New Year's Camp-out in Gardner Canyon

[dog.breath]

Finally got some decent dirt-time over the weekend. My last over-nighter was back in March, which is entirely too long. Heather & I camped with the dogs Friday, then our friends joined us Saturday. Got to practice some skills & had a nice time walking about.

Our favorite camp site was pretty overgrown, but we managed to find a clear spot where we were comfortable building a fire ring. Our dog Inti decided it made a good nest while Heather took a nap. How can you not like a girl who's not afraid to lie down in the dirt?
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6621288629_ea3bb92c83_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621288629/)


I needed some stakes for a shade tarp & tie-outs for the dogs:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6620460437_4c6bf03914_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6620460437/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6620463841_135b9b85ed_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6620463841/)


Then got to practice the flint & steel:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6620651719_609afeac1e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6620651719/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6622247571_b393e70743_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6622247571/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6620654097_e49c417894_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6620654097/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6620686561_e79dbaa86a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6620686561/)


In the morning, the dogs practiced at being hyenas.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6620884641_8b0744e493_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6620884641/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6620886013_4a1cd5b01e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6620886013/)


We had a nice view of Mt. Wrightson & the Santa Ritas covered in snow:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6620944287_65fdd7f4f5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6620944287/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6620948773_d098e27936_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6620948773/)


Mid-day temperatures in the 60s. Real nice to be lazing about.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6620979915_f8d12224e7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6620979915/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6620986133_705d827db6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6620986133/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6620995561_a70f1e2174_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6620995561/)


Saturday evening our friends joined us, and I finally figured out how to cook with a dutch oven I got a year ago. Made a nice beef stew with dumplings.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6621011687_4271142fea_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621011687/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6621014313_7382cc5c0d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621014313/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6621020357_d0d69b9af9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621020357/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6621022999_7cb39234f9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621022999/)


It was a beautiful, clear night, perfect for sipping beers around the camp fire.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6621023419_675f396397_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621023419/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6621039903_5347bf7cfc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621039903/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6621040973_a40ab3a355_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621040973/)


I got up early to catch the sun on the mountains.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6621055941_b44c935a01_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621055941/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6621056873_a4058356e4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621056873/)


Later I took our dog Lefty on a bit of a wander.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6621063825_8ee910ce69_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621063825/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6621073223_0ae4b83884_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621073223/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6621092571_a5c3f7745f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621092571/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6621095715_ab962634c2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621095715/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6621097021_1299f7852e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621097021/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6621119765_f584558e5d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621119765/)

And all too soon we were on our way home, but feeling much refreshed & ready for the new year.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6621121509_5084076d60_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6621121509/)

[Ben Casey]

It looks like you all had a great time the pictures are cool and you have better weather than over here :)

[Martin]

I'm almost speachless. Thanks for sharing. :)

Martin

[jus_young]

Some stunning photos there. Looked like a most enjoyable trip :)

[Metal mug]

It's so beautiful, (and not raining) I'm green with envy. :D

[JEEP]

Awesome photos T^

[Roadkillphil]

Great pics and an 'ansum tale. Thankyou for sharing :D

[treefrog]

Thanks for sharing that...always fun to see wilderness outings from other parts of the world.:o