Blue Tangle Lake in the Trinity Alps

 

On Mother’s Day, my son sent me photos from his overnight trip to Blue Tangle Lake in the Trinity Alps.

A lovely, remote lake tucked into a granite bowl with meadows and quiet trails leading down to the water.

Elevation: 5,758 feet.

A good place for some alone time.

We scattered Michael’s ashes in the Trinity Mountains in May 2023, from a helicopter. This year, on the May 8 anniversary, Navy hiked in alone just to fish, and to think. He misses his older brother.

Foodie went camping with a friend.

And what did I do?

I went about my day, keeping myself busy. It ended up being a good day. After all, I’ve got 23 years of experience behind me. And I’d already had my moment a few days earlier, and I was good.

That’s growth. Thank you, Lord.

The sun casts its reflection across the granite mountain.

Navy always shows me his catches... 

Some good fishing there. 

and good eating, too. 

It was so remote up there that Navy didn’t see another person until he hiked out the next morning. He did, however, hear a few Bigfoot calls… 

Of course, he did. It’s the Trinity Alps.

Looking for Bigfoot

We spent the day out yesterday, and when we got home in the late afternoon, the house was 81 degrees inside. It wasn’t even that hot outside, only about 93.

No air was coming out of the registers, so my husband changed the filter. I checked my old blog (My Morning Cup of Coffee from 2007 to 2023) and found the post about it. Turns out it was installed on October 30, 2012.  This morning, as soon as the heating and air place opened, I called them, and by 10 a.m., they were here. It was the capacitor, which the tech had on his truck. $239 later, it was fixed. Of course, today’s much cooler, only hitting 81, and cooler days in the mid 70's for the rest of the week. 

We definitely dodged a bullet, and it's something we’ll need to keep in mind over the next few years.

Until Next Time, 

Debby

👣Looking for Bigfoot

 

Last month, we decided to venture over the hill to the coast. This scenic route is notorious for its ongoing construction, a consequence of the winter's relentless mudslides and rocky debris that frequently besiege the highway. As we navigated the twists and turns of the two-lane road, we encountered sections that had been reduced to a single lane, prompting us to pause and take turns with other vehicles from the opposite direction. 

🚗🚙🚕

Countless charming mountain towns are scattered across the landscape, each one a hidden gem nestled among the rugged peaks and lush valleys.

The drive is beautiful, filled with green trees and mountains in the background. Each turn shows something new to enjoy.

🌲🌲🌲

I have always had a deep affection for the rugged beauty of these mountains. 

The way the sunlight filtered through the leaves of the trees cast a golden glow. A true feast for my eyes.

Fortunately, the highway was relatively clear, with only a handful of vehicles on the roads. 

When you venture beyond the big cities and sprawling metropolitan areas of California, a different world unfolds before you. Instead of the familiar hum of traffic and congestion, you encounter unpopulated landscapes unmarred by the rush of vehicles and people. 

It almost feels like I'm on a roller coaster ride. 

A very rocky area here - with narrow roads. 

Excuse my dirty window. 

We have arrived! 

Now where is he/she?

👣👣👣

Willow Creek has a population of approximately 1,700 people and is situated along the Trinity River. Willow Creek is described as a "rugged mountain community nestled in the heart of the Six Rivers National Forest." 

This area of California is located in the Trinity/Shasta/Cascade Region.

Routes 299 and 96 are called the Big Foot highway!

It all began with this short film in October 1967. 

And now it is this! 

and this!

There are Bigfoot Museums all over the country.

 Here are just a few I could find. 

There are two in California (Santa Cruz Mountains)

Bailey Colorado 

Blue Ridge, Georgia

 Pocatello Idaho

 Portland Maine

Hastings Nebraska

 Talihini, Oklahoma

 Boring, Oregon

 Jefferson, Texas

  Sutton, West Virginia. 

Just outside the Big Foot Museum - pre-Big Foot era

They struck gold during the gold rush days -

And now it's Bigfoot Memorabilia and Cannabis. 

My inquiring mind is curious about the wild hairstyles you might get at a Bigfoot Barber! Just imagine the possibilities - though let’s be real, we all know Bigfoot himself never bothered with a shave or a trim. 

At least it is veteran-owned! 

Bigfoot was everywhere - they’re building a Bigfoot skatepark. They have festivals and parades, and their local paper is named after their famous celebrity. 

Growing up, the legend was always a mix of fun and just enough spookiness to make camping trips in these parts feel like an adventure. My sons, devoted high-country backpackers, have often heard mysterious calls echoing through the wilderness, calls they insist are Bigfoot. It only makes the trips that much more entertaining.

It could just as easily be one of the many self-proclaimed Bigfoot callers 📢 wandering the woods- pranksters hoping to tempt the legendary beast into making a grand entrance.

Okay, enough of that. Time to get some gas and head back home. 

Take Care, 

Debby