RAMBLINGS..............September 2011

Ramblings....................September 2011

By Diane Sawdon

For almost three days this past month, I was a different person. For the first time in almost fifty years I did not carry a purse or a wallet. I could prove my identity by my Driver’s License which I carried with me in a small pack. I did not wear jewelry of any sort~~including taking off my wedding rings. I wore absolutely no makeup unless sun block and chap stick can be considered such. I lived in shorts, T-shirts, a bathing suit, a large sun hat, and my life jacket. Best of all, I left my watch at home, too. I was but a mere sixty five miles from my house, but I was in another world. I was completely transfixed by the peace, beauty and grandeur that inhabits this area. I never felt more insignificant and at the same time peaceful and content.

We were vacationing in The Lakes Basin area of Sierra County. I am ashamed to admit that as a California native, I have never visited this area before now. We had excellent guides in the form of our neighbors and fellow kayakers, Karen and Bill. They opened up the door to a region that has not been abused by mankind with rampant commercialism, strip malls and fast food restaurants. This is not a venue that offers glitz, glamor and nightlife. Instead, one will find the rugged beauty of mountain forests, pristine lakes and a peaceful dignity that seems to permeate the air.

We kayaked Lower Sardine Lake, Lower Salmon Lake, Goose Lake and visited Gold Lake. The water is clear, serene and cold. One’s kayak floats, almost mysteriously, across the water. Surrounding the lakes are mountains still decorated with snow patches like frosting on a cupcake dotted with the emerald green of the proud trees that can survive and thrive in such an unforgiving land. The crowning glory is the view of the craggy peaks of the Sierra Buttes in the distance.

Since returning home, I have adopted my old habits. I carry my purse, wear my jewelry and watch, no more bathing suit all day long, and I indulge in a scant use of makeup. But I could not get this experience out of my mind. On the ride home, all I wanted to do was return. I managed to bore everyone I met with my tales of The Lakes Basin. Well, I did my homework and we are going to return and in just a few days. This time we are staying in Cromberg and using it as our home base. We want to spend hours exploring this part of our state. Why, I even found out that Packers Lake Lodge is “for sale.” Who knows?? Besides, who was it that said “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?