Suzie's 60th in the Sierras

July 19, 2003

For the long Fourth of July weekend we all met in Hermosa Beach for several days of celebration. The Baxters were joined by Suzie, Michael, Chris and Tracey. We all got to see swimming lessons (those pix are somewhere on this site) and spent some time at the beach. Suzie also had the fun of seeing Ella's ballet performance — this time The Sound of Music — and ice skating lessons which included Scott wielding a 2 foot hockey stick.

Then we went to the Sierras near where Suzie spent many summers as a child and where Kim and Kevin honeymooned. We did the cabin thing instead of packing in. It was a beautiful weekend with wonderful vistas and fun experiences.

We made the drive from Hermosa Beach on July 3rd with stops at Red Rock Canyon and the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. On the 4th Mom Mom, Ba Ba, Ella and Scott made a morning trip to Rock Creek Lake. We were able to visit a pack station and all enjoyed watching the horses and mules but we ran for cover when the mosquitos began to attack. At the Lake we watched people fishing and enjoyed the scenery. Then we all went to Convict Lake where there was water play (it was cold), rock skipping and ice cream. In the evening we drove down the hill to the Bishop Airport where we saw some great fireworks!

On the 5th (Kim & Kevin's anniversary) we drove to Mammoth where we took the shuttle to Devil's Postpile National Monument. Ella decided she would like to complete the requirements to be a Junior Ranger so began doing the tasks in the Jr. Ranger Book. We all hiked to the base of Devil's Postpile and then to the top (Scott hitchhiked). Mom Mom, Kim and Scott then returned to the shuttle and went to Reds Meadows. The hikers (I think Ella rode on Kevin's back now and then) made the 3 miles on foot seeing Rainbow Falls and accomplishing all that was needed to get the badge. After a brief stop where the Ranger (senior) checked Ella's book and gave her the badge we returned to Mammoth. Then we took the gondola to the top of Mammoth Mountain where we were able to make snowballs and enjoy the incredible vistas. During the summer the ski slopes are open for mountain biking and it was fun to see the bikers bounding down the mountain.

On the 6th we drove back to Hermosa Beach. It was a great weekend and a fun way to celebrate special occasions!

Love to all, Suzie

Click on the photos to get to the enlargements.