Eascape the Heat, Part II

Living in Sacramento, California, one knows I will have more than just one "Escape the Heat" story.  This is Part II for 2013.

Yesterday, it was triple digits temperature; hence, where could I go?  I opted for Mosquito Lake, around 8 or 9 thousands feet in elevation.  With the previous report from Fish Whisperer and the fact that California Department of Fish and Wildlife had been planting plenty of trout in the lake for the past few months made this location appealing for a revisit.  Number 1 was in Las Vegas; numbers 2 & 3 had movie plans; thus, JU, Mrs. Miracle, Monk, Master Fisherman, and MT took the trip.

We left town around 11 am.  Our first stop was at Micky Dees in Angels Camp for a quick potty break and to-go food.  Our destination would have no foods unless one could catch ones own food and bring something to cook it with.  I was in the van waiting for Mrs. M and the kids to come out.  All the windows in the van were opened because Angels Camp was not located at a high enough elevation for cooler temperature.  Shortly, a utility truck pulled up and parked beside the van on the passenger side.  I was busy adjusting my GPS holder that fell off the window because the heat dried up the moisture that was keeping the suction to the window.  A few minutes later, a man with a cap looked through the opened window on the passenger side and apologized to me about leaving his engine on while he went in to buy a drink.  He explained that the heat generated from his vehicle would caused me discomfort; however, it would have been worse had he turned the engine off and had to turned it back on causing more diesel fumes exhaust from the start up.  Outside the urban city environment, it appeared that people were more friendly.  Remember the couple that fixed my bumper for 60 bucks from "Escape the Heat, Part I"?

Back on the road again.  We proceeded up the windy State Highway 4.  I was tempted to stop by many fishing locations along the route, but did not.  All avid fisherman know how difficult it was to restraint oneself from the siren calls of the fish.  After all, this was an escape the heat trip, not a fishing trip :-(

Six miles from our destination, we did another potty break because this was the point of no return.  In other words, city dwellers should have their own portables :-)  It just happened that I marked all the previously visited public restrooms on my GPS.  These locations came in handy.  Conveniently, this potty break was next to Lake Alpine.  My will power would not have been enough to resist fishing at this lake.  However, yesterday, it appeared that everyone had the same idea about escaping the heat.  The parking lot was full and people used any empty spaces along Highway 4 that could accommodate their vehicles as parking stalls.  I saw people hiking, fishing, swimming, and boating.  That was the most people I had ever seen at Lake Alpine, or for that matter, anywhere along my my mountain fishing holes.

"Are we there yet, dad?"  Fortunately, I was able to answer, "...very soon."

Mosquito Lake was just another 6 miles farther.  Actually, I should say Mosquito Lakes because there were Upper Mosquito Lake and Lower Mosquito Lake.  These two lakes were separated by a small concrete dam.  One could walk from one lake to the other with ease.  Just as I remembered, the parking spaces were plentiful.  Temperatures were in the low 70s.

Waterfall separates the two lakes - Compliments of the Fish Whisperer

As soon as the van was parked, the kids immediately walked across the Highway to get to the Lake.  Traffic up in the mountain was sparse.  One could hear approaching vehicles before actually seeing them.  The kids occupied themselves with wading, shooting sling shots, catching and releasing baby trout.  Mrs. Miracle read while I fished.  The fish were jumping all over.  Fishing from 3 pm to 5 pm with one functioning pole using Orange Power Ball, I landed 3 trout; I lost 3 near shore.  (Note to self: dull hook needs sharpened.)  Had it been early morning or a couple of hours later, I would bust out the Kastmaster and had limits within fifteen minutes top!

Mosquito Lake, Lower

"This is fun."

Mrs. Miracle

Do you see anything moving?

"There, get it boys!"

Fresh mountain trout.

I came home by way of Markelville and the Mormon Immigrant Trail Rd.  The trip was long and arduous driving wise, but the view was breath taking.  And can't get enough....  To top it all off, on the drive home, MT said: "Daddy, I had fun today."  The boys chimed in with their agreement.

I am blessed.  God loves us all.

The Origin of Mrs. Miracle

While opening the envelope containing her California Lifetime Fishing License, she was accidentally cut by the paper containing radioactive toxic substance bonding the envelope together.  She felt light headed and woozy, but miraculously she did not pass out.  Instead, when the initial shock to her system was over, she gained super powers of being able to miraculously predict when and where JU and the Miracle Kids will be fishing and their ETA for home.  Darn, how did she know that?   While fishing, she was known to bark: "Fish on! Everybody, out of my way.  Nobody touches my fishing pole!"

Walker River 2010

Horseneck Clams, Butter Clams, and a Summer Sham

Weather at Doran Beach

Here in the Capital of California, the City named after the Blessed Sacrament, the weather is forecasted to be above 100 degrees for the next couple of days.  After all, the official date for summer, 21^st of June, has past.  The last few days spent at Doran Beach, 120 miles driving distance west of Sacramento, it appeared like the summer will never come.  It was rainy, foggy, and wet the majority of the time; the first time in my camping experience of over 20 years where we couldn’t get the camp fire going.  The warmest day was around low 60 degrees.  But looking on the bright side of things, like all superheroes do, it was not Blow-Dega Bay.  There was hardly any wind, so the shade canopies stayed up the entire time without being blown away.

Look, ma: no wind!

Since there's no wind, let's put both canopies up.

Accommodation

This is my second time digging for Horseneck and Butter clams and my third time camping at Doran Beach.  The past two times camping at this location, the wind exceeded 20 miles per hour.  Although our tent withstood the wind, the noise from the wind was to be reckoned with.  This time, I decided to try sleeping in a seven-passenger van with 2 adults and 5 children for two nights.  Have you heard of the story of a Great King, who chose to abandon his castle for a tiny manger?  Two nights in a van with seven have enriched my experience and appreciation for that truly Great King.  Below is a picture of four kids inside the van.

Move over, where will the other three sleep?

The Tools

Staying warm, dry, and eating well was the key to a successful camping trip as I learned from my friend in Rhode Island.  Digging for clams at Doran Beach required pretty much the same things with the addition of the following items: waders, long handle shovels, pvc tubes, knap sacks, scooping tools (metal bowls would suffice), and a couple of 5 gallon buckets with covers.  There were so many ways of digging for clams.  The hardest part was recognizing where they resided.  They buried themselves anywhere between 18 inches or DEEPER!!!  I don’t believe I caught one above 18 inches.  It was an exhilarating experience, but at the same time I do not recommend it for the faint of heart.  You must first wander around looking for the mouth of the clams, or water squirting out of the holes that the clams were hiding.  Once found, you start digging and don’t bother reaching down and feeling for the clams until around 18 inches deep.  It will take a few observation trips before you get the hang of it, unless someone shows you.  Fortunately, Team United, Inc. has Grand Master Fisherman who did all the initial work and showed the rest of the team how to do it right.  We were all successful.  The added bonus was the crabs that were crawling around. All you had to do was pick them up!  Wahoo!

Uh, who's looking for the clams?

You need super powers to carry all the tools.

The Captain

Jetty Master and Young Buck

The Wiz and Master Fisherman

Team United, Inc.

The Lessons

I learned so much from these two clam-digging trips that I can write a book on the subject.  It was hard back-breaking work.  To be successful, you must be willing to get muddy.  It is best to work in pairs. While one digs, the other can scout the locations of other clams.  Good thing there are hot showers available at camp for $1.50 in quarters :-)

Grand Master Fisherman

At the Henny Penny restaurant

The Rewards

Finally, you have to know how to prepare the meat so that you can preserve it for future consumption.  The first trip, I gave all of my catch away not knowing what to do with them.  This time I kept some to try out recipes.  I had three Butter clams today for dinner and they tasted great.  But then again, I am a “see-food” eater; I am blessed with an indiscriminating taste bud when it comes to the food I see.  I have been told that I am not a good food critic.  I wonder why?  Today I cooked a few clams with my preferred method for cooking, which is to bake at 395 degrees.  I put the clams in the oven until the clam shells opened.  I scraped away the visible black parts and ate the rest with green Tabasco sauce and lemon.

Butter Clam

Good with lemons 

We didn't catch this apple pie, but it goes well with the clams!

Have a blessed day!