Snow in the East Sierras – US 395, CA

Just before we left Quincy, the weather report predicted snow in the higher elevations. The picture below shows some of the mountain caps that got new snow from that prediction.

Just the way we like to see snow nowadays – high and far away!

Fall Colors – Quincy, CA

While the colors don’t compete with the East Coast, they are none the less very beautiful. This picture shows our site at the RV park in Quincy.

Ants Redux – Quincy, CA

Before we left the ant capital of the world in San Diego area, we sprayed the jacks and stabilizers to stop anymore ants from entering our rig. We thought the speeds of 55-65mpg would blow out any remaining ants over the 600 miles from San Diego to Quincy. So, when we got here and still have an ant here and an ant there we managed. After a couple of days, we were ant free.

Then 2 days later, they came back strong. We talked with the local RV Park residents and they said, “yes” they had ants too. The ants we saw on the grounds were much larger than the ants in our rig. We thought the ones in the rig were still San Diego’s versions. So, we put out an “old” Ant Stake. We have had mixed results using this approach to our ant problems. But this time, it worked and within 24 hours we were entirely ant-free and it has continued the remainder of our stay.

Squirrels – Quincy, CA

With winter and its associated snow coming to Quincy, the local squirrels are busy gathering/storing their provisions for the coming cold. To that end, they are all over the park. Karma can see 1 to 6 squirrels at a time outside her window. Needless to say, she is very upset by their busy busy activities and the fact that they like to come as close to our rig as possible in search of pine nuts and acorns. One even climbed up the outside ladder and peered into the large window by the desk. He had an acorn in his mouth.

The only time they seem to be elsewhere is on Sunday mornings. We are thinking maybe they are religious and attend mass/services then. By noon, they are back with a vengeance gathering sustenance for winter.

Squirrels Everywhere - Quincy, CA

Poor poor Karma, the park is filled with squirrels working very hard to get all the acorns and pine nuts they can stored in their nests for the long cold winter here in Quincy. They are everywhere and not very bothered by the dogs in the park or those walking on the bike path just past the fence. They are early risers and work work work throughout the day right up to sundown. Karma can see them through her window. We think they do taunt her a bit. She barks and barks in the rig or when we see them on our walks. I don’t know what she’d do if one ever let itself get caught but she wants to try.

When we are over at John’s house and Karma is off-leash, she is chasing squirrels here and there. Sonny, John’s dog, is not at all interested in the squirrels. So, they might be a bit surprised that this dog, Karma, seems so intent on the chase. The squirrels immediately head for one of the many trees on the property and scurry up the trunk. Karma sees that it would be impossible for her to follow so she just reverses course and looks for another one to chase. Karma returns to the rig ready to snore away the rest of the day and into the night. That’s the good news to her squirrel obsession.

Tree and Feller – Quincy, CA

They hired a professional tree feller (or faller, both locals and internet have varying opinions on which is the correct term for someone who chops down trees and ensures that they fall in a particular direction) to drop some trees on the property that were endangering the house.

In the picture below, you can see the feller at his truck and the tree he is felling aligned with him. If you look closely, you can see that the 100+ foot trunk is curving as the tree tries to compensate for the chopping and sawing that the feller is using the drop the tree UP HILL away from the structures and people watching the activity.

It was really amazing to watch as the feller continued to work slowly and steady to ensure the tree did as he planned. When the trunk finally gave up its connection with the stump, the tree just slowly bent up hill and crashed to the ground. Though “crashed” might be an overstatement ‘cause it really just laid itself down rather quietly. All of that is the result of a great feller! The picture below shows Boots’ son counting the rings of the tree – estimates are that it was over 100 years old.

Sonny and Karma – Quincy, CA

When we visit with John, Boots’ son, and family (and dog Sonny) at their new house with an acre of property, Karma and Sonny run and run here there and then repeat. Sonny is used to being off leash, stays closer to home, eventually gets bored and lays down for a rest. While Karma keeps checking every nook and cranny out. She doesn’t rest until we drag her to the truck and come back to the rig.

Part of Boots’ Son’s New Yard – Quincy, CA

Boots’ son and wife are buying a “new” house (lots of renovations needed first) and this is a shot of the new spacious yard for their 2 kids, 6 chickens, 3 cats and a dog.

Sisyphus' Rock - Quincy, CA

There are a lot of Oak and Pine trees in and around this RV park. Like Sisyphus, the camp staff spend each morning with a bucket and grabber picking up the pine cones that have fallen in the past 24 hours. Likewise, the squirrels do the same with the flood of acorns on the ground. From the number of trees in the neighborhood, they will need to do this tomorrow, the day after and the day after that, forever.

Karma's Freedom - Quincy, CA

There is a big field right outside the RV Park filled with pine trees, and squirrels of course. Karma gets to be “off leash” sort of. She drags the leash so that when she tears off after said squirrels, Ruthi doesn’t need to get as close to capture her. At least once a day, Karma goes nuts chasing her ball and comes home to sleep and sleep and sleep.

Bike Riding - Quincy, CA

We got the bikes off the back of the rig, ready for our daily rides. When we were in San Diego, we had to get up early (6:30, 7:00) to be sure to get our bike rides in before it got too hot. Here in the high Sierras, we can sleep in to probably about noon. So far, it’s 10am and still only 50 degrees.

We finally got on the bikes and searched out a relatively flat course that would keep us on side streets and make our goals of time riding (Boots 10-15 and Ruthi 30-45 minutes). There is a newspaper kiosk and then a breakfast café that fit the criteria.