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The family piled into the ‘Beca yesterday, with an entire laundry list full of stops to make and what an adventure we had. I find it simply amazing just how many things can go wrong in one day and we just keep on smiling — often through gritted teeth.

I’m laughing because I can’t believe it was hailing last night, the fog was so thick I felt like we were swimming in pea soup. I am very thankful that we made it home last night before dark, when I know it got really ugly for motorists traveling highway 108. It was pouring rain and just as we were unloading our vehicle it began to hail – hard.

I was thrilled to be back home, the National Weather Service was predicting up to 5 inches of snow in the upper elevations, I’m all but certain they got it. I feel sorry for the folks who plan to camp near Dardanelle’s Resort over the Fourth of July weekend. There is still hope the weather will clear up before the holiday arrives but it’s a toss of the dice. I know many locals have opted for camping at New Melones or Beardsley both at lower elevations, instead of camping at Brightman Flat or Kennedy Meadows.

If you decide to brave the elements, be prepared for cold, nasty weather, especially during the evening hours. Pack some warm sweats, you will need mosquito repellent and a heavy sleeping bag. It gets down right cold at night and in the morning. I type this as I sit wrapped in my warm snuggie that I almost packed up for the summer — it’s 48 degrees. I still have bins of summer clothes stacked high that should have been taken care of by now but every time I start getting into them the weather turns ugly and I need my winter gear.

It just goes to prove if you want to live in the mountains you must be prepared to keep on smiling. It’s a wonderful adventure. Have a happy July 4th weekend. Fireworks of any kind are illegal in Tuolumne County though with all this rain we are getting it would be a terrific year to have a fireworks display but I don’t really mind the restriction.

Keep it safe this holiday. Don’t drink and drive.

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Judging from the sounds traveling through the air and reports from family members who celebrated Father’s Day in Sugar Pine, Twain Harte was a happening place this weekend. Friday and Saturday evening brought a night air heavy with live music, laughing and chatter, which echoed off the surrounding mountains.

The grandparents reported bumper to bumper traffic traveling in both directions on Highway 108 from the valley. It was a beautiful day here in Twain Harte, we had lots of sunshine and a nice cool breeze rustling through the trees.

The birds are everywhere and the most adorable baby birds are emerging from their nests and exploring their surroundings. I was outside earlier today around 9 a.m. and the tree just outside the kitchen window was full of tiny little birds flitting here and there, singing their little hearts out.

I’m not having a great deal of success getting pictures though. I guess I’m just not patient enough and the birds are Nervous Nellies, which doesn’t help either. I still have only identified about half of our avian visitors.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the turkey had returned this morning around 11 a.m.; but startled to find that he had made himself right at home and was resting on our deck — not the deck rail — but actually laying down on the deck, and he didn’t even flinch when I came bustling out the back door. He didn’t move a muscle until the cat came within a foot of him and he decided “cat” was on the menu.

I was a little concerned but the cat just meandered around on the deck, jumped up on the rail and stayed just out of react of the turkey, as if to taunt him further.

The racoons are out too. The ones behind our house were huge. They are pesky little varmints that get into everything and make terrible messes. When we lived downtown, we would see them walking right down the middle of the street. Meanwhile, the deer would congregate just past the island in front of 7-11 as if they were pooling their money for a 6-pack of beer. Occasionally, you’d see some nice bucks in the crowd.

Hope ya’ll had a Happy Father’s Day. My son is so lucky, he has an incredible dad. They had a wonderful day.