a reflection on Edward Abbey, poet and naturalist

Recently I have been reading some Edward Abbey publications and while he is controversial to say the least his descriptions and thoughts of our vanishing wilderness areas are outstanding indeed.
In the last few weeks I had the opportunity to witness the might and power of the wilderness and though the venues were total opposites the thoughts that came into my mind where the same.
Number one was a trip to Bear Canyon so aptly described in Philip's blog while number 2 was an experience diving the North Shore of Oahu specifically the Shark's cove area.
Normally a very placid dive spot we had 7 ft surf sets crashing into the shore.
Finding a good entry we dove around coral heads seeing a multitude of sea life in beautiful but clear water. Then came the return swim and a dive being swept through a rough channel by a power not matched by human strength. We were at the mercy of the current and only our preparations kept us safe until we were swept up on a sandy shore emerging from the water exhilarated by the "Ride" but truly humbled and thankful for being safely on the beach.
Now you might ask what that had to do with the dark canyon walls ice cold black water and yes ice covered lagoons.
The canyon displaying the passive power of the wilderness not caring what we had to endure to navigate our way safely out of its confines......and then the Ocean with its active wave sets telling us too
" YOU THE HUMANS ARE INTRUDERS, YOU ARE AT OUR MERCY! YOU CAN COME PREPARED AND ENJOY OR YOU CAN JUST COME AND MAYBE EVEN PERISH.... WE THE OCEAN AND WILDERNESS DON'T CARE, WE WILL BE THERE LONG AFTER YOU HAVE GONE!"

Back to Sin City aka Las Vegas

You might ask WHY are we who really are not LV fans spending our time there. Well here is the reason. Wynne's Encore sent us a letter that we were so special they would give us FREE ROOMS for up to 3 nights at this brand new Casino Resort.
So being ever the suspicious one I checked it out and guess what I got the room at the times we wanted. (REALLY FOR FREE!)
So off we went got the room and met with our friends Bob and Linda who are almost locals there and with them we had 2 marvelous dinners. One the best Thai food I have ever had in an area that is so dumpy that the uneducated tourists would never go to.To give you an idea how popular this place was, when we left at 9:30 people were sitting on the sidewalk still trying to get in!
The next day we saw some other former LBV friends in Henderson and after lunch it was off to the Valley of Fire a state park about 50 mile from Las Vegas. This adventure was followed by a dinner at Piero's a Restaurant of movie fame. The movie Casino with Joe Pesce and Sharon Stone was partly filmed there. Our friends have a special table there so we had another great dinner.(one of the best choco;ate desserts ever)
As far a winning was concerned though I tried, I lost my usual $$$ (45) but learned how to play KENO or at least lose my money that way. Every time mom and I went to our room to retire our friends would call and tell us about the 250 and 300 dollar Jackpot they won.
On the way home we stopped for lunch at Laughlin a "gambling Mecca" on the Colorado River. In retrospect the only Casino worth spending any time at would be Harrah's on the south end of town. They even have a nice beach for guests and the water is really clear.
Note it is illegal in that town to use underarm deodorant because it really smells BAAAADLY there!
The trip home went well and we are back goofing off at the coast with our friends.

Tucson, March 2009 happenings

Max likes to ride in style and indeed he did. Exploring a Stretch limo after dining at Luna Bella in Tucson.
The "great one"got to spend some time with Oma and Opa and we all had lots of fun! He is growing so fast and has transitioned from baby to little boy.














While in Tucson we also Babysat for Marisa and Guy's "Furry Ones"e off on a well deserved vacation in Costa Rica. We all survived in grans style and welcomed them back.... and their dogs and cats even acknowledged them.
As to special activities I had posted our Hike for the ages and Philip posted our Bike trip to Douglas and the Chiricahuas already so I'll just leave it at that.

A what the Heck I have added another picture of that trip as well. ( Just to make you suffer)

Mom and I had lots of fun eating out at some of our favorite places but we also had 2 new dining experiences:
#1 Los Portales: A very good Mexican Restaurant on S 6th Ave. Their 3 course lunch special is just that "una almuerza especial" **** recommendation
#2 Desert Muesum restaurant: After many tries we finally made it and it was delicious. Food for all tastes and all of it tasted great and the venue of course is great as well!
Opa got one short 3 hour hike in up Soldiers trail in the Catalinas. Beautiful vistas and flowers and for the most part a very interesting and fun trail. Only the first half mile is steep with loose gravel and therefore bad footing. All in all a really fun hike with running water cliffs and plenty of flowers.
As for last but not least by any means:
we got a call from Hawaii with the a great annoncement:

Eric and Melissa are expecting their second child around October 14!

Wow great news and congratulations to Eric and melissa and of course Princess Megan!

I am closing now as Miss heidi needs to get out for her morning constitutional and then we are off to do our thing....... and that would be?
Going out to lunch with friends! I bet you would have never guessed that!
Adios Aloha and Auf Wiedersehen

A hike to remember

Here it is Wednesday and finally I can truthfully say that all my soreness is gone. What a hike...the Superstition Ridge Trail!
It starts and ends with but .75 miles of easy trail through flowering meadows and then hits you with some serious hiking scrambling up and down over mountain tops along immense hoodoos but with vistas unrivaled by any hike done this year.
Our intrepid little group of 5 did well in finishing it in just about 10 hours with no major mishaps other than being tired. Elated to be able to say we have now hiked every mountain top of the western Superstition Mountains.
11 miles in 10 hours with but a few short breaks. The speed of 1.1 miles per hour? As one of group said to Philip before the start: "Are we crawling are walking this trail?"
As a matter of fact we did a good bit of both!

The vistas included Weavers Needle, the 4 peaks region, the Sierra Ancha mountains to the east and the greater PHX area to the west!
Personally the view to the east was my favorite!
A great hike, great company and an accomplishment to be proud of and all of it is there for anyone to enjoy!

YET ANOTHER TRY AT IT!

HELLO:

So it did not work out to just transfer my old BLOG to the new system! What a shame to have lost the literary masterpieces creates so far.
I hope they peacefully traveling through the vastness of cyberspace.
So here I go again, ably assisted by Maxini the Great on this glorious day in Tucson where on February 24 it is approaching 87 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.
Oma Opa and of course Mr Max strolled through La Encantada Mall had lunch at AJ's patio and followed it up with Frosts ice cream and Cafe latte!
Now on to more seriouys things like playing with blocks and generally just having fun!
And now you too are in the know
Of course this picture was taken long ago hence the svelte appearance!