Category Archives: outdoors
The Little Truckee River
I just wanted to post a few pics of a early morning on the Little Truckee River.
There is so much to do in the Truckee/Tahoe region. It would take a lifetime to take it all in…so, in my typical style I tried to fit it all in in three days.
One of the best spots on a river is where the stream meets the lake. Boca lake’s warm water meets the cool trout waters of the Little Truckee. Every morning the fog from this effect reflects a beauty that cannot be captured with a camera but we attempt it anyway.
A look upstream from Boca Lake.
Looking down off one of the bluffs that give you an awesome view of the liquid ribbon that flows through a riot of color and nature.
I know there is a fish with my name on it here. Next year I will introduce myself to him and then release him back to his fresh water home.
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign.
There is nothing quit like watching wild life in the wild.
The Redhead waders from Bass Pro were a gift from Bren. They really come in handy when crossing a stream.
Hope you enjoyed the pics.
And remember when you go visit the Little Truckee River in northern California, “take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but tracks. “
Steve
30th Wedding Anniversary
I just wanted to post a” few” pics of our 30th wedding anniversary trip to Northern California.
We stayed in Truckee thanks to Roberto and Pam C.
Here is a brief look at our little get away trip.
Truckee is a little mountain town just north of Lake Tahoe.
We actually lived in that area back in the early 1980’s for a brief time.
We were youth pastor’s at Bethel Church in Grass Valley California for all of 16weeks. – (man that was a lesson).
The Yuba River is were we would go on our days off to swim and play. When Caleb was about 9 months old, Brenda would find gold dust in his diaper. Wow, that is when I started volunteering to change diapers.
My cousin Pam and her awesome husband Robert allowed us to stay in their cabin in Truckee. What a great place to relax and vegg.
Navada City is a classic Northern Cali Gold mining town.
Brenda and I loved riding the mountain bikes along the Truckee River….the beauty cannot be captured on a camera.
This is one of my favorite pics of my awesome wife.
If ever in Truckee you will not want to miss Jax Truckee Diner. – Great food all day long!
Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe is breath taking to see. It is one of the main attractions when you go to Tahoe.
Yes, this is a nature not man made lake…..God does it better every time.
Now to the gift of the Truckee River .
This stream is THE tributary that flows out of Lake Tahoe.
63 tributary’s flow in and one flows out….The Truckee is amazing.
Rafting the Truckee is a “do over” for us next year…absolute blast.
Our 30 years of marriage has been an amazing journey. I am so fortunate to have a soul partner in Brenda…as you know, without Bren, I would be living in a van down by the river…..My parents modeled marriage for Brenda and I …They held the standard that we look up to..I think that is the way it should be.
My motto has become; “One life, one wife…make it great!”
Monsoons?
We had our first good rain of the season today here in Prescott.
The smell and the sounds are awesome.
You actually see people looking up in anticipation of the Monsoon season.
The word “monsoon” comes from the Arabic “mausim” which means “a season.” It was first used to describe the winds over the Arabian sea which blow from the northeast for six months and from the southwest for six months. Over the years, monsoon has been extended to include Europe, Africa and the western coasts of Chile and the United States.
Strong annual variations of temperature over land masses is the primary cause of the monsoon. This causes an excess of high pressure in the cold months and low pressure in the warm months. This deficit of pressure coupled with the storm track well to the north in the summer, allows the tropical moisture to literally be sucked northward toward the lower pressure in the low levels of the atmosphere. The end result is a shift in the winds over an area and enough moisture to trigger seasonal rains.
This pic was taken this morning at 5:33 AM.
In Arizona, the process starts with the hot and dry weather of May and June. Usually, the winds are from a dry westerly direction, so humidity is low and temperatures soar above 100 degrees in the deserts. As the atmosphere warms, the jet stream retreats northward. this allows the winds to shift to a more southerly component and bring in the moisture. Most of our humid air comes from the Sea of Cortez, but a good portion also comes from the Gulf of Mexico. Once the moist air arrives, our strong summer sun heats the moist air causing the familiar thunderstorm (cumulonimbus) clouds.
Our monsoon is the most pronounced in southern Arizona and becomes more marginal over northern Arizona. The monsoon lasts longer in the south, usually beginning around the middle of June. In the Phoenix area, the moisture is usually here by the first or second week in July. The end of the hot and humid weather normally comes in the latter half of September state wide.
Statistically, we consider it a “monsoon day” when the average daily dew point is 55 degrees or higher. This can easily be measured and gives us a way of comparing one year to another.
Still not convinced? During the dry monsoon (April, May and June) we get only 6% of our normal yearly rainfall. During the wet monsoon (July, August and September) we get 32% of our normal yearly rainfall!
| Average date of monsoon beginning | July 7 |
| In 2 out of 3 years the monsoon begin | July 1 through July 16 |
| Earliest Monsoon beginning on record | June 16, 1925 |
| Latest monsoon beginning on record | July 25, 1987 |
| Average date of first break in monsoon | August 16 |
| Average total number of monsoon days | 56 |
| Greatest number of monsoon days on record | 99 in 1984 |
| Greatest number of consecutive monsoon days on record | 72 in 1984 |
| (June 25 through September 5) | |
| Least number of monsoon days on record | 27 in 1962 |
| Wettest monsoon on record (July, Aug. and Sept. rainfall) | 9.38 inches in 1984 |
| Driest monsoon on record (July, Aug. and Sept. rainfall) | .35 inches in 1924 |
| Average monsoon rainfall (July, Aug. and Sept.) | 2.45 inches |
A RIVER CALLED THE ELEVENPOINT
I wanted to post a few pics of an amazing four days we had on one of America’s best canoeing streams.
The Eleven Point River is Missouri’s longest cold-water river and is home to both hatchery raised and stocked trout as well as a self-sustaining population of stream-bred trout and includes over 22 miles of trout habitat. This river is often overlooked as a trout fishing destination, but offers some of the most remote trout fishing in the state without the signs of civilization. The scenery on this river alone is worth the drive, the fact that there is a healthy population of trout is an added bonus.
The River crew.
First camp above Greer.
The amazing Greer Spring.
My good friend Eric in the “MANGO TANGO”.
You just gotta get a Camping Espresso machine from REI.
http://www.rei.com/product/401040
The fog is rollin in.
No words can describe it…no picture can capture it.
Miko is the trout master.
Poison Ivie is the only negative here.
Boze Mill Spring. The Boze family still live in the area and make a mean beef jerky.
Three long time friends. Mikeo, Steveo and the EMAN.
I crave this stuff.
Morning prayer and devotions just seem more alive from this proximity.
Two tripper canoes purchased from Prescott College have now helped us float both the Colorado and Elevepoint Rivers.
These boats are perfect for extended stays on a stream.
The key is to become a minimalist.
What an an other amazing trip on an amazing river.
Thanks go to everyone who made this experience happen.
Steve
I Just Had To Have One.
There is nothing better to a coffee consumer than a great cup of Espresso at a camp site early in the morning to get your day generated.
This past week my Friend Eric unpacked his espresso maker for our river trip in the Ozarks.
When I arrived home I went directly to REI and ordered mine.
90 seconds to an espresso with this Italian coffee maker.
- Made from lightweight aluminum, this European-style espresso machine is finely crafted with a brass steam pipe
- Designed for use on low heat over your backpacking stove
- Tank holds 10 oz. of water and fresh ground coffee
Can’t wait to try it out on the next adventure.
Dog vs. Pepe la pew
Well, it happened again this morning around 5:15 a.m..
our female Golden Retriever was sprayed by Pepe La Pew.
Here is a quick “what to do when everything stinks” blog post.
If you are an outdoors lover and a dog lover you might want to brace yourself for what happened to us today.
Bren let our female Golden outside early this morning and the next thing I hear is Bren struggling to get Bella in the garage after she got in a dog fight with a skunk just outside our back door.
Bella had taken a direct hit in the face and had just been perfumed by one of natures worst smells, A skunk.
This is the second time this has happen to us so I wanted to blog breifly about what to do when your dog gets skunked.
HOW TO DE SKUNK YOUR DOG.
ABOVE ALL ELSE, DO NOT LET THE DOG IN THE HOUSE !
Here is a simple solution.
1 Qt 3% hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 tsp. liquid soap
- Do not just run water over your dog. This only increases the stink, and if the dog has dry, or cracked skin, the spray can get into his skin, and cause burning. This also can lead to skin problems later.
- Mix about 3/4 of a big bottle of hydrogen peroxide with about 3-6 tablespoons of baking soda. This is for a small dog. For a medium sized dog, use twice as much, and 3 times as much for a big dog.
- Scrub the solution gently all over your dog. It is advisable to use disposable gloves, or if your skin is dry or cracked, it would burn your skin. If you do this outside, your house won’t stink as much, and it would be better for everyone.
- If stinking persists, make some more of the solution, or call your vet for other ideas.
- Try to keep your dog in the backyard, if you are missing a fence or have a swimming pool, try to keep it in the basement (in their cage) or a room that you don’t usually go into.
Bella is a rescued dog and a great addition to our family. She was just protecting her territory.
“can you smell that smell?”
Steve
PRAYER VACATION PART 2 – (BIKE)
My “prayer vacation” included another priority as well as hiking the Virgin River in Zion.
One of my best outlets is discovering a new section of singletrack whenever possible.
This past weekend was pure joy when I discovered The Rockville Bench Trail, also known as Slickrock Swamp, starts in the town of Springdale (just outside of Zion National Park) and climbs onto the mesa above Rockville. This an advanced technical singletrack that features some great sandstone rock. The trail is a lariat loop, 10.5 miles in length, with a 400-vertical foot climb to the loop section of the trail. Peak altitude is 4080 feet.
When entering a new trail system I always wish that I would have a guide to show me the way.
Well, early Sunday morning I prayed a simple prayer. “God, it sure would be great to have an awesome mountain bike ride today…..please help me find my way.”
Has I approached the trail head I notice two other mountain bikers in front of me. I pushed hard to catch up and ask, “Hey do you guys mind if I tag behind ?” they said, “no problem.” – About half way through the 10 mile ride I found out the ride leader was Morgan Harris who actually built the Rockville Bench Trail. I guess God heard my prayer that day.
Also, I just want to put in a word for a great bike shop in Springdale.
Freddo at Zion Bikes does a great job for us out of town guys and you need to stop in to see this classic bike shop.
Also, when in Zion, don’t miss out on Oscar’s Cafe. A great breakfast or lunch after a great ride.
http://www.cafeoscars.com/about.html
Great getaways are needed.
Steve Lummer
Lead Pastor Prescott First Assembly
“Come apart by yourselves into a desert place, and rest a while:” – Mark 6:31
PRAYER VACTION PART 1 – (HIKE)
Have you ever had a prayer vacation? That’s right, “A Prayer Vacation.” It is really a personal prayer retreat. Several years ago I began the discipline of scheduling regular (and irregular) times of refreshing and prayer.
I love the Southwest Airlines media campaign that ask the question; “wanna getta away?”
This past weekend I had the opportunity to get away for a minnie prayer vacation.
I packed everything I needed to get to a river for three days of camping, hiking and biking and headed 7 hours north into Utah’s Zion National Park.
Just wanted to post a few pics of the amazing enlightening adventure on my blog.
Springdale is a small village that sits on the Virgin river just outside the park.
No photo can begin to capture the beauty…but at least we try.
The Virgin river is an amazing water way that cuts through the red rock canyon for miles.
To me Zion National Park would be compared to Sedona on Steroids with no housing developments along the creek
water falls part 1
Water falls part 2
water falls part 3
It was really great to be able to get away for the weekend and reflect, restore and pray.
I encourage you to do a prayer vacation if at all possible.
“Come apart by yourselves into a desert place, and rest a while:” – Mark 6:31
Steve Lummer
Lead pastor Prescott First Assembly
BLUE CANOE RENEW
This winter was a season to renew the blue canoe for this years water sports.
The skip plates where ordered from Oldtown Canoe company and will prevent leakage and damage from skidding on the river rocks.
This canoe is from Jasper Arkansas. The Buffalo Canoe Company builds a great boat.
My Buffalo Canoe in good company.
My friend Martin Ziebell here in Preskitt is the man.
Thanks Martin for the expertise .
Wont be long until the Verde River Canoe Challenge .
If you are interested in floating the river here is the link.
http://www.prm.nau.edu/prm325/verde-river-canoe-challenge-10-active.htm
Hope to see you out on the good water.
Steve
stevelummer.com 