Journal 1925 Mar 17 Was against the N.E. of Davis Yolo Co Cal. The water was very high in the creek at this time & about 8:30 P.M. we got to a place where we had to wade through the water which was knee deep but the current was strong enough to carry us off our feet. We managed to get across safely though it was rather dangerous. The next morning we started early and went about 12 miles before we reached another good camping ground. Here we found plenty of wood and water, also some game tracks near by. At noon we stopped for lunch and then continued on our way until late in the afternoon when we arrived at another fine campsite. This place had a beautiful view of the valley below and was surrounded by tall trees. After dinner we sat around the fire telling stories and playing games until bedtime. It was one of those evenings that make you feel glad to be alive. April 18 Chiles Ranch 3 mi N.E. of Davis Yolo Co Cal. This morning Frank Cates & I went over his ranch looking for a spot where we could build a cabin. We found an excellent site on top of a hill overlooking the valley. The soil is rich and there is plenty of water nearby. We spent most of the day clearing the land and cutting down some trees. It was hard work but very satisfying. By evening we had made quite a bit of progress. In the afternoon we went fishing in the creek below the camp. We caught several good-sized fish which we cooked over the fire for supper. It was delicious! After eating we sat around the fire again talking about our plans for building the cabin. Frank says he thinks we should start laying the foundation tomorrow if possible. March 19 The weather was very nice today so we decided to take advantage of it and go exploring further up the river. We took along our rifles just in case we ran into any wild animals. We walked for about two hours before coming upon a large clearing surrounded by dense forest. There were signs of recent activity here—broken branches, footprints, etc.—but nothing definite enough to indicate what kind of animal might have been passing through. While resting under a shady tree we noticed movement among the bushes nearby. At first we thought it was just a deer or elk but upon closer inspection realized it was actually a bear! It looked quite small compared to others I've seen before though still big enough to be dangerous. We quickly backed away from the area without making any sudden movements while keeping our eyes fixed on the creature until it disappeared into the woods. What a close call!