Since I was a little youngin strapped to my Dad’s back, I have been raised to love and appreciate the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This infatuation with the Earth did not begin with me but was planted in the hearts of my four Uncles the day my Grandpa Ted retreated to Sardine Lakes over fifty years ago. Around the time that my Grandpa Ted and Grandma Joan divorced, my Grandpa thought it would be a great idea to spend some quality time with the boys in the great outdoors. What began as a fishing trip, turned into a yearly pilgrimage to the mountains. Sardine Lakes became the annual family reunion to connect us all back to each other and to our ancient Earthly roots.
“Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way” has become the unofficial slogan for the Sardine Crusaders. A wolf pack was brought to life when shirts were created with this slogan imprinted on top, followed by a ginormous list of activities completed by these mountain-loving humans.
SPILLWAY SURFING – TRAMPING THROUGH MANZANITA – CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST – HOWLING LIKE WOLVES AT THE MOON – SINKING THE BOAT IN SAND POND – TARP SLEDDING – ACAPELLA AMERICAN PIE – DOWNIEVILLE DOWNHILL – HORSEBACK RIDING – CLIMBING CRACKED ROCK – CATCHING SNAKES – BREAKFAST AT BASSETTS – FISHING – WATERBOX HUMMING – DUCK TOSS – GOLFING IN GRAEAGLE – 18 HOLE TEQUILA SHOT – GOLFING – LAUNCHING THE POTATO GUN ACROSS THE LAKE – BULLFROGS – OFF-ROADING ANYWHERE – FROSTEES – CAMPFIRES – CLIFF DIVING AT UPPER SARDINE – NIGHTTIME FRISBEE – WIFFLE BALL – DINNER AT THE LODGE – SQUEAKING – BEER RUNS – MIDNIGHT RAFTING – SLIDING DOWN THE LOOKOUT RAILINGS – FIREWOOD RECON MISSIONS – SARDINE LAKE BIRTHDAY CAKE – BLOODBATH FISH KILLING – TEQUILA TUESDAY (NEVER AGAN THURSDAY) – MARSHMALLOW WARS – HIGH CENTERING THE SUBARU – COCKTAILS AT POOR GEORGES
Click on the links below to access different years at Sardine Lakes: