by Volecia Plafcan

Created on: August 31, 2008

About two weeks ago, my son and daughter-in-law packed the car and truck and settling my grandson in the back seat of her car, we headed to the San Jacinto Mountains by way of Hemet, California, my son, leading the way with his friend and three children.

We were to meet another daddy with my granddaughter and his daughter. Everyone had camping gear and food packed into their vehicles like sardines, along with the people.

We took Highway 74 from Hemet 'til we reached Highway 243 which led us to Idyllwild, the small town with huge art interests. But, we couldn't waste time. It was getting dark and the tents needed to be erected before then or we would find ourselves sleeping with the bears and bobcats. So, away we went to Dark Canyon which is a camping ground that attracts many people.

I wondered what could be so beautiful in the mountains in August but on the ride up, I soon found out. The trees, all kinds, were gorgeous. They had been thinned because they were getting too thick and crowding other trees. Huge logs laid about here and there. The bark beetles were bad also so I suppose that was another reason for all the wonderful stumps they found to use in the eternal flame in the pit they had going for four days.

The San Jacintos have a variety of pines - Coulter, Jeffrey lodgepole, ponderosa and pinyon to name a few. It seems so strange that the bark of the Jeffrey pine has a scent that smells fruity to some and to others, butterscotch or vanilla. There are also oaks - black and white and a variety of others. I would really like to visit again in the spring when the Manzanita tree is in bloom. I have never heard of it before, but, from the berries, jelly can be made.

But, back to the camp site. The men and my daughter-in-law had the tents up, it seems, in no time at all. There were three for sleeping, one for eating with table and chairs and screened sides to keep the bugs out and another for the bathroom which contained a chemical potty.

The children went about exploring, however there was no water in the stream because all the snow had certainly melted by then. Even so, no one is allowed in the water because of the now almost extinct yellow legged spotted frog. There are only about fifty of that species left and they want them protected.

So, it was time for dinner and the men whipped up some hotdogs for the children, who seemed to be having the time of their young lives. They were certainly a joy to watch. I really can't remember in what order we had the food

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