This is the stream that runs along the Faye Luther trail. We followed it to its farthest point which, in our zeal, means we actually missed the trail that winds up the hill. So there we found ourselves surrounded by the steep walls of a canyon and not a scenic view of the valley that we had hoped for. So we stopped on a rock perch and had lunch and contemplated our next move.
You can see the incline of the canyon and in our craziness that has become our hiking bug we actually decided to go UP to the top of the ridge where promised vistas no doubt would appear. It was challenging and tiring and required all four limbs to the ground in many places as well as thankfulness for various sturdy trees and shrubs as we billy-goated our way up that ravine. What a thrill to reach the peak! I love the feeling of completing a challenge like that. The reward was spectacular!
This is looking North at the Carson Valley. Sweet! After a trail mix snack and a cookie (one does not hike without a cookie somewhere in the pack) we tried to decide how best to get down from our perch and while we scanned the surrounding area we spotted not far below us the original trail we missed to begin with. Chuckles. We also came across the oddest, most alien looking flowers. I do not know what they are but their color was quite a contrast to the surrounding browns and greens and grays of the canyon.
The following weekend my hiking partner and I tried Kayaking! Whee. I am totally sold! I love anything that involves the water, being in the water, on the water, around the water. It soothes my soul like nothing else. So to be the master of my own craft was really fun. The event was a demo for a sports shop in Reno. They came to Little Washoe Lake with every kind of kayak they had and you get to try them all and find what you like best and hopefully, for them, you will buy one. It was a perfect morning on the lake: warm, sunny, no wind, water like glass.
We strapped on a life jacket, grabbed a paddle and hopped in. I tried 5-6 different boats. The last one I tried was the one. It glided and fit my body and was very comfortable. I didn't know this when I took it out: it was a newer model, designed specifically for women. It also goes for the astonishing price of $850. Bubble burst. It will be a while before I invest in my own kayaking gear. I do have rental dreams though. Surprisingly, my arms were still functional the next day (thank you Advil!). I don't know for certain who this new, crazy, adventurous woman is but I am loving it just the same.
