, CA, Library

The Midori Haus is in Santa Cruz at 135 Van Ness Avenue, where my late mother, Mary C. Lemmon, lived from Nov 1954 until her death at 91 in Dec 2009. The new owners, Chie Kawahara and Kurt Hurley, who bought the house in 2010, decided to do a green remodel/renovation of the house.
These photos were taken on 13 November 2016.

When the weather is good, there are now provisions for cooking outside.

Here's Kurt explaining the Midori Haus use of solar panels to a guest at one of the frequent Open Houses.

A zoom of the solar panels on roof near the south-west corner of the house.

The back deck, a side view of the solar panels, and the top of the solar panels of neighbors Robert and Patrice Keet.

A Look along the east side of the Midori Haus.

Links:

Midori Haus Homepage
Santa Cruz Green Builders: Hurley & Kawahara
What is a Passive House?

Routes:

T 29 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - San Jose - SJ VA Clinic - Hecker Pass - DWLs
W 30 Nov Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Th 1 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SJ VA Clinic - W/M - Scotts Vy - DWLs
F 2 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Sa 3 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Su 4 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - DWLs
M 5 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV P.O. - Lib - DWLs
T 6 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib- $ Tree - DWLs
W 7 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Th 8 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
F 9 Dec Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib Apco - DWLs
Sa 10 Dec Route: DWLs - SV Lib Apco - DWLs

Finding Campgrounds:

RV Campgrounds from TrailerLifeDirectory.com
Family Camping Directories from Woodalls.com
Free campsites website
Info on finding BLM Campgrounds

N.B. I receive nothing from Trailer Life, Woodalls, or FreeCampsites.net for including links to their free campground lookups.

Friday, July 15, 2016

San Miguel Archangel Mission

San Miguel Archangel Mission
Scotts Valley, CA, Library

Loyal Lemmon, my paternal grandfather, who was not a Catholic, was born in San Miguel, CA. His father, George Thomas Lemmon, had traveled to Los Angeles via the Santa Fe Trail and its extensions. He next spent time in Tulare County, perhaps with some cousins. They decided to continue north up the San Joaquin Valley, but George headed west to the southern end of the Salinas Valley.
These mission photos were taken on 7 October 2016.

The statue at the end of the walkway under the arch is of Father Junipero Serra, who is credited with being the visionary behind the 21 California Missions, each roughly 30-35 miles from the previous.

Even though I wear a hat, it must have been hot in the sun, for I neglected to check this photo of the statue.

This picturesque walkway along the front of the mission was much cooler -- in more ways than one!

A fountain with a few water or pond lilies.

A look through the cemetery on the north side of the mission.

Links:

San Miguel Mission's History Page
My photo of San Miguel Mission in 2011.
Discover-Central-California Photos
Google's large collection of Interior Photos of San Miguel Mission
The link immediately above includes photos of San Miguel Mission in Santa Fe, NM.

Routes:

Su 13 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - Midori Haus - SV Lib - DWLs
M 14 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
T 15 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - Mont VA Clinic - W/M - DWLs
W 16 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Th 17 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
F 18 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Sa 19 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Su 20 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
M 21 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
T 22 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - Mont VA Clinic - SC - Delaware Ave - DWLs
W 23 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs

Finding Campgrounds:

RV Campgrounds from TrailerLifeDirectory.com
Family Camping Directories from Woodalls.com
Free campsites website
Info on finding BLM Campgrounds

N.B. I receive nothing from Trailer Life, Woodalls, or FreeCampsites.net for including links to their free campground lookups.

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Better Photos from atop Sherman Pass

Better Photos from atop Sherman Pass Scotts Valley, CA, Library

On my only previous trip to the Vista Area atop Sherman Pass I was unable to get a good photo of Mt Whitney, which is 40 miles to the NNE, because of white clouds behind that peak; from a distance the granite near its top also looks white. [See 1st Link below.]
These new photos were taken on 6 October 2016, with blue skies and no clouds.

. Here's a first shot of both Mt Whitney (14,505') and Mt Langley (14,026'), barely visible on the far horizon in a gap between the nearby trees.

Zooming in both Whitney & Langley look roughly the same height. And, since more detail is visible on the ridge to their right, I suspect that the ridge behind the dead branches at the top of the nearby tree is closer.

Turning my camera sideways and trying another zoom produced a better view of the two peaks -- though they again both appear to be approximately the same height.

Panning to the right yields a photo of Monache Mtn (c9420'); I must have cut off Olancha Pk, which at 12,123 ft. is considerably higher. [Perhaps I was distracted by the top of the snag on the left, which looks like an owl or a pelican whose feathers have been stained by black smoke.]

Links:

Sherman Pass the first time.
Trans-Sierra Passes
Updated State High Points

Routes:

T 25 Oct Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
W 26 Oct Actual Route: DWLs - Aptos Lib - Gilroy W/M - San Jose - DWLs
Th 27 Oct Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
F 28 Oct Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Sa 29 Oct Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - DWLs
Su 30 Oct Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
M 31 Oct Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - DWLs
T 1 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - DWLs
W 2 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - WHLs - SV Lib - $ Tree - DWLs
Th 3 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
F 4 Nov Actual Route: DWLs - SV Lib - DWLs
Sa 5 Nov Route: DWLs - $ Tree - SV Lib - DWLs

Finding Campgrounds:

RV Campgrounds from TrailerLifeDirectory.com
Family Camping Directories from Woodalls.com
Free campsites website
Info on finding BLM Campgrounds

N.B. I receive nothing from Trailer Life, Woodalls, or FreeCampsites.net for including links to their free campground lookups.