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The boys and I took a drive up to Kennedy Meadows yesterday. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen the forest quite so green. It was a lovely day, the temperature at Kennedy Meadows was a comfortable 79°, with intermittent sun and clouds.

I must admit that I had my doubts about even making it that far up the hill. The clouds that hovered overhead looked angry and threatened to send showers at any moment but the hard rains never came. A light sprinkle was all, then the sun came out to warm our faces once again. It was almost magical.

The traffic in Twain Harte is an entirely different matter. It’s almost as if we picked up and moved back to Modesto, okay, so I exaggerate just a little but let me tell you, the traffic is nasty. It is almost as if these bay area folks pack up their vehicles to make the drive up to the mountain and forget their brains at home. Can’t find a place to park, no problem. We’ll just park on the side of the road. Never mind that most streets have no “side of the road,” so these crazy folk, just park in the street anyway. I guess they figure no one will notice.

Don’t you just love getting behind that weekend warrior, who has decided to take the travel trailer out of mothballs. This is the guy who drives in the fast lane, down the mountain and refuses to let anyone go around him or better yet, just takes his half out of the middle of the road.

Their offspring of course follows close behind, riding their skateboards down the center of Fuller Road, around blind curves, with no regard to the deer and motorists who must also share the road.  I’ve seen several near-misses that made my heart skip a beat or two.

It broke my heart to see the tiny baby fawn laying dead in the middle of Twain Harte Drive. I wonder if the driver who hit the baby even bothered to check to see, if it was still alive? It was so tiny, probably only days old.

The boys were delighted to find a tiny little tree frog in the river, at Columns of the Giants, near Dardanelle. The tiny frog seemed to enjoy being held by my nephew. It was almost as if he was refusing to leave when he was set free. It’s been ages since I had seen any butterflies but we saw several up the mountain yesterday.

It was nice to see hikers in the woods and those who tent camp and take time to really enjoy their surroundings. The longer I live here, the more I hate to see the majestic mountains tamed by civilization. I have a great respect for the animals that make the Stanislaus National Forest their home. I watched in amazement as a group of fire ants scurried about their business, oblivious to the fact that I was so big and powerful that I could take several out with one firmly planted foot. I left them to their business all too aware that at least some of them would make a terrific meal for some hungry animal soon enough.

It was a lovely day and we learned a lot from the mountains and the rivers. We can’t wait to do it again.  October can’t get here soon enough. Give me a quiet fall day anytime.

Heading up to Twain Harte for the weekend? Be prepared. My first visit to Twain Harte was during the Twain Harte Summer Festival, there were people everywhere. The 33rd annual Twain Harte Summer Arts and Wine Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday in downtown Twain Harte.

You are sure to find something for everyone; young and old alike. The festival helps support our local volunteer fire department, so be sure to head up to Twain Harte bring the kids and enjoy the festivities. For more information pick up your free copy of the “Weekender,” published by The Union Democrat. You can find them at local businesses in Twain Harte and Sonora, turn to page 3.

I just stepped outside the door and felt like I had walked onto the set of “Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Diane Fossey.” The air is as thick as pea soup; visibility is low and traffic is light.

Twain Harte - Highway 108 Fog

The fog mixed in with the trees gives Twain Harte, the eerie feeling of being on a Hollywood film set. I just remember the luscious green forest and heavy fog rolling over the trees in that amazing movie with Sigourney Weaver, Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Diane Fossey. Weaver gave a wonderful portrayal of Diane Fossey who devoted her life to the study of primates.

This is perfect walking weather, believe it or not. The air is crisp and fresh, not to mention heavy with moisture – but it’s good for the lungs. I don’t think I’ve ever really appreciated spring as much as I have this year. The flowers began blooming a couple weeks ago. I don’t know who is responsible for the lovely daffodils, growing near the entrance to Twain Harte on Highway 108, but when I see them, I know I am home and it gives me a warm feeling each time I pass them by.

This spring with all the hard rain and extended snowy weather, has made me see the earth healing and renewing itself daily. For the past five or six years the area has been especially dry. I’m no mathematician but if I had to hazard a guess, I’d say we’ve received about four times as much rain and snow as has been the norm in recent years. The whole town feels washed, the air is crisp and clean.

If you are waiting until summer to visit, you are missing out on some fantastic days of solitude, with plenty of time to reflect on your life, meet with friends and family and enjoy the rebirth that happens each spring.

You won’t find a gorilla in the mist (we hope) but you just might glimpse a bear in the fog.