C'est le vie

DAY NINETY FOUR

Sometimes real life gets in the way of your plans. Today, I had hoped to go to Joshua Tree. I had my hike all figured out and the pictures were already in my head. I just had to get them into the camera. But life just would not allow it.

First, I went and bought something for my computer that I found on Craigslist. Then I had to configure it, start a backup and check my email while I was at it. My older son informed me he wasn't going hiking but to the baseball field so that left my younger son and I to go. By the time we got ready, so much time had passed that it was impractical to make the drive and be back in time for a 4PM baseball game. Joshua Tree will just have to wait.

Instead, I went out to where Jackson Street turns into Avenue 66 and hiked over by the Ancient Fish Traps. I figured if Indians were here, they had to have trails so I set out to find some.

I wasn't long until I found some semblance of trail. I don't know if it is ancient or made by Native Americans but it is here and I just can't say no to a trail I've never done.

The trail becomes impossible to follow as I get into a bunch of rocks but I think I'm going to aim for that little saddle since that seems to be the obvious place to go.

I guess it wasn't only obvious to me as I pick up the trail once again.

The area up here is laden with trails and the remnants of some stone walls or possibly wind shelters or hunting blinds.

There are lots of little trails that go every which direction and I spend some time following them around.

One interesting thing is this area that is cleared and laid out with lots of quartz. It's like some kind of dance floor or maybe just a nice place to sleep for the night.

As I get up a little higher I am able to see the pattern of some of the trails below.

I also spot this trail leading to the West. Hmm, I wonder where this goes?

It heads across the hill and on to another trail. The area has a weird feel to it because there is a constant buzzing sound, like a low hum, the whole time I'm up there. I keep looking around to see a bee swarm or tons of flies or something but there is no explaining it. It sounds to me like the sound of power, of electricity, and it is kind of eerie. Not scary, just odd. I can honestly say I have never experienced anything quite like it.

I keep following the trail, which is wide in spots and in other places has bushes growing in the middle of it. Obviously, this is a VERY old trail. I can spot it across the way and continue on.

One last hill to climb and we'll see where this goes.

The trail starts going down toward this cove area. I can imagine what this looked like when the ancient Lake Cahuilla licked the shoreline here. It must have been like an ancient Rivieria. It had to be beautiful to behold. The trail obviously went down to where the water was and then went up the other side somewhere. I won't be able to find out where this trail goes or if there is another trail somewhere beyond. At least I won't be able to do it today. I have a baseball game to go to.

Blowin' In The Wiind

DAY NINETY THREE

I'm always looking for new places to hike. I don't mind doing the same hike over and over again; I just don't want to write about it, so I try to change it up a little.

This morning I was back at the Coachella Valley Preserve, one of my favorite places to hike. I've done all the oases, explored the Moon Country and visited the pond at the McCallum Grove but I figure there's gotta be something else I haven't done.

Looking up on the hillside, I see my destination for the day. (Click on the photo to enlarge it and you'll see it, too).

I start on the trail to the McCallum Grove always keeping my eye on the prize.

Who comes up with these signs? What they should say is, "Don't cut through here. Six rattlesnake bites recorded in this area". That'd stop 'em.

Before you get to the McCallum Grove, stay to the left where all the sign tell you to go right.

Just past the home there, go left.

From here there is only one way to go, straight up!

As I get to the top, the terrain is loose rock and sand and the wind is screaming! In order to stay up I literally have to put my hands on the ground and crawl up the hill. If I let go, I am sure I will be blown all the way back to the car.

And it's a long way down.

The cross is probably eight feet tall and guyed with wires. If it can withstand this wind, it is not going anywhere. Gusts were probably over 50 MPH.

I am NOT going down the way I just came up. I look for another way and find this little trail but it peters out.

I wander around until I finally make it to where I can see the road that leads back to the parking area and the oasis.

How many roads must a man walk down?

I come upon a strong water flow from the oasis but I've got a bottle in the car so I pass.

A quick left, hop a fence and I'll be back where I started.

I am constantly amazed by the amount of tourists that visit the natural places in the Coachella Valley. On most days, they far outnumber the locals. I don't know if people living here are too busy or just too lazy to come out but they're missing out on the best time of year in the greatest place on earth. Pretty soon, it'll be hot, the tourists will be gone and I'LL be the only one out there.

At least it won't be windy.

Car Crash Canyon

DAY NINETY TWO

With the bottom of Carrizo Canyon closed, I decided to see if I could get to the middle of the canyon without having to hike all the way down from the top. There used to be trails that went up the hill where Highway 74 now goes and I'm wondering if I might be able to find one.

I drive part way up Highway 74 and park near this big long turn. There aren't many places to park on this stretch of the highway so you take what you can get.

I head over to the guard rail and start to make my way down the steep, loose, rocky hillside.

I quickly realize that I've picked up a hitchhiker.

Going down the hillside I see this vehicle that was probably last seen by its owner when he dropped it off at valet parking. I wonder, "Did I set my parking brake?".

For the second time in two days I see a wayward hat. If I needed a hat I might venture down to get it but I'm good with hats right now.

I make my way down to the canyon and while it's not Carrizo Canyon maybe it'll lead me where I need to go.

No luck going this way. The canyon is totally choked with bushes that scratch and I wore shorts today. I've given blood before so I don't need to do it today.

This way doesn't look any better.

I look down canyon but all I can see are steep cliffs, loose rocks and certain death.

I make my way up the hill and try to find another possible route but I stumble upon this instead.

Someone got very artistic with this. Maybe one of their kids painted these.

I look around some more and while I spot a trail WAY below me, there is no getting to it from here. I will just have to find another way, another day.

I walk back by the stone wheel and wonder why someone decided to build it here. All I can think is maybe they were inspired by the sounds of car tires on the highway.

Cache Me If You Can

DAY NINETY ONE

Hiking every day brings several rewards . There's the joy of just being outdoors, the thrill of discovering a new place, the pleasure of strenuous physical challenge and the excitement of setting a goal and meeting it. One of the greatest rewards, however, is meeting new people. On Monday, when I did the Lykken Trail hike, I met a couple of gals from Canada. They were heading up the trail to find a geocache and leave a little stuffed beaver in it.

For those unfamiliar with geocaching, it is like a high tech scavenger hunt using GPS to find locations and the internet to share where those locations are. People bring little trinkets and toys to leave in the geocache and take a toy or trinket with them.

After meeting these Canadian ladies, I got curious about where there might be some of these caches in my neighborhood. I was quite surprised to discover there are TONS of them. So I picked one, printed up the directions and went hunting. Nikolas loves an adventure, so he came along.

I don't have a regular hiking GPS (I've never seen the need) so I used the one from the car.

One of the waypoints on this trip are these water tanks. I'm on the right track.

I came upon this very rare Desert Hat Bush in full bloom. The hat was actually my size but I'm sure someone will be back for it. Besides, I'm looking for another treasure.

I get to my next waypoint, this Bighorn Sheep sign and am surprised to discover the cache is not up this trail, as I'd originally thought.

It's behind us, up this hill.

There it is, hidden under a big pile of rocks. It was really pretty easy to find even though I've hiked by it a thousand times.

Nikolas digs it out of the rocks. Let's see what's inside!

There's not a lot of treasure here. Some trading cards, a few coasters, some toys and pens. Nik asks if he can throw the "Hello Kitty" off the mountain but I tell him no although I kinda wish he would.

We decided to leave something someone can actually use. Someone with an iPod, that is.

Nik takes a little rock shaped superball

And let's the whole world know how cool finding treasure is.

We pack everything back up and put it back the way it was. A treasure for someone else to find.

On the hike back, we see these bees just starting to build a hive. Nik asks if he can throw a rock at it but I tell him no although......

We also spot this hummingbird just kicking back enjoying the afternoon.

You never know where you're going to find a treasure, or if you are, but the fun is in looking for it and discovering treasures and pleasures you never imagined.

Oh, to my friends and family who read my FaceBook post and think I sprained my ankle and will be changing my blog to Hobbling Every Day: Happy April Fool's Day.

For more info on geocaching and where to find geocaches in your area, go to: geocaching.com