Still in California...

We are anxious to see another state. We've been in California for the last 2.5 months. The great thing about California is it is HUGE with various terrains so you don't actually feel like you are in the same state.


For Example: We spent 4 days in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. It reminded me a lot of Montana in the summer. And for the last 3 days, we've spent time in William Heise County Park. The mosquitos and flies reminded us of Louisiana and the heat dried our noses and skin - just like in New Mexico.


So, while we've been in California for 2.5 months - it doesn't actually feel like we've stayed in California. But we must admit we are tired of typing .CA.##.jpg after photos from the past few months.

A big reason for our lengthy stay in San Diego (therefore California) is to complete the final portion of Peace Corps application process - the medical paperwork. The VA Clinic here is really cooperative and speedy (Yes, speedy!). So far, we've had blood drawn and 4 shots each (immunization boosters), 2 per arm. We'll return in a few days to complete our last (hopefully) appointment for the Peace Corps - a physical exam.


In the meantime, we've been in the "desert" of California for the last week.
It's a place I can't imagine living. It's taken me a few days to really appreciate it's beauty - looking past the bugs, heat, and extremely dry air. Funny thing - we haven't hit the true desert.


We spent Wednesday and Thursday at campsite 54 at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. We woke up Friday morning hoping to reserve site 54 for the next two nights. Unfortunately, it was already reserved. Bummer. Luckily, the normally unmanned ranger station was manned - and the park ranger was kind enough to reserve 1 of only 4 remaining sites for us - site 41. Being the lazy bums that we sometimes are, we didn't want to take down the tent just to move it a few sites down. So, we took the sleeping bags out of the tent and placed the tent on the roof of the car - tucking the vestibule in the back windows. Thankfully, the crowds hadn't arrived yet and we were able to get the car - with the tent on top - to site 41 without looking completely ridiculous.

Oh yeah, it was my idea. Feel free to laugh - we did.

We were able to get some great hiking in - and it was a great opportunity to get used to the heat (not that you ever get used to it) in preparation for our trek to Louisiana.

We hiked 3 days in a row through some marvelous trails with an incredible landscape of burnt trees and green bushes, and a rich gold mine history.



Our favorite hike was to the summit of Stonewall Peak (5,730 feet) - named by a former confederate soldier after Stonewall Jackson - even though it was unpopular to share your support for the former Confederacy. Elevation gain of about 900 feet in 2 miles. It was a nice hike.

Stonewall Peak from our campsite

We spent 3 days with wide-eyes and staying alert to snakes, particularly rattlesnakes, and their tracks. It wasn't until the end of our Stonewall Peak hike, literally, the last 10 feet, that we saw a snake... and it wasn't even a rattler. I'm okay with that, though.



The views were incredible from the summit. We could see the path of the 2003 Cedar Fire that burned over 280,000 acres of land, including the city of Cuyumaca and almost all of Cuyumaca Rancho State Park. Over 2800 buildings burned and 15 people died.

The view from the summit of Stonewall Peak

The fire was started by a hunter who claimed a bullet ignited the fire, when in reality he was lost and had started a fire to alert rescuers. It is the largest fire in recorded California history.


We have spent the last few days exploring Julian - biking the 6 miles from our campsite at William Heise County Park. We thought Bainbridge was hilly, but this place has Bainbridge Island beat - or maybe we are just out of shape - which could very well be the case.


Julian is a former gold mining town that now thrives on tourism and apple orchards - nationally known for their apple pies and cider.


The town itself is a state historic landmark (No. 412, if you are interested). The Main Street is full of building fronts you'd see in a western movie - the streets now lined with cars instead of horses.


There is one gas station (currently $2.59/gallon for unleaded), two grocery stores, and a handful of restaurants. The rest of the buildings are antique shops, art galleries, and boutiques.


It has a population of about 1600 people - and it is a tight-nit community. We have been in the Julian Coffee House all morning - and you can tell everyone knows everyone.


Our friend Jillian was named after the town Julian. (I know, I know... Julian and Jillian are spelled differently.)


And one last note on Julian...
They must have problems with the townspeople climbing power lines because this warning sign is on EVERY pole!