Kamilchee Ridge

 

My first time back to this area since we got back to the states.  This was the first hike I did with my new handmade backpack and also the last hike I did before my husband died.  I also got bit by a dog on that hike, my husband was confused and I could not convince him it was a dog bite and not a tick bite.

So lots of memories here.  I put track logs and fresh batteries in my GPS(r) a day or two before.  I was not sure if I still new the way after all this time.  I must have left my GPS(r) on so when I got to the start of my hike the batteries were dead.  

I thought about  going back home to get batteries but,  I opted to use my phone and I had no trouble with navigation.  My phone battery went almostdead very fast, before I knew it, it was down to 20%.   I had upgraded to IOS 16 the night before and it was hogging up my battery indexing stuff I determined when I got home and did a web search.

When I got the the top of the hill, I suddenly was hit with another memory.  I had been sitting in my lunch spot up here when Air New Zealand called me to finalize some details of my second flight to New Zealand to be with the love of my life.  My love who dumped me after I gave up EVERYTHING to be with them. 

 It was one year ago last week that I saw her for the very last time.  I'm still not sure what happened. The more I think about it the more I realize she had some issues with OCD.  I still love her, my heart is still broken.  I'm still bitter and angry.  I want to move on though.

Bella had a good time but she was ready to get in the car and go home at the end of the hike.  She devoured the dogfood I gave her at lunch time.  I'm glad she will eat dogfood instead of just begging for my food.

Bella likes to cuddle at lunch time and that would be wonderful except she won't sit still, so I have to push her away after a bit. 

10 miles 1,000 feet elevation gain according to my phone.

My phone records more miles than my GPS(r) does. 

I use the phone ap Topo GPS.

This road has been widened, that probably means logging in the area soon

Road ends here.  I brush crash to get the the next
road up.  This is a shorter route.

I think these are fried chicken mushrooms Lyophyllum decastes

Lyophyllum decastes I think

She just won't sit still when she cuddles

I was expecting way more snow than this

December days are so dark and dead and dreamy
The sun never really comes up

Lyophyllum decastes I think. 
The mushroom in the above photo is different

Tired dog at the last coffee break

Next are photos from the last hike I did before my husband died and the first hike I did with this pack.