LITTLE HOUSE ON A BIG LAKE

      We knew how to respond when asked, "Want to visit our  mountain cabin?" A few days later found us at 7400 feet above sea level on the shores of California's Echo Lake. It's in Desolation Valley just south of Lake Tahoe.

 

   You've got to be a tree hugger to go there. Three miles  from the closest road, you can only get to our relatives' hide-away by foot or boat. We opted for the water-taxi. 
   The cabin is blessed by off-the-grid basics that include no electrical, internet, garbage, water, or phone service. 
 
 Francesca roughing it with her siblings


 Using the outhouse was a gleeful adventure. Propane fed the stove and our water came from a spring fed by melted snow.

     Francesca and I were strongly encouraged to join a daily ritual, "The Morning Dip". That's when everyone jumps off the dock into 60 degree water. It was so cold I was able to pogo out almost as quickly as I had pogo'd in. Sunday's dip was followed by  Bloody Marys at dockside.


   The Pacific Crest Trail passes by Echo Lake. Some of the hikers are there for the day. Others were spending seven months walking from Mexico to Canada on the  mountain crest thoroughfare.

 This young woman was with a group embarking on a week-long journey.

    For a few days we able to throw off the shackles of modern life breathing cool high-mountain air. 
There were still piles of snow here and there, great for keeping the beer cold. Such are the perils of primitive living.
                ______________________





 Reflection- Francesca in her kayak