More Details & Highlights from Los Gatos to Las Vegas

Blogging in real time proved more difficult than I thought, (lack of regular access to internet and a proper computer).  So, now that I am home from a month of travel I'll fill in the details from my last post.

John and Chris Sands

John and I said goodbye to Chris and Lynn and departed Los Gatos, California on Sunday, April 3rd.  Thanks to both of them for their hospitality, it wasn't easy to leave California!  Our route took us south then west through the San Joaquin River Valley.  What a spectacular sight to see, over 150 miles of  food growing in fields for as far as the eye can see and aquifers running to supply both the agriculture and the cities of California.  I wish I had taken more pictures, but we were almost out of the area by the time it struck me that we had been driving for over two hours, and the magnitude food production that I was seeing around me.

Wind farm on the outskirts of the San Joaquin River Valley

At the close of the first day we stopped in the Mojave Desert town of Barstow, California.  It was well after dark and we could barely muster the energy to leave our motel for a meal.  But, following an iPhone query to Trip Advisor we opted for a stick to our ribs meal of chili relleno and enchiladas with rice and refried beans.  If you are ever in Barstow, California, (truck drivers take note), you will find good food at Jimenez Mexican Restaurant.  That, and a bit of Route 66 at night is about all we saw in Barstow.  It was just one of several spontaneous bleary eyed stops we made on our way toward Washington DC to deliver a 1995 Buick Century to sister Jean.  When morning broke we were once again off across the desert headed for Death Valley.

Road through the Mojave on the way to Death Valley

The desert was in bloom, so the long hours of driving were often interrupted by stops to enjoy the flowers and cactus and take pictures.  It struck me how vast and inhospitable this part of the country is to humans, but somehow we have found a way to bring power and water, build towns and live here.  It has a beauty and solitude I had never seen.

We had an ambitious plans for our drive on April 4th to travel from Barstow through Death Valley, see the Hoover Dam and stop for the night at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  But, seduced by the beauty of the desert and Death Valley we stopped short for some R&R and gambling.  More on that later.

It's difficult to not continually use words like immense, vast, endless, enormous, huge, but when speaking of the Mojave Desert/ Death Valley, the Grand Canyon, the high desert of Oklahoma and many of the places we drove through, those words are all appropriate.  We live in a country that is beautiful, vast and diverse with astounding beauty.  Death Valley was a surprisingly beautiful place.  It is the site of the lowest point in the United States, Badwater is a basin located there ( -282 ft below sea level) .  It also has one of the most astounding views of geological beauty from Zabriskie Point and a drive down a the Artists Way left me feeling awed and filled with the wonder at God's creation.  We could not resist stopping for a spontaneous listen to an interpretive program done by a National Park Service Ranger.  Turns out most of the land in the Death Valley Environs was owed by a mining company known for "20 mule team borax"...  After extracting most of the Borax they decided to let the land be used by the Park Service, with the exception of a couple of resort hotels and a shopping area from which they continue to earn revenue.

Me on the salt flats of Death Valley near the lowest point in the US

Salt on the flats

Driving near "the Artist's Palate on the Artist's Drive"

Along the Artist's Drive

A NPS Park Ranger tells us about the history and geology of Death Valley

John at Zabriskie Point

Looking from Zabriskie Point toward "the Matterhorn" of Death Valley

Some of the diversity of terrain seen in Death Valley

Back on the road late in the afternoon I called my friend Jonathon Sands, not the John I was driving with but his nephew.  I said to Jon, "guess where I am....., just 50 miles west of Las Vegas".  He replied, "Guess where I am?".  "I don't know, Las Vegas", I said... turns out Jon was there with his friends to watch the NCAA Basketball Final and root for Butler.  So, instead of a quick drive through Vegas we joined Jon and his friends at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino for the evening.  My first time in Las Vegas!!!

A brief summary, wow what a scene.  It was a great game, but Butler lost.  Our room was spectacular, the Bourbon was good.  I won $180 in roulette but gave it back to them at the craps table..I guess there is a reason they call it craps?  The food was great and the fountain at the  Bellagio was spectacular.  Lot's of beautiful people were there along with everyone else.  We stayed up late and had fun before we headed off in the morning for the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon.

Me, Jon and John on the balcony of their suite at the Cosmopolitan

More of our view with the Bellagio Fountain in the foreground

John enjoys a stroll down the strip

Ok, this has exhausted my blogging energy for today.  More to come, the trip from Vegas to DC in my next blog.

From The West Coast of America to the West Coast of Israel!

Wow, what a spectacular couple of weeks I have had! It has been difficult to blog because I love to share pictures and have found it tough to travel at warp speed and blog with an iPhone. Any of you reading this who have good skills on using iPhones to blog please call and give me a lesson.

That being said, here is my life in brief as of today. I'll fill in the blanks with pictures and details when I return from Israel. That's right, I spent the day on the beach in Tel Aviv today!!! What a spectacular place, what great food and what beautiful people. Zach and Debby are here, Chris arrives tomorrow and we will then travel together around the country. But, that is the subject of future blogs.

The thirty second version of my trip from Santa Cruz to Washinton DC is this. Monday to Sunday of last week we traveled over 3600 miles by car. Day one San Joachin Valley and Barstow for the night. Day two, Death Valley and Las Vegas for the NCAA Finals and a very fun night at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino. Day three, the Hoover Damn and the Grand Canyon!!, Then Gallup, New Mexico for the night. Day three, Sante Fe and on the way to climb the high point of Oklahoma, Black Mesa, spent the night somewhere near Black Mesa. I need to look at a map to recall the name of that city? Day four, to Black Mesa, Up across it to the high point of Oklahoma and down! Then off again across more cowboy country and stop for the night just outside Fort Smith, Arkansas. Day Five, a visit to Fort Smith, my mom's childhood home, a visit to Little Rock, home of Bill Clinton's Presidential Library and night in a hotel just pst Memphis Tennessee. Day six, run/drive like the wind over 800 miles in one day to Washington DC, spending the night at my friend Sandra Jean Sand's house after successfully delivering her 1992 Buick Century station wagon. Day seven, walk the Mall in Washington DC, enjoy the lovely dinner and birthday celebration that Jean made for John and me, and catch a midnight Megabus for New York City. Day eight, consult with Chris Sands on our apartment, rent a car and drive Chris to the airport, continue to Albany to drop off John and return to NYC for a long, deep sleep.

I will post pictures and related stories when I have access to a good computer. But, now I am in the Holy Land for Passover and Easter!!

From Coast To Toast

Today I had my first surfing lesson from Spencer Sands.  He was a great teacher.  We surfed in Santa Cruz which is an historic center of surfing.  On the way to the beach, Spencer explained the steps involved in finding a wave that can be surfed.  Turns out we went at high tide.  For you surfing novices, that is not good if you want to catch a good wave because waves form near the beach as the force changes direction by hitting the ocean floor and breaking across the beach.  Hence deeper water is not good for wave formation....Did I get that right Spencer?

I rented a wet suit and a board at the Arrow Surf and Sport Shop.  For those of you unfamiliar with the area, this is the recommended place to go.  It is way less expensive than places near the beach, the guys are friendly, they surf and are knowledgeable about all things surfing related.

Spencer and me ready to hit the surf

I wish I could say I was a surfing prodigy, as I had hoped, but it was only a fantasy.  I spent an hour and a half of zen filled bliss at one with the ocean, but the combination of inferior wave forms and inadequate shoulder muscles led to the inability to paddle like a bat out of hell and jump to my feet riding the wave.
However, I did master the technique for paddling the board to the spot where Spencer caught a wave and I was able to sit comfortably on the board in a rolling surf without falling off.   Spencer tells me that this is good progress for the time I spent.  I know it was good exercise.  I used muscles that I did not know I had.  I may not have gotten on my feet this time, but it was still a great experience and I have not given up hope of catching a future wave.

Really, that is me sitting on the board and looking for the perfect wave!

Alas, I had to call it a day, having expended maximum effort and reaching my "flame out" point.  We paddled in and bailed via a set of steep and wet moss covered stairs near the rocky shore, not a simple method, but I survived!

Showing Dean how "pumped" I got.

The support crew, Dean John, Chris and Josie helped us pack up our boards and refueled us with soda pop and fish tacos.  We then returned to Los Gatos to watch the final four battle it out for a chance at the NCAA Championship Game.  You must be saying, "how could your day have been more eventful and exciting".

Well take a look.

Yes, there are two firemen on the roof of Chris and Lynn's house

And that is one of two big fire trucks that arrived in response to our  911 call

It began innocently enough, the steaks were ready to grill, I was preparing the salad, but as the fire was being lite in the fireplace, the creosote in the chimney ignited, an unfriendly and unwelcome fire began to rage and climb to the roof.  So, we did what all responsible men do.  We called 911 and climbed on the roof with a garden house to save the house....The firemen soon arrived in support and the house remains unscathed.  The steaks and salad were delicious.  The games were exciting.  And I am going to bed with the confident feeling that I had enough excitement for one day.  Tomorrow I had back east via Route 40 or thereabouts.

Lame attempt to make a cool surfer dude gesture, sorry Spencer.

From The Great Redwoods To The Sunny Pacific of Santa Cruz

After leaving Susie's house in Portland, Oregon we headed back to University of Oregon for a quick stop enroute to the Avenue of the Giant Redwood Trees.  By chance we found the football stadium open and with a little encouragement, both John and Alex agreed to a clandestine visit on to the field!

The Duck's Home Turf

After buying more Tshirts we made it to Crescent City, CA by dark and decided to spend the night in a great old 50s/60s retro motel named The Curly Redwood Lodge.  John thinks this place should be on the historic register as a great and classic example of a well preserved 1960s style architecture, complete with all the furniture and furnishings.  I had to pinch myself to be sure I hadn't become my father for the evening.

Our car in front of room 19 at the curly Redwood Lodge

Early the next morning we were on a Highway 101 South undeterred by a mudslide that had wiped out the road just south of the Avenue of the Giants and we were rewarded with the first sight of old growth redwoods for both Alex and me.  These things are over 300 feet tall and among the oldest living things on the planet, over 1000 years old!!

We took our time to drive through the redwoods and followed a detour over a mountain ridge to avoid the washed out roads, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset (sorry no picture, it was a long day and my iPhone battery gave up the ghost).  Arrived in Los Gatos to the spectacular hospitality of Chris and Lynn Sands.

That brings me to today, April 1st, when we enjoyed a tasty mexican lunch, lounging on the deck of the house and a drive to downtown Santa Cruz where we were treated to a remarkable display of surfing and California beach culture....Humm, I think I will try some surfing tomorrow.  Spencer has offered to give me lessons and I need the exercise.

Old Santa Cruz Surfer Dude Using Green Transportation

Local Santa Cruz Hipsters

I felt a need to check out the competition in preparation for my lesson

As the day ended we headed back to Chris's for a crab dinner.  My sister-in-law Judy, Dean and Rusty joined us.  We had a great meal and enjoyed each other's company and conversation.

I have yet to move eastward on this trip, or to reach one new high point, but chill dude, this is California, don't ruin the vibe by putting pressure on me.  I will move toward those goals when the time is right.  In the meantime maybe I will enjoy a local burger?

On The Road Now

I finally got on the road!  Flew to Sacramento, CA last Friday and was met at the airport by Dean, Chris Sands.  I also joined Jim Freddo to stay at Dean and Jennifer's through the weekend.  We took at great trip to Lake Tahoe where we stayed at the historic CalNeva Hotel/Casino, previously owned by old blue eyes, Frank Sinatra!!!  I managed to channel Frank at the roulette table to win $180.  Thanks Chris Sands for sharing the lucky number 14 with me!

Dean, me, and Jim

John and Alex headed into the mine

During the weekend Jennifer gave us a fantastic tour of the local gold mines, The Gold Bug and the Priest. A truly interesting part of California gold rush history.

Jennifer in action guiding a tour of the Gold Bug Mine!

As if that wasn't enough fun, Dean let me drive his 1930 Model A Ford.

Dean, John, Rusty, Alex and me

The snow in the Sierra's is fantastic.  They have had 45 feet of snow to this point in the season.

On the road to lake Tahoe

I have now joined forces with John and Alex Sands on their college visiting trip for the final leg,... University of Oregon, a wonderful but rainy place.  Now it is back to California to drop Alex for a Friday am flight to New York.  Then John and I will head across the USA on a southern route.  I hope to touch on at least one high point during this trip and think we will see the giant redwoods today!

Thanks to Susie Sands/Anderson for hosting us last night and to Ragen for sharing a birthday celebration with us in Portland.   Happy Birthday!!

Regen, Susie, John and Alex

Home To Michigan

First a note on my failure to keep up with my posts.....Sorry.  I have been stalled on progress toward high points by winter, but I have been developing my mountaineering skills and have used the time to plan and attend to family commitments.
I am sorry to say my Aunt Jean passed away and so I attended her memorial service and visited my Cousin Terry Davis Boyda.

My Aunt Jean was a great inspiration to me, encouraging me to learn, grow and explore.  Just before she died, she wrote "if there is anything that you really want to do in life and you can afford it, do it"....Later she added "do it anyway".  She was always very practical, so that last piece of advice was a bit surprising, but I plan to follow her advice and pursue my dreams to travel and climb some mountains!

My Aunt's Memorial Service took me to Michigan.  My brother Steve did a great job in arranging it.  He and Terry had some lovely words to honor her and I did my best to add my part.  My visit with Steve and Lynn and later with Terry and Chuck was a great chance to reconnect.  Jean was the last of her generation in my family, now we are the patriarchs and matriarchs...

My visit with Terry, at her house in Marshall, included conversation, videos, a great burger at the local bar, training on eBay skills, exercise with Chuck and his buddies and jewelry shopping for Debby before I hit the road for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in pursuit of my "high point" and some time with my best friend Jeff.  I left refreshed, with a full heart and good memories of my family.  I will think of Jean whenever I take on a new adventure or pursue a dream.

Terry at one of her favorite local restaurants, they were closed :(

Cousin Terry's House In Marshall!!

Ice Climbing at Mountainfest

Debby and I, spent the weekend in the Adirondack Mountains at Mountainfest, www.mountaineer.com  The weather was "perfect", cold and icy.  We did get some snow, but it came after the day's activities were drawing to a close, so it just added to the atmosphere without complicating the climbing activities.  I signed up for two classes.  The first was Alpine Mountaineering, held on Saturday.  The second was Beginning/Intermediate Snow and Ice Climbing.  This festival happens every year on Martin Luther King Weekend.  It is sponsored by The Mountaineer in Keene Valley.  It is just the right dose of mountaineering for us "arm chair" mountaineers who are trying to move up to be real mountaineers.  If anyone has an interest, checkout the website and attend next time.  The people are wonderful, the guides and the climbing community in the area are unique, nurturing, helpful and instructive.

Saturday's Alpine Mountaineering Class was taught by Chad Kennedy, a guide from Adirondack Rock and River, www.rockandriver.com  There were just three other climbers in my group.  We had a great day learning how to travel on different terrain in our crampons, how to place anchors using ice screws and other techniques, and different ways to protect ourselves and partners using rope handling and belaying methods appropriate to the circumstances.  Chad is a super knowledgable climber with a great personality for teaching.  My fellow climbers, Mike, Andrew, Matthew, and I had a great day and found some time to explore a formation called "Buster" near the"Pitchoff" parking lots outside of Keene.

We climbed this pitch using a single mountaineering ax with our crampons

Climbing with just the single Ice Ax at first seemed difficult, but Chad hooked up a top rope anchor and we all found that it was great practice for improving our footwork on the ice.

Chad Kennedy setting up the climb

Mike Fiorentino makes it to the top of "Buster", his first ice climb

At the close of our day it began to snow heavily.  It was a beautiful site from our perch to see a soft clean layer of snow fall.  And on the way down the hill I added some comic relief by crossing the front points of my crampons and doing a somersault.  Every opportunity is a learning experience.  I won't do that again.

Each night of mountainfest has a slide show or film presentation by professional mountaineers.  Debby joined me for those activities, including a spaghetti dinner sponsored by the Keene Valley Fire Department.  Those activities and our evenings in front of the fire at the Keene Valley Lodge were great opportunities to make new friends, share stories, and absorb the thrill of the adventures that the shows described.

Keene Valley Lodge

Matthew Meadows, Steve Bowers, Debby Duffy

Pictured above, after the spaghetti dinner we spent time with Steve in his workshop talking and having a drink.  Steve is a furniture maker in Keene Valley.  Matthew is a fellow climber from my Apline Mountaineering Class and a grad student at Trent University in Ontario.

Sunday morning began before dawn gearing up and having an early breakfast before meeting my classmates and teachers for Beginning/Intermediate Snow and Ice Climbing.  The class was taught by an outstanding climber, Emilie Drinkwater and Lori who assisted her.  Lori is a buyer for the Mountaineer and is a great source of advice on buying the right gear for the right job.

(From the left, Emilie Drinkwater, Jesse, Dave, Me, Dawn (below me), Anna, Dave Heather, Katrina, Scott)

We spent the entire day climbing several pitches on Otis Mountain.  Emilie and Lori watched us and gave tips to improve our technique.  Anna and Heather were particularly outstanding climbers.

I think I am getting the "hang" of this

Heather demonstrates some impressive ice climbing skills

I'm almost "there"

The day ended at the Guide's House at Adirondack Rock and River.  I love this sport!  it is such a high and the people are great.  I learned a great deal, but I have a lot of practicing to do.  I can't wait to do it again.