Loon Lake

This past weekend I had the chance to get away with one of my brothers up into the Eldorado National Forest. I started off by calling the Pollock Pines Ranger station to get the current weather conditions for the elevations I was thinking about heading into. They assured me that most of my usual haunts were still snowed in and that if I was to have any chance at all of a good camp I would have to head up to Loon Lake. Even that, they told me, would be covered in "2-3 feet of snow." I was up for a snow trip so we threw our hiking and fishing gear into the car and headed out.

Loon Lake is located at the end of Ice House road, West of Lake Tahoe, and just at the north westerly point of the Desolation Wilderness.

It is still a little early in the season, so the actual lake campground was closed and gated off but this turned out to be all the better. After the drive up we were pleased to find that not only was the info from the Ranger station off about the amount of snow, but the lake was almost empty of visitors. I had never been to Loon Lake before this trip and upon catching our first views across the reservoir, we were drawn to jump out and snap some shots.

We hiked a good portion of the perimeter of the lake. My brother caught his first wild rainbow on the fly, which proceeded to shoot a milky white substance all over him. I was less fortunate, catching nothing and eventually losing interest all together and opting for more exploration. I cant tell you how fun it is fishing in a lake as clear as this, when you can actually look down into the water and SEE the fish ignoring your bait. Thrilling. Although I admittedly am not as enthusiastic as my younger bro and mostly was there for the hiking and the off chance to encounter big foot. We spotted several sets of cat tracks, some geese who didn't seem to be bothered by us much at all, and a couple from Eldorado who though it would be cool to toss empty Sparks cans on the ground. Proving once again as Smokey the Bear always says "It only takes one Sparks to make a complete A-Hole". People like those jokers are the reason I love to go camping and hiking off season.
No tent or hammock this trip as it was only a one-nighter. Just threw the sleeping bags in the back of my truck and slept there. I would like to head back once the gates open and there is a place to safely park, and hike East on the trail that runs into Desolation. Good trip, and another adventure on the books.

'Ol Blue

The morning dew shines with a glimmer from the approaching sun as it gently rests on blades of lush green grass. Light cascades throughout California's vast valleys and mountains bringing to life all of nature in a bursting of vibrant colors and smells. After a long winter's rest, the tired bear awakens to a warm spring day, rubs the sleep from his eyes, assembles an assault rifle and shoots a squirrel.
Breakfast is served.

Yes in my down time (recovering from injuries) I have managed to develop a new hobby; Assembling and customizing rifles. Here is a little shot of a few of the items I have been playing with:
Counter clockwise from noon we have:
- High point 9mm Carbine
- Springfield XD 9mm Service Model
- Custom AR-15 16" 5.56mm
- Custom AR-15 Was an 18" 5.56mm, then a 20" Bull Barrel .223cal, soon to be a 16" 6.8spc and may change again depending on my mood.
I also picked up some other stuff to round out the collection but I can't just be posting pictures of everything, it's tedious, and some of the weapons are shy. I know for one that my .22 has an inferiority complex.
For those of you who like a visual, here are the calibers I currently use:
Left to right:
.22cal, 9mm Luger, 5.56 NATO, and "No thank you, one shot was enough" 7mm Remington Magnum

Growing up, I always had an affinity for firearms. For those who know me it isn't hard to imagine me wanting to be John Rambo, running through the forest impaling myself on broken tree branches and fighting off the local P.D. as I fight for my own salvation amid flashbacks to previous battle traumas and a kick ass 80's style montage including me lacing my boots and smearing mud on my face...
Whew that just gave me the chills.

Or maybe I could have been Bruce Campbell, running around with my boom stick in 1300 AD giving the villagers a piece of my mind, while reminding them to shop at S-Mart. It is hard to say when it began, but the interest has always been there.
Now I don't want to give the impression that it is because of these movies that an interest was sparked. If that was the case, to use the Rambo example, I could have just as easily become enthralled with steroids and baby oil.

Back on topic: My recent resurgent interest in firearms came from researching California state law mostly with the aid of a pro second amendment site for gun owners who have the misfortune of residing in California. You see, I had always thought that because I lived in California, most of the weapons I would fancy would be unavailable to me due to the anti-gun legislation in this state. However, after hours reading information posted at CalGuns.net I learned that not only could I build the rifles I was interested in, but I could find the people, businesses, and resources to do so right in one handy, well cataloged community! With this the construction began.

I think I like the research, and the physical assembly of these machines as much as I like the sending lead down range and blowing targets to bits. And believe me, many an apple, orange, and grapefruit have met their demise at the business end of my arsenal. I enjoy learning new techniques, as well as passing along good tips and proper handling procedures to my friends and family. For me it is one more sport to add in the Thompology library, that as well a way to follow in the steps of this country's founders and arm myself to the teeth in an effort to stave of tyranny.
Both of which are quite satisfying.

Where have you been?

So where have I been? Well along with winter, and less chances to get outdoors, I also broke my right clavicle along with my left humorous and pulling out the anchors I had put in my left rotator last year. How you may ask, well riding dirt bikes this time. Now now, I know the people who are out there that say you shouldn't ride dirt bikes or participate in dangerous activities because this is what happens. But in reality, I have been riding for 24 years, including 2 years of racing on a professional circuit, and this is my very first injury that required a visit to the hospital. That being said, I feel I'm doing pretty well. 3 weeks post-op on my right arm I can lift weight, and move freely as pain tolerances allow. Not to mention, I have my very first hardware! I now have a 4 1/2" piece of titanium with 7 titanium screws in my right shoulder, and more to come in a week and a half when I go back for my second bought of MRIs. So here is a shot from surgery #1, 18 staples (I pulled a couple out myself after bargaining with the nurse) and the plate underneath.

I will update as events warrant, we are moving into camping season and I am planning a lot of hikes so stay tuned, and I am sorry I have left you all hanging for so long.