Donner Lake memorial day - sun, snow, rain, fun!

[abbear]

We didn't leave until Sat morning.  Stopped in Sacto at JR's Texas BBQ then on up 80 to Donner State Park.  Hwy info signs started saying "snowing over summit - carry chains"  but quick call to CALTRANS confirmed road was clear.  Encountered rain and snow:frosty: showers over summit and while we were setting up and then clear:S, cold skies the rest of the weekend.  Evidently had several inches of snow  on Friday and many campers turned around or stayed home.  We had a HUGE site and the daughters both said how much better this was than KOA.

Sun morning was up early and took the kayak to the lake.  First time I had kayaked with frost on the boat.  The lake was glassy, the snow covered mountains and puffy cumulus reflected as if in a mirror.  The water was very clear - looked like I could reach right down to the bottom even when it was quite deep.  Kind of spooky to see large boulders looming up under the boat.  Paddled 7 - 8 miles around the lake and got in before the wind came up.  What a great morning!

This am no frost. Up and on our way early to visit my brother near Placerville in his new house on the way home.  Stopped and had lunch and then zipped on home.

This was a weekend that reminded me why I camp.
 :#

[SkipP]

Sounds like a great weekend to me!

Frost on the kayak...now, thats not something you hear every day!

[OC Campers]

What a great trip.  Donner SP is on our "to do" list.  I saw the Truckee pictures on the news today.  Glad you had a nice trip.  The weather was so beautiful, I wish we had been camping.
 
Jacqui

[abbear]

One of the highlights I forgot to mention was the family whose kid was playing 'AC/DC' in the car cd player with the doors open pointed at us.  The campground was big enough and a lot of generators running so that it wasn't that bad, plus we were gone most of the day.  But at about 8pm I went over and politely asked if they would mind turning it down some.  Adults said no problem - kid pipes up "Is it after 10 (quiet hours)?" and "Are you a ranger?" in that snotty teenage voice us parents know all to well.  His Dad looks mortified as I say "No, I'm not a ranger, but I could arrange for you to meet one if that is your desire."  Dad looks at kid as kid opens mouth and say "SHUT UP!"  Mom by now has turned music way down and is asking "Is that all right, sir?  Sorry, sir."

I kinda got the feeling they wished I had come sooner!  I'm still smiling over it.