2022 -

Long Lake to Mosquito Flat

Anticipation | To Marsh Lake | To Long Lake | To Mosquito Flat

This is our final day!

The lake is like a polished mirror, and the mountain range stand like a boundary between the water and the sky. The two almost look indistinguishable. The kids stir and wake up. I go out for a photography session and fish while Yan makes oatmeal breakfast.

We clean up, pack up our tents and packs, and head down the trail. The progress is much faster today, being mostly flat or downhill. We quickly pass my favorite spot by Box Lake and make it to Marsh Lake. Here, we stop for an extended snack break.

Daphney and Jayden run down the trail. It is hard to stay ahead of them. They race to see who will spot our car first.

Soon, we see picnic tables.

From across Rock Creek: “Dr. Wongworawat!”

It’s Allen. They did make it to camp and stayed two nights, at the outlet of Heart Lake. We exchange stories. It seems unbelievable that we were a few hundred yards from each other, yet not knowing if the other party had made it as planned. He and his family had a wonderful time. He wants to do this again.

Picnic tables, the toilets, the parking lot, and our car! The kids run there. We wash up and load the car. It’s time to go home.

Our kids had a spectacular time out in the wilderness. “We love backpacking! We want to go again!”

The anticipation for the next trip begins.

« Marsh Lake to Long Lake

Jayden and Daphney waking up at Long Lake

Morning reflections at Long Lake

Our campsite on a bluff at Long Lake, Yan in the tent

Kids playing by the Roberts’s tent

Having oatmeal with toppings for breakfast

Gloves for coasters, insulated cups, with herbal tea

Jayden hiking with a walking stick

Yan packed up to leave Long Lake

Jayden hiking with a walking stick

Group picture at Long Lake

Hiking along Box Lake

Daphney prepares fig jam on a cracker for Jayden

Running down the trail

Daphney with her walking stick

Arrived back at the car

September 5, 2022

Marsh Lake to Long Lake

Anticipation | To Marsh Lake | To Long Lake | To Mosquito Flat

Rock Creek is still singing when I get up. The clothes on the line are mostly dry. Soon, the kids stir. I climb the hillock nearby and shoot pictures of clear reflections in the lake as it stretches like a polished slab of glass dotted with marsh grass.

Breakfast this morning is hash browns with scrambled eggs. Daphney helps getting the food ready. We cast for fish again, but like last night, they remain spooked. The kids enjoy climbing for the boulders, proud of themselves that they crossed the stream on a fallen tree and made it to the other side.

We pack up and head up the trail and have lunch at Heart Lake. The kids find it hard to make the uphill climb, but soon, we’re walking along a flat section flanking Box Lake. This would turn out to be one of my favorite sections of the trail. The path is high and wide open. Below to the left is Box Lake. In front, the mountain range frames the horizon. The kids run ahead.

Soon, we’re at Long Lake, our destination for the day. We arrive very early, around 2:00 in the afternoon. Everyone soaks their feet in the refreshing water. The northern shore, around the lake’s outlet, is packed with campers, so Tyler and I go scouting again. There is a small meadow where the lake drains. There are also a few dirt patches. None of these are acceptable; but high above, on a private bluff, there is a small, picturesque area for two small tents with a nearby flowing creek for easy water access. This is the spot!

The routine is the same again, but before dinner, we head down the banks to fish.

I hear my name: “Dr. Wongworawat!”

It’s Damien and his party. So, they did make it on the trail and ended up here. We shared trail stories, and I learn that Allen did backpack in as well, and he is supposedly camped near Heart Lake.

We catch some brook trout. Daphney is only allowing catch-and-release, so that is what I do.

The routine continues. We have egg drop soup and spinach noodles for dinner. Afterwards, we watch the moon rise and cast silvery reflections on Long Lake while colorful clouds, first white then pink then purple, lazily drift by.

« Mosquito Flat to Marsh Lake

Long Lake to Mosquito Flat »

Laundry hanging on clothesline

Morning reflections at Marsh Lake

Daphney mixing powdered eggs

Daphney with hash browns and scrambled eggs

Hash browns, scrambled eggs, and chives

Jayden and Daphney having breakfast at camp

Reflections at Marsh Lake

Our tent along Rock Creek

Hanging out on the boulders at Rock Creek

Crossing Rock Creek on a log

Hanging out on the boulders at Rock Creek

Group picture at Marsh Lake

Lunch break, dried apricot, nuts, smoked salmon, brie, and crackers

Daphney and Jayden hiking along Box Lake, along a ridge

Daphney and Jayden hiking in LIttle Lakes Valley, framed by trees

Crossing Rock Creek below Long Lake

Playing in the water, Long Lake outlet

Jayden at Long Lake

Our campsite on a bluff at Long Lake

Brook trout, caught and released

Spinach noodles with dried vegetables

Jayden eating noodles with chopsticks while sitting on top of a bear canister

Waxing gibbous moon reflected in Long Lake after sunset

September 4, 2022

Mosquito Flat to Marsh Lake

Anticipation | To Marsh Lake | To Long Lake | To Mosquito Flat

The trail rises gently out of Mosquito Flat. In contrast to the scorching hot week in Loma Linda, the air, scented with pine needles and sagebrush, is cool. I tell the kids a story about hiking in Kings Canyon to distract them from the mild uphill. Just before the trail junction to Ruby Lake and Mono Pass, everyone takes a break by some shaded boulders.

We arrive at beautiful Mack Lake. It sits a little below the main trail. There isn’t an obvious route to this lake, so we push on ahead. The spur trail to Marsh Lake takes off at a right angle to the left, and we follow it along the lake’s northern shoreline. Prior to the trip, we had agreed to meet in this general area.

There’s a green tent with a lakefront view, among the trees, just beyond the large rocky hillock. A young couple emerges from around the bend. No, they haven’t seen anyone else here, not Damien and his party. I ask them to keep a lookout for anyone else that might be looking for us, particularly if they have baby carriers.

Tyler and I scout for a campsite. We follow a use trail along Rock Creek, the outlet of Marsh Lake. The patch of brush opens up. The creek tumbles down a small rockfall and into a deep clear pool, then it meanders along a meadow. This is perfect. There are spaces for a few tents, and we decide to settle here.

The routine is pretty much the same as that of other backpacking evenings. Set up the tent. Unroll the sleeping pads and inflate them. Fluff up the sleeping bags. Pump water. Bathe.

Bathe. This time, because of the kids, I bring extra gas canisters, which a hiking buddy Mark calls “comfort fuel.” Everyone washes up, the kids with comfort fuel, and Yan and I directly with stream water. Biodegradable soap for bathing is used away from the stream, then there is soapless bathing directly in the flowing water.

The routine continues. Laundry. String a line. Thread the wet clothes through. Make dinner.

Tonight, it’s broccoli cheese soup with orecchiette pasta, dried vegetables, and freshly grated Parmesan. We try to catch fish but there were no strikes; there were several women who fished earlier, standing right by the bank with beer in hand, spooking all the fish in the deep pool. Even without freshly caught trout, dinner hit the spot.

Dishes. Post-dinner stroll. Pictures. Heat water. Make cider. We enjoy a hot spicy cider with double chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Then, the kids play inside the tent under a solar lantern while Yan and I take in the moment: comfortable rock for a seat, the babbling creek, the sound of kids giggling, and a deep blue sky lit by millions of lanterns so far away.

« Preparations for Little Lakes Valley

Marsh Lake to Long Lake »

Group picture by Rock Creek at the start of the hike

Daphney and Jayden looking at Rock Creek

Daphney applying lip balm for Jayden

Group picture by Rock Creek at the start of the hike

Hiking into Little Lakes Valley

Water break

Hiking into Little Lakes Valley

Hiking into Little Lakes Valley, approaching Marsh Lake junction

Marsh Lake

Following Rock Creek out of Marsh Lake

Setting up camp, Jayden driving in stakes

Setting up camp, Jayden attaching the tent

Preparing sleeping pads and bags

Pumping and filtering water out of Rock Creek

Rock Creek flowing by our campsite

Daphney and Yan hanging up our laundry

Broccoli cheddar soup

Pasta with vegetables, fresh parsley, and Parmesan cheese

Jayden enjoying the soup

Marsh Lake at sunset

Family picture at Marsh Lake

Glowing tent under a starry sky

September 3, 2022

Preparations for Little Lakes Valley

Anticipation | To Marsh Lake | To Long Lake | To Mosquito Flat

The anticipation began more than six months ago. After seeing the kids hike the loop trail in Pinnacles National Park, and after having abandoned their double stroller in favor of shoes, we grew confident that they will be able to go backpacking.

Inyo National Forest permits become available six months before entry date, so for a September 3 date, we had set our calendar alerts for March 3, 7:00 am, Pacific Time. And to be sure that we could get a permit, we had another alert set for March 2, so that we could snag a Friday entry if we were outcompeted the next day.

March 2 came. At 7:01, we scored a permit for four spots on September 2. The next day, we got another four spots.

In the weeks leading up to the trip, I invited others who were able to share our extra permit: first Damien, second year orthopedic surgery resident; then Tyler, attending joint replacement surgeon; and finally Allen, senior orthopedic surgery resident. We revised our gear list. We weighed and catalogued every item down to the gram. We planned our menu. We packed.

It’s now the day of the trip, pre-dawn Saturday of Labor Day weekend. The car had been loaded the night before. The tank is full. It’s 5:40 am, and we’re ready.

The parking lot at Mosquito Flat is completely full, cars spilling out onto the road, down the mountain, and clogging up the lot below. I get out of the car and was able to negotiate with hikers coming down the trail. We unload and have soba noodles with cold dipping sauce and all the traditional toppings.

Tyler, whom I had suggested this trip to during our photoshoot on the hospital helipad, and his family arrive in the full parking lot. I spot them and get their attention.

Meanwhile, a man with a baby carrier backpack sees my grocery bag of trash and says, “Oh, Loma Linda Market!”

“Yeah, Loma Linda. Have you been there?”

“We’re actually waiting here, meeting some people coming up from Loma Linda.”

“The Nedleys!”

Soon, we see Allen. Everyone finds parking spaces. Allen gets his spot because someone got kicked out of the wilderness for lack of a permit. Damien would have arrived last night and should now be at Marsh Lake. Allen decides to finish lunch first, and Tyler and his family join us with their packs.

The anticipation is over; we’re hitting the trail!

Mosquito Flat to Marsh Lake »

Packed up the Subaru with all the backpacking gear

Sharing snacks at Coso Junction

Walking to the picnic area at Mosquito Flat

Soba noodles with toppings for lunch

Enjoying soba noodles with dipping sauce

Starting the hike into Little Lakes Valley

September 3, 2022

The Big Island of Hawai’i

Arrival in Kona, picking up the Subaru Ascent

Getting Thai food lunch, Daphney with Gu

Getting Thai food lunch, Jayden with Xiongmao

Playing in the lava tide pools

By the lava tide pools

Kona Farmers’ market

Sitting in the back of the Subaru

Hiking to Akaka Falls

At Akaka Falls

Akaka Falls

At Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls

Playing along the shores of Hilo

Silversword plant

Hiking along the Silversword Trail

Jayden hiking up Sunset Hill

Daphney hiking up Sunset Hill

Family picture on Sunset Hill

Daphney and Jayden at the top of Sunset Hill

Family picture on Sunset Hill

Eating mochi snacks outside the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station

Milky Way taken from Mauna Kea

Playing in the sand at Kamakahonu Beach

Honey tasting at Big Island Bees

At Hana Hou, southernmost restaurant in the United States

Eating pizza at Hana Hou

Playing on the black sand beach

Hiking to the Keanakākoʻi Crater Overlook

At the Keanakākoʻi Overlook

Kīlauea crater glowing at night

Introduction to swimming at Kahalu’u

Watching the donkeys at Kona Coffee Living History Farm

Picture with coffee and macadamia trees

Jayden photographing citrus

Collecting macadamia nut

Daphney and Jayden at Kīholo State Park

Family picture at Kīholo State Park, matching blue and white tropical outfits

Sunset seen from the scenic overlook, Kona coast

Daphney and Jayden, sitting on the stone wall watching the sunset, with Gu and Panda

Jayden eating watermelon at the breakfast buffet

Daphney eating watermelon at the breakfast buffet

Panda and Gu atop the pile of laundry

Playing in the sand outside the Marriott Courtyard

Daphney learns to snorkel

Washing off the sand

Taking picture of the sea turtle

Watching the sea turtle

Taking picture of the sea turtle

Sea turtle at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park

September 3, 2022

Maui

Watching the birds at Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary

Hawaiian stilt

Sunset on Maui’s Haleakalā

Milky Way from the summit of Haleakalā

Breakfast on our porch at the Grand Wailea

Jayden walking like a T. rex in the sandy pool

Having fun in the sandy pool

Sunset seen from the Grand Wailea

Eating Maui onion potato chips while rolling on the lawn

Haleakalā sunrise

Breakfast picnic by the Visitor Center

By the Visitor Center’s picnic area

Walking through the lavender farm

Enjoying refreshing drinks at the lavender farm

Exploring the gardens at the lavender farm

Taking pictures of protea

Protea

Daphney and Jayden sharing a drink on the bench

Purple coneflower

Bee on purple coneflower

Reading in bed

Picture taken by Daphney

Coconut palms at sunset

Eating smoked salmon flatbread on our porch at the Grand Wailea

Eating breakfast on our porch at the Grand Wailea

Eating smoked salmon flatbread on our porch at the Grand Wailea

Watching a nature documentary on the plane

August 7, 2022

Adding Turtles to the Pond

Francis, the Northern red-bellied cooter

Mordecaia, Texas map turtle

Francis, the Northern red-bellied cooter

Francis swimming off

Mordecaia sticking her head out

Mordecaia going into the water

July 4, 2022

Milky Way Viewing at Joshua Tree

Joshua trees, silhouetted against the dusk sky

Sushi dinner at Jumbo Rocks site 102

Milky Way arch over Joshua trees

Daphney waking up

Jayden getting up inside the tent

Daphney and Jayden having a morning conversation in the tent

Exiting the tent

Playing with stuffed animals while waiting for breakfast

Daphney eating pancakes

Jayden eating French toast

Leaving JT Country Kitchen

June 26, 2022

Venice

Approaching Venice on the Alilaguna

San Marco Square from the water

Dock of the San Clemente Kempinski Hotel, with red carpet

Welcome reception in the Sunset Garden

In the ABJS bowtie

Ferry trip to Burano, with sailboats getting ready for the regata

Approaching Burano

Windowsill flowers

Self portrait in Burano

Burano waterway

Leaning tower in Burano

Burano waterway

Colorful houses in Burano

Burano waterway

Garden of Locanda Cipriani

Leaving San Clemente Kempinski Hotel by water taxi

Grand Canal in front of San Marco Square

San Marco Square and the Doge’s Palace

San Marco Square and the Campinale

Venice canal and gondola

Venice canal and bridge

Grand Canal view from the Rialto Bridge during the blue hour

Campinale during the blue hour

View from the Accademia Bridge during the blue hour

Pheasant on San Clemente Island

Pheasant chicks

Pheasant hen with chicks

Campo San Nicolò dei Mendicoli

Detail of the San Nicolò dei Mendicoli Church

Ceiling of the San Nicolò dei Mendicoli Church

Organ of the San Nicolò dei Mendicoli Church

Crucifix in the San Nicolò dei Mendicoli Church

Campo San Nicolò dei Mendicoli, entrance of the church

Waterway in Venice

San Trovaso Church organ, with Luca Poppi

Italian Baroque actor

The Doge

Italian Baroque actor and actress

Front of the Palazzo Pisani Moretta

View of the Grand Canal from the Palazzo Pisani Moretta

June 4, 2022

Catalina Island

At the Lincoln Park Playground

Profile pose like Lincoln

Breakfast in the room

Boarding the Catalina Express

Walking on the green pier

Marine life in Lovers’ Cove

Viewing fish in the semi-submarine

Marine life in Lovers’ Cove

Playing in the sand

Enjoying ice cream from Scoops

Climbing in the orb web

View of Avalon

Yan and Daphney at the viewpoint

Jayden asleep in the golf cart

Playing miniature golf

Picture with Daphney and Jayden

May 14, 2022

Shepherdess, Sheep, and Lamb

March 13, 2022

Fawnskin Cabin

In front of our rental cabin in Fawnskin

Playing in the snow

Picture in the snow at Fawnskin behind our rental cabin

Playing in the snow

Picture in the snow at Fawnskin behind our rental cabin

Dinner in our cozy Fawnskin cabin

Warming up in front of the fireplace

Reading in bed in our Fawnskin cabin

Breakfast in the nook, Fawnskin cabin

Sunstar through the trees

Playing in the snow

Snowman

Orange jacket and orange sled

Playing in the snow

Family picture in front of the Fawnskin cabin

February 27, 2022

Year: 2022