Back on the Team

Well, I am doing it again.  This time I am the Honoree Captain for the LLS-TNT SVMB Squid Cycling Team.  This is quite an honor and I look forward to forging new relationships with the new squids and our honorees.   Look for me out there on the “training trail.”  Wave at the Squid on the recumbent.

Pacific Valley Round Up

Pacific Valley Round Up

July 12, 2008

Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. — Native American prayer

Appreciations from “The Mayor”

By Honorable Mayor, Darlene S. Boyd

It is with great appreciation and gratitude that our appointed Honorary Mayor, Ms. Darlene S. Boyd, offers her thanks for the attendance of some 28 human members and 4 dogs to the 2008 Pacific Valley Round Up.  In spite of the smoky haze of 1000’s of California fires for the past several weeks, many decided to attend this event. The company was outstanding, and the pot-luck fair was superb.  Members of 4 of the valley cabins were present, to create a convivial celebration.  We had participants from the Harper (Bissell), Pratt, McKenzie and Fore cabins.  (Understand that this Mayorship is an arbitrarily, but well deserved, appointed position, so there will be no recalls.  Your turn will be just around the bend.)

Cabin Capers

The McKenzie Cabin, number 1, who hosted the PVRU 2008, had Darlene Boyd and John Freeman and their bulldog mix, SPCA Special, DK, tending its facilities. This duty they gladly shared with Michael Nedderman, who spent Saturday night upstairs. They were joined by Cathy, David, Melanie, Emily and Nicholas Margolati, who camped nearby.  The Margolatis also had their two labs, Scooter and Maggie, attending. This cabin offers the amenities of the best view of first meadow from a cabin, a central location of most of the cabins, close proximity to the softball  field and horseshoe pits, and a shared campfire space with the Fore Cabin.

The Harper (Bissell) Cabin, was well represented with Bill and Bonnie Harper, the present owners.  Their participating family members were their son, Donald Harper andhis wife Susan and their children, Erin, Nora and Maxine.

Tom Harper made an appearance on Thursday evening, while en-route to Lake Tahoe for the drug dog sniffing trials with his black lab, Deja.  They did real well at the Police dog trials in Tahoe.  Deja now has a real police badge on her collar. However, while visiting Thursday evening John and Darlene got to witness Tom climb to the top of the roof to remove the crushed chimney cover, so that it could be replaced.  This was a scary site, as the ladder was not long enough to reach all the way to the top.  Also, he did not have a nylon rope, but some sort of line that tended to stretch with the application of his weight.  Fortunately he ascended and descended in good form.

On Saturday, Mary Jean Bissell, Bonnie’s sister, joined them.  Mary Jean was happy to have Jim Bissell and his wife Jan and their chocolate lab, Sydney.  Joining this group was Gary Bissell and his wife JoAnn and their twin sons Allen and Evan.  Steve Bissell rode his motorcycle from Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, to join our gathering.

The Harper Cabin, number 5, is now an “A” frame building, tucked into the pines between the Miller’s Cabin and the Whittle’s Cabin, near the cattle and horse corals.  They called their old cabin, which use to be located up the road by the Indian Grinding Rocks, “Camp Lazy Daze.”  Their outhouse was named “The Ivory Palace”.  Also, they had a wonderful spring called, “Peek-a-Boo,” because it was discovered by the Peak family and the Blewetts had Peek-a-Boo ice cream in Lodi. This old cabin collapsed in 1945.  They then built an Octagon Cabin at the present location of their “A” frame cabin.  This went down in the winter of 1968-69, the same year the Fore Cabin sustained much damage. They finally built their present “A” frame cabin between 1979-1981.

Darlene remembers the Octagon Cabin, where she would find the Harper and Bissell buddies with whom to jump Dare Devil Rock, go swimming at the creek or play games of hide-and-seek and kick-the-can.  Occasionally we would trek to their campfire site to share roasted marshmallows, songs, plays and mostly listen to the grownups tell stories.  This cabin was always lively and entertaining. Sometimes visits to Bonnie Harper were necessary to determine starting times for our many hikes, as Bonnie was our most enthusiastic hiking guide and motivator.

The Pratt Cabin, number 7, was represented by Candy (Pratt) Gutierrez and her husband Rich.  This cabin is next to the McKenzie Cabin, also tucked into the pines.  Darlene remembers that she and her sisters Robin and Lynette learned to play backgammon with the Pratt girls, Carolyn, Candy and Darrel. Darlene also obtained a recipe for Eileen Pratt’s ratatouille.   She also remembers sharing evenings at their campfire site, with Melvin and Dolores Pratt visiting with her parents Audrey and Jim Boyd.

Acknowledgements

It is with happiness that we were fortunate to celebrate the 81^st birthday of Bill Harper Senior (born July 11, 1927) who promptly claimed that he is now as old as his wife. (This, too, will most likely become an annual event.) A chocolate iced cake was baked and presented to him by his granddaughters, Erin, Nora and Maxine Harper.  We all sang a heartfelt round of Happy Birthday, while Bill pretended to attack his imaginary candles.

Mosquito Exponential

The nefarious mosquitoes of Pacific Valley were exponentially present and biting this year.  Nicholas Margolati was the champion mosquito bait victim, with his sister Emily ran a close second.

Musical Interludes

Evan Bissell graciously shared his guitar expertise with us, and entertained our musical needs.  He also volunteered to learn a variety of musical pieces for the PVRU 2009.  This is to also facilitate our up coming sing-a-long.  Susan Harper said she would supply camp song music for Evan, words for “cabin participants” and her father to lead us in our sing-a-long.  We request that Evan check under the seat of his car next year, to also accompany himself with his harmonica.

Gary Bissell enthusiastically collected rhythm sticks, motivated, recruited and directed a percussion section, that gave our soire an exuberant, rhythmic noise.

Monty Wolfe Stories and Legends

Local trapper & mountain man, Monty Wolfe, was mentioned.  Mary Jean Bissell told us how he would sometimes visit the various cabins in PV, and most usually “borrow” things that he thought he needed.  But at their old family cabin, he would leave things behind.  Monty had his own cabin on the Mokelumne River.

My memory recalls that “the men” use to describe the calfs of Monty’s legs as being very large and muscular, about the circumference of a football.  It is reported that there exists a photo of Monty on the porch of the former Fore Cabin, during one of his visits.

Eddie Hieb Jokes

Bonnie Harper had recorded some of Eddie Hieb’s best jokes. Eddie was known for his gentle nature, kind demeanor, excellent fishing abilities and funny stories and jokes, delivered around our campfires.

One of his favorite stories went like this…(Please, we need your input.) 

Happy Hikers

Darlene Boyd, John Freeman and DK, who arrived in PV on Wednesday, July 9, did their fair share of hiking.  They took a short jaunt through the valley and past the gate toward Second Meadow on Thursday.  Friday they found themselves trying to find their way to Bull Run Mountain, and took a turn on the Weiser Creek Trail instead.  After losing the dog leash, retrieving it and realizing that DK is not built for this kind of rock climbing activity, they returned home.  It was a smoky, hazy day, due to the many fires burning throughout the state of California.

On Saturday, Darlene joined David, Melanie and Emily Margolati on a trek to Third Meadow.  That was a glorious treat, with the meadow being very lush and the air clear and clean, to gain a superb view of Bull Run and surrounding scenery.

Saturday afternoon, Don Harper, Jim Bissell and Allen and Evan Bissell took a jaunting bike hike up to the end of Second Meadow.   There were reports of navigating the boulders with ease by one of the younger bikers.

Sports: North Valley vs. South Valley

Gary Bissell organized a rousing softball game of North Valley (Harper (Bissell) Cabin) versus South Valley (Pratt, McKenzie and Fore Cabins).  Rocks, sticks, and small trees, were used as bases.  David Margolati suggested we play 5 run innings, which worked very well.  Both teams played stellar defense, chasing balls, while runners tried to locate the bases.  The ending score, after two riotous innings, was 10 to 10.

Rookie players, Nicholas Margolati and Maxine Harper, were taught the finer arts of bat holding, ball hitting and learning to run (or being carried) around the bases.  The South Valley team took some pretty heavy casualties, when the North Valley team inadvertently tried to do in their pitchers.  Melanie Margolati took a softball to the abdomen, from hitter Evan Bissell, leaving her stunned. (Evan was appropriately remorseful.)  She quickly retired as her father, David Margolati took over pitching duties.  This resulted in finding himself being unintentionally pummeled by batter Allen Bissell.  With this turn of events, South Valley was good naturedly suspecting a plot from North Valley, to gain an advantage by doing in their pitchers.

Death Ride

On July 12, 2008: The Death Ride. This is recognized as one of the premier cycling events in the West. The Alpine County Chamber of Commerce invited cycling participants in the 28th Anniversary of the Death Ride®, while enjoying the magnificent scenery and warm hospitality of Alpine County! Highway 4 was closed Saturday from 5:00 am until 3:00 pm from  Hermit Valley to Markleeville. Additional information about the Death Ride can be found at deathride.com.  If you encounter “road closed” signs next year on your trip to Pacific Valley, please note that you should still be able to get to our PVRU gathering, without having to wait for the road to open.

Cut-Off Times for the Death Ride: (FYI)

Location	Cut-Off
Start from Turtle Rock Park	5:30am – 8:30am
Ascend Monitor from Hwy 89/4 junction	9:30am
Descend Monitor to Hwy 395	10:00am
Ascend Monitor from Hwy 395	11:00am
Monitor Pass open to vehicles	12:00pm
Ascend Ebbetts Pass from Centerville	1:00pm
Descend Ebbetts to Hermit Valley	1:30pm
Ascend Ebbetts Pass from Hermit	2:00pm
Ebbetts Pass open to vehicles	3:00pm
Ascend Woodfords Canyon	4:00pm
Ascend Carson Pass from Picketts	5:15pm
All riders must be off the course by 8:00pm. All cut-off times are strictly enforced.

Ebbet’s Pass History

By The Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway Association

Ebbet’s Pass is one of the oldest trans-Sierra travel routes. Long before the discovery of gold and silver brought emigrants to seek their fortunes out west, Ebbets Pass was a trade route and provided access to summer encampment for Washoe and Miwok peoples.  When emigrants began trckling through the Sierra, the pass itself was overlooked, while the original route traversed north of Ebbetts Pass then headed south over Border Riffian Pass into Hermit Valley an on to what is today State Highway 4.

Most accounts record that “Major” John Ebbetts, a title bestowed to him, first identified this route in the early 1850’s, while leading a mule team over the pass.  He organized a survey crew but his dreams to survey this route were never realized.  Major Ebbetts, who was a passenger of the steamboat Secretary, was killed when it exploded and sank in San Pablo Bay.

It wasn’t until the late 1850’s discovery of silver on the east side of the Sierra that merchants from the gold rush town of Murphys located and financed the present route through Ebbetts Pass.  The road was bult from west to east to truck freight and supplies to the silver mines and boom towns on the “east side.”

The road, also known as the Big Trees to Carson Valley Road, was improved in 1855-56, providing access to eastern emigrants seeking their fortunes in the gold fields of the Sierra Nevada and served as the main supply route between California and the Comstock Lode silver mines in Nevada.  The route was later realigned and became a toll road from 1864 through 1910.  It reverted back to a gree county road in 1911 and was accepted into the California State Highway system in 1926.  Portions of the road were paved in the 1930’s and then realigned and improved again in the 1960’s.

PVRU 2009 Suggestions

Check out road conditions and closures: http://www.scenic4.org./index.html.  (Save this URL in your bookmarks.)

Featured Guest: Larry Styles, to be contacted and invited by Candy Gutierrez and Gary Bissell.

Cabin Charts with photos: any participants who wish to set up Cabin Charts for PVRU 2009 can do so and bring them to share at the pot-luck.  If you feel like it, digital copies of these charts would be appreciated for the PVRU archives, and you will be doubly blessed with the Mayor’s gratitude.

Narritives and Anecdotes:  Please email Darlene Boyd at any narrative or anecdotal sharings you would like to have included in our collection of PV 2008 history and musings.  Darlene will try to organize these into an on-going format.

Mini-Music Festival: featuring Evan Bissell on guitar and harmonica. Gary Bissell will lead the PVRU percussion section.  If he can be persuaded, Gary may also bring his accordion.  Michael said he would bring his mouth harp.  Other instruments are also encouraged by all participants.

Sing-a-long: as lead by Susan Harper’s father and accompanied by Evan Bissell.  Words will be printed and copies distributed to allow for enhanced participation during this section of activities.  It is hoped that there will be camping songs, Woodie and Arlo Guthrie songs, some old-time rock and roll, and classic folk or western music (i.e.: Red River Valley, She’ll be Coming Around the Mountain, Clementine, I Love the Mountains, etc.) (Check out the Bruce Springsteen CD titled

Skits, Stories and Jokes:  This is an activity for other performing and thespian talents to come forward.  Pieces can range from campish to hilarious to historical.  (Just be careful or raunchy, gross and scary, due to small children.)

Hike to Bull Run Peak: To be lead by Gary Bissell.  Be early (8:30 a.m. at the McKenzie Cabin.)  Bring your own pack with paper, pen (or pre-wrtten note), tissues, camera, water, lunch snacks and insect repellant.  Dress in layers.

Hike to Tri-Peaks: (Bull Run, Brown Rock and Pacific Mountain) history to be shared by Michael Nedderman.  Michael claims that our gathering jogged a lot of good memories.   He remembers doing this hike when we were 8 years old (1958), with his brownie camera.  He has a memory of being near the top of Pacific Mountain, and our party was on the way down, when we saw several fighter aircraft flying through the valley below us.  He remembers there were 4 of them, and he recalls being able to see the pilots who waved back at us.

Insect repellant: OFF from Skintastic lotion brand was suggested.  There are also a Deep Woods and Hunters brand, that may be more effective than the lighter repellants.  Outdoor insect repellant candles, may be helpful. Sitting around the fire and it’s smoke is also helpful.

Food Must Haves:

Candy’s Chocolate Brownie Cake

Sweet Basil and Sundried Tomato Sausages

Salsa ala Margolati

Bar-b-ques for meat

Other Possible Activities:

Dare Devil Rock Jump

Hike to Indian Grinding Rock

Mountain Bike Treks (arranged by Jim Bissell and Don Harper)

Swimming

Fishing

Horse Shoe Games

Set up Considerations: = Clean up campfire area,  gather wood,  prepare fire pit,  move cars to use parking space if at McKenzie Cabin, rearrange sitting logs for camping chairs, set-up of tables, paper-ware, serving utensils, food placement, bar-b-ques, designated garbage & recycle bins/bags, starting campfire

Clean up Considerations: = cleaning of tables, storing of tables, washing of table service, putting out campfire, designated packers of garbage and recyclables, repark cars if held at McKenzie Cabin

PVRU 2009 Provisional Schedule: July 11, 2009

8:30 gather at McKenzie Cabin

9:00 depart on hike to Bull Run Peak (&/or tri-peak)

4:30 prep for dinner

5:00 dinner

6:00 food clean up

6:30 softball game

8:00 campfire activities and s’mores

Request:  This newsletter is for our own pleasure and remembrances.  It is a community effort, so please feel free to offer modifications and left-out information for our next publication. Published copies will be emailed out after editing content and photos are sorted and added.  At least one printed copy will be placed in a three ring binder at the McKenzie Cabin.  Other cabins may also want to do the same.  Written and photo contributions are welcome.  Email them to darleneboyd@darleneboyd.com.  Or snail mail them via cd, prints and/or letter to:

P.O. Box 1003, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045

See you all soon.

America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride 2009

GRATITUDES: To my LLS-TNT team for this wonderful opportunity. I want to thank the TEAM that launched and sustained my efforts through the process of training to ride 72 miles around Lake Tahoe. May we continue our efforts. Gratitude first is to my husband John Freeman, who would like to join the FUN next year. (We will talk to our fund-raising members to figure out if this is doable.) He encouraged me, sagged “the pokey peeps” diligently and listened to my groans and complaints. Gratitude my PT and Coach, Mike Schaal for introducing me to this opportunity and encouraging my efforts. He, along with his wife Christine Gimelli and their adorable daughter, Olivia, convinced me this was going to be “fun” and inspired me as to why this was worth doing, as my first honorees. It was FUN and is FUN. Gratitude to Doug and Carolyn Genschmer, who gave these efforts even more personal meaning, as a personal friend and honoree, and are the go-getters in fund raising for my participation. (Is it doable to include John next year?) To my assistant coach, Steve King, who listened to my grumbles, talked me through my pains, and even “pushed” me up some hills. (Next time I get to do Eureka Canyon on my own.) To my daughter Aurora Freeman, who participated in encouraging me, donating, and jumping in to assist with sagging while on one of her trips to visit us. What a joy to have her here. To Shelly Rogers, for being such a great buddy to chat with and knowing how to focus on the meaning behind all of this. To Kathy Kerrigan and Susan McCann for persisting, in spite of our “pokiness.” Gratitude to Michele Filia for driving herself crazy organizing jersey and gift purchases, and also fielding my questions. Gratitude to my “bike guy” Jerry Lewis, who sold me my bike and faithfully helped me repair and maintain its performance under my demanding expectations.  Gratitude to my massage therapist, Vina Statua, who knows exactly where to massage the owies out.  Gratitude to our dog care people, Carlos and Diego Bracho, who made D.K. happy and comfortable while we were away. Gratitude to all the new friends I have made and hopefully the continued relationships that will manifest from these experiences. This is truly worth the investment and effort.  All of this and more makes this my most beautiful bike ride.