Art in California!

I've been looking at Art's travel photos and I could see where he had a terrific time.  He met his college buddy, Sam who arrived from Tokyo to be at this get-together in San Francisco.
They stayed with more friends from college days and visited a lot of amazing places in that area.

Art says Muir Woods reminded him of Cedar Trail in Glacier National Park and was just as beautiful.

They then went to Filoli House and Gardens in Woodside, California.  This is a photo of their sunken garden.

Then it was on to Napa Valley's Beringer Winery.

Art says they got to sample a variety of wines and they all enjoyed themselves.

After spending time together talking about their exciting college days, Art and Sam left to join Art's sister, Kay and her husband in the Sierras.  It was a long drive to the Mammoth Lake area.

Art says it was so beautiful that it took extra long because they kept stopping to take photos.  They spied this yellow-bellied marmot that really entranced them.

Ellery Lake was spectacular!

They were able to find Art's sister and her husband quickly.  Here is Art and Kay at Gull Lake where they had been fishing.

And here they are at Twin Lakes.  The views are just incredible.  I can see why Kay and her husband love it there!

On another day, Art and Sam went to Devils Postpile which is near Mammoth Lakes.  Art says the formation is like Devils Tower.

Kay invited her brother and Sam to try fishing.

Art hasn't fished much... or at all in the last couple of decades.  Sam had never tried fresh water fishing and declined at first.  However, they convinced him to try his hand at it.

Amazingly, the fish decided to give them a good time.  I was told they caught about 50 fish and let most of them go.   I'm told they were really huge!  Hmmm... this is sounding like a "fish" story to me.  



After that wonderful experience with two patient teachers, Sam was hooked on fishing.

They apparently had a fabulous trout dinner that night.
 

Art's birthday happened to be during that time so his sister made sure they celebrated it royally.

Apparently they had so much baby back ribs that they could barely eat the cake.  But they did!  Art's sister has always watched over her baby brother.

When Art left for college, he stopped in California where Kay was working as a teacher.  She outfitted her brother with appropriate clothes for the Midwest.  Since he was coming from Hawaii with limited finances, she made sure he arrived at school looking presentable.

I've celebrated many birthdays with Art.  I was so pleased that he could have this special time with his sister.  Now Art is telling me, we need to make another trip in the future so I can see everything he's seen and perhaps try my hand at fishing also.