Poison Oak

Also this year we didn’t break our 'tradition' of forgetting the day we met.
10 years ago already!
We actually went out for dinner on that particular day, March 20th, but still without thinking to do so for some special reason.

~~~

Almost every morning Maarten wakes up before 5 o’clock.
I believe this has a lot to do with his ‘potty needs’. I actually do mind the consequences of this early morning waking more than the ‘potty matter’ itself.
I hope it will be resolved at least by this summer...

We still don’t know where the allergies on Maarten’s face are coming from.
A nice physician at his medical exams last week assured me this is not a kind of food allergy but rather an external one. I still hope it will go away within a couple of weeks like last spring.
Luckily it doesn’t seem to bother Maarten much.

Anyway Maarten is declared healthy and we can apply for an extension of his visa.
But also we need to be checked; and I hope we will pass as well.

~~~


Rob has had a pretty bad cold this week so we have to relax this weekend.
Though I’m really happy seeing him getting better and he even agrees to set off for a trip to the beach...

...Maarten falls asleep in the car which hopefully means that he will be fresh for the rest of the day. He wakes up while passing the Bolinas Lagoon, just on time to see the harbor seals sunbathing on the island of sediments in the middle of the lagoon.
We exit the highway right past the marsh. Despite the unsigned junction it’s quite easy to find the Palomarin Trailhead. (I understand the residents of Bolinas tear down the street signs leading to there.)
There are already so many cars at the trailhead and I have to admit I’m pretty disappointed by that.
Anyway Rob and Maarten head for the beach and I hope to reach the Alamere Falls.


In the nice-smelling eucalyptus woods I can’t help taking pictures of the blue flowering groundcover and the splendid cala lilies.


Also the path along the coast, with its amazing views, is fringed with all kinds of bushes. I recognize only the blue blossoming lupine. The wind is so strong here I understand some people wear a scarf and mittens.


The climbing is pretty gradual so far and I secretly hope it will stay so.
After a while the trail leaves the ocean and continues into the hills. I meet whole groups of backpackers and I guess that’s why there were so many cars at the trailhead.


The trail leads past the hidden and pristine Bass and Pelican lakes. I would love to enjoy the lakes for a while but I don’t feel like leaving the trail when I’m on my own.
There are not steep climbs at all and I reach the cutoff path to the falls pretty quickly.

Just before the junction I see a man coming from the bushes and wandering out of the trail. He looks a bit ‘different’ than the other hikers I meet but luckily he walks in a different direction.


I remember the advice of a local hiking expert S. and stay on the trail to the Wildcat Camp .
The path seems to get very little use and I don’t come across any hikers at all. I found this a bit strange somehow. But having strong belief in my adviser I hope to reach the beach soon and approach the falls from down there.
I feel still more uneasy and when I see the path is turning away from the coast again I decide to return.
I feel disappointed and chagrined at the same time.

And then I finally encounter someone again. It’s the same weird looking man I saw already before. He gives me a smile and greets me very politely. I try to stay calm but the urine odor while passing him doesn’t improve my dread. When I hope he can’t see me anymore I start to run ‘for my life’. At least this is how I feel at the moment. Now I have to think about my arrogance of hiking alone.
Not the cougar but the man is the biggest danger on the trail, that’s what all the locals would agree on. But why would someone like this wander in the middle of nowhere? I understand if I were to run into him on the Iron Horse Trail, but here?
Who knows, and I really hope, I’m just being hysterical and that he is nothing more than a common hiker. Sure he doesn’t follow me but I use a bunch of energy to run at least a mile back to the junction with the path to the falls.




There are hordes of people here and for the first time I don’t mind the crowds at all!





And the waterfalls (there are actually three of them) are beyond my expectations.









From the cliff the water plunges directly onto Wildcat Beach.
Too glorious to describe. I hope the pictures somehow help.


On my way back the trail is getting very busy. And every other group asks me how long it will take them to reach the falls. I’m really surprised what a huge attraction the falls are. Even a family with two small children struggles with a city stroller on this rough path!

I’m almost back at the trailhead and my poor hips hurt really badly.

I'm supposed to meet Rob and Maarten at the beach but I’m quite relieved seeing them coming up already. This saves me some additional 2 miles.
I feel a bit guilty having such an adventure on my own but they seemed to have had a wonderful time at their beloved beach as well.

PS: I've brought 'a souvenir' from this wonderful and adventurous hike.
Even though I’m always aware of the leaves of three I have got the poison oak rash at last!
What an itching nightmare!
Just hoping the boys will always be spared, especially Maarten!

Celebrating Easter

Despite my Czech roots, we do not practice the old Easter tradition of whipping girls and women with the pomlazka.
I know every foreigner I’ve ever told about it was completely shocked by this custom.
I usually try to explain to them that the whipping is only symbolic. However, I guess, they still find it pretty weird, something that would probably never be accepted by the Western culture.

The pomlazka is made of braided young willow twigs decorated with ribbons. The actual purpose of whipping is ‘to make younger’.
My boys probably still find me young enough since they don’t observe this tradition. And, by the way, it’s not a Dutch custom!


We just decorated some eggs with stickers. Already this was a challenging task for Maarten.

What is not a Czech tradition but what I like is hiding (and afterwards collecting)the eggs in the backyard.


The 'American way', the egg hunt where the whole community gathers in a park and the children have baskets and try to collect as many eggs as possible. This made for a fun Saturday.

Maarten liked the fluffy bunny so much that he had difficulties sharing him with other children.
He loves all the traditions of course but the chocolate eggs and bunnies are surely the best part. He actually doesn’t get sweets at all during the year (yet!) so I understand his excitement.


~~~



We hoped to leave the Easter crowds back in the town and head for a quiet trip into the woods. I really did my best to choose a ‘Maarten friendly’ path which means close to the water. It sounded so promising – a trail from Alpine Lake to Kent Lake along Lagunitas Creek through fine riparian woodlands. It really was beautiful and surprisingly pristine but...the creek was actually some 20 meters below the path!

So Maarten was bored, bored and bored! I understand he doesn’t appreciate the views of the hidden lake yet. Luckily some of the side streams were still flowing and crossing beneath the path so he could play with the water now and then. And there were a few banana slugs right on the trail which he loved.

You would expect him to sleep deeply for the whole night after such a demanding trip of more than 5 hours through the woods, right?!

It has actually been a few months since I've slept well. He comes to us several times during the night complaining about a nightmare, having an appetite of cookies or simply wanting to get up and play...
We've already been like a couple of dizzy zombies for weeks.



This week is spring break at Maarten’s school.

Monday we were supposed to meet our friends in San Jose's Happy Hollow Park but after such a sleepless night and getting up at 5:30 you would not think of having fun. The only thing I had on my mind this morning was how I could possibly get through the day.


It went surprisingly well. Maarten was obviously enjoying himself on all kind of attractions, fun rides and of course he loved the funny animals that were extremely active today.


Maarten had a little accident. Even though I’m not sure if this is really just ‘a little’ one. While climbing the fence at the Bug Ride he slipped and injured his mouth. It was bleeding and as usual he was not crying though he certainly hurt. I believe his front tooth was moving but he didn’t allow me to check it closely. Let’s hope it will heal soon.

Happy Easter/Vrolijk Pasen/Veselé Velikonoce

Crow Canyon Gardens/Cataract Falls/Gina in SFO

Crow Canyon Gardens are within walking distance to our home.
I hoped to find gardens there like the ones at Heathers Farms in Walnut Creek but there are actually just small community garden plots here. And there is more behind the gardens. Here you can access the Crow Creek and its surrounding greenery. You could nearly forget you are still in the busy town.

I feel someone is watching us and then I see the big birds in the tree above us. I guess they are vultures. They are so close and, considering their size, they make me feel a bit uncomfortable.
They are not happy with our presence either and soon they take off.

The weather is still not stable yet. Sunshine changes with rainy and stormy days so you never know how the weather will be the next day.

I was planning a more challenging hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains for this Saturday.
I think Rob was relieved to hear my friends may join me. But the weather forecast was so bad we decided to cancel.

But Rob and Maarten would go for their Saturday ‘daddy’ hike rain or shine. And despite the heavy rain in the early morning we get plenty of sunshine later that day.

So while the ‘boys’ are enjoying the redwoods near Oakland I take the risk of possible rain and head to Marin again. This time to check out Cataract Falls.
We’ve been here before and it was very crowded then. This is an extremely popular trail. So it's best to come early in the morning to be sure to get a spot because of the very limited parking.
It looks like the bad forecast scared off most of the outdoor fans. I don’t meet any other cars all the way to Alpine Lake and there is also nobody at the trailhead!

Later I meet a few people when I’m returning down again. I’m delighted to enjoy all the beauty in complete solitude.
At first I have to think of the weather forecast and my waterproofs I forgot at home. But here also the sky clears up soon.
After the rainy days the falls are well filled and I find some new pools we had missed the last time. Maybe because especially the pools were occupied by picnicking crowds then.

Some claim this shaded and wooded canyon with its falls when the sun comes through the dense trees to have a Hawaii-like atmosphere. I can’t judge that but anyhow it is really beautiful here.

However there is a little disappointment that day.
The battery in my camera is low so I can’t take any pictures of the last part of the falls.
A good reason to come back again!

~~~

Despite living so close to ‘the city’ we visit San Francisco very rarely. Mostly only when there is a particular reason to do so, like having visitors or visiting someone.

This Sunday we meet there with my cousin from New York. It is already six (?) years ago when Gina visited us in Holland. Her business trip to San Francisco this week is a great opportunity to meet her and her boyfriend Ryan. Yet Maarten is behaving pretty weird. He is trying to get Gina’s attention all the time and I’m not sure if she appreciates his way of ‘flirting’ with her.

Well, I believe we should visit ‘the city’ more often. Considering his behavior today, Maarten has turned out to be a real country boy and his social development may use a bit of the ‘city’s culture’ as well.

Donner Canyon, Mt. Diablo SP

I know we are quite late, but as I remember our last trip to Donner Falls they were still flowing in mid May.
It is already two years ago when we were here for the first time. We found that first trip pretty difficult with Maarten in the back carrier and the temperature in the high nineties.
Today it is quite warm despite the bad weather forecast and considering it is only early spring.

Maarten hasn’t use the back carrier for several months already but this doesn’t mean he can manage a 6 mile trip by himself.
Though I believe he might be able to, but also today there are some paths he would not enjoy, I'm sure.


Everything is still so nice and green.
The bubbling creek off to the left adds a nice atmosphere to the enjoyable, slightly climbing road with the view of the imposing Mount Diablo in the background.

After about a mile and a half where the creek crosses the trail we stop to have lunch. From here I continue up on my own. Maarten is delighted of course. Now he can finally completely enjoy the tempting creek.

The first 'mile' to get up to the Falls Trail is quite strenuous and I’m happy I didn’t insist we all go up the hill. I keep looking around since there are nice views in all directions.

Looking back to the north there is the Bay with its surrounding towns. As I continue deep in the canyon I recognize the old places and have to think of our previous trip here. The place we had lunch, the scarce shady places where we tried to hide from the merciless sun, where Maarten was playing in the water (and where we had to wash him since we forgot an extra diaper)...so many memories! I have to cross the streams several times and I think of Maarten. He would love the small path and wading in the water a lot.
But I’m sure he would hate to climb the steep and dry dirt road up. Who knows, maybe next time.

O.K., now about the waterfalls. They are not that spectacular.
But the whole canyon is such a beautiful setting. The creek is greatly hidden in the exuberant vegetation so you don’t see it all the time but you hear the gurgling and splashing water all over the place.
I should be here right after the rainy winter but no need to complain.

I believe this place is stunning in just about any season.

Carson Falls

Maarten is three now and I can’t postpone his visit to the dentist any longer.
But there is no need for postponing. Concerning the dentist Maarten is not such a chicken like me. And he even claims that he likes the treatment!


He has started the new preschool class and I guess he is the youngest of all the children now. This is not a problem for him since he always prefers bigger children. And we both like the new teachers.
Though he was a little clingy the first morning, he was very enthusiastic about the new class when I picked him up.


Even though he is goes to school every weekday, it is only till the noon and then he is obviously tired and bored at home. So it’s up to me to either struggle with his tiredness at home or think of amusing trips for both of us.

We usually go for a stroll along a creek or take a winding path through the woods, observing the wildlife or something similar.


However, last weekend we made a mistake. Even though our trip to the waterfalls should have been a fun trail along a creek, I didn't realize we had to first walk a mile over the ridge. Despite the beautiful views of the bay, Maarten seemed to only pay attention to the boring, climbing dirt path with no fun puddles to jump in or trees to climb up.
His energy returned only at the twisting path down to the falls.


The series of the waterfalls falling into a rock canyon were very tempting to him and it took a big effort to keep him away from the rocks and bring him to one of the small streams feeding the falls. Here he could fully enjoy the water.


I went further down following the steep path along the creek.



When I returned Maarten’s pants were completely wet but this didn’t seem to bother him or disrupt in his serious water activities.


Unfortunately one climb to the canyon’s rocky walls, ended up with a small hole in Maarten’s palm.
As usual he wasn’t crying at all but this time you could see pain in his face.

3rd Birthday at Heavenly Tahoe

Our last ski trip was a big success and Maarten often asks when he is going to put the little skis on and do wjooooo again.


Besides his muffin party at the preschool we considered a party for his birthday at home or somewhere the American way. But since according to him Miss Robin is his best friend and I believe the birthday boy should choose the way of celebration we decided to follow his wish – we go up to the snowy mountains again!
Well, we didn’t expect that this would be followed that literally.
We had already had a several rainy days and the forecast for the Sierra’s promised snow as well.


In Placerville the heavy rain becomes snow and we are forced to put on the snow chains. We always have them with us but this is actually the very first time we really need to use it. There is a chain control on the highway already at Pollock Pines. When we finally get the still brand new interlaced chains apart a hooded man appears behind us offering his help.

Ooh yes, pleeease!

Where are you from? He asks and I can hardly understand him so I ask the same question.

I’m local. I’m a Native American!

Oops!
Later we understand why it was so hard to follow him. When we buy him a beer for his help we know this is not going to be his first one.

Anyway, we continue up and the snowfall is getting even heavier. We are crawling very slowly but we enjoy the beautiful scenery all the time.


After six hours of driving (should have been 3!) we finally arrive at our destination.
Maarten is thrilled about the amount of snow and asks to go skiing immediately. It is late already but fortunately we can comfort him with our snow sled.




It's almost dark when he and Rob build an artistic snowman.





Saturday is the big day! Maarten is turning three! We are all so fortunate to celebrate this wonderful day in such a beautiful snowy setting.

This morning is not snowing and I’m already pretty much healed from our last ski adventure. So, let’s go for it!

We go to the nearby Heavenly Ski Resort. I guess, this is the largest one in the Tahoe area. The ski-runs look challenging and even the sun is coming through the clouds. Though I know there is another challenge for me other than the steep runs...

Unfortunately this ski paradise is also extremely popular and because it is Saturday it is very crowded. Rob and Maarten disappear in the Ski Rental Store. They seem to be there for ages and when they finally come out Maarten is obviously out of patience.
And so am I by the way.
One of the nice guys at the Rentals tries to comfort me that it just looks kind of nasty but the crowd is not that bad for a Saturday!


Once at the lift our mood improves and the view of Lake Tahoe is beautiful. But the sun is completely lost in the clouds again and it starts to snow. We are optimistic and get on another lift to go higher.
But this is a wrong move!
The snow starts falling even harder. Maarten doesn't appreciate the snowflakes falling on his face and he keeps spitting at them.


But to get back down again we actually need to first go up to the very highest trail. (Don't you find this logical? ;-))
We are above 10,000 ft and it gets really stormy up here. Normally the easy trail would be ideal for our little skier who is already skiing so well today, but, unfortunately the weather is teasing him and makes him very angry.


We join all the other red faces and have lunch at the East Peak Lodge.
Poor Maarten hopes he is safe now.
But we still have to ski down...

Ehmm...and we succeed at last!

Is Maarten happy with his birthday adventure? Back in the chalet he seems to forget the annoying snowflakes and keeps talking about his skillful skiing.


The wind is stormy and the snow keeps falling the whole night. We are a bit concerned about our trip home tomorrow.
We wake up to a fabulous white morning.


Maarten can’t stay inside and explores all the huge snow-drifts and piles.
Well, he still doesn’t get enough snow even after yesterday.

Even though the first mile of our drive home took us almost an hour we continue in a reasonable pace over the mountain.

We have to use the snow chains of course and sure we make use of the wonderful chain installers.
For only 30 bucks they put the snow chains on and within 5 minutes we are ready to set off again!