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It was that time of year when my family and I make our pilgrimage to our Nirvana to the North. The time for us to relax and recharge our batteries before once again jumping onto that giant hamster wheel that is the school year.
This year’s vacation had a much different slant than in years past. The kids, being older, and now owning a vehicle that can seat seven, we allowed the kids to each bring a friend. Nick came with my son, Alex, and Meghan was my daughter Rachel’s guest. Add to this mix our new dog, Ruby, and it was like we were making the trip for the first time, even though this year marks the 60th anniversary of my family owning this cabin in the gorgeous Eastern High Sierras.
My dad and I have long compared times in how long it takes us to get to the cabin. If you drive normally it generally takes about 6 hours to get there, but he and I have done it in far less. I think the best we have both done is about 5 hours but that is putting peddle to the metal and with a minimum of stops. This year I wasn’t even in the running. With my carload of 6 people, extra potty stops, and my wife Stacey’s continuing worrying about how Ruby was handling the drive, it cancelled my chances at the checkered flag.
My wife’s and my concerns about how the group overall would handle the long drive was helped out by Nick’s dad, Ralph, when he sent along a portable DVD player. That little baby has some powerful voodoo. It was quieter behind me than when there were only two kids there. For the kids the drive was a double feature that had a good view when they looked away. Thanks Ralph.
Once there, the magic of the cabin by the lake took over and we all settled into our grooves. The thoughts of work, school, and responsibilities quickly melted away as we sat by the lake watching the sunset and the shadow of the mountain crawl across the water signaling the end of the day. For the next ten days the kids wouldn’t even hear the evil word “homework” nor would the thought cross their minds.
These four kids really jelled as a unit, as though they had been hanging together all summer long. It was really great to see the camaraderie they developed in such a short period of time. If only adults could follow their lead. One of the things that we all had bonded over was the mission to make sure that Nick, on his first trip up, saw all of the wildlife that that was available. Chipmunks, birds, raccoons, coyotes, deer, and of course the bear.
Then there was the Ruby situation. For months my wife had fretted over what Ruby would do in the great outdoors. She had visions of Ruby jumping out of the car seeing some form of wildlife and chasing after it into the mountains never to be seen again.
Unfortunately for the chipmunks, ducks, and birds that hang out all day around the cabin that is not what Ruby did. She gradually worked her way around the perimeter of the cabin checking out and marking her territory. As that perimeter expanded and we began to lose sight of her during her little jaunts, the words “Ruby, Come” rang through the still, clean mountain air and it didn’t stop until we left. But she always came back when she heard it.
One of my favorite things to do there is star gaze. The amount of stars you can see is mind-boggling. The entire Milky Way, every constellation, and passing satellites can be viewed with the naked eye. It is absolutely breathtaking.
When Stacey mentioned to Rachel that we were going to our mandatory dinner at the best restaurant in the High Sierra’s, Matt “Tioga” Toomey’s Whoa Nellie Deli, Rachel suggested we stop on the way back and star gaze. Unbeknownst to us she couldn’t have made that suggestion on a better night. Shortly before we left for dinner we heard that on that night there was going to be a meteor shower.
After feasting al fresco on Lobster Taquitos, Jambalaya, Kansas City Steak Caesar Salad, and Pork Chops to die for, we waited for the skies to grow dark so we could get the best view. I was hoping to finally meet Matt Toomey but he takes Wednesday’s off, which happened to be the night we went to dinner at his restaurant. We could have put off our dinner until the next night but I don’t think the meteors would have waited. Well maybe next year Matt.
We were all glad we went that night because the sky was alive with the extra-added bonus of nature’s answer to a fireworks display. The meteors were coming from everywhere. They shot across the sky as their long trails lit up the night. It was a memory that all of us will carry to our graves. As a cherry on top of an already perfect night we picked up two more animals for Nick’s animal spotting card. As we neared the cabin a coyote and a couple of raccoons out on their nightly maneuvers graced us with their presence.
The next entry on Nick’s card made his presence known and visible the following night. Every year, bears have visited us and this year was no different. The first couple of nights on this trip he came by but only left his calling card, a tipped over trash can. Earlier in the day we were joined by a couple of more guests, Meghan’s dad, Dermot and her brother, Derek, came by and were going to spend the night in the upper cabin.
After dinner and a late night bull session between Stacey, Dermot, and I, Dermot decided to call it a night and made his way up the hill to the upper cabin, to what we lovingly call the “Dog House.” I should mention at this point that Stacey and I sleep on the front porch which faces the lake. While there are glass windows on the sides of the porch, the front is just screened in. It is great to go to sleep at night listening to the sounds of the lake.
So Stacey is asleep, as is everyone else in the cabin. It’s 1:30 in the morning and the last light to be turned off is the one just outside of the porch. I hear something that I think is raccoons playing near the water that are trying to avoid the light. So I think I will trick the little rascals into exposing themselves by turning off the light and then flipping it back on again, which is what I do.
Much to my surprise, when the light comes back on, I look out the screened door where there is one big brown bear at the bottom of the steps, only about five feet away, and he is looking directly at me. As I slowly backed away from the door I remember the mantra of the cabin, “see a bear wake up everyone so they can see it” which is what I do.
The kids came flying out of their rooms to try and catch a glimpse of the elusive bear. I notice that the bear has left the front of the cabin and is, I am assuming, heading for the trash cans in the back. Sure enough, as I directed everyone to the back porch and living room there he was treating himself to a late night snack. At one point lifting the trash can straight up in the air with nothing more than his mouth. Soon the show was over and everyone headed back to bed, adrenaline still pumping, but satisfied they all had seen the bear.
Like all good vacations we were all sad to see it end. Nick wanted to stay another week, which made us happy that he was comfortable enough with all of us that had we had the opportunity to stay longer, we all would have. Meghan lucked out and got to stretch out her time in Nirvana a few more days as her family was camping nearby after we had left to make the sad journey home. As we dropped her off with her family it was sad to see the four musketeers get broken up after such a great time together.
As we made our way down the mountain back into the city I couldn’t help hoping that their memories of their time in Nirvana would be as heavenly as mine.
The Shrub Speaks: When you're out there campaigning and talking to people, remind them what we have been through as a country. We've been through a recession -- that means we're going backwards. Wisconsin, August 18, 2004.
B.D’s Response: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to point out your own mistakes, as opposed to those of John Kerry.
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