November 19, 2010 Palomar Observatory Hike

There were four of us, M.J. Karen, Sandy and Richard. We met at 79 Pala/Oceanside Exit at 9:00a.m. and then started out up the mountain toward Palomar. The ride was quite easy, hardly no traffic. We arrived around 10:00.  First, we explored the Observatory area and then we found the hike trail at the front entrance of the parking lot. Very nice trail with awesome views of the Pauma Valley. Trees are definitely becoming very fall like as seen in our pictures. The trail is beautiful and very easy to follow. Acorns were dropping from the trees, and a few slippery spots due to the leaves on the ground, but overall very easy trail. The way back up hill was perhaps the most challenging part of hike, but not a problem at all for us. We started on the trail around 10:20 and returned around 1:00 p.m. It is a total of about 4 miles, 2 in and 2 out. The air was warm (around 60 degrees) perfect for hiking and the sky was blue. We were surprised to see cloudy conditions as we were leaving the mountain. After the hike, we ate at Mother's Kitchen (the only restaurant in Palomar). Very good vegetarian burger, and the pea soup tasted very homemade. Great hike.

Point Loma

There were five of us: M.J., Enza, Carol, Jan and Carrie. Temeculans met at Carrie's and Jan drove to Point Loma. We are true hikers as thunderstorms raged throughout San Diego and Point Loma was not spared. We looked like "drowned rats" as large rain drops soaked us.We did not mind in the least, as the coolness felt so good after a long hot summer. Also, the beauty of the hike and good company made it all worth it.

The views are spectacular! We could see all of downtown, Coronado Bridge, South Bay and lots of Pacific Ocean. The Bayside Trail is very easy; it is about 2.5 miles round trip. We drove down to the tide pools (not far) and walked all over the cliffs there. It was high tide so we did not see the pools in action, but the waves were crashing in on the cliffs and this was a sight to see. The rock formations are also breathtaking. We wished we were anthropologists so we could know the story behind each layer of rock formation. It is quite interesting to see.

We all had broiled scallops at Mitch's Seafood Rest. on Scott Street. This was a treat. Upon leaving the

restaurant, there was a magnificent rainbow in the sky. Perfect ending to a perfect day

Torrey Pines

Torrey Pines, August 5, 2010

It was a stupendous day on the coast; this is the coolest summer, we believe, in the last 70 years.

Temp was somewhere in the low 80's and the cool ocean breeze was delightful.

 The views of the ocean were breathtaking. The ocean appeared more green than blue for some reason.

Could it be the cooler waters, not sure, but delightful to see.

There were 5 of us; small group but just as fun. On this trek, M.J. Carrie, Mark, Carol and Jan.

Several people wanted to join us but they were travelling other parts of the U.S. We will

catch them next round.

The trails are easy to follow and very well marked. We parked up the hill from the parking

lot (thanks to Carrie for parking lot pass); Torrey charges $8 to park. We proceeded up the

hill and took the first trail. Came around and began on the upper trail which we proceeded to

follow all the way down to the ocean. We then walked along the ocean, luckily low tide so

we were able to head northward. The cliffs were outstanding with colors of red, green

and beige. The erosion has done its work on these cliffs and left the most interesting

configurations any of us has ever seen.

We started at around 2:00 and finished around 4:15. All of us headed to Carrie's house for

dinner. Everyone contributed with food and wine and dinner was great. Always seems to

taste so much better after hiking. The menu consisted of Carrie's Rachel Ray's recipe, chicken with

basal and garlic butter, MJ's eggplant lasagna, Carol and Mark's tossed green salad and Jan closing it up

with cheese cake for dessert. Great day, great hike, great friends and great food!

Next hike will be September 30 (mark your calendars); Point Loma, Cabrillo Park.

I will be researching the trail and good places to eat lunch; earlier hike meeting

around 10:00a.m. Let us know if you know about this trail: length, good spot to meet,

restaurants, etc. Also, feel free to invite friends to join, the more the merrier.

Oceanside hiking........

There were 6 of us on the Oceanside beach hike: M.J. Carrie, Jan, Sue, Steve and Enza.

We parked in the free parking lot right next to Joe's Crab Shack and began our

hike toward the beach around 1:00pm. Heavy gray clouds covered the sky the whole

time, but that actually made it nice and cool. We walked south on the beach and

partially on the boardwalk, and we enjoyed walking to the very end of the pier.

The ocean was a beautiful blue green color due to the gray sky.
We returned around 3:30, and celebrated with happy hour at the Monterrey Cannery

Co. around the bend from Joe's. It was great to be near the ocean even with the

cooler weather, and such a great group of people.

Our chirping squirrel; that was the first time

we have ever seen or heard a squirrel chirp; he continued to do this for our

entertainment; not really sure what he was trying to tell us. It was quite

interesting.
 

Next hike is Aug. 5 at Torrey Pines, with Carrie hosting her home for dinner.

hiking Del Dios

June 3, 2010


Del Dios Gorge Trail, Escondido, CA

There were 9 of us: M.J., Paulette, Steve, Richard, Jan,

Ginny, D, Mark and Carol; we started out at around

10:15 and returned around 12:15; this trail shows on map as a 2.10 mile hike, therefore we did 4.2 miles. That seemed to be plenty of hike due to the warm temp., a bit over 80 degrees. Beautiful floral life was seen again on this trail. Thank goodness the snakes stayed put inside brush and bushes! I think our consistent talking helps scare creepy creatures away, and, I believe, Dante's presence helps too. The trail was very easy to follow and not many up hills. It leads all the way to the dam, still no water flow on dam yet, maybe one more year of a wet winter will do it. Nice trail; enjoyed by all. The best part is having just a great group of people to share the beauty of the outdoors. Lunch was excellent at Macaroni Grill (esp. the dipping bread and Chianti!)

Next hike will be July 8, Thurs (after the four day week-end to accommodate those who are traveling over this holiday). We now need to get to the coast due to the

heat inland! Beach walk starting at the Oceanside Pier, walk about 1.5 hours south and then return back to Oceanside Pier; many good fish restaurants in this area (suggestions always appreciated). Parking is easy as there

is a parking lot right there, I believe it was around $3. We may want to meet later around 1:00p.m. and then we can catch the happy hour at restaurant. Exact directions, restaurant, and time to follow. Who's in? MJ

Lake Hodges, May 6, 2010

There were six of us on this hike: M.J. Carrie, Denise, Enza, Ginny, Steve. The weather was perfect; breezy and warm; not a cloud in the sky.
The lake views were awesome, and we were really surprised how much water
has been accumulating due to the weather.

Ginny brought along her dog, Dante, and Enza brought hers, Isis. Isis was a trooper as it was hot for her, and she did try to rest in the shade as much as she could. The cool stream we crossed was her favorite place, and she bathed in that along with Dante.

The plants were abundant; we felt we were walking through an enchanted land as we saw very unusual looking plants we had never seen before. We were lucky to have so much rain this winter. We also sighted quite a few birds, hawks. Ginny said this isa very important bird sanctuary, and there are a great number of different varieties here.

We started around 10:00a.m. and returned around 1:00pm. Our meeting spot was a parking lot at the end of Sunset (first right turn east of 15 off the mall exit). We ended a great day with lunch at B.J.'s at the Escondido mall.

This trail is part of the San Diguito riverbed trail. Next month June 3, Thur. we are

going to try to catch another part of it and head west. Maybe we will catch a glimpse of the ocean. Great day and great company.

hiking Anza Borrego

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park/ Borrego Palm Canyon Trail Thursday, March 25, 2010

The trail started at the Borrego Palm Canyon Campground, located about one mile north of

the Visitor Center. We arrived at the Visitor Center from Temecula around 9:30a.m.

so it is about an hour and a half from Temecula; about the same from San Diego. The

weather was perfect, around 80-85 degrees with a breeze to keep us cool.

There were 8 of us: MJ., Ginny, Carrie, Linda, Jim, Cherly, Mike, and Enza. We enjoyed

every minute of this hike. We started the trail around 10:30 and returned from the trail

around 1:30. Each way was approximately 1.5 miles making it a total of 3 miles. Not

the easiest of trails, but we really enjoyed the challenge. Lots of rocks, even boulders

that required the "sit down and slide approach." Also, we had to cross a small stream,

and for some of us who were unable to balance on the very narrow tree trunk, it was

walking across the water on somewhat slippery rocks. Hiking boots really helped. But

we did it, and totally enjoyed the difficulty level. It was great to challenge

ourselves a bit. It was all worth it coming to the oasis at the end of the trail, lots of

palm trees, shade and a waterfall!

Along the trail, the flowers were in full bloom! Great timing to go the last week of March.


We saw yellow blooming Brittlebush, orange Apricot Mallows and of course large Ocotillo

trees hosting small budding orange flowers. Thanks to Linda's book, we were able to

name some of the desert plants. Lots of interesting cactus plants were sighted also.
We were also very lucky to spot a Big Horn Sheep! He was sitting on a huge boulder in


the distance and due to the fact he is exactly the same color as the boulder, he

may not show up in the pics (sorry). We did see him move and noticed his large horns;

he seemed to stare right at us, probably wondering what we were doing in his

territory. He was a sight to see!


After lunch, we traveled along Henderson Canyon Road and stopped to


take a few pictures of blooming wild flowers in the nearby fields. Carrie and Ginny

headed back to San Diego with a stop in Julian. The Beals headed home, and the rest of

us stopped to check out wild flowers at Surprise Canyon about 10 minutes form

Henderson Canyon Road. We were "surprised" to see a few blooms here also.

After the trail, we asked a local ranger where we could have lunch. He suggested

Mexican food at Carmelita's located near the mall. Food was great, and we were

lucky again, only one table left, and big enough to fit all 8 of us. This must

be a favorite local hang out. Margaritas also hit the spot after our 3 hour hike!

Great hike, this one will stay on our list for spring hiking. Next hike will be April 29 at

Lake Hodges, and May 27 possibly Penasquitos Canyon. Watch for postings. We want

to do the inland hikes before the big heat arrives. Summer months will have to be the

coastal hikes. We welcome all ideas, so let us know your thoughts about our trail

choices. Also feel free to add info to blog; send write ups to Mark Jones. Thanks, Mark

for placing information and pics on our blog site (http://retiredandhiking.blogspot.com).

It is great to enjoy the outdoors with such a fantastic bunch of people. M.J.