July 2003

Here we are at the end of July. Where did the month go? For us it went to completing our research in the Inyo National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (what a mouth full for a relatively small forest), getting most of the Eldorado National Forest done, and adding another member to our traveling group.

That's right, we have a new "puppy." We adopted Golden Retriever from a Rescue Organization on July 17th. We were in South Tahoe Lake when we learned about Tazz (short for Razz-ma-Tazz). He was being fostered in Menteca which, according to his foster father, was only a couple of hours away. So, after putting in a full day of work, we headed down the mountain, through Stockton, and into Manteca. Hopefully, Tazz's foster father is a much better judge of dogs than a giver of directions or judge of distances. Almost four hours later, and with much thanks to Fred's GPS and laptop computer, we met Tazz and it was all over.

Although Tazz is a year-and-half old, as some of you will know, Goldens stay in that "puppy" or "terrible twos" stage for about five years. Tazz is a bouncing, quite literally, curly haired boy and so full of enthusiasm and curiosity we are usually exhausted by day's end. Two of his more endearing and frustrating traits are Tazz is a chow-hound and apparently a lover of booze. Tazz will definitely eat anything, from tree branches and horse manure to vitamins and dog chow, so we must be watchful he doesn't get himself into trouble that way. And we must be especially watchful when there is any liquor about. If Fred puts his Scotch and water on the ground, Tazz will zoom in like a heat seeking missile. And a can of beer left along the route of our morning walk is immediately gathered up and carried home for consumption. (It is quite a sight to see a sleepy eyed women being lead back to her trailer by a prancing, Bud carrying Golden Retriever.)

Another trait, although not as endearing to Fred, that Tazz exhibits every night, all night, is a tendency to "nursemaid." Fred is not a quiet sleeper. He will, on occasion, snore, tell himself a hilarious joke, carry on conversations, or simply make sounds when turning over. (Suzi may do the same thing but Tazz hasn't yet figured out how to reach her side of the bed.) With each noise, Tazz comes over to make sure everything is okay. The procedure is usually a big wet nose in the face or back of the head and than two front legs across the body. If Fred reacts, Tazz removes himself and returns to his sleeping area on the floor. If Fred does not respond, then Tazz jumps up on to the bed and lands all four feet (and 75 pounds) on top of Fred. Isn't that precious?!?!?

Tazz was labled a "problem child" but, except for a few things we think can be attributed to earlier experiences, Tazz is simply an example of an All-boy Golden Retriever. In many ways he is much like Tory (sheds constantly) and in other ways he is all Tazz (very social with other dogs). But the important thing is we are very happy to have a Golden back in our lives.

But enough of this proud parent stuff We very much enjoyed our time in the Inyo National Forest. Each canyon was so different, it was like visiting a different place each day. And Mammoth Lakes was amazing. The beauty of the place was incredible. The ski-mountain was awesome and the town quaint without feeling like an Aspen replicate. And, we really enjoyed our time in the Reds Mountain area too.

Reds Meadow, a deep valley where the San Joquian River flows, is on the west side of the ski mountain. The drive into the place is enough to discourage the faint of heart but once you are there the fir trees and wildflowers are so abundant, you know this is a different world than the one you just left. Way at the far end, were the road ends, is a resort called (what else?) Reds Meadow. This place is run by Bob Tanner and his wife and a nicer couple you will never met. At their invitation, we joined them for a Bar-b-que and Cowboy campfire sing-a-long one Saturday and had the bestest of times. If you are every in the area and looking for a wonderful experience, you must give the folks at Reds Meadow Resort a call.

South Tahoe Lake was the complete opposite to our Reds Meadow experiences. The Lake is beautiful but everything is so built up. Even the campgrounds are congested. But we must say, although loaded with a billion visitors, the people of the area remained pleasant, which must be a challenge with all those strangers clogging up the roads and beaches.

We ended the month in a large Eldorado campground called Sunset on the banks of the Union Valley Reservoir. This is a huge body of water (25,000 acres) and very popular with jet skiers and power boating people. But in the middle of the week, this campground, as well as the Forest's many others, quiets down to a more relaxed and peaceful condition, the type of camping we enjoy. This is when we wish you all could join us for an evening of storytelling and marshmallow roasting around the campfire. August will see us in the Tahoe and Plumas National Forests in California; if you're in the neighborhood come meet up with us. Tazz is always looking for a new, long-lost, best friend.

Suzi and Fred