On July 4th, I resolve to get up early to catch the morning light on the lakes. The Lower Twin is so calm it's surface is like a mirror reflecting the sky and surrounding mountains.
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| Fishermen are up early too |
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| Canoes on shore await their owners |
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| Sooo glassy |
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Holly needs to talk to the "Colonel" (nickname used by a retired flight surgeon from the Army reserves) who is staying in his family cabin across the street. Being my usual curious self, I follow Holly over for a closer look at their cabin. Like others in the neighborhood, this cabin was originally built by the Colonel's father and his family is still enjoying it today.
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| The Colonel's family cabin |
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| Holly & the Colonel discuss business |
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| Beautiful view of the lake from inside |
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This cabin is completely off the grid with no electricity and only rudimentary running water... it's completely old school as in the Zen saying "chop wood and carry water." For reasons beyond us, the family has elected to remain off the grid, without even using propane or solar panels for hot water or electricity.
It's quickly apparent the father believed in the basics - "hunt'n' & fish'n'." In fact, his first fishing license dated 1941 is framed and hanging on the wall as well as fishing poles and bows for hunting.
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| Everything you'd need for a major family gathering |
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Of course there's some drinking and celebrating to be done after the fish are caught (or maybe as consolation if none are caught). The Colonel shows us a guest book still in use since the family first moved in. The following entry from 1959 captures the sentiment of the entries:
"Mighty fine place to spend time and rest. Hope you will always have fun up here."
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| Cabin Fever whiskey |
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| Cabin guest book |
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| Cock 'n Bull whiskey |
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Since we've already been to the Bridgeport parade in both
2011 and
2012, we decide on a hike instead. The morning is starting to wear on, so Peter and I take off before it gets too hot. We choose a trail that will take us above the lakes for better views.
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| Beginning section |
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| About 500' above upper Twin we can see a large glacier carved bowl |
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| Peter checks out the lower Twin |
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By the time we reach 1000' above the lakes both the altitude and 90 F degree weather is starting to wear on our tender sea level bodies. So we stop and snap photos before heading back.
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| Upper Twin |
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| Lower Twin |
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After lunch and resting, we pile into the Subaru bound for
Travertine Hot Springs just south of Bridgeport CA. We've been there before but it was at night many years ago.
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| Travertine Hot Springs sign |
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| Bubble, bubble toil and trouble |
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| Small pool closest to parking |
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| Travertine deposits from a dried up spring |
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| Mother Nature's aqueduct |
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With the main pool being crowded, we look for a smaller more private one Holly knows about.
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| Mineral deposits flow towards the Sierras |
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| Ahh... here's the one we've been looking for |
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| Holly & Peter soak their feet |
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When we've had enough, we head back to the cabin to prepare a proper 4th of July BBQ.
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| Garden Genome greets us back |
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| Red, white & blue potatoes of course |
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| Doug watches the preparations |
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| As the evening settles over Lower Twin we watch a line of headlights from cars returning from Bridgeport |
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