Hiking with the Herds

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FOUR

There are days when my hiking choices are limited; today was one of those days. I had to take the kids to school and then only had a short bit of time before I had to head to work. On days like this, when I have to hike a trail I've already done before, I try to mix it up a bit but doing a different combination of trails or canyons. It's boring but even a boring hike is better than most other activities in life.

I went to where the herds hike, behind Target, at the Bump and Grind trailhead. Instead of going up the B&G trail--which to me is a mall walk--I went south along the Hopalong Cassidy Trail. Considering the amount of money they've spent on these trails I would think there might be better signage here.

This is probably one of the best made trails in the desert. It's too bad so many people go the other way on the trail because this way is so much better.

It's not only because of this beautiful rock garden along the trail.

The trail is a single track all the way and is suitable for all members of the family whereas Bump and Grind is just a road.

Also, Bump and Grind doesn't have any of this fantastic hiking art along the way.

I should be careful when I ask for better signage because on some trails there's a tendency to overdo it. On the Herb Jefferies Trail, there are probably eight signs in 1/4 mile from the parking area to the trail.

I hike up the hill again and back to the crowds. A proper trailhead here would do well to show people what other trails are available. I think if people knew, this place wouldn't be nearly as busy.

Communication Breakdown

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND NINE

People often say that communication is the key to a successful marriage. If that's the case I have no idea how I've been able to stay married to the wife for over 21 years. Even after all these years she's still unable to read my mind and divine what I have planned. It gets very frustrating.

Today my son, Nikolas, was still sick and needed to be cared for. On Thursdays, the wife goes to a women's prayer meeting--to pray for forbearance, I'm sure--but I figured that today she'd know I needed her to come home and watch Nik. I had a great hike planned. At no time did I actually tell her this but I imagined she'd instinctively understand that she was needed. Women are usually good at this. Or, at least the try to make us think they are.

Since the wife is seriously lacking in her mind reading skills I am forced to hike at the only time I have left, after dark. I really don't mind it; I just don't want to do it all the time but with the time change and it getting dark so early some days there may not be any other option.

This sign is pointing to another trail but I'm sure the one I'm going on is also open.

I'm glad there are lots of signs like this but they really should be reflective.

I climb up the trail and get to where I can look down at Target. The great thing about hiking in the dark is that I am the only one on the trail. Come during the day and it has more traffic than Highway 111.

I was enjoying the howls, yips and cries of some coyotes on my way up but that got old quickly. After a while they just sounded like a dog in the neighborhood that would just not shut up. I wanted to throw rocks in the direction of their incessant vocalizations but they were a bit too far away. Instead I turned on the iPod and enjoyed Astral Weeks by Van Morrison.

And as I make my way up the trail the lyrics fit the moment.

You breathe in, you breathe out

And you're high on a high-flying cloud

Wrapped up in your magic shroud

As ecstasy surrounds you

This time it's found you

One Happy Pup

DAY ONE FIFTY ONE

Our pooch, Kahlua, has become a hiking fiend. She LOVES to go hiking with me. Yesterday, when I was getting my pack ready to go on my hike, she started jumping up and down against our sliding glass door like some crazed kangaroo. I thought for a minute that she might break through. Unfortunately, I was unable to take her yesterday because I was going to 1000 Palms and it is a nature preserve; no dogs allowed.

Today, I was not going to disappoint her again. Since we've pretty much covered all the trails available to dogs here in La Quinta, it was time for a road trip all the way to Palm Desert. I don't think Kahlua has ever been that far so she was very excited. So am I. The entire hike is in the shade since the sun just set behind the hill.

We head over to the Homestead Trail because this is a trail where you are allowed to take your dog off leash. Kahlua hates the leash.

Before we head off, we make sure we get a poop bag. Thankfully, I won't need it.

These steps are the only steps on the whole trail. I don't know why they're here but I guess to help keep erosion at bay. If nothing else, they're a cool way to start.

Up the trail a hundred yards or so is the picnic table and water fountain. You know that saying about leading a horse to water but not being able to make them drink? The same holds true for dogs.

Kahlua can't really figure out which trail to take. Too many choices.

We look down on the long and winding trail. I bet trail makers get paid by the foot.

We encounter three hikers with three dogs and after sniffing one another we go our separate ways. OK, we left the sniffing to the dogs but they all passed inspection.

We see another couple of hikers with a dog below us. In all, we saw seven hikers and five dogs on our little excursion. Every single one had a smile on their face.

We make our way all the way around to the Herb Jefferies Trail. This isn't a trail split; the little trail to the left leads into a canyon I call El Baño Canyon. I'll let you figure out why.

We drop down the Herb Jeffries Trail and walk back to our parking area along the flood control ditch. It's not a pretty way to finish a hike but I think Kahlua is tired and will appreciate the flat ground. This is the longest hike she's done; she'll sleep well tonight.

It used to be that you could take your dog on almost every trail here in the desert but they've become quite restrictive due to the Bighorn Sheep. But if you're looking for a good place to hike with your dog in the desert, this is probably your best bet. Kahlua loved it.

Physical Therapy

DAY ONE HUNDRED AND NINE

I called in sick today for the first time in years. I've had to call off due to one of my kids being sick but not for myself. I was reluctant to do it but I had to for two reasons.

1. I am sick. Rest is what I needed more than anything and that's what I did today. I slept, sat around and consumed a lot of fluids. I feel a lot better than I did this morning.

2. I don't want to make others sick. I really hate it when sick people think they need to tough it out and show up at work, spreading their infection to all the healthy people who should be at work. Sick people should stay home! So, that's what I did.

By this afternoon, I felt well enough to go on a hike. Well enough thanks to ample doses of Advil®, Sudafed® and Chloreseptic®.

I headed to the Palm Desert Hiking Park and today I actually felt well enough to drive myself. Besides, one hike every ten years or so is probably enough for my wife.

I've never been up Fox Canyon so I might as well check it out. It looks pretty flat and that's perfect for me today.

Doesn't look real fascinating but you never know.

Looks like someone's been here camping.

And someone's been here digging a big old hole in the ground for some reason.

I get to this dry fall that I have to go around. As I stand considering my options, I hear a sound and wonder what it is. It only takes a second to figure out it's me, wheezing. I certainly feel better but no one said I'm well yet.

Thankfully, the dry fall is not too difficult to surmount.

As I look further up the canyon, it doesn't look too great. My legs are scratched up enough already so I am not going this way.

I decide to exit the canyon and head up this ridge.

It's a good thing I did because I quickly hit the trail.

Which I follow around until I hit the Herb Jefferies Trail and head back to the beginning and home. There's a spot on the couch that has my name on it.

Too bad I don't have a soft cuddly bunny to make me feel better. I guess I'll just have to snuggle up with the wife instead.

Get me to the Church

January 15

Day Fifteen

There are a ton of new trails in Palm Desert.  So many, in fact, that I don't know the names of all of them.  Today I hiked one of them, a short one.

One of the difficulties in trying to hike every day is that I have a life.  Kids, wife, job, bills are part of my every day existence.  So are stupid little responsibilities like going to the bank.  People hate bankers these days and for good reason.  Bankers have played a major role in screwing up our economy and in the end we are the ones who are going to pay for it.  I hate bankers because they almost made me miss my hike today.

It's a long story but I waited for over a half an hour and still never got the five minute task that I was waiting for completed.  Since I was on a very tight schedule today I left before being helped. Too bad I can't bill them for a poor service fee.

Some of the new Palm Desert hikes start at the Cahuilla Hills Park.  It's not really much of a park and I always think of it as the park near the little church near the mountains.

This church.

Can you tell this city is run by old people?  Do you think there's anything else they could disallow at the park?  Oh wait, if you go to the City Clerk you can get the full list.

So this is the trail I pick today.  

It heads up a hill until I reach a place where the main trail goes to the left.  I go to the right.

It takes me to this little canyon and I can only get so far before I have to head back.  Another adventure for another day.

Nice views looking east over Palm Desert.

Chuparosa is starting to bloom.  In another couple of weeks both it and the brittlebush will be in their full glory.

Here's another trail to try next time.  Now will somebody tell me who Gabby Hayes and Herb Jefferies are?