Fun at the Beach - Cheap RV Living

Here is Steve’s van right down at water’s edge. Shaver Lake is gorgeous!

It’s been a beautiful warm summer in the Sierra NF. I think the weather here outside the little town of Shaver Lake is the best of all the places I have ever been. Every day of July and August has been clear and in the 80s. Sometimes it got a little too warm, but not by much and then it cools down nicely overnight. I need to be in the sun to keep my solar power charged, but if you don’t have any you can tuck away in the shade of the forest and stay very cool. It’s so beautiful that the few cloudy days were a welcome relief from the constant blue skies. We got a few sprinkles but never enough rain to even saturate the ground.

Cheri and Jen playing with the dogs.

Here it is September 7, and today is in the upper 70s and just a beautiful, perfect day. We decided that since we haven’t been down to the lake yet, we better go while the weather is this nice. So Cheri, Jen, Steve and I packed up the dogs and headed down to Shaver Lake to cool off, bathe the dogs and have some fun. Having lived up here all summer for the last four years, I know ways to drive right down to the water. So here are some pictures of us playing with the dogs in Shaver Lake, Ca.

Jen and Steve Playing with the Dogs.

One thing you will notice is how blue the sky is. At this elevation in the Sierra NF the sky is an amazing blue color. The white, puffy clouds are gorgeous against the sky, and the greens of the forest trees just pop with beauty. The temperature of the water was perfect! Not cold and not hot, just right.
To say the dogs loved it would be a total understatement. My dog Homer, Steve’s dog Zeke, and Jen’s dog Rain chased each other up and down the beach, play fought and chased sticks in the water. Zeke is just a puppy (about 10 months old) and this was one of his first times in the water. He quickly fell in love with it! He just

Sierra Moonrise

waded at first but Steve coaxed him in and soon he was swimming. Rain loves swimming, but Homer wants nothing to do with it. He will wade in water up to his belly, but he does not like swimming.

~~~*~~~

Last August had a “Blue Moon”, two full moons in one month. Here is a picture I took of the moonrise. After that is a picture I took last week of the sunset close to camp.

Sierra Sunset

8 Comments

Michelle(She) on September 8, 2012 at 12:01 am

Wow beautiful pictures Bob. Maybe one day I can see it for real. Love the pictures of the dogs playing. You can actually see Steve trying to get Zeke into the water….so cute!

Bob on September 8, 2012 at 7:27 pm

Thanks Michelle! yeah Steve worked hard to get Zeke further in. I have some close-ups of Steve and Jen playing with the dogs and I was really tempted to post them, but I didn’t want to turn this into an X-rated blog!! Just kidding!! They were all very modest but I am kind of shy.
Yeah, I really love the Sierras, the weather is wonderful and it is just gorgeous. The higher up you into the High Sierra, the prettier it is, but there are no towns, cellphone or internet up there, so I am content to stay down here. Believe me, living here is not a hardship!!
But winter is just around the corner so it will be time to leave. That’s fine, as I’ve said before, most of us are getting itchy feet anyway. Start planning now and one of these days you too can spend a summer here you will cherish for the rest of your life!! Bob

Frank James on September 8, 2012 at 12:41 am

Hi Bob…Just finished another hot and dirty day at the mill and was sitting in my kitchen rapidly downing a cold six pack to numb the physical and mental pain when it occured to me to check out your blog as it never fails to pick me up and gives me a glimpse of light at the end of the long dark tunnel. Guess what? IT WORKED !!!!

Bob on September 8, 2012 at 7:30 pm

Hi Frank, that was a very descriptive comment! It brings back to mind so many times after work when I felt the exact same way. But you know what, as miserable as some of those days were, they are now paying for the wonderful days i am having right now. So in a way I am grateful for them. Hopefully, your time will come too!!! I strongly suggest you make it sooner than later though, you never know what tomorrow will bring! Bob

Suanne on September 8, 2012 at 2:32 pm

Beatiful pictures … were they taken with your new camera? I thought about you guys lots yesterday as I passed east of you on 395 … I figure you were only about 45 miles away … on the other side of the peaks. I’m heading back to WA after spending time with family at a funeral. On the way I’ll spend some time at Lassen and Crater Lake NPs … as well as pop in to see the grandson. Hugs to you all!

Bob on September 8, 2012 at 7:50 pm

Hi Suanne, we are still taking about your visit with us, we miss you still!! Yes those pics were with the Canon G12. That is an astounding camera! It’s expensive but there isn’t a better point and shoot. It is nearly as good as a DSLR, but it is greatly smaller and lighter. It is one of the largest point and shoots, but I still carry it in a bag on my belt every day. The pictures at the lake were taken with a polarizing filter which took the glare off the lake and made the sky the deep blue. If you can afford it, it’s the camera to buy! Highly Recommended!
I love the drive up 395! I’ve been to Lassen once, but just buzzed through, I’d like to see some of your pics of it. I don’t think I’ve ever been to Crater lake, I’m looking forwrd to seeing some pics of it too. Have a safe drive home, enjoy your next train ride to Montana! Bob

hitekhomeless(jenn) on September 9, 2012 at 5:21 am

Truly a great day. Thanks for capturing it.
There’s just something fantastic about that picture of Steve’s van.
Safe travels, my friend. You will be missed.

Bob on September 9, 2012 at 5:02 pm

Thanks Jenn! For those of you wondering, No, I am not dead! Today I fly “home” to Alaska for 2 weeks. of course I am excited to see my family and old stomping grounds again, but I will miss it here at the same time. Nearly everything in life is bitter sweet! See everyone in the Sierras in a couple weeks! Bob

Michelle(She) on September 8, 2012 at 12:01 am

Wow beautiful pictures Bob. Maybe one day I can see it for real. Love the pictures of the dogs playing. You can actually see Steve trying to get Zeke into the water….so cute!
- Bob on September 8, 2012 at 7:27 pm
  
  Thanks Michelle! yeah Steve worked hard to get Zeke further in. I have some close-ups of Steve and Jen playing with the dogs and I was really tempted to post them, but I didn’t want to turn this into an X-rated blog!! Just kidding!! They were all very modest but I am kind of shy.
  Yeah, I really love the Sierras, the weather is wonderful and it is just gorgeous. The higher up you into the High Sierra, the prettier it is, but there are no towns, cellphone or internet up there, so I am content to stay down here. Believe me, living here is not a hardship!!
  But winter is just around the corner so it will be time to leave. That’s fine, as I’ve said before, most of us are getting itchy feet anyway. Start planning now and one of these days you too can spend a summer here you will cherish for the rest of your life!! Bob
Frank James on September 8, 2012 at 12:41 am

Hi Bob…Just finished another hot and dirty day at the mill and was sitting in my kitchen rapidly downing a cold six pack to numb the physical and mental pain when it occured to me to check out your blog as it never fails to pick me up and gives me a glimpse of light at the end of the long dark tunnel. Guess what? IT WORKED !!!!
- Bob on September 8, 2012 at 7:30 pm
  
  Hi Frank, that was a very descriptive comment! It brings back to mind so many times after work when I felt the exact same way. But you know what, as miserable as some of those days were, they are now paying for the wonderful days i am having right now. So in a way I am grateful for them. Hopefully, your time will come too!!! I strongly suggest you make it sooner than later though, you never know what tomorrow will bring! Bob
Suanne on September 8, 2012 at 2:32 pm

Beatiful pictures … were they taken with your new camera? I thought about you guys lots yesterday as I passed east of you on 395 … I figure you were only about 45 miles away … on the other side of the peaks. I’m heading back to WA after spending time with family at a funeral. On the way I’ll spend some time at Lassen and Crater Lake NPs … as well as pop in to see the grandson. Hugs to you all!
- Bob on September 8, 2012 at 7:50 pm
  
  Hi Suanne, we are still taking about your visit with us, we miss you still!! Yes those pics were with the Canon G12. That is an astounding camera! It’s expensive but there isn’t a better point and shoot. It is nearly as good as a DSLR, but it is greatly smaller and lighter. It is one of the largest point and shoots, but I still carry it in a bag on my belt every day. The pictures at the lake were taken with a polarizing filter which took the glare off the lake and made the sky the deep blue. If you can afford it, it’s the camera to buy! Highly Recommended!
  I love the drive up 395! I’ve been to Lassen once, but just buzzed through, I’d like to see some of your pics of it. I don’t think I’ve ever been to Crater lake, I’m looking forwrd to seeing some pics of it too. Have a safe drive home, enjoy your next train ride to Montana! Bob
hitekhomeless(jenn) on September 9, 2012 at 5:21 am

Truly a great day. Thanks for capturing it.
There’s just something fantastic about that picture of Steve’s van.
Safe travels, my friend. You will be missed.
- Bob on September 9, 2012 at 5:02 pm
  
  Thanks Jenn! For those of you wondering, No, I am not dead! Today I fly “home” to Alaska for 2 weeks. of course I am excited to see my family and old stomping grounds again, but I will miss it here at the same time. Nearly everything in life is bitter sweet! See everyone in the Sierras in a couple weeks! Bob