June 30 - Hike to Spaulding Lake, Soccer Pactice and Swim Lessons

​BIG day today. A 5-mile hike to Spaulding Lake. The trail was beautiful, along part of a ditch trail, through a pine and cedar forest with blooming wildflowers, then to the lake. 

Look at this huge pike that carries water. 

Lunch time on the rocks. 

The day was far from over. When we got back and picked up Arlo, it was time for his soccer practice.  He was definitely into this practice. He listened to the coach and was doing the drills. 

Then it was time for swim lessons. He seemed to really enjoy them as well. 

June 29 - Bear Box continued and swimming

​Today was a recup day except for the bear box makers. 

Monday nights are swim time with Cat, June and Nolan at Pioneer Park Pool. 

Arlo is pretty good with the chopsticks Uncle Drew and Auntie Erin bought him. 

Nights here are perfect …cooler temps and a beautiful sky.

June 28 - Projects and Bubbles

​Since Shan and Carl have had a nightly visitor who likes to raid their garbage, Shuff and Carl decided to build a bear proof box for the garbage containers. Project started!

Arlo and Mommy decided it was a good day to clean the car. 

Arlo and I had a little fun with one of the cars at the grocery store. 

Then we played with the bubble machine. 

After Arlo went to bed we played SkyJo till we all decided we were tired. I think it was 9:00!

June 27 - Sierra Storytelling Festival

​Our love of Storytelling Festivals came from a visit to our friends Terry and Sandy Countermine’s town of Jonesborough. Jonesborough is home to the International Storytelling Festival. 

This year Sandy and Terry invited us and Linda Zubler to attend Roanoke’s Storytelling Festival in the spring. 

Then Shannon, Carl, Drew and Erin bought us tickets to the Sierra Storytelling Festival in the small North Columbia community center near North San Juan. What a treat to be in an outdoor setting among tall pines and cedars listening to storytellers who made us laugh and who educated us about their cultures. We can’t choose a favorite one because each one was unique and interesting. 

Some of the storytellers we heard were Michael D McCarty enthralled us with his stories in the Black Panther Movement and his work in the California prisons, Amy Blumel, piqued our interest with her Native American Stories, Kevin Kling made us laugh with his hometown stories, Yasu Ishida told stories with magic, Dalrymple MacAlpin told a mythical Irish story and played the harp,  Roopa Mohan told her stories of India, and Tim Ereneta as Emcee. 

June 26 - Donkeys and Chickens

​We took a walk to feed the donkeys, Annabell and Muffin. It’s about 1 mile one way. Arlo walked the whole way. As you can see, Shan’s road is narrow and no lines. People drive slow so it’s a nice leisurely walk to the donkeys. 

In the afternoon, Shan took us to visit her friend Erica and her chickens. 

Friday night Shuff and I went to the Sierra Storytelling Festival at the North Columbia School. Among the pines, we listened to some wonderful story tellers, some funny, some educational . All were so interesting. 

When we got back to the RV, we saw this sky

Tomorrow is another festival day. Can’t wait to listen to more stories in the beautiful setting. 

June 25 - Around Nevada City

I drove Arlo to Gigi’s and ​Shuff and Carl drove to Auburn to buy lumber to build a bear box. There’s been a bear raiding their garbage cans, thus the need for a bear box!  No pics yet though. 

June 24 - Around Nevada City

​After Arlo went to Gigi’s, Bill and I went for a bike ride from Shan and Carl’s down through town and on the Champion Mine Trail. 

Stopped for a drink and muffin at 3 Forks. Saw this painting of the Yuba. Jillian could paint this  

Picked up Arlo at Hirchman’s pond. Gigi took the kids there for a short walk. 

Shan and Carl went to listen to a band with friends. I had the hard job of watching Arlo.