some pics of our northern Cali. trip..

mtnfolk mike · Feb 17, 2009

hey folks how goes it... here's some pics from our trip north... it's absolutely gorgeous up there... the beaches and costlines are really cool, and the mountains stretch out as far as you can see... there is lots of stuff to do for the avid outdoorsman...

we had a great time, despite the weather... it was off and on rain just about the whole time... the bay area actually got more rain than we did... we got outside just about everday... lots of fishing (no fish though) and hiking... my wife's best friend has lived in the Humboldt county area for the past 12-13 years or so.. my wife lived up there for a few years too, back in the day...

now on to some pics...

we left the bay area thursday after my wife got out of work.. we crossed the Golden get Bridge right as the sun was starting to go down... we reached our destination in Arcata, around 11:30 at night... we made pretty good time.. you gotta love cuise control...

we woke up on friday morning and did some fishing.. we went to a spot called Freshwater lagoon... the spot is loaded with steelhead's and cutthroat trouts... we got some bites, but didn't reel any in.. it was cold, rainy and windy.. we were loving it...

our woods boys..

the misses and the little dude..

my wife's friend Trever, is a hardcore animal/reptile lover... she has 2 gorgeous pits, an aussie dog mix, 5 snakes(including 2 rattle snakes), and a few big aquariums...

here's the crew... from L to R.. Max(short for Maximus), Rowdy and the wonderful Nina...

here's Nina posing in front of one of the rattle snake cages.. i love this dog.. she is bad a$$, especially for being 13 years young..

we traveled farther north to reach most of the spots we went to.. there were huge herds Roosevelt Elk's all over the place... most of the big males stuck together and stayed closer to the tree lines... they were huge, with some big antlers... i stalked up as close/safe as i could and snapped some pics..

more to come..

mtnfolk mike · Feb 17, 2009

we went to one of my favorite spots while we were there.. Moonstone beach.. there is some really cool bouldering and climbing right on the beach... there is even a few top ropes you can do...

i carried my Rat cutlery Izula the whole time were there... i love this little knife.. it was either in my pocket, on my pack strap, or around my neck...

i got this Surefire E1L in a trade from a fellow member, it arrived just in time for our trip... it's a great little light.. i really like it..

we went and checked out a fish hatchery, which is located right next to the Eel river... we were going to do some fishing there, but it flowing way to fast and none of us had waders or a fly rod... we did hang out there for a few hours and have lunch...

the misses and her best friend Trever.. yes she is a girl named Trever..

some of the local wildlife..

we went to spot called Prairie Creek state park and did some hiking... it's such an awesome area.. really lush with lots of creeks and some huge trees... this spot stretches back into a place called Fern Canyon... Fern Canyon is one of the many spots in this area where George Lucas filmed STAR WARS: Return Of The Jedi... our boys were so stoked when we told them that, our little guy started calling it Wicket(the ewok) forest...
we did some major creek hoping while were there, and all got soaked.. it was a blast.. i have so many pics from this area.. these are just a few...

still more to come...

tknife · Feb 17, 2009

Great pics Mike, looks like a really cool time!

Fonly · Feb 17, 2009

Man mike that must have been a great trip, love the pics.

KuRUpTD · Feb 17, 2009

Looks like an awesome getaway and good looking family. :thumbup:
Thanks for sharing Mike.

mtnfolk mike · Feb 17, 2009

and the final pics...

we spent a good chunk of one of our days fishing at a spot called Stone Lagoon.. this was an awesome area... it's only about 50 yards away from the ocean, seperated by the beach...

the little dude is a natural... he was casting out just as far as all the adults were...

and a mandatory gear shot.... the misses always laughs at these, when she see's them..

i love this gal...

i thought this was a cool looking pic...

thanks for looking...

Mike and family...

Fonly · Feb 17, 2009

Hey mike, would mind telling a little more about the E2L? likes and dislikes?

Thanks man.

CWL · Feb 17, 2009

Yeah! And there are people who don't understand why people move to or live in CA.

I've lived in N. CA most of my life, and while I have traveled, worked and lived in 4 continents, I always consider N. CA as my home.

Great pics, thanks for sharing.

HikingMano · Feb 17, 2009

Very cool Mike :thumbup: Glad it wasn't dumping on you guys up there, looks like you were able to have a great time outside. Thanks for taking us along on your trip

I love my Izula too, absolutely great little blade. How did you like having it on the pack strap?

WILLIAM.M · Feb 17, 2009

Great photos MIKE

THANKS FOR POSTING THEM!!!!

Masteroffajitas · Feb 17, 2009

Sweet. Looks like a good time, did you get any fish?

tonym · Feb 17, 2009

Great pics Mike! Sounds like you had a blast bro!

Did you get to play with those ratlers?

Your litlle guy always looks happy, and what a contagious smile:thumbup:

j williams · Feb 17, 2009

Sweeet. That is some badass scenery bro. Looks like a place I could move to, and never leave.

Great pics, your boys are gettin big man. Mine are too. They grow too damn fast.

Those pits are sick!!! My Boxer that got killed last year was named Max, short for Maximus. Thats crazy! I miss that damn dog, he was a stud.

Looks like you all had a stellar time, swell fishing, and a sweet knife and light to boot.

I like the E1L, its a cool light. I had the E2L for quite a while and loved it. I like the 1 battery lights alot better now.... Cool Izula too man. I like the Izula alot, I just wish it was a tad bigger. Like a Game Warden.

Anywayz, Ill catch ya later bro, and look forward to gettin out there in June. We are booking our flights this week! Woohoo!!!!

stingray4540 · Feb 17, 2009

Great pics Mike, thanks for sharing! Looks like you and the fam had a great time!!!!!

I'm so jealous, I've been itching to go hiking lately. I'd ask if you wanna go hiking in the rain this week, but I'll give you some time to recuperate...

mneedham · Feb 17, 2009

MM,

Looks like a great time! Thanks.

guitardemon · Feb 17, 2009

You were up in my neck of the woods! I am currently finishing up my degree at Humboldt state. Fern canyon is one of my favorite hikes up here. Did you guys hike all the way through. Was there any ice in the canyon? It is really beautiful when the ferns get covered in ice crystals. I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves!

myright · Feb 17, 2009

Mike - that looks like a blast, bro. Great scenery, great family.

RescueRiley · Feb 17, 2009

Great pics, you have a wonderful family.... Good stuff brother.

Grampa · Feb 17, 2009

Mike, your dogs have very spooky eyes!

Looks like a great trip and a wonderful family! Thanks for sharing them with us! :thumbup:

mtnfolk mike · Feb 17, 2009

many thanks for all of the great comments so far folks.. i appreciate it..

we had a great time and can't wait to go back...

Fonly said:
Hey mike, would mind telling a little more about the E2L? likes and dislikes? Thanks man.

Fonly-- the SF E1L is a great all around little light.. i have only had it since last thursday, and so far i can't think of anything i dislike about it... the LED bulb is super bright and should last a long time, in comparison to the halogen or xenon bulbs... the aluminum body is super tough and should withstand lots of abuse...

rksoon said:
Very cool Mike :thumbup: Glad it wasn't dumping on you guys up there, looks like you were able to have a great time outside. Thanks for taking us along on your trip

I love my Izula too, absolutely great little blade. How did you like having it on the pack strap?

Russell-- i really liked having the Izula on my pack strap.. since i was just using the plastic hook it came with(which i ground down to fit in the top hole), it moved around quite a bit, but it wasn't too bad.. i think next time i'll use the tek-lok... i actually had it in my pack, just never got around to putting it on..

Masteroffajitas said:
Sweet. Looks like a good time, did you get any fish?

Master O' fajitas--- no fish were caught man... we were a little bummed, we still had a blast none the less...

tonym said:
Great pics Mike! Sounds like you had a blast bro!

Did you get to play with those ratlers?

Your litlle guy always looks happy, and what a contagious smile:thumbup:

Tony-- she has 2 rattlers and doubt she has ever handled them... i was messing with one quite a bit, just because i could, you should have heard that sucker rattling away...

the misses was getting mad.. it was pretty funny...

it wasn't this guy.. it was the smaller one she has..