Charles Schimmel's March Visit

Charles arrived about 2:00 PM on Friday March 16, 2001. This was meant to be my old friend's winter visit to experience a beautiful snow fall. Unfortunately the date kept getting pushed back and there was to be no winter wonderland at our elevation. Nevertheless we had a good time. It started with a pleasant walk down Lombardi road to get the long-drive kinks out. Then there was the NCAA March madness for some sports TV viewing. Watched alma mater K.U. defeat California State Northridge 99-75. Checked out some photos, clips, and memorabilia that Charles had brought for show and tell.

The next day (Saturday), despite not so great weather, I dragged Charles up to Bunny Flat for his first snow shoe experience. It could have been better. Lots of snow but also some falling sleet that eventually had to be called rain. We got some good if damp aerobic exercise. It was good to return to a warm dry house for an evening of chat, computer goofing (ragtime midi), and more March madness TV.

Sunday the weather had improved considerably. All but the summit of Mount Shasta was visible and the sun shone. So, it was back to Bunny Flat for a better snow shoe experience. After crossing Bunny Flat we climbed up the slope to the Horse Camp trail which begins the assent of Mount Shasta. There was still deep snow and without the "shoes" we couldn't have experienced the big white silence and great views. About half way to the Sierra Club stone hut at Horse Camp we felt we'd had enough exercise for one day and turned back, not wanting to ruin a good trek by pushing too far. Stopping at the supermarket we picked up the video of "Wonder Boys" -- how appropriate, eh. A light lunch, a good supper (thanks to Jennie), and a good movie -- just like old times in junior high age Wichita.

It was mostly cloudy again on Monday the 19th, so we stayed inside in the morning. That afternoon we took an historical walk to the cemetery to find the elusive grave site of Charles "Swede" Risberg. Risberg is infamous for being a conspirator in the "Black Sox scandal" when eight members of the Chicago team fixed the 1919 World Series. With some help we found the marker. Charles generously offered to pick up the tab for dinner out. We had a pleasant meal at the Mount Shasta Resort dinning room.

On the schedule for Tuesday the 20th was a drive up highway 97 to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge near the Oregon border. Our primary quarry was the Nation's symbol, the bald Eagle. We saw thousands of water fowl of all kinds, but no eagle in the morning. After a picnic lunch at the ranger station and a tip from one of the rangers we returned to the refuge and found our bald eagle. He surveyed his supper choices (snow geese) from atop a leafless tree. We were close enough to see every feather with binoculars, a view many times better than photo detail linked below. They are truly magnificent creatures. He looked us strait in the eye but showed no sign of leaving his perch. Our day was complete but for the drive back home through scattered showers that had held off all day.

March 21, 2001 -- my 66th birthday. Nice to have my friend of 52 years here to help celebrate. The day started off with a delicious biscuit and gravy breakfast -- phooey to health food. After lunch we drove up to Castle Lake. Lots of snow there -- maybe more than Bunny Flat. The lake is still frozen and the granite wall snow laden. When we got home it was so sunny and balmy that Charles and I got the basket ball out and shot some hoops -- the first time we've done this together in well over 40 years. Following the basketball we cooled off on the patio watching a little thunder squall move in over the mountain. Jennie fixed a super delicious birthday dinner which I've requested be duplicate every year from now on. We concluded the event with candled cake and gift opening. What a happy birthday!

Charles departed about 1:30 on the 22nd. Before he left we were able to get in a nice long walk past the Lassen home and Llama ranch, across Spring creek and up over I-5. It was a perfect day and Mount Shasta was all visible in all its snowy whiteness. A good concluding experience for the visit from a good friend.

Photos of the visit:

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