"Never Ending Canyon" Loop Hike - 02-22-12

The week we got back from our cruise, we were signed up for another hike with the "Seniors" to "Never Ending Canyon" up in the Mecca hills.   I probably shouldn't have attempted this, since I was feeling under the weather due to my cold...but just couldn't resist the opportunity for another adventure with Paul, our hike leader.   He promised an Easy hike again...4 miles, only 500 foot elevation gain.  Allan and I determined his "Easy's" are our "Moderates"...the hike was more technical than we thought.  You'll see....

Back in Mecca...just love these canyons!

The Happy Hikers...at the start.

Beginning the climb up...

...and around...

...and over...

...and through some boulders...

...now heading to the top.

I'm almost there.

That's where we're headed.

Was kind of scary once you got up there...was straight down when you looked over.  (And Allan is afraid of heights.)

But it was worth the climb...looking back onto the Salton Sea.

Our group...we all made it.  Some had a little difficulty.  Took a break at the top for water and a snack before heading down. 

I thought we would be going back the same way we came in...but Paul pointed to a very narrow trail down the side of the mountain...saying "that's the way down".  (This is where the technical part comes into play.)  One had to step very slowly and carefully...was steep, sandy, and rocky.  Remember...we're all SENIORS!

It may not look too steep from this angle...but it was.  One lady slipped and ended up sliding 'head over heels' several feet down the slope...was frightening watching her, but she ended up with only some scrapes and some bloody elbows...no broken bones.  This was her first hike that her husband had talked into coming on....it may be her last.  I tried to get her to take one of my poles, but she wouldn't.  After her fall...she did.

I'm starting my descent...the poles definitely helped brace oneself.

Once we got down...the canyons were quite striking. 

And, I got to relax and take some wildflower shots.

Quite surprised to see the flowers blooming, since it has been such a dry winter here.

Came upon another abandoned CAR?

The "Tired" Hikers at the end.  But we're still smilin', or is that a grimace.

We have 5 more hikes scheduled with the "Seniors"...our last one in May is called "Suicide Rock"...hope all goes well on that one.

Our Mexican Cruise - celebrating our 65th birthdays - Feb. 12-19

Some of you have been wondering...why no postings?  We were on a cruise to Mexico, then I got a cold and didn't feel like doing anything until now.  So...here is the review of our Mexican cruise.

We departed out of Long Beach...was a little chilly that day...as was most of the cruise.  Had planned to wear lots of sleeveless, but instead wore sweatshirts and sweaters.

The Queen Mary was beside us (permanently there in Long Beach)

Our first formal night...do we look 65?

Allan looks quite dapper, huh?  What's that animal on the bed?  (One of our favorite things about cruising Carnival...the towel animals...it's an elephant.)

Our dinner companions, Brenda and Rick from Oregon...truly enjoyed their company.  Since our usual cruise partners weren't with us, Karen & Daryl...we had to find other dinner companions.  We ate with Brenda and Rick every evening...talked about cruising (they've been on 10 so far)and where we want to go.  As always, looked forward to this part of the cruise...dining.  NOTE:  Our bar bill was much less this cruise...wonder why, Karen? 

Off the ship in Cabo San Lucas (2 days here)...Allan and I walked the wharf, and enjoyed the one warm day in the sun.

Valentine's evening...all the ladies were given a red carnation.

And, we came back to the room...and there was a monkey hanging from the ceiling.

One of the main reasons we chose Carnival...Allan loves the water slides.  (That's Allan at the top.)

And...here's Allan at the bottom.  Thank goodness the water was warm.

Another reason we chose Carnival...the dancin' waiters.  After every meal, the waiters sing and even get up on the tables and dance.  That's why they call Carnival...the "Fun Ships."

And more towel animals...hey, that middle one doesn't look right?  What is it?

Off the ship in Puerta Vallarta...

...to sip some "brews".

My actual 65th Birthday...had to take a picture for posterity.

In Puerta Vallarta, a Mariachi Band was brought on ship to entertain us.   They were fantastic!  We felt the entertainment on this ship was the best we had ever experienced.

Had a great piano bar (which we frequented)...just made me want to "tickle the ivories".   My what big keys they had!

...and some strange furniture.  Couldn't figure out whether to sit or lay down on this.

Our last formal night....love dressing up!

Couldn't keep those spats off Allan.  Rick, our dinner partner, wants to get some now after seeing Allan in them.

Every evening before dinner, we would stroll down to the main lobby, sip a cocktail, and listen to the group "Take Two" ...a Philippino couple who sang everything from Johnny Cash songs to MoTown. 

Post Cruise Comments:

We've decided we prefer Caribbean cruisin'...can rely on it being warmer there.  This is our 2nd cruise on the Pacific...and it's too COLD for me!  Was in the 60's and low 70's most days...and the wind up on deck didn't make it fun to sit out.  I like to watch the movies on the big screen, sitting by the pool, sipping a drink.  Only got to do that once...bummer!

Thanks to John & Geri for taking care of Sooki while we were gone...

...and Abby.  Think she was anxious to head back to Tahoe after realizing Sooki didn't want to play with her...after getting hissed at and swatted in the nose for a week.   John didn't have to open up the door when they were leaving...Abby just jumped through the window.

Sooki meets Abby

"Maybe I'll just stay up here on the couch (she won't know I'm here)."  Abby justs wants to play with her...Sooki isn't quite sure what to think (her ears are back).  She's only hissed her a couple times, though...alot less than when Hamilton & Kailua visited.

"Okay, I'll check to see where that big dog is.  Oops, there she is."

"Hey, don't come in the laundry room...that's where my food is...you won't get past me!"

"Okay, this looks like more my speed...you outside, me inside."

Big Morongo Canyon Hike - 2-08-12

Another Senior Center hike this week...19 of us this time...to Big Morongo Canyon Preserve located in the Little San Bernardino Mountains...about an hour from Indio. 

Was a little chilly here...about 10 degrees cooler than down in Indio, but we were bundled up and ready for hiking.  You can see the mountains in the background.  The Preserve is about one-half mile southeast of the town of Morongo Valley in the Little San Bernardino Mountains and opens at the bottom into the west end of the Coachella Valley northwest of Desert Hot Springs.

The valley below and through the canyon is where we are heading.

Was about a 6-mile trek...considered a moderate, which Allan liked.  We didn't do the entire hike to Desert Hot Springs (would have had to have cars on both ends for that).

Once in the valley...ran into this thick vegetation pathway...went for quite a distance.

The group again...we don't look like seniors, huh?  The 2nd guy on the right in the green jacket is Art...he teaches the stretch class at the Senior Center...he is 82 years old.  Amazing!

How did this get out here?  There wasn't even a road.

More Activities - our week in review 1-27 to 2-2

Another busy week...the Southwest Arts Festival was one of the big events this week-end...and it was only a block away at the Empire Polo Club's grounds.  Allan didn't want to go, so on Friday Gail and I decided we'd walk to the festival...get our exercise (after playing tennis, too)...and enjoy the fresh air.   Lots of beautiful art (out of my price range), but was fun to browse. 

Saturday, I booked our ticket to "South Pacific", the Broadway show at the McCallum Theatre.  Made me want to be in the islands.  Allan was somewhat reluctant to go, but I promised him I wouldn't sing all the songs.  (Knew them all from my high school chorus days).  What a great revival!

On Sunday, we were back to the polo grounds again for the first annual Empire Wine Festival.  Pat & Lyn Weber, friends from Washington State, were here on their annual motorhome trek through the desert...so they joined us.  Fifteen wineries from the Temecula area participated...lots of appetizers and great music...plus the wine.  What an easy way to do wine tasting.  Was introduced to a new champagne...orange flavored, but still like the almond better.

Where's that wine coming from?

Pat & Len also treated us to a fabulous Halibut dinner at our house on Tuesday evening.  They had fished for Halibut in Alaska last summer and brought some with them.  Yum, yum!

On Thursday afternoon, we headed to Palm Desert for the Chef's at the Library...Chef Andes from Roy's Restaurant in Rancho Mirage showed us how to make sushi.  Allan and I were probably the youngest attendees there...but noted how all those other "seniors" were taking notes like crazy trying to figure out where to buy all of the ingredients for this sushi recipe.  Wonder if they really will make it!  Looked like too much work to me.  But we got a taste...and it was good...plus they gave each of us a $20 gift card to use at Roy's.  That will be our next stop.

Then we were off to Desert Hot Springs for the rest of the day for their Annual Spa Tour.  If you don't know...Desert Hot Springs is famous for its natural hot mineral waters.  The waters are crystal clear and rise at an average of 140 degrees from undergrounds lakes located about 300 feet down (of course, they are cooled for use in the spas and pools).  Fifteen spas participated...and we did the self-guided tour...driving to each facility.   The Spa Tour started with a Welcome Reception at Cabot's Pueblo Museum.

The event sold-out at 750 people.  It was the place to be that evening.  So, from 5-9 p.m. we were checking the spas out.  Many spas had complimentary drinks from Hibiscus tea (which Allan didn't drink) to Lavender Champagne (which he didn't drink that either)...no beer was served...good thing... he was the designated driver.  I drank it all.  Also had appetizers at each...we were stuffed by the end of the evening.  Yes, we even were served a Lavender Cupcake.  Allan asked me, "what's up with Lavender?"  We were treated to free gifts of soaps, lotions, free massages, %'s off spa treatments, $ off meals at restaurants...it was worth the $15 admission ticket.

Some the the spas were themed...Tuscan, Moroccan, Swiss...some were famous because of previous owners like Al Capone (toured his own private room that had a bullet hole in the mirror.)  Allan especially liked the "clothing optional" ones.

Yep...we may come back to DH Springs to relax.  Hey, that's all we do now.