Page 1- An Introduction

Josh's friend, Eric, and I left San Diego county headed for Page, Arizona at 5am.  (Strange things happen this early in the morning.  For example, giant conch shells on flat bed trucks with guiding wide load vehicles are transported on the freeway at this time.  It was either a giant conch shell, about 30 feet long, or a UFO.  And a UFO would be ridiculous.)

After just a little over 10 hours on the road, and crossing six borders (the road meanders) we arrived at the house in Page, Arizona where Raya, Josh, Eric, and another friend of theirs, Kevin, will spend the week exploring some of what the mountain states have to offer.  

After getting settled and going grocery shopping we took a short walk from the house to see Glen Canyon dam, Navajo sandstone creations, and various wildflowers in bloom.  

My sister made me sit down but I don't think sitting made it better.  

After the water leaves the dam it will continue on for over 140 miles as it shapes the Grand Canyon.  

This is the first year that Raya's and my spring breaks have aligned.  As soon as talk of a trip with Raya and Josh began I said I was in.  I have been looking forward to it for months as the plans were dreamed up, and now that I am here I am even more excited.  

We live in a beautiful country.  

El pueblo magico

There is something magical about Tecate.  Every time I visit I notice something new, while simultaneously feeling more and more at home.  

In celebrating Jessica's birthday I promised her a trip to Tecate; after school Lisa, the birthday girl, and I were headed down south.  

The first stop was El Mejor Pan.  

We walked through parque Hidalgo, and Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, on the way to the brewery.  

Every day everyone and anyone is permitted one free beer at the brewery.  It is part of the tradition, as an employee explained to me.  

Today we had our pick of Mexican Tecate, American Tecate, Dos Equis and Tecate light.  

While drinking the tasty Tecate I noticed that the tab had the Tecate symbol on it, something that I had not seen before.  I had to ask if the symbol was new; come to find out that it is not, it is just specific to Mexican Tecate.  Other differences include the gold color (versus silver), and a 4.9% alcohol content instead of 4.2%.  

I then showed the ladies how to walk from the border to the museo, so they can visit me one time while I am working.  

There is new artwork at Casa de la Cultura.  

We stopped by the old railroad station before heading to Vinoteca, a wine bar that I have been meaning to check out for months.  

Vinoteca is incredible.  They only sell local wine, many from the ruta de vino but even more are specifically from Tecate.  

There is a deal on Wednesday; if you get a bottle of wine you are served a bread and cheese platter for free.  All of the food items, including the tapenade,are made in Tecate too.   

The wine bar is located just two blocks from the park, and has a large patio hidden from the main street.  The screen behind us is the location of an outdoor bar in the summer time.  

I cannot wait to return in summer.  

Tecate is gorgeous.  

There is so much history in this small area.  You can see this street has been here for a long while, maybe 100 years, or even more... 

I went to another place that has been on my list, Rogavios Pub (which is right next door to the bakery).

We drank some wine, enjoyed great food recommended by the owner, who sat and chatted with us (me) the entire time.  He opened the place when he was 24.  Thirteen years later he has expanded into a thriving restaurant/bar/dance club.  Every Saturday night they have salsa and bachata until 3 in the morning (and sometimes much later).  Professional and amateurs from all over Baja come to dance the night away.  I cannot wait to return.  

After visiting Tecate anyone can see why this border town has been designated as a Pueblo Mágico by the Mexican board of tourism.  

The magical element in Tecate is as conspicuous as it is ubiquitous.  

Dripping Springs Trail Crew

After work on Friday I drove straight to Dripping Springs Campground to meet some of the trail maintenance crew before heading up the Dripping Springs trail which quickly ascends to 3200 feet.  It is 5.7 miles to our campsite in the Agua Tibia wilderness.  

There is always time for a wildflower break.  

Wild peony. 

These are the largest ants I have seen in my life.  The bigger one was at least 2.5 cm.  

Most of the hike was completed in the day light but it wasn't too long until headlamps were necessary.  

After setting up our tents and getting situated we made dinner (and I drank some wine).  

Bobby was so proud of his rice cooked in sheep stomach.  

My favorite quote of the night was when Bobby said he ate bat in Cambodia.  When I asked him if it was good he said "yes it was good!  Everything is good when you are hungry".  

There is nothing better than waking up immersed in wilderness.  

Nightshade.  

There were trees and bushes to be cut, lopped, sawed and swamped.  

Bush poppy.  

The part of the trail that we were focused on was saturated in poison oak.  Somehow I got assigned to cut it and remove it from the trail.  I was so nervous about developing a reaction (and somehow I have not had one so far).  Behind the poison oak is an equally threatening plant called poodle dog bush.  

Inch worms are at least a little distracting from the poison oak removal/ poodle dog avoiding task at hand.  

I love that Mike and Clint took the time to communicate with us on their whereabouts.  

A job well done, the trail is looking pretty dang amazing.  

Blue dicks (I don't mean to offend...).

After a full days work on Saturday we continued battling the growth on the trail for just a half day on Sunday.  

After lunch I booked it down the hill to the parking lot.  We hiked about 25 miles this weekend (just 11 of those miles was with all of our gear).  It was a lot of work but completely rewarding.  It is fun to spend time with a variety of people from all sorts of backgrounds that love the great outdoors as much as I do.  

Doing work like this makes me appreciate the trails I use on a weekly basis.  They require some TLC and the people who provide it are often unnoticed.