Just a bunch of dirty hippies

We're awake to a new day. The temperature is dropping but still beautiful, almost everything is packed in the van, we are almost outta here! There is a feeling of accomplishment in the air as we get going today. We came up here to work and get stuff done...we have done just that. Along the way we have also made some great friends with fun and everlasting memories. It's definitely changing into Fall but it's been a great Summer!

We decided to take one more walk through our amazing Summer Home for thank you's and good-bye's...this land has been more than awesome to us! We walked over to the "new knoll" that we never moved over to and talked about staying there if we were to come back again. As we were strolling, chatting and taking it all in one last time we spotted "Wendy" in a new spot so we walked over to say a morning hello to Jenn & Johnny.

We sat and talked with them for a bit, talking about a million places we could go from here. They are like our very own information kiosk in the woods! haha They're awesome! There was talk about meeting up at Shaver Lake but we still had a lot to get done, so no plans, but if there was time left in the day...why not!? And we know Savannah won't have a problem with that...as long as her new 'boyfriend' Johnny is there...

[caption id="attachment_1129" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Such a whore![/caption]

We got back to the van and broke out into major work mode. We tied up all of the loose ends from yesterday, repacked some things and two hours later we were ready to rock 'n' roll!

[caption id="attachment_1130" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Driving away[/caption]

We had a bunch of garbage to dump and some things to return to people but we were still able to get everything into Joon Van and get on with our day! It was weird to see the spot vacant of all of our 'crap', no bags, no kitchen, no lulu lounge, no chairs, no 'Bug hunting...just the woods, just as it was before we got here in July.

[caption id="attachment_1131" align="aligncenter" width="300"] That's just weird[/caption]

We said our good-byes to SoulRaven & Bob. Miss Cherry had also jumped ship and had left a couple of days ago...and yes, we got to say good-bye to her. After dumping trash and refreshing our water we figured we would go meet up with J & J at the lake, it was still pretty early in the day and it was soooo beautiful...Let's go!!!

[caption id="attachment_1132" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Aye thar' maties![/caption]

We had a great rest of our day, totally relaxing, stress-free and with great friends. How much better can you get? Even though it's a nice temperature outside (nice enough to wear your 'kini) the water is still pretty chilly so we just chilled outside in the sand and in Wendy. Wendy is the ultimate beach van, almost like it's made to be on the sand! We played with the dogs...Rain is such a goof with her sticks and this time I think she was playing with an entire tree!

[caption id="attachment_1133" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Silly girl[/caption]

As the day went on, much fun was had; a million and one conversations, suntanning, sunburning, juggling, laundry, fetching, pictures, goofing, laughing, watching horses, watching the boats, Sweetarts, hunting dogs...lots of memories being made.

[caption id="attachment_1134" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Double Trouble[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1135" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Me & my girlfriend![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1136" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Hunting Weirdos[/caption]

 Jenn & I had been talking about showers during the day. I said if she went in, I'd go in...or we could go together (into the lake)...she wasn't going for it, a little too chilly! She said that Trish told her there were quarter showers around here somewhere and she had tried to find them a week ago but never found them. Of course, we had to go on an adventure to try to find them again! Even though the sun was just beginning to set we started on our million mile hike! haha Okay it wasn't that long but it might as well have been. We walked in the sand, in the silky mud, up rock walls, down rock walls, through campsites...by the end of this we could be tour guides to the entire Shaver Lake area! As we were walking through the silky mud field Jenn spotted 7 Deer, they were just chillin', so calm and beautiful. I love moments like that.

[caption id="attachment_1137" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Lucky 7[/caption]

As we walked and laughed ourselves silly we saw numerous wood carvings of mostly Bears and Eagles, a big fish cleaning station, truckers that don't wave (how rude), campers sitting by the campfire, and asphalt that seemed like it was never going to end!

[caption id="attachment_1138" align="aligncenter" width="225"] "We're at your bears, come pick us up!"[/caption]

 We finally arrived at the Ranger Station or front entrance to the campsite we had been walking in...er, staying in, haha. We told the guard that we had heard a rumor that there were quarter showers around here somewhere! After a little schmoozing...okay, lying about being campers there, he took a map out and showed us where to find them.

[caption id="attachment_1139" align="aligncenter" width="300"] NOT my blood! Gross![/caption]

Where do you think they were? At the fish cleaning station that we saw as soon as we hit asphalt from sand! Figures, right!? We got a hell of a lot of exercise though. We turned back to walk in the exact direction that we just came from, also a good thing we didn't have to walk farther due to the sun really starting to sink behind the trees. We finally found the hidden showers....after a little bit of investigation. I really think they try to hide them from you.

[caption id="attachment_1140" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Horror Movie or Real Life?[/caption]

Wow, what an amazing feeling; hot, well semi-hot for me, showers with running water so you can wash ALL of the soap out of your hair. It was quite glorious!

As we walked back to the boys on the beach, the sun had definitely set and the dazzling Full Harvest Moon was shining with all of her beauty and was starting to dance on the water of Shaver Lake.

[caption id="attachment_1141" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Love this time of the month![/caption]

What a perfect ending to a perfect day. We are fully packed, stocked and out of Tai Shan. We spent the last day here at the lake with our awesome friends. We are getting to witness the Full Harvest Moon together on this amazing lake in the California mountains. Everything is right, right now. I feel like things are just starting for us and how crazy that tomorrow is just a few hours away and we really don't know what's going to be waiting for us when we get up in the morning. If we wanted a life of adventure I think I have to tell myself that we have found it!

Sleep tight ya'll

 PEACE

Going to try to put a video on here...not sure if it will work. I hope it does...

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xu1jdk_94-packing-and-leaving-tai-shan_travel