While memorial weekend at our cabin in Serene Lakes admittedly didn’t bring a lot of tearful memorializing of our men and women serving our Country, it was celebrated the way so many American’s celebrate: with family, barbecues and food. A few of the kids brought friends up which brought our numbers to 16 for the three-day weekend. Often we’ll take a hike to the self-named Chaucer peak south-east of our place, but this weekend’s hike took the road less traveled up Palisade Peak with spectacular views in 360 degrees, including the American River Canyon to the South, Castle Peak to the North, Devil’s peak to the west, and Serene Lakes (and our cabin) to the east.

I experimented with my relatively new Canon DSLR under Friday night’s full moon.

I have many pictures of Les sitting in “his seat” at this counter, but somehow this one’s special to me.

Kaitlyn (center) with her friend Alana (left) and Michael Potter on our hike

Palisades peak hikers L. to R.: Mike, Michael Potter, Patrick, Jody, Kaitlyn, Lisa, Page and Emily (back row,) Lauren, Wyatt and Alana.

Lisa, Alana and Kaitlyn

Koda and Mike resting

Patrick, Kaitlyn, Alana, Steve and Michael

Hiker beauty!

Steve and Lisa discuss which route to take.

Palisades peak

Most of the group above Lake Dulzura and our cabin (just to the left of the trees in the center