My time is getting short in California! In between all of the house projects for the upcoming sale of the ranch and move to New Mexico, I’m trying to find some time to get Sierra hiking in. Here is a trail near South Lake Tahoe that I haven’t done before! This trail is considered moderate at 7.2 miles round trip and 1300 feet of elevation gain, but you are rewarded a nice cool lake to take a dip!
What’s in my Day Hiking Back Pack?
Even if I’m doing an easy 5 miler in the wilderness, I always carry the 10 essentials and MORE! After having to almost spend the night in the Lassen National Park wilderness completely unprepared after a short hike to a lookout tower, I learned a hard lesson! I now carry items to sustain me in the wilderness until help arrives. This could be hours or even days!
Disclaimer: This is what I carry. You may have different ideas! I’d love to hear them!
Here is the link to the fiasco I was involved in a few years ago where I almost had to spend the night in the freezing cold forest!
The Story about my (almost) night in the mountains!
My Day pack is an REI Trail 40 and Here’s what’s in it! (NONE of the links are affiliate. All are non-sponsored)
- First Aid kit: Put together what you like. I also add Leuko tape for blisters.
- Fire Starting Materials (Cotton Balls soaked in Petroleum Jelly work great) Don’t forget the lighter or waterproof matches. Even though a fire could save you from freezing to death, you could possibly start a devastating forest fire, even in winter so be very careful! Learn how to start, maintain, and extinguish a life-saving survival fire. There are many videos on Youtube!
- Compass & Maps: https://amzn.to/2t2yoQ4 My REI Compass Class Video https://youtu.be/iMaSsgeEHno?si=V5iI963sQcyIt_Nc
- Signal Mirror: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=signal+mirror&ref=nb_sb_noss
- Whistle and Air Horn
- Emergency Bivvy Bag: https://amzn.to/2ykuwyS
- Emergency “space” Blanket (Amazon): https://shorturl.at/YR3jO
- Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter: https://amzn.to/2tbtCyV
- Water Collection Bag (Amazon): https://rb.gy/r1rkil
- Water Purifying Tabs in case your water filter fails. Shop on Amazon
- Small Gerber Knife: https://amzn.to/2t0wTlz
- Neck Knife https://mtknives.net/
- Light folding Saw (sometimes-depending on conditions): https://amzn.to/2HSFVWj
- Tyvek Sheet (5×5 ft) : https://rb.gy/arbnl5 This is super light (weighs nothing), waterproof, and can be used as a ground sheet, wind block, shelter, etc. I’ve used this to sit in the snow!
- Inreach Mini with Subscription: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/592606
- Bug Head Net: https://rb.gy/c8q42f
- Bug Spray with Deet. Good luck using the foo foo kind with no Deet. These mountain skeeters mean business and laugh at your feel-good perfume as they bite the living hell out of you. Trust me, I’ve tried everything!
- Anker Charging Station (20,000 mil Amp) https://amzn.to/2l9Nwa5
- Butt pad: https://amzn.to/2t1aS5Y
- Cooling towel: https://amzn.to/2LPw2Lt
- Paracord (Amazon): https://rb.gy/5tc3c1 About 15 feet will do
- Rain Gear (Amazon): https://rb.gy/sqwjep This rain gear is super light and works! Mountain thunderstorms are real and can really dump water!
- Salt Tabs and Electrolytes
- Extra socks and long sleeve top
- Down Jacket – In case I have to spend the night in the woods. Temps drop dramatically at night at high elevations.
- P-Style (This one’s for the girls. Guys… you have one built-in) Amazon https://rb.gy/7vxv3w
- Day Pack Rain Cover or Garbage Bag
- Fanny Pack: This is the one I have and I love it! https://www.thrupack.com/
- FOOD! Pack extra in case you get stuck for a while!
A word about navigation apps and what I use:
I rely on a few essential navigation apps, tested and trusted by hardcore mountaineers and thru-hikers. These apps provide reliable navigation and have been field-tested by the toughest adventurers. Here are my go-to primary choices:
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Gaia GPS is a powerful app offering detailed topographical maps, weather data, fire information, private property boundaries, and many other useful layers. It’s widely used by serious backcountry hikers. While the free version offers many features, the paid version is highly recommended for those who frequently venture into remote areas.
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FarOut: FarOut is particularly valuable for the three long trails: the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Continental Divide Trail (CDT), and Appalachian Trail (AT). A one-time fee allows you to download the trail you hike most often—for me, that’s the PCT.
These are my secondary apps:
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AllTrails: AllTrails is excellent for researching and finding hiking trails. The paid version includes a cool 3D animated feature, plus up-to-date trail data from recent hikers, which is especially helpful during the spring thaw. However, be cautious with the navigation feature, as it has been known to be unreliable on backcountry trails.
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Wikiloc: Wikiloc is another useful app for researching trails and discovering new hiking destinations.
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PeakFinder: PeakFinder can be hit or miss when identifying peaks. It’s great when it works, but don’t rely on it in a moving car. The app is free.
Other Things I take:
Hiking Umbrella – Trekking Poles- Water Bladder-Cell Phone- Hat- hiking gloves- roll of duct tape wrapped around chapstick, garbage bag, toilet paper (pack out used!), Hand warmer, Smart water bottle, it fits the water filter, and A FRIEND! Don’t hike alone!
Here is what’s in my multi-night (backpacking) bag!
A Bittersweet Farewell: Rehoming Our Beloved Donkey and Horse
Whiskey, our beloved horse, was born on our ranch. She just celebrated her 22nd birthday this past week. I’ll never forget that day. As the time approached for the birth, I had kept her mom, “Ima,” in a cozy, straw-filled stall. One evening, I came home from work and thought I’d let Ima out of her stall to walk around the pasture and get some exercise. I walked back to the house and proceeded to fix dinner. Not fifteen minutes later, there was someone pounding on my front door! It was my neighbor telling me there was a paint baby standing in our pasture. Whiskey had arrived quickly in the early evening, which is unusual as horses typically prefer to give birth in the wee hours of the morning. She was stunning, with loud splashes of color.
Whiskey was meant to be my husband’s horse. He broke her himself, and together they had many adventures. As the other horses aged and went into retirement, I found myself no longer riding, and Whiskey wasn’t being ridden either. She was much too young to be retired and had many more years of adventures ahead. So, we made the hard decision to rehome her at age 18. She now has a fantastic home at a ranch where she and her new owner are winning prizes. It was the best decision we made for Whiskey. Eventually, over the next couple of years, all of our remaining horses, Ima, Oreo, and Buddy, were laid to rest in their 30s.
With all the horses gone, only Mija, the donkey, was left. We had adopted Mija from the Bureau of Land Managements Wild Burrow program back in 2001. She was totally wild but we got her tamed in just a few days. That’s how donkeys operate! She’s been a pasture pet ever since. When the last horse passed, she stood in the barn, staring at the house all day. She was so very lonely. Our neighbor across the road offered to take her, saying she could live her days with their horse and many goats. Mija is so happy now and acts as a protector of the goats. She won’t let any dogs into the pasture.
Both Whiskey and Mija are living their best lives with the best humans on the planet. I am forever grateful to Jackie Clemmers, Jeanne Walker, and Pam Lockrem for taking such good care of these two.
It was surreal to see all of my pastures and barn empty. No more daily feedings or filling up water buckets. It took me a few weeks to not automatically go out in the evening to feed and water. Now, my husband has to do all of the mowing.
Rehoming Whiskey and Mija was a difficult decision, but knowing they are happy and well-cared for makes it all worthwhile. The memories of our time with them are cherished, and I am comforted by the knowledge that they are living their forever best lives.
This post is part of my “Moving to New Mexico” Series. Go here to start from the beginning.
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Whiskey about 15 minutes old!
Whiskey and Jackie winning buckles!
Mija feeling sad with Alex from the loss of all her buddies.
Packing Up 25 Years of Ranch Life -Moving to New Mexico
And so it begins… the purging of a 25-year life on a 12-acre ranch. When we bought the place in 2000, we had two horses and a dream. That dream, like our herd, eventually grew—to four horses, one donkey, two sheep, five dogs, and a boatload of barn cats that kept mysteriously disappearing (cue Wile E. Coyote). We poured blood, sweat, and more money than we care to admit into home improvements, barns, fencing—only to find that they often needed repairing or replacing. It seemed to be a never-ending task, but every minute of country living was worth it. City life just wasn’t in our blood any longer, replaced instead by a mix of hay, dirt, rattlesnakes, and the occasional whiff of manure.
Fast forward 25 years, and with all the animals either having passed on or been re-homed (our beloved donkey and one horse are now living their best retirement lives on amazing ranches), it’s time to bid farewell to our rustic paradise and find a new adventure. We’ve decided that this new chapter will unfold in the northern part of New Mexico, likely between Albuquerque (took me a while to learn how to spell that) and Santa Fe. Our next home might have less fencing to mend and fewer barns to build, but it promises new memories.
As we pack up (and purge) our lives, we’ve discovered that humor is our best packing companion. Each item we box up brings a memory, a laugh, and many “Do I really need this” questions. The process is chaotic, but it’s also a reminder of all the joy, hard work, and love we’ve poured into a small slice of heaven in the windy grasslands. While we’re excited about our new adventure, we’ll carry a piece of this ranch—and all its quirks and joys—with us. Here’s to new beginnings. I hope to capture the process of all the stuff that has yet to be done to get this ranch on the market and all that entails! D-Day to market is December 1. We got this. (I think)
Where Did my Friends Go?
2017 Reunited after not seeing each other for 32 years! College Roommates 1978
Where are all my Friends?
Hey there honorary members of the “Been There, Done That” club! I’ve been thinking a lot about all the people that I’ve met through the years as I turn 65 this year. Some were tight friends that I have lost contact with for various reason and some friends I’ve had since my teen years and am still in contact with. My photo albums are filled with people I’ve known over the years, dead and alive. Strap on your hiking boots and grab a cup of herbal tea.. or….., because we’re about to embark on a journey through the highs and heartbreaking lows of social circles at in our “Golden Years”.
The Lowdown on Friends vs. Acquaintances
Acquaintances are like the neighbors you wave to while picking up the morning paper, or the cashier at the local grocery store who knows your name but you for, but of the love of God, can’t remember theirs. Acquaintances are the salt to your pepper—nice to have around, but they don’t exactly spice up your life.
Friends are the crème de la crème of companionship. They’re the ones who’ve seen you through thick and thin, from bad hair to bad divorces and break ups. Friends are like fine wine—they only get better with age, and they’re always there to toast to your triumphs and console you through life’s drama. Do you hear a song and immediately think of a certain person in your life? I sure do, and some people have a string of songs that remind me of them! You reading this Lauren and Patti?
Friendships are Fleeting
Our 20s and 30s
The Great Migration: Ah, the glory days of our twenties, when the world was our oyster and our social circles were tighter than grandma’s knitting needles. But alas, life had other plans, and before we knew it, we were spread across the country like butter on toast, chasing dreams and trying to find our place in the world. With each move to a new city or state, we left behind a trail of memories and a Rolodex of friends scattered to the winds.
Remember the Christmas Newsletter?
With all of my good friends scattered between two continents, I used to relish the Christmas season and the cards and newsletters I would get from my missed friends. Then friends would move and my Christmas card would come back undelivered-no forwarding address. There was no internet to just “Google” to get current address. Decades would go by before I had the internet and could possibly find some long lost friends. I have found many, but some I have never found to this day. They are only fond memories of good times and faces in my faded photo albums.
Friends Die
Yep, the older we get, the better the odds our friends will move on to the afterlife. I’ve lost a few friends in the past few years. They were much too young to die in my book, but they are gone none the less. I do have a few regrets of not making that one last phone call, but I can’t dwell on that. I must go on and remember the friendship and the good times we had. My dad lived to be 101 and he outlived pretty much all of his long time friends! It was kind of sad for him. The price of living to be over 100. Not many get to.
Pick up the Phone and Use your Vocal Chords!
Social media has helped reunite friends, but I find that my friends are now 2 dimensional photos and video on my computer screen. Picking up the phone every now and then is like hearing a favorite song when they say “Hello”. That familiar voice you belly laugh with when you reminisce about that cringeworthy “thing” you did back in the day! You know.. that thing where you may or may not be able to run for public office?
So, my fellow Medicare age posse, cherish your friends like prized possessions, because in a world filled with acquaintanceship and fleeting friendships, true companionship is as rare and precious as a winning lottery ticket. Whether you’re reminiscing about the good old days with old pals or forging new friendships in the twilight years of life, one thing’s for sure: life’s a lot more fun when you’ve got someone to share it with. So grab your aging buddies, raise a glass and toast to the friends who’ve stood the test of time, no matter how far the winds of change may blow us. Cheers to friendship, laughter, and the sweet symphony of shared memories!
Love Twyla
I Get a New Trail Name? NO!!!
What a difference a year makes in the Sierra. This time last year, there was about 60 or more feet of snow, completely burying homes, cars and of course trail signs! This year, there was beautiful snow, but all trail signs are prominently visible. Let’s go for a snowshoe up to Castle Pass!
Interview with a LEGENDARY COWBOY
In 2007, I attended a Trick Riding Competition in Claremore Oklahoma and had the opportunity to interview the legendary Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductee, J.W.Stoker. He is a legendary trick rider and trick roper who has been a stuntman in many movies and television shows and has performed in thousands of rodeos over the course of 70+ years. J.W. passed away at the age of 94 in 2022. In this interview, he gives tips on how to train a trick-riding horse. This clip is part of a 1.5 hour Trick Riding Documentary that I produced and sold as a DVD in 2007. “Trick and Fancy Riding-Past Present and Future”
We Walked with Wild Alaska Grizzlies in the Bush!
Take a hike with us among the Grizzlies deep in the bush of Katmai National Park. We took a bear viewing flight with Sasquatch Alaska Adventure, donned hip waders and started hiking into the bush. It didn’t take long to see a whole bunch of bears fishing in the river and coastal waters for Salmon. This is a once in a lifetime bucket list experience, and if you have a trip planned for Alaska, definitely save your coffee money for a while and DO THIS!
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Don’t Kayak in Alaska UNLESS…….
Alaska, the wild and merciless beast! Picture this: We decided to take a trip there in August, fully aware that the rain gods were going to shower us with their blessings. So, I packed my trusty hiking mountain rain gear, thinking I was the ultimate rain warrior.
Now, I had signed up for an all-day cruise and kayaking adventure in the glorious Alaska Kenai Fjords National Park, courtesy of the aptly named “Sunny Cove Kayaking.” I couldn’t resist asking the guides if they ever saw sunshine up there. Their response? A hearty “RARELY!” Talk about slick marketing!
So there we were, paddling like champs for about 4 miles in the relentless downpour, navigating ice-filled glacier waters like we were auditioning for a survival reality show. The trip was a strange mix of beautiful scenery, epic adventure, and downright misery. I mean, my rain gear might as well have been a sieve!
But here’s the kicker: Would I do it again? Absolutely, in a heartbeat! Only next time, I’d be shelling out a small fortune on GORE-TEX rain gear, probably even throwing in a rain dance just for good measure. Watch the saga unfold in the below video as I battle the Alaskan elements! 😂🌧️🚣♂️
76 Year old Started Backpacking at age 68!
Meet my friend Jo Anne. She’s 76 and is a backpacking fanatic! She started this journey at age 68 but just last year, (2022) she had to overcome a huge obstacle to continue on her backpacking journey!
Last week Jo Anne and I went on a backpack into the Hoover Wilderness in the high Sierra of California. Check out her incredible INSPIRATIONAL story! Her message.. Get off the Couch!
PS.. this Youtube vid is on my new channel geared to senior hikers. If this is your thing, and/or you’d like to watch other inspirational stories of outdoorsy seniors, SUBSCRIBE to that channel “Old-ish Hiker”
twylaworld.com 
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