Pepper was due to have her third cataract surgery-related appointment in Medford on MLK Monday ( #1 was the consult, #2 was surgery and one day post-op). Since MLK Monday is a clinic holiday and I was not on call, we decided to join Kelvin for another drive to OR and make a weekend out of it, heading northeast to the Mt. Shasta area for (we hoped) some more winter fun.
Unfortunately, rain and wind (an “atmospheric river,” I’ve learned) continued to pummel Northern California after weeks, and the weather looked abysmal. 100% rain all hours of the day with temperatures too warm for snow didn't look like the best "adventuring" weather.
Nevertheless, I'd much rather be out seeing something new than trapped inside an Airbnb rental with energetic kids. Now Iver has internalized the saying "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing" and so, prepared with waterproof snow pants, waterproof boots, and rainjackets over our winter coats (and despite Kelvin's reluctance), we ventured out of doors.
Castle Crags State Park in Castella, just outside of Dunsmuir, is supposed to have great hiking and stunning mountain views none of which, alas, were visible in the day's downpour (so we'll have to go back sometime). The road up to Vista Point was also blocked off (?due to flooding?) so we could only hang out and play around the various creeks which were quite full.
We hopped across the river!
After a slight calming down of the precipitation, we headed to hike to Hedge Creek Falls which we figured would be impressively full of water.
Sure enough, the water was ferocious!
The "cave" behind the falls was unpassable due to water, but the kids still had some photo fun.
"headless Iver"
In the afternoon, after the 49ers playoff game and during a one-hour break in the rain, we attempted a “scenic" city hike in Dunsmuir, along the railroad tracks and the Sacramento River (whose headwaters are in Mt. Shasta).
(NOT recommended by me)
The river was at a full 53 inches but not overflowing.
We had some good eats in Dunsmuir--shakes at Burger Barn just a couple of blocks from our apartment...
... and famous Yak's Burgers. (Niall is frequently confused and upset when "cheeseburgers" include a beef/meat patty and asked for just bacon and cheese on his. And then ate none of it).
We had a really cozy rental downtown, with games (Iver beat me at chess and taught Niall checkers).
Snuggling up by the electric fire.
We are so happy that, with the gift of sight, our little doggie can travel with us again! Full arms!
The rental even provided some pup perks like treats!
On Sunday, we headed just slightly north to Mt. Shasta and hoped to do some sledding down Snowman's Hill; however, the access road was also closed, likely due to the rainy weather.
We then drove to the trailhead at Faery Falls and, after a couple of false starts (once to private and land and another down an unmarked path), found our way thanks to another woman hiker and her doggie.
The trailhead had snow.
The falls are apparently gentle and wispy (like fairies!) in the spring and summer but were bursting with water with the winter storms!
We then headed north on the I-5 about an hour and a half to Ashland, Oregon. We had a lovely view of (14,180 ft.) Mt. Shasta on the way as the weather finally cleared a bit (alas, no skiing was to be had on this trip although we brought gear just in case). When I told Niall to check out the mountain, he said "Agh, that's just a hill full of trees."
In Ashland, at Iver's request, we checked out the outdoor ice rink by Lithia Park and fortuitously made it there just as open recreational skating hours started (there was also a hockey tournament going on. And the rink had been closed the past two days due to weather!).
Iver, in his second time on ice skates, rocked it!
Niall wanted to play at the playground across the street instead of skate.
Then Iver requested little brother (and I) join in on the family fun.
When Iver and I both fell on the ice after a game of "tag" with Kelvin, we called it a skating day.
I had heard good things about ScienceWorks, a hands-on science museum in town, and we headed there next.
Bouncing balls
Light trickery
Trains!
The art of pulleys!
The kids had a wonderful time with the various exhibits on gravity, lift, magnets, optical illusions, anatomy, and more.
We overnighted in nearby Medford and had an early morning appointment for Pepper's two-week post-op check, which gave her good healing marks! She also is apparently a wonderful and beloved doggie ophthalmologic patient, as many staff members came to greet her!
We lucked out as the weather driving the 3.5 hours home from Southern Oregon was sunny and, although there were some brief one-way road stops and the kids were mildly bored, the roads were cleared of trees and we made good time.
Kelvin has to take Pepper back to Medford at the end of the month for (we think?) the last of her post-op appointments. While we know our state needs rain, with hope, our skies (and Pep's eyes) will stay clear for a while!
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