Well, it's been a long, happy, bittersweet, hot, cabin, camping and family-filled two weeks! What a great treat to get to see so much family.
Two and a half weeks ago Greg, Mattie and I headed to Santa Monica for a moving party at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Santa Monica with the entire Horst family (except Dawn - we missed you!) and dozens of friends and neighbors.
There are a lot of memories in the bones of that old home, in the fruit trees and tennis court, on the front porch under the historic portico and on countless walks down to the beach and back. Luckily, everyone gets to take those with them. We camped in the side yard (Mattie was so happy to be in a tent again), danced, drank and visited to an awesome Beatles cover band in the back, and celebrated nearly 50 years of Horsts on Alta Avenue.
We went down to visit Grandpa Dave in Marina del Rey before getting back on the road for the mountains. We stopped at In-N-Out on the way, where little Matters of course got her own cheeseburger.
The next few days were mellow. Mattie finally got her much-needed summer haircut. It's uneven and ridiculous, but it was the best we could do considering she acts like she's being tortured to death any time we get out scissors these days. Still, she looks absolutely adorable.
Then, we dealt with the moths. For a month or so each summer, Aspendell is inundated with moths. It took us a few days to figure out, but for the first two nights there were thousands (not kidding...thousands) of moths in the upstairs bedrooms trying to escape. It got much better after Greg realized that they were trying to get OUT every night, so completely opening the windows at night really helped. In combination with a new vaccuum and an aggressive nightly moth relocation program, we finally got them under control.
THEN we relaxed. It was just the three of us for a few days. This picture of North Lake basically sums it up. Evenings with no people or mosquitoes, fish hitting the surface, and the sound of water and wind up Bishop Canyon.
...and more fishing. Greg has really figured out the fishing at Sabrina, so we did some of that. Here he is looking sassy and fashionable on the lake trail.
Then we had a visit from Kathy and Brian, Greg's sister and brother-in-law. We did some hiking, wandering, and general adventuring around the place for the weekend.
THEN on Monday, Yeti and Dad came up! We went up to North Lake to see where the road had been completely washed out due to ridiculously high run-off, hung out around the cabin, worked on a puzzle, walked around the neighborhood, and generally relaxed.
We went down to the Owens Valley to explore some of our favorite beautiful petroglyph sites. We hadn't been there in the early morning, and it's amazing the different things that appear as the sun changes.
Two and a half weeks ago Greg, Mattie and I headed to Santa Monica for a moving party at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Santa Monica with the entire Horst family (except Dawn - we missed you!) and dozens of friends and neighbors.
There are a lot of memories in the bones of that old home, in the fruit trees and tennis court, on the front porch under the historic portico and on countless walks down to the beach and back. Luckily, everyone gets to take those with them. We camped in the side yard (Mattie was so happy to be in a tent again), danced, drank and visited to an awesome Beatles cover band in the back, and celebrated nearly 50 years of Horsts on Alta Avenue.
Mattie, cozy and sleeping in on Alta Avenue.
The Horst kids.
Grandpa and his trees.
We went down to visit Grandpa Dave in Marina del Rey before getting back on the road for the mountains. We stopped at In-N-Out on the way, where little Matters of course got her own cheeseburger.
The next few days were mellow. Mattie finally got her much-needed summer haircut. It's uneven and ridiculous, but it was the best we could do considering she acts like she's being tortured to death any time we get out scissors these days. Still, she looks absolutely adorable.
Then, we dealt with the moths. For a month or so each summer, Aspendell is inundated with moths. It took us a few days to figure out, but for the first two nights there were thousands (not kidding...thousands) of moths in the upstairs bedrooms trying to escape. It got much better after Greg realized that they were trying to get OUT every night, so completely opening the windows at night really helped. In combination with a new vaccuum and an aggressive nightly moth relocation program, we finally got them under control.
THEN we relaxed. It was just the three of us for a few days. This picture of North Lake basically sums it up. Evenings with no people or mosquitoes, fish hitting the surface, and the sound of water and wind up Bishop Canyon.
...and more fishing. Greg has really figured out the fishing at Sabrina, so we did some of that. Here he is looking sassy and fashionable on the lake trail.
Then we had a visit from Kathy and Brian, Greg's sister and brother-in-law. We did some hiking, wandering, and general adventuring around the place for the weekend.
Kathy and Brian on the Long Lake Trail
THEN on Monday, Yeti and Dad came up! We went up to North Lake to see where the road had been completely washed out due to ridiculously high run-off, hung out around the cabin, worked on a puzzle, walked around the neighborhood, and generally relaxed.
Yeti and Dad at the Creek Previously Known as the North Lake Road
THEN it was Dylan, Jessie, Willow and Henrietta's first visit to the cabin! They got up Tuesday afternoon. We basically just hung out with Willow for the day, playing a mean game of peek-a-boo and exploring the neighborhood.
Willow checking out the mountains.
...these mountains (early morning last week).
Henrietta enjoyed watching the chipmunks and birds in the yard.
We went down to the Owens Valley to explore some of our favorite beautiful petroglyph sites. We hadn't been there in the early morning, and it's amazing the different things that appear as the sun changes.
Dylan and beautiful artwork.
Dylan and Jessie with two large figures in the rock.
There was a lot of this. We love little Willow so much.
Notice Beary the Pig Skull in the background.
And after a great couple of days with Yeti, Dad, Dylan, Jessie, Willow and Henrietta at the cabin, we made the short drive up Highway 395 to Convict Lake and the Annual Jennings/Outlaws Fish-Off. We fished, ate, BBQ'd, caught up, drank beer, jumped into the absolutely raging creek (THE VORTEX!), played games and read books, and enjoyed seeing family for the weekend.
Grandpa with Willow at his first Fish-Off.
Emme and Sid in the campsite.
Sidney and Jessie, farkle professionals.
Aidan and Emme at Convict Creek.
The four gremlins.
Annika getting out of the "Vortex" - a cold, deep, swirling eddy next to our campsite.
Greg and Mattie in the meadow.
Intertubing in the vortex.
Greg and Emme.
Anni, winning at "slap hands."
Ohana.
These two guys.
Yeti and Greg practicing their awesome fishing techniques.
Anni about to get vortexed.
And finally, a sleepy, happy, peaceful camping dog.
She's doing so well.
Hot dogs, naps, and treats every day.
It's a beautiful summer with Mattie Mae. 
We're back in Reno for just a few days before driving down to the cabin for Friends 4th of July weekend at the cabin! It's hot out, but nice inside, and a few days out of the sun and wind are very welcome. Plus, Jurassic Park and Harry Potter are on.
We'll try to post again soon!
Love,
Allison and Mattie the Hot Dog Dog
Allison!! What an awesome post, as usual. Your descriptions and the gorgeous photos make me feel like I was there. I'm sorry I missed out on the Alta party - I would have loved to have been there. I think I see few photos here worthy of painting!!
ReplyDeleteWe miss you guys! It sounds like so far you are having an amazing summer with Mattie Mae by your side. We would love to see you guys whenever you can make it back. The house will be ready in Sept but you will be back in school by then. Continue posting so we can see what you guys are up to. We miss and love you guys!