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Wondering north into Montana

After the Yellowstone, we wanted to go see the Missouri Headwaters area in Montana so had booked a campsite at the nearby state park. This is where Lewis & Clark Party encamped back in July 1805. However, the temp was in the 95 temp and, with no shade in the campground, we headed to a picnic area for shade of the van and went over to the Gallatin River for a swim. After immersing in about 10 inches of high current flow, we walked across the road to the Missouri River for a deeper more relaxing dip. Pretty amazing to be here and ponder that.

The next day we visited Lewis & Clark Caverns (not discovered by L&C tho but by some nearby hunters in early 1900’s). Took the tour which included a 0.6 mile hike up a hill in 95 degree full sunshine and then hike through an amazing array of caverns at 60 degrees. Refreshing and awe inspiring

We stopped a few days in Bozeman at a family member’s home. Moochdocking is fun to be with family or friends, get power for the fridge and have a real shower. Plus one of the best bakeries anywhere. The Wild Crumb bakery along with Fink’s Deli. One evening Wendy drove us up to Hyalite Reservoir for dinner from Finks’ Deli. Yum. Try the Portabello sandwich. OMG, the best.

Wendy took some photos of us at Hyalite Reservoir near Bozeman.

We then headed north 300 mile to Kalispell area and Glacier National park. The heat was getting to us a little bit so Sraddha found Rocky Mountain Hi RV park and we encamped there for 4 days of gravely needed rest. We took advantage of senior parking at the Kalispell farmers market. I guess we are considered “elderly”. Bike riding, day trip to Glacier in the rain. And washing off the bikes and cover from Idaho dust.

We did a day trip into the west side of Glacier park where we enjoyed water falls and hiking along with the incredible Macdonald Lodge.

Then we discovered…a flat tire on the inside of the left rear dually. Yikes. So we rested on Sunday with a bike ride to REI to pick up some chain lube. Now i am writing this portion of the blog at the Kalispell Les Schwab Tire shop. They have great internet!

Well. We need two new tires, Michelin Cross-climates. Les Schwab doesn’t have them but Discount Tire can get them tomorrow, so we head back to the RV park for another night! What to do about our West Glacier park Apgar campsite reservation today tho? Another Yikes. (Cancelled one of the nights)

So we are getting two new tires which we put on the front then used the old front tires (only 27k miles) to replace the bad tires on the left rear side. Same wear as right rear tires. They work great so we then drove up to MacDonald lodge and had some dinner. Did I mention it was raining? In July?

Sitting in the Lucke Lounge at McDonald Lodge for dinner snack

After dinner, we drove back to the Apgar Campground, essentially tucking in for the night, listening to the rain falling on our roof as we drifted off.

Early the next morning we headed east over Marias pass and continental divide towards East Glacier and Two Medicine lakes area

We spent several hours at the Glacier lodge walking around, enjoying the grounds, views and especially the gardens which volunteers spend their summers tending. The inside of the lodge is immense. This is the original lodge met by eastern tourists visiting by the Northern Pacific train before they would travel to other parts of the park and beyond. Plus they had WiFi (in this century) woo hoo!!

Our destination was Two Medicine Lakes, one of the three main camping areas in the east side of Glacier park. Enroute we stopped for a hike on the Two Medicine River at Eagle Falls which actually has an underground river falls underneath the higher river falls. Never saw anything like it before.

We also hiked up to Appsotoki Falls where we say some bighorn sheep ewes and a Ram.

Camping at Two Medicine lake was fun. We stayed only 1 night (And wished it were more). The next morning managed to score a ride on a boat across the lake for a delightful 1/2 mile hike to twin Falls. Then returned on the boat. Remind me to tell you the story of the bear spray when you see me. 🥴

On the road for 25 days so far, we headed north to St Mary’s lake where the visitor center and access to Logan pass via Shuttle lay. Our reservation at St Mary campground was 2 nights and we had decided to stay out for next 12 days before heading to Ogden for wedding. Had 5 days of reservations in the Tetons and we were contemplating going up to Canada. St Marys lake campground offered an amazing view and only 1/4 mile from shuttle to Logan Pass. Sweet. We were going to spend the next day up in Logan Pass.

However we got up the next morning and realized we really wanted to be home instead so packed up and drove 650 miles to Twin Falls, overnighted in an RV par in 95 degree temps and the next day, drove the other 500 miles home. Home sweet home

This trip was ambitious, while wonderful, it left us exhausted so we are staying home for a while and cancelling the fall Arizona trip. Will make a couple short trips later in fall to local spots like Half Moon bay and Sea Ranch. There is just no place like Ananda Village.

PS. Two weeks later We ended up driving 600A+ miles to Ogden for our great-nieces wedding then driving back. Then flying to Portland and back for another wedding near Mt Hood. 2 weddings in 6 days. Whew.

Both weddings were unique, charming and fun. Low budget DIY in Ogden at a Trout farm in 100 degree temps. Luxurious accommodations in a lodge near Mt Hood and sit down dinner reception at Mt Hood Farms for 100 family/friends. I was one of 2 “Train Uncles” invited by the bride. We weren’t allowed to take pics of the wedding but snapped a few at the reception.

So that has been our summer as the remaining year has been recuperation, rest and service at our community. Until next time……

2024 Key Activites and Moments

I know, this is 2024 and i forgot to publish so here it is. Stay tuned for 2025.

January 2024 — Dealing with a back flare up from early winter which pretty much knocked me out of commission for about 8 weeks. Stenosis due to old age and the body out of warranty prompted numerous trips to doctor(s) followed by injections and meds and PT and lots of body deep tissue massage. I started to come out of it but no travel. Able to serve in several capacities not requiring much physical effort. the good news is by late 2024 it was under good pain management with out serious drugs involved and i have learned how to function pretty much as before (this is written in Feb 2025). Didn’t get to take birthday trip to Morro Bay tho 😕 as i couldn’t ride bikes

February — Began to feel more normal again but still not going anywhere. Sold our mountain bikes, and road bike and bought Gazelle Step through e-bikes. Ananda held its week long Inner Renewal week with many guest speakers and activities. Was able to attend morning talks and serve in my usual capacities. Tax season looms as usual. No trips yet. Last trip was October 2023.

Limping out on Badwater Basin in Death Valley.

March — Light at the end of the tunnel here. Some additional medical procedures and, of course body work helped me begin to feel this body might last a few more years. We headed south to our usual haunts in Tucson. Catalina State park and McDowell Mountain County park NE of Scottsdale. I was able to ride the new bike easily and began to recondition the body for longer rides.

April —- a few more days of cycling and walking in McDowell Mountain saw us canceling the Grand Canyon part and heading for Colorado river only to find way too many speed boats loudly driving river all day long. So we bolted after 2 nights and headed over thru Carrizzo Plain to Morro Bay for a belated birthday visit. Loved it. End of May saw me in Gualala on the north coast of CA for Ananda Velo bike trip with the guys

May —. Began on North Coast then back home then a spontaneous trip to Grand Canyon since we got snowed out in March. Spent last week of May including Memorial Day camping hiking, ogling, and cycling.

Riding the Gold Country Challenge 56 miles, over 5k vertical

June — Did the Nevada County Gold Country Bike ride. 54 miles. Then also 50 mile RT Downieville to YUBA Pass. Then Up to Truckee area for a few day at elevation to enjoy the Tahoe area. Sraddha and I cycled 25-40 miles every day of trip. End of month was Ananda Village’s annual weeklong Spiritual Renewal week. Many guests from all over the world come for this event and we spend a lot of the week helping out in various capacities.

Part of the herd watching World Cup soccer on my iPad.

July — Annual “gathering of the herd” as i like to call it. Sraddhs’ sister’s family gathers for a week in July and we usually join them for a few days. This year it was in Loeb State park in southern Oregon coast. We drove up North coast and stayed in the Redwoods first for a few days then afterwards ventured up to Nehalem Bay and Netarts and then back down the coast via Bullards Beach and home. Almost 3 weeks of travel

August — first half of August busy at home serving and other responsibilities. Last part was an impromptu trip via car to Bozeman, MT, for a rendezvous with the Nunn family, my cousin Tom and his daughters and families. A total blast. We will be returning.

September — back up in Tahoe Truckee area for a few few more refreshing days of cycling before the snow sets in. As i look at my months calendar it is packed with visits, meetings etc. End of September we head north again to Portland for some specialized service on our camper van. Need an outside baggage door repaired. Had the starboard side repaired here last summer and now the port side needed hinge replaced. So up we go. Then headed across Oregon and Idaho thru Sun Valley area to Salt Lake Utah to see nephew and family. The down to Goblin Valley Utah. Amazing place. And over to Moab and Dead Horse point state park

October— we hit 6 National Parks in 2 weeks. All of them! Including North Rim of Grand Canyon. This was the big trip of year! In order, Canyon Lands, Arches, North Rim, Capital Reef, Bryce and Zion! Plus we encamped Dead Horse point SP next to Canyon lands, and Kodachrome Basin SP at the base of Bryce. Escalante Petrified SP near Escalante Staircase Otherwise stayed inside the other parks in their respective campgrounds. Fun cycling every location and one highlight at Dead horse point was using a Starlink Satellite dish to watch UW Huskies beat Michigan. (No cell service there).

November — pretty much stayed home for rest of year. We needed the time to recoup and enjoy the fall, cleaning yard for winter and spending time with friends.

December — is a deep time here spiritually. Many events and celebrations. December Kriya, World Brotherhood day, Christmas Concert, many good football games and cycling despite the cooler weather. No major snow events but it was a wet month. I maintained regular Pilates, Peloton, body work to manage the back and stay healthy. A lot of quiet time too.

All in all a pretty good year considering how it began. 18 state parks, 6 national parks, several forest service campgrounds. And a few boondocks nights too. A year of van camping in a 7 month period. Recuperated from back issue to being able to ride 50+ miles in a day. Culminating in a restful quiet end of year. 2025 will have several van camping trips but 2026 may have others.

Wondering around the Yellowstone

Ask me if you know, our camper van is an LTV Wonder. We purchased it in late 2019 just before COVID, and have been traveling around the west ever since.

After the Tetons and a family gathering in Eastern Idaho we wandered, or “Wondered” up to the Yellowstone. We had scored a 3 day campsite reservation in Canyon Village near The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Many of you have read of our hikes and travels in the “real” Grand Canyon but there are several others, not the least of which is the one in Yellowstone National Park. Much of the canyon is actually yellow or hues of yellow, hence the name.

Of course we had to visit Old Faithful. In the past we had cruised by, stopping briefly but decided to make it a go-to place this time. Found a great parking spot way in the back. Pro Tip — Arrive early and have the pick of a spot. We had afternoon shade. Spent 2 days here, including our own breakfast.

We spent a several hours admiring the lodge and even took the 45 minute tour. Unfortunately the photographer of our group spent too much time ogling and not enough time taking photos. Trust me when I say this is one of the most amazing and original lodges in the national park system. Worth a visit. Sraddha did score a pair of earrings tho. They are amazing.

Another day we spent on bikes and foot around old faithful. The riding is slim unless you dare venture out onto the main road, which we didn’t. A 3 mile trail exists to ride down tov the north end of the main geyser area which we did, then we walked around some of hte other areas. Here are a few photos and maybe a video.

Splash geyser in action

We also visited the grand prismatic spring but it was too early and cold so mostly steam. That’s what photographers do…find the shot when the one you wanted wasn’t there.

Steam rising from the Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand prismatic outflow into Firehole River

We didn’t spend a lot of time in the campground. Pretty boring with lots of lodge pole pines. We just chilled. We did walk around the visitor center and village area.

The last morning we departed for points north, we decided to to check into Norris Geyser basin and WOW. We arrived like 630 in the morning. We were the only people out in the basin for at least 30-40 minutes. Truly amazing. Like being back in millions of years ago. And no humans except us.

On the way out to West Yellowstone we stopped to gander at Gibbons Falls

The Yellowstone is so vast it is hard to conceptualize and really describe. We can only hit a few highlights, however, when we are up in 7000-8000 ft elevation, it is very psychically clear. Peaceful, even in in mid summer. We hardly noticed the crowds.

Heading north to Bozeman to visit a family member and “moochdock for a few days including a real shower….

A little trip thru the Tetons

well, it’s been a while since I’ve posted, lol, but I won’t go into all what’s happened. We are on a six week journey in July in the middle of the summer where everybody else travels and it’s usually something we don’t like to do, but we’re doing it.

We headed out on June 29 through Angel Lake their Wells, Nevada then onto the Tetons. On our way to a family gathering reunions are up in eastern Idaho, but first we spend a few days in the Tetons and then after Idaho we’re gonna head up into Montana for a few weeks and then we’re gonna come back to Utah for a wedding. All this is about six week trip.

We’ve been staying in Gros Ventre Campground on the south end of the Tetons and then traveling in different places every day. having been a regular visitor of the Teton Park in the last few years we kinda have our preferred places and since this is a fairly short trip, we decided to go ahead and visit those. We spent a day at string Lake, which is just near Jenny Lake, which afforded us the opportunity tosit out on the Waters edge early in the morning with nobody around. Then take a 25 mile bike ride down to the visitor center and back and also park for a day at signal Mountain facing the wind River range and just enjoy the weather. We had four different rain storms that came in.

When we got to Idaho specifically Ashton Idaho at the Jolly camper RV park, which was absolutely delightful and shaded in the afternoon during the 90° days it was quite delightful except for one thing. We had to replace our macerator pump. The macerator pump is what delivers the Black and Gray wastes to the sewer and it had died. Fortunately, I knew this was eventually going to happen so I bought another pump and with the help of our neighbors we are uninstalled the old one and put the new one on. The rest of the trip we visited with Sraddha’s family and also did some bike rides on the rails-to-trails bike trail nearby, which was used to be an old Union Pacific Railroad rail line.

All in all it was an enjoyable time with everyone and now, after 10 days on the road, we will next head up to the Yellowstone.

Spring Bike Trip

The past 3 years our local Ananda Velo cycling group has taken trips to ride bikes. Last Spring we went over to Gualala near Sea Ranch on the northern California coast.

Several members stayed at the county park, but i chose Anchor Bay just north a few miles. What a find. As you can see below i had a prime site mid week with a view of the beach. My buddy, Vidura and his son, Dwayne, came over for campfires. Not much beach to walk but listening to waves all night was “hard to take” as you may imagine

We we did several 30 to 35 mile rides each day up in the hills in different places a couple days. It was very windy and one of the rides included a 6 mile stretch of 17% grade my new E bike held up pretty well and I held up pretty well, but I did shorten a couple rides just in caseall in all it was a blast

The Canyon beckons

This was supposed to be posted last June but i dropped off the blog verse so here goes.

It seems we just can’t stay away. Once again last March, our plans to visit the Grand Canyon were thwarted due to weather. So we rebooked ourselves for late May when we knew there would be no snow there.

My health is proved quite a bit. I am able to manage the back pain and deal with the results pretty well through a course of exercise, stretching, cycling, and some low impact pain meds like they say better living through chemistry no no opioids, though no way.

During our March trip to southern Arizona, we planned a four day journey instead of the usual two day journey. It was a bit which turned out to be a bit too much. We arrived too early at our locations with not much to do nearby.

So this trip, we decided to make it a two day trip and actually it worked out really well. First night. We went over the Donner Pass and down the 93 to Beatty stayed the night and then on to the Grand Canyon the next day arriving in Williams for lunch at our favorite tacos Place

This trip was truly a Grand Canyon vacation. We drove to the Grand Canyon stayed in, stayed in the Grand Canyon and drove home.

Trying to book campgrounds at the last minute at the Grand Canyon, as well as other famous national parks, prove to be quite challenging. Fortunately using website called Wanderinglabs.com, enabled us to score a last minute cancellation for three nights at Mather campground in the same location. I made a bunch of one day reservations at Trailer village. Total of 6 nights.

It was a real fun trip we cycled every day out to Hermits rest (6 days in a row). We hiked down to Cedar Ridge. We walked along whole crest trail from Bright Angel to Kaibab.

Weather was fantastic and the Memorial Day weekend wasn’t too bad. Some photos with captions below.

Kent’s Health Update 1/4/24

Dear friends, thank you all for your prayers, help and support. It’s very much appreciated.

I met with my doctor and have been referred to Mountain View Rehab in Grass Valley for treatment.

Essentially I have a narrowing of the spinal nerve cord in the lumbar region which has been developing for a while, finally rearing its head a couple months ago.

One of our Low points (bottom of Grand Canyon)

This is not something like a broken bone or sore throat which will heal. While is it restricting my activities such as hiking and cycling and standing, It is something I will learn to manage with the help of medication, exercise, and your prayers.

I am doing everything we can think of to mitigate the symptoms. Hopefully, I can gradually return to more regular activities, however I doubt I’ll be hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon again. Hmm……ya never know.

Springtime at Ananda 2023

In 2022, after 2 years of pandemic shutdown, Ananda village re-opened its Springtime at Ananda tours of the Crystal Hermitage Gardens. Many thousands of visitors came out to view the 17,000 tulips.

There is much more to the gardens than 19,000 tulips.

Azalea, Rhododendron, roses, peonies, Forget-me-Nots, etc

The gardens have been evolving for over 30 years when the Crystal Hermitage was built by Swami Kriyananda. For a long time it was enjoyed by Swami and also the village residents, however in the past 10 or so years has become a destination for visitors from the Bay Area, Sacramento and Reno as well as many locals.

Any time I am in the nearby towns of Nevada City or Grass Valley and mention I live in Ananda Village, it is met almost always with “oh the tulips are so lovely. I enjoy coming out to see them”

Over the winter, 19,000 tulips were planted, trails rebuilt, and other improvements made. This year Mother Nature has delayed the bloom with cold, wet weather so far.

The good news is the gardens will be open probably clear into mid May.

Check out the tulip watch page for latest info.

A Journey to see the Northern Lights

We were minding our own business, finishing up plans for our Below the Rim trip one evening in late February, when I received a text from our Tucson friends. The invite was to come up with them to Fairbanks to see the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. Upon first blush we thought it to be too much however, as you can see from the thread below, we reconsidered. And the new adventure began

Since we had reservations for camping, hiking and cycling in both Tucson and Scottsdale post Canyon trip, we thought we could just tack on the Alaska trip at the end. We would Fly from Phoenix to Fairbanks and return then drive home. We used air miles to help defray the costs and set the plan in motion. What an overestimation fantasy in our minds that was. We had forgot we were in our 70’s. Haha.

After the Below the Rim trip we were enjoying southern Arizona, camping, resting, cycling, hiking, however the temps were, on average, 12-15 degrees below our expected range. Bummer. We had thought it would be mid-high 70’s so we could thaw out before we ventured to the far north.

We underestimated how much energy it would take for the canyon trip and spent numerous days, more than expected, in recovery. The Alaska trip seemed daunting. I was questioning my decision to fly from Phoenix. Sraddha wondering if she will really have the energy to do a long flight and spend 5 days in subzero weather. 20-20 Hindsight often happens

After several days of contemplation, discussion, making decisions, then changing. We finally decided to change flights to depart from Sacramento and drive home. Again, in retrospect driving home 5 days earlier would have been in our best interests. Alas, we drove home on a forced march, 1000 miles in 2 days, overnighting in a lot behind the Barstow Walmart. 1 day before the flight.

We arrived around 5 Pm to find a nearby lightning strike the previous day, had killed phone and internet service in our house along with many of our neighbors. 🤨 Spent a lotta time the next day helping to fix the phones/dsl while also packing for Alaska trip. Sraddha elected to remain home instead of travel….Smart woman that Sraddha…

After a frantic dash to the gate in Sacramento dragging all my luggage, I settled in for flights thru Seattle and on to Fairbanks in central Alaska. The Flights were on time and I had a window seat which presented an amazing view of the mountains and glaciers of SE Alaska.

One day wevisited the ice sculptures which had been made a couple weeks ago. Starting to melt a little but still fun to see. Not as many as in pre-covid days as the festival is still recovering.

During the day we made several trips around the area. One day we went over to the University of Alaska and hiked some of the trails. Found some good Pub food too. Also, visited the Alaska Pipeline built back in 70’s when I lived in Seattle. The pipe, carrying warm raw oil, is 3 feet interior diameter. My neighbor used to install insulation on the line back then. And, of course, we had to visit the North Pole. Yes, there is a small town nearby called the North Pole. It has Santa’s workshop and the Santa Claus House. Being a rail fan and model railroader, I had to get a photo of me in front of some Alaska Railroad engines. Proof of life, etc

Never figured out where people surf around Fairbanks although they do surf down below Anchorage on the bore tide down below Anchorage in Turnagain Arm. Question: What Alaska town is known as the surfing capital of Alaska? Answer: Yakutat, located on the norther reaches of the inside passage. Even has a surf shop.

100 mile view of the Hayes Mountain range from our deck

By now you’re probably asking yourself where are the photos of the northern lights? Funny you should ask since this was the main purpose for the trip.

Truth is the lights were fantastic the night before I arrived. Even seen down in the lower 48. See this article written the day I arrived. However, the 4 nights I was there, they didn’t reveal themselves. We stayed out late after midnight and got up at 2 AM also. One night we drove up Murphy Dome to the top near an Air Force satellite station and saw nothing but clouds and snow. It was 3 degrees too. 🥶 The photos above are from my friends who did see them the night before I arrived.

On the day of my return flight we woke up to 4 inches of fresh snow, thankful Phil had a great automobile for the snow. No issues getting to the airport. A bit disappointed at not seeing the Aurora, however, I guess my email to Mother Nature didn’t make it out of her junk email box. What an interesting journey to the north country. I hope she installs spring soon.

Show me your Radishes.

This post was created while we were still recovering from our epic “Old Fart trip Below the Rim”, We love to visit farmers markets, and one of our favorites is the Weekend Heirloom farmers market in Tucson. Not much to say other than we enjoy the visit and picking up some favorite unique food items. Well maybe a few notes along with a few photos for your viewing interest.

It is along the Rillito bike trail just north of the university a couple miles, so many 2 “wheelerites” (aka cyclists) show up in their togs. They even have a “Bike to Market” day. How Lib.

The market is next to the Rillito River and Racetrack.

The market walkway has 2 distinct covered areas each about 1/4 mile long and lined with vendors. In the middle is a large plaza area.

Selena’s is soooo delish. We have also gone to their restaurant

We both love Salvadoran food and Selena’s has become our first go-to stop in the morning.

Tamale and Plantains (bike path in back)

We love plantains (similar to banana) which are roasted and delish. We usually get a tamale too.

Was a nice 70 degree sunny day in mid March

We usually skip the craftsmen and artists and check out most of the veggie vendors. This one had potential.

I never liked radishes growing up because they were spicy hot and sometimes bitter. However Sraddha taught me that spring radishes were sweet. They are. Turns out my dad grew summer radishes. One is never old enough not to learn new tricks. MEMO to KENT—REMEMBER THAT. Corollary. Spouse usually right. 🤣

Or, maybe some gelato from Frost nearby?

Sometimes, tho, you just have to go with the flow and have to visit the best Gelato stand in Arizona, or maybe the west, for that matter. We have traveled in Italy and tasted great gelato. This rivals it. Called Frost. We are not sponsored. Next door is a pizza place called Sauce. So we like to say, “let’s do Sauce & Frost” and we know whence we talk. Such great communication.

Which do you prefer? Radishes or Gelato? And Why? Leave a comment.