Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail

Since school starts on Monday and Fred worked this weekend, I thought it would be fun to go out to Joshua Tree to visit my friend Jessica. She got a new place out there, 

and she had Friday night free so it worked out perfectly. 

Jessica ended up having to work earlier than scheduled today so I decided to go for a hike by myself before I made the drive back home. 

Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail is a 3-mile round trip hike to a palm tree oasis. This hike would be difficult in the heat; luckily it couldn't have been a more beautiful day in the desert. 

I was on the lookout for bighorn sheep and/or scorpions (I wasn't too picky). Although I spent the entire time looking down and up, and up and down again desert critters were nowhere to be found. 

Winter in San Diego

What wonderfully atypical winter weather we have been having! It is hard to believe that a beach day this time of year would even be a possibility (without being chilly). 

It was 75 degrees at Tamarack today, and Marla, the girls, and I took advantage of it. 

My dad and his friend John met up with us.  But as you can tell from my dad's tan, today was not his first beach day this Winter.

Growing up, Tamarack in Carlsbad was the beach we frequented most. My parents surfed and we played, about three times a week. One of my favorite things about this beach has always been the jetty. There are always organisms in the rocks worth exploring. 

Yep, a perfect day at the beach! 

Homeward Bound-ish

It was nearly impossible not to pull off the freeway on our way home to snap some shots of these amazing Saguaro cactus.  The Saguaro can increase its weight by up to a ton in water storage.  They are incredibly massive.

Teddy Bear Cholla are so cute!

After driving all day Fred thought it would be nice to go for a little hike to stretch our legs. Immediately after his suggestion we saw a sign for the Pacific Crest Trail within the San Jacinto Wilderness. It was a sign (like I said), so we knew right where to pull over.

The Pacific Crest Trail is a pathway extending 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada.  We probably walked a record minimum of it today (way less than some but more than most!).

It is hard to imagine what beauty those who have hiked the entire trail have seen.

Fred and I just can't help but take the scenic route home. 

'Not all those who wander are lost.'

Montezuma Castle

Road trip!

The whole family, dog included, piled into the car to spend New Year's Day exploring Montezuma Castle National Park (about 45 minutes south of Flagstaff).  This was one of the first four national monuments that President Theodore Roosevelt created, declaring it of historic and cultural significance. 

We weren't sure what to expect at the first stop, Montezuma Well. I was worried it wouldn't be more than a small hole in the ground, but we were pleasantly surprised. These dwellings were built 800 years ago by the Sinagua people. 

'Sin agua' means 'without water' and was given to this Native American tribe by Spanish settlers when Arizona was claimed by Spain. Archaeologists have determined that their ancestors were Hopi but have no clue as to their real name and so they just kept 'Sinagua'.

Montezuma Well has been replenished with a million and a half gallons of spring water daily, since prehistoric times. Maybe Conagua is a more accurate name?

 

Beautiful waterfront property, free of charge. 

Their houses were constructed of mud plaster and rock. We couldn't help but notice how small the doorways were, they were either really short or really uncomfortable. 

Just a few exits south of the well is Montezuma Castle. This was the highlight of the trip, one of the best preserved prehistoric structures in North America. 

The 45-50 room pueblo ruin has been a tourist destination since the 1930's. Until 1951, tourists were allowed to use ladders to climb up into the rooms. It sounds dangerous for the general public but I so want to go in!

Behind us was the location of another pueblo that was destroyed by a fire about 600 years ago. 

My uncle had no qualms about using their 1,000 year old tools. 

This is what it may have looked like during the 400 year period that they lived there, before they mysteriously disappeared.

We always have an amazing time with the Brauns, they are always up for an adventure. 

Until next time!

Prospero Año Nuevo 2012

This year we spent New Years in Flagstaff, AZ with my uncle, aunt, and cousin (KC, Holly, and Wyatt).

It hasn't snowed in over a week, so there was some bare patches, but Wyatt, Fred, and I had fun regardless. It is the perfect way to spend New Year's Eve!

After we got home we went out for sushi with some friends of Holly's, waiting patiently for the famous six foot pine cone to drop outside the Weatherford Hotel.

The New Year's Eve Pine Cone Drop has been a Flagstaff tradition since 1999. 

In my opinion, it is better than watching the crystal ball drop at Times Square, way less wait time.

Lucky for us the pine cone dropped at 10pm (New York time), and we are an hour ahead of California time, so it was easy to stay awake.

We got thirsty while we were waiting so KC, Fred and I snuck off for shots of pomegranate tequila (so good).

Happy New Year!

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. -Edith Lovejoy Pierce



Queen Califia's Magical Circle

Today Marla, the girls, my dad, and I went to Kit Carson Park in Escondido to enjoy some local artwork. Kit Carson Park is the largest regional park in the city of San Diego (300 acres). It is home to the only American sculpture garden created by the internationally renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle. 

Bullhead Totem. 

There are eight large totemic figures symbolizing various monsters, skulls, humans, and animals with various special powers.

Step Totem. 

The circular wall that surrounds the garden is decorated with beautifully colored mosaic serpents. 

Be careful when touching them however, they get HOT!

Yelling Man Totem.

The main attraction in the sculpture garden is Queen Califia. The 11 feet tall sculpture, with a golden egg inside, represents birth, death, and transformation. 

The mosaics are absolutely memorizing.