T on June 30th, 2012

Here in the flatlands, the San Gabriel River is little more than a wide ditch, its banks encased in concrete. During the winter, the rains will occasionally fill the channel, but the rest of the year I hardly see water in it until it meets the sea near Seal Beach. In fact, the river was [...]

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T on June 15th, 2012

Another peak to check off the list – D and I had planned on another hike to follow Mt. San Jacinto.  San Gorgonio was on the list- but I wasn’t feeling up to such a long haul.  When she suggested Mt. Baden Powell instead, I jumped on it.  I had heard good things about it, [...]

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T on May 5th, 2012

Back in February, I vowed to return to the San Jacinto wilderness and make it to the top of San Jacinto Peak. Little did I realize how soon I’d get the opportunity. As soon as I shared with friend D how great the hiking there is, she decided that I needed to return with her. [...]

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T on April 15th, 2012

It started with an e-mail from my friend D: Ok, I have some new cool things to see and do in the desert next time…check out the oasis reserve in 1000 palms…incredible..good hiking, tours, on top of the San Andreas fault….fascinating. Also some cool places in Indio…. I was intrigued. And given how many trips [...]

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T on February 20th, 2012

California never ceases to amaze me with its diversity of terrain and climate. In the course of minutes you can go from desert to mountains. Indeed, that’s what I did yesterday when visiting Palm Springs. Friend P and I took the aerial tramway from the valley up to the mountain, a 10 minute ride ascending [...]

Continue reading about Desert Getaway Part II: The Mountain

T on June 4th, 2011

It’s been far too long since I’ve enjoyed a day of hiking. So friend D and I had made plans to resolve this, putting June 3rd on the calendar weeks ago.  Our destination was the Crystal Lake area, where we planned to check out the restored facilities. We didn’t know what to expect.  I had [...]

Continue reading about Hiking Mt. Islip