Lighthawk
Weekend warrior
We had nothing particularly planned last weekend and made a last minute decision to head up to Sierra Valley. I pried Susan away from her laptop where she was rehashing some issues from work. "Are you going to waste this beautiful fall day looking at your laptop?" Guess I probably should work on my negotiating tactics But with her good humor we were off in an hour and a half, packing light.
A quick run over Donner Summit then north on Hwy 89 brought us to our favorite valley: Sierra Valley. We enjoy the rustic hay barns scattered across the wide expanse of this undeveloped gem. With a large population of raptors and numerous other migrant birds, it's a birders' paradise.
Black-crowned night heron and great blue heron fishing together
Rough legged hawk
We brought our bikes along with a plan to ride Marble Hot Springs Road (aka Dyson Lane). There's a wonderful old iron bridge in the middle, dating from 1908. I got to try out my new bike pack that clamps to the seat post of my bike. I can put my DSLR with two lenses back there and ride moderate washboard.
We parked just off Heriot or Harriet Lane (Plumas Co and Sierra Co DO NOT AGREE on this )
It was next a sweet cattle ranch. I hoped the locals wouldn't mind. While we were off loading a local rancher came by herding his cow with his diesel flatbed. Yee haw! I did my best cowboy impression, scooting the cow away from Susan who was holding our dog by the collar. We met the gentleman later on the road and he was friendly.
Off we went riding along on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. There's almost no traffic and it's level riding, so the stress just melts away. I would stop and grab my camera when the scenery or wildlife presented opportunities.
Living in the same small town, you hear local legends from long time locals. I've been getting my hair cut by the same lady for twenty-five years (!) and she told me that there's an elk that hangs out with the cows in Sierra Valley. Yeah right I told SR this story as we drove down past Loyalton, heading down to Sierra Hot Springs for a soak after our ride.
We looked at the herds of cattle and no elk of course. I began to think I had been played for a Flat Lander ( a local's pejorative for newbies to the area ). Hmmph! Two minutes later my jaw dropped. Sure enough, there he was:
The legend of the Sierra Valley Elk lives on.
To be continued . . . (as in I better get my butt to work!)
A quick run over Donner Summit then north on Hwy 89 brought us to our favorite valley: Sierra Valley. We enjoy the rustic hay barns scattered across the wide expanse of this undeveloped gem. With a large population of raptors and numerous other migrant birds, it's a birders' paradise.
Black-crowned night heron and great blue heron fishing together
Rough legged hawk
We brought our bikes along with a plan to ride Marble Hot Springs Road (aka Dyson Lane). There's a wonderful old iron bridge in the middle, dating from 1908. I got to try out my new bike pack that clamps to the seat post of my bike. I can put my DSLR with two lenses back there and ride moderate washboard.
We parked just off Heriot or Harriet Lane (Plumas Co and Sierra Co DO NOT AGREE on this )
It was next a sweet cattle ranch. I hoped the locals wouldn't mind. While we were off loading a local rancher came by herding his cow with his diesel flatbed. Yee haw! I did my best cowboy impression, scooting the cow away from Susan who was holding our dog by the collar. We met the gentleman later on the road and he was friendly.
Off we went riding along on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. There's almost no traffic and it's level riding, so the stress just melts away. I would stop and grab my camera when the scenery or wildlife presented opportunities.
Living in the same small town, you hear local legends from long time locals. I've been getting my hair cut by the same lady for twenty-five years (!) and she told me that there's an elk that hangs out with the cows in Sierra Valley. Yeah right I told SR this story as we drove down past Loyalton, heading down to Sierra Hot Springs for a soak after our ride.
We looked at the herds of cattle and no elk of course. I began to think I had been played for a Flat Lander ( a local's pejorative for newbies to the area ). Hmmph! Two minutes later my jaw dropped. Sure enough, there he was:
The legend of the Sierra Valley Elk lives on.
To be continued . . . (as in I better get my butt to work!)