Lake Jennings (#50)

Feb. 27, 2011 - It must have been a dream. I am almost positive that I had written today's hike off since  there was a crazy hail storm going down last night (hail stacked up on my car like snow) shortly before I retired for the evening. Yep - it must have been a dream. After all, we don't get weather like that in San Diego, and just look at the weather now. So here we are, Wilson and I, at Lake Jennings. Someone must have known we were coming and arranged for this magnificent greeting party of one. An Osprey awaited us, and a regal one at that! I have to apologize for unintentionally breaking the rules by driving in on the campground side of the reservoir. Since no one was present at the entry gate we drove on through and parked at Sentry Point. It was Wilson's idea - honest. From the trail head out of the campground we spied El Capitan, which brings up a bit of a side story. You see, it was four days ago, last Wednesday, that we went to El Capitan Reservoir to do the 7 mile out and back hike to Cornejos Creek. It was then that we learned the whole reservoir was gated and locked up Mon-Wed (another one of those Fort Knox experiences that we've had in the past). We created a back-up plan on the fly and drove here to Lake Jennings only to discover that it is only open to hikers Fri - Sun. As my Uncle Ed would say, rest his soul, "Fiddly Fart Francis!" Hey, I have a great idea, let's stigmatize the bees! Maybe that's why they have been increasingly absent in San Diego. Back to the trail at hand. Absolutely beautiful lake on this fine day. There were certainly more than a handful of boat fisherman on the water. About a mile or more into our walk, looking back across from the other side of a large cove, I spied something beautiful. A sleek silver 2005 Malibu.  That would be my car. My wife doesn't like it; says there's not enough room in the back seat (even though she never rides in the back seat; fortunately for me she doesn't read my blog either). I think she's jealous because it gets a million more miles to the gallon than her Suburban. Adriana, my niece, says it's cute. Whatever! Now there is a BIG difference amongst anglers. Some are fishermen, and a rare few are "catcher-"men.  We stumbled upon a catcherman along the trail. They are easy to tell. Standing up straight, puffed up chest, a big grin on the face and fish in the bucket. This particular fellow was pleased to have caught his limit of trout for the day and was heading home. I surfed the net a little to see what more I might learn about Lake Jennings and discovered that its dam was constructed in 1964 to create a water reservoir for the residents of Lakeside. (www.sdfish.com) And get this... largest fish ever caught here?    October 2004... Blue Catfish... ...are you ready? SIXTY- EIGHT Pounds!!! (www.lakejennings.org) It would seem that the frequent torrential rains we have been getting this season are putting a big dent in the drought factor here in the southwest portion of our country. It's really nice to see the water actually come up to the shoreline (and beyond). We ran into this big lot along the way. This is probably where we were supposed  to have parked.  Next time! Wilson thought this would be a great place for a picnic. Sorry pal, we still have a ways to go. Okay, okay... we can stop for lunch now (geez, never would have guessed a Bolivian walking stick could be so high-maintenance). After lunch (an apple and some almonds in case you were interested) we poked around a little bit... ...and then continued on until we came to a point where we could only travel by pavement. Eventually we turned around and... ... wait, what's that? Close-up please! OMG! Maybe it wasn't a dream after all! That's snow in them there hills! Another Great Hike! MAP

Is that an eagle? Nope... It's an Osprey. El Capitan off in the distance. Bees See the Mailibu? A "Catcher"-man caught his limit. Love that high water line! I think this is where we should have parked Great spot for a picnic Lunchtime with Wilson my Bolivian friend. Snow in San Diego.