Kern River Rainbow - a photo on Flickriver

Kern River Rainbow

Good Tuesday Afternoon,

It's been a week. Full. Of. Adventure.

The boys spent most of their week at super-hero camp in San Carlos. They made masks, they sang songs, and they learned all about saving the world with super-powers. As a parent, it was good to see them acclimate to new circumstances (teachers, kids, environment) with little apprehension. They were cautious on the first day until the camp leader started playing a name game with a ball. That was all it took. The super-powers of that little red ball had the boys off faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

On Friday, I was off with friends Geoff and Matt for a couple of days of motorcycling and fly fishing. After 5 hours of riding, and just an hour away from the Kern River trailhead, I hit some gravel and crashed my motorcycle. I was 1) very lucky, and 2) very well prepared. My equipment did it's job well in protecting me, and I was able to walk away with some slight bruises and a little road rash. The motorcycle, on the other hand, was not quite as lucky, and was knocked out of commission. After an exhausting series of phone calls with AAA, I paid some nice folks $50 to store my bike at a handy mart in Ducor, CA. My brother picked me up, saved the trip, and drove us to catch up with Geoff & Matt at the campsite on Friday night.

Rob, while setting up his tent nearly stepped on a rattlesnake. Our trip was off to an auspicious start.

We spent Saturday climbing up and down the Kern River canyon; fly fishing and jumping off rocks. The cool water was welcome relief from the dry, mid-nineties, heat of the Southern Sierras. The fishing, camping, and conversation were all welcome relief from the frightening spill I took on Friday.

Here is the full album of photos from our trip: www.flickr.com/photos/michaeltadlock/sets/72157654819319040

Sunday opened with a hike out of the river canyon, and a car ride with Rob back to Ducor, where I picked up my bike, and begrudgingly called AAA again. Sunday closed at home, 8 hours later, after a 350 mile wrestling match with AAA.

I hate AAA.

Were there an alternative, I'd happily pay them twice what I pay those clowns. I spent more than 3 hours on hold throughout the weekend. They gave me three different versions of the rules governing my trip home. I was finally forced to coordinate, on my own, a switch from one tow-truck company to another, as I crossed the Northern/Southern California territory line. They quoted me no fewer than four different prices to get my bike home, and in general, were a nightmare to deal with. I hope, for many reasons, they are an infrequent necessity for you.

I was very glad to make it home Sunday night to kiss Chelsey and the twins. There's nothing like a long weekend, bookended with fear and frustration, to make you realize just how good you've got it.

Monday was my day to stay home with Will & Rob. Bet you can't guess what we spent most of the day doing? That's right. Baseball and bikes. Oh yeah. And a snake for good measure. On our way back to the car, a nice little gopher snake crossed the road in front of us. "Oooooohhhh. It's sooooooo cuuuuuuute." was Rob's observation. This one had no rattle on the end.

We finished the day with nail polish and pirate grins. Because...... what better way to start the week.

Love you and yours.

Mike

Taken on: June 27, 2015

Tags:

KernRiver

Kern

fishing

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Sets appears in: • Hells Anglers - All • Kern River Moto Camping Fishing Trip

Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T2i, f/5.0, 1/60 sec, 45mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Lens:	Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Aperture:	f/5.0
Exposure Time:	0.017 sec (1/60)
Focal Length:	45mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Not Defined
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	iPhoto 9.5.1
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