Senior recital and hiking

Have been seriously neglecting this blog.  Have been seeing lots of performances.  Went to see Sac Opera perform Rigoletto Feb 24.  Frances and Doug were nonsinging extras, which was very amusing.  The performance was excellent.  Then we went to see the View from Dresden at the Cathedral, which was also excellent.  Frances's senior recital was March 2 and it went very well.  This time we prepared most of the food, but she made 3 kinds of mini cupcakes.  Everything turned out really well.

Her Uncle John, and family friends Dale, Leslie, and Pam also came, as well as many of her and Doug's friends and classmates.  We went out to eat at Leatherby's afterwards.  Twenty four hours later and I am sick as a dog for another 24 hours.  Ugh!

Last Friday we went hiking in the Auburn SRA.  The day turned out to be beautiful, much warmer and sunnier than we were expecting.  The hike was really nice. Not many flowers yet. Parked at the headquarters and crossed the highway to the trailhead.  Took parts of the Western States Trail and part of the loop that goes to Cool. Eight miles and 2300 feet of elevation gain. Had dinner at Mexican restaurant in Auburn and got takeout cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory for dessert.  Of course I was sore the next day, but it rained all day, so was able to forego my bike ride without feeling guilty. 

This old railroad bridge is 100 years old and very scenic

We were very amused by the warnings for steep trails. Ted looks like a giant in this photo!

Trail started at gate opposite the headquarters, when down and joined the Western States Trail, crossed the "no hands" bridge, continued south towards Cool until intersecting the Olmstead Loop Trail, which we took until the Pointed Rocks trail which according to sign posts (not the map) joined the Training Hill trail, and back to the Western States Trail (aka Wendell T. Robie trail).