For the past three years my family has rented the same big, comfortable cabin in Arnold for our vacation. It suits us to a T. Four bedrooms, two and a half baths, a large, well equipped kitchen and a big wrap-around porch is exactly what our nine-member (plus one dog) family needs. See my blog from July 27, 2015, Cabin in the Woods, Pet Friendly, Sleeps Nine. This year, however is to be our last as the owners have retired and decided to move in permanently. What nerve! Just when we had everything down to a science. We all knew where we were to sleep, where the hammock is, and most important, where all the kitchen gadgets, pots and pans are. There is even a large, fenced-in yard so Samson, Steve & Steph's Border Collie, can run and fetch. We will miss our comfortable cabin in the piney woods.
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| This says it all |
This year, as usual, all nine of us, plus Samson arrived around one o’clock on a Saturday afternoon. After unloading Tony’s Corolla, Brenda’s Pilot and Steve’s Avalanche and putting everything away we were ready for naps, games, hammock time and reading. For dinner Robin put together a quick and easy Pasta Puttenesca made with Tuna packed in oil instead of anchovies. She served it with a big Caesar salad.
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| Our first dinner of the season |
Sunday morning we rose early and were on the road by 8:30 headed for the Sourgrass recreation area on the Stanislaus river. Right away a shady, flat spot with a nice picnic table for games and lunch overlooking the river, beckoned to us. Tony and Nathan took the floaties upriver to float down some pretty tame rapids while Brenda, Robin and I were content to float near the shore. Stephanie, Steve, Ada and I got brave and swam around in the clear water right below the table area. Later, Steve, Aiden and I hiked downriver to a vista point where we could watch the wriver charging through a narrow channel between large granite boulders. Now that’s whitewater! Dinner that night was delectable chicken burgers and a big salad of rough-chopped veggies and greens served with homemade ranch dressing.
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| Our nice shady table at Sourgrass |
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| Sourgrass Day Use area overlooking the Stanislaus |
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| Whitewater! |
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| Or not! |
Monday found us once again, on the road early to stake out a claim on a small beach, again, on the Stanislaus river. This time it was in the Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Last year we had the beach to ourselves most of the day. There are nine of us and this year two other families showed up with almost that many each. Our quiet sandy beach soon became like Coney Island! By early afternoon we had had it and headed back to the cabin. That night Robin made a delicious Sausage and Bean Ragout
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/sausage-cannellini-tomato-ragout served over Rosemary Polenta and green salad with a fresh basil vinegrette. For dessert there was fresh peach pie and vanilla ice cream.
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| My turn to float on the Stanislaus in Calaveras Big Trees |
Tuesday was river rafting day. I have to confess, I was a little nervous but everyone assured me it was a category one white water trip and they were right. The most dangerous part was when we started and drifted under some overhanging trees where I got bonked on the shoulder by a tree limb and a small cut on my hand. Sigh. The rest of the trip was lovely, with narrow, shady spots, wide, lazy areas where the paddlers had to use their oars to keep us going and some exciting rapids that were just enough to keep it interesting. That night Steve grilled the Korean BBQ ribs that had been marinating all day in a sweet and spicy asian sauce. They were served with Asian pilaf and Asian cole slaw.
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| River rafting on the "lazy" Stanislaus River |
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| Don't get bored Ada, there are more rapids coming up! |
Wednesday morning found us heading north to Utica Lake. It sits high in the Sierras like a jewel; clear turquoise water surrounded by huge white granite rocks and dark green pine trees. It’s one of our favorite spots. Everyone but Robin and me kayaked around the lake and over to an area where they could jump off one of the big boulders into a deep pool. Robin and I chose to sit and read and just breathe in the wonderful mountain air and enjoy the view. Dinner that night was Steve’s famous deep fried fish tacos, black beans and refried beans and Spanish rice.
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| Utica Lake |
Thursday was the day everyone was waiting for. Brenda and Steve had rented a party boat on Lake Don Pedro! It was fabulous! With lots of seating, a bar, a grill, a water slide and even a bathroom with a shower, it couldn’t have been nicer. Even Samson was thrilled. After stowing all our gear, food and drinks we motored over to a quiet cove where Steve and Nathan anchored us to the shore. Then the fun began. I don’t know who enjoyed that water slide more, the kids or the adults. Samson would jump onto the shore, race around, then into the water, then onto the boat, and start over again. The outside temperature was 103 that day but we didn’t even notice. That night we ate out at the Snowshoe Brewing Company in Arnold.
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| It's a party! |
Thursday night after dinner we toasted Robin and Stephanie's new jobs with, what else, champagne!
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| Here's to Robin and Stephanie in their new jobs! |
Friday we packed up the cars again and drove to Alpine Lake, another sweet little lake near Bear Valley. Once again we lucked out and took possession of a shady picnic table right near the edge of the lake. Easy access for the kayakers and close to a little island we could actually wade over to. Our last day of vacation and it was a fairly quiet and lazy day. That night Steve grilled tiny chickens to crisp, golden perfection and they were served with Stephanie’s macaroni salad (a Ree Drummond recipe
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/the-best-macaroni-salad-ever/) and grilled corn salad. A perfect meal to end our stay.
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| Tony & Nathan kayaking on Alpine Lake |
Saturday morning was time to pack up and move out for the last time. Sadly we said our final farewell to our favorite vacation rental. Time to find another cabin in the piney woods. So far Brenda found one on VRBO that has a “Bunk House” for the boys. Now that sounds promising.
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| By bye |
