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Massey Monday: Watch Dog

Massey's poor little paws got a little beat up during our last backpacking trip in the Sierra. So while photographing the final sunrise of the trip, the dog who normally runs all over this place in a slightly ADD manner (bird, oooh chimpmunk, oooh pika, oooh there's that bird again, etc) was quite content to relax in the comfy soft dirt next to me. Of course, she was still on alert, just a more sedentary alert. She always has our backs.

Thirsty Thursday: Swiss Mountains

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: Liquid Crack (aka, 2007 Scheid Chardonnay)

Just a little post tonight from the Switzerland trip. I've been working on the images for what seems like forever, but I'm close to calling the project complete (about 20 or so photos left to edit). But enough shop talk, on to the pictures. The story isn't exciting or thrilling but the snow covered mountains are gorgeous. The trip to the top is a long train ride on the Junfraujoch line through a mountain. The views on the ride are also fantastic and of course the views at the top are simply awesome. Hopefully, these shots give you a glimpse of what it was actually like to be up there on the "Top of Europe." If you've read some of our previous posts, you know that we have been doing a bit of backpacking lately. Thus, I have to comment on one of the shots and say, that we are not to the point that the skier with the backpack on...we're not ready for that...we're semi-fair-weather backpackers. And besides, the Mas would need to learn how to ski...and I'm not sure if she's ready for that. Enjoy the shots and enjoy your weekend.

Massey Monday: Center of Attention

Fans of Welliver Photography are well aware that we take a lot of photos of our dog. Generally, she doesn't like the paparazzi attention and runs away or turns her head the opposite direction...she's quite a slippery subject. So imagine my surprise when little Miss Massey plopped down right on top of the wildflowers I was getting ready to photograph at sunrise during our last backpacking trip like it was her job. I guess she woke up ready to model.

I had to go elsewhere to find some wildflowers.

Such a diva!

Thirsty Thursday: On the Trail

Rambler: Beth
Drink at Hand: Yogi Ginger Tea...wine taper for a little race I'm running this weekend.

Thirsty Thursday here again. Time to pour something yummy and make those weekend plans! A few weeks back we went backpacking in the Desolation Wilderness. It was a tough journey as we decided to do roughly 2 miles of cross country travel to reach our final destination. I'll put it this way...hiking on established trails in the Sierra is fairly straightforward; backpacking over granite slabs with 42 lbs on my back, not so easy.

On the second day of our trip, we found our way back to some trails. I think I have a thing for singletrack. I spend more time hiking on singletrack these days than swooping along on a mountain bike, but I still love a tidy little dirt line cut neatly through a wildflower-choked meadow, snaking lazily through a deep forest, meandering around an alpine lake.

Get out there and find your own singletrack this weekend!

Massey Monday: Happy Camper

Massey is one heck of an awesome backpacking buddy. Our last trip to the Sierra was a little harsh on her poor little puppy pads, but she didn't complain! She just spent a lot more time resting in camp with us rather than chasing all of the pesky chipmunks, pikas, and marmots from our campsite.

Thirsty Thursday: Summer in Iowa

Rambler: Beth
Drink at Hand: 2010 Ancient Peaks Renegade

Thirsty Thursday is here again! Time to pour something yummy and make those weekend plans! We spent last week in Iowa. It was an unexpected trip home but its always good to see the family.

You might remember a few of these scenes from this post shortly after Christmas. The seasonal shift of landscapes in the Midwest is certainly something I miss...the 100+ degree temperatures I do not.

Get out there and find a landscape you like this weekend!

Thirsty Thursday: Ahhh, Lucerne

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: 2011 Ancient Peaks Sauvignon Blanc

Just a few images tonight from our Switzerland trip. Unfortunately, we were only in Lucerne for a night. All that really needs to be said about Lucerne is, "Ahhh, Lucerne." There's something about the atmosphere of the city that just puts you in a relaxed mood. Perhaps it is the architecture of the place or maybe it's the chocolate shops filled with yummy Swiss goodies. I tend to think it's related to the relaxed cafes near the water and the people. Life seemed slower here than elsewhere. I suppose it could be that places you visit seem more relaxed than the places you've lived, but I hope that's not true of Lucerne. I wish we could have spent more time here, sitting next to the river, people watching, chatting, and sipping cappuccino goodness.

Thirsty Thursday: Choose Your Own Adventure

Rambler: Beth
Drink at Hand: Ancient Peaks Winery Renegade (two thumbs up for this yummy red blend)

It Thirsty Thursday once again...time to pour something yummy and make those weekend plans! Some weeks just make you look forward to those weekend adventures even more. The weekends when you get to choose your own adventure for the day. Head off on a trail and see what happens (and hope it doesn't snow!).

A short and sweet post tonight as we plot our adventure plan for the weekend. Time to pick a trail and see where it leads. Hope you get out there and find your own adventure this weekend, too!

Thirsty Thursday: George Lake Trip

Rambler: Beth
Drink at Hand: Jekel Pinot Noir

Thirsty Thursday here again...time to pour something yummy and make those weekend plans. We headed up to the mountains a few weekends ago for a backpacking trip to George Lake in the Kaiser Wilderness. You may remember this as the intended destination of our snowed-out Memorial Day weekend trip.

The weather was gorgeous, bordering on hot for 8500' elevation. We didn't realize that all of the mosquitos in Sierra were also holding a reunion at George Lake the same weekend. Obscene! But we haven't contracted West Nile or malaria just yet, so I guess we survived. All in all, a fun weekend.

On the trail... Exploring around the lake. Sometimes its tiring. We did a little off-trail cross-country exploring and found a couple more lakes up higher. I think this was College Lake. Back at George Lake it was time to cool off, if only we'd had swimwear. Time for dinner. Then some waiting for the evening light to get nice. Then it was time for bed and a hike out in the morning. Terry loaned me these two images for tonight's post. Pretty nice!

We've got another backpack trip planned in a few weeks, so more mountain fun ahead for us! Yay! Love summer weekends spent in the high country. Get out there and discover a little high country yourself in the coming weeks!