1) SOTF AT STEAMBOAT ROCK FOR DAM EASY

We had several days in Elk Grove with Sarah and family, helping out while Jeremy was out of town for work, and Sarah was knee deep in her work, her coaching responsibilities and the myriad of activities that the three littles are involved in.

We got home and had nearly a week to relax a bit and catch up with ourselves before taking off again for this Sisters event. Camping at Steamboat Rock State Park, which is on Banks Lake…

…and where there a lots of deer roaming around the campground. We noted the first signs of the deer well before we saw the deer… droppings.

The deer are prolific and do not seem to mind the people ;’-).

In addition to yesterday’s “sighting” of deer, this morning there were wild turkeys.

This is our event.

This is our camp spot.

What fabulous weather we are having. Today was a bike ride all through this huge campground. There was only one sister to join us for today’s ride – Jen. The trail is relatively short but with the distance between camp loops, the rides through each loop and a return to the entrance booth, I feel we got in a decent ride. And quite pretty.

From our site you can see the lake through the trees.

The trail winds through some color and some lake views and sights of the canyon walls.

Meandering around brought us to the marina where Susan and Jen were sure to check out the floating fishing dock. Noter the fall color reflecting in the lake.

Susan makes sure we are on the right course.

Yes, she says, let’s keep going.

I do not know much, or any information about the geology around here but there is plenty of it and quite picturesque, in addition to the canyon walls.

Then it was back to our sites, relaxing reading and seeing in the new arrivals. The event actually starts on this day, several of us arrived a day early.

Once settled in for the evening we had our fire circle with (lots of) snacks and introductions to each other. One deer was particularly interested in our snack table and had to be shooed away several times. Not to give up totally, Bonnie spotted the deer at the now empty tables with hopes of snack dashed!

Bonnie dubbed this appropriately as the “after hours party crasher”.