Chicago Marathon 2007 - Chicago, IL

Scenes from the 2007 Chicago Marathon

This was brutal and surreal - runners were jumping into fountains and fainting on the asphalt. Chicagoans trucked out their stashes of bottled water and ice to share. I survived by begging for water from strangers on the street and in restaurants. Thank you Chicago! My running buddy pulled me out at mile 13. What a blessing! I would have kept on sputtering along. The ambulance sirens sounded non-stop through the night.


I was disappointed by La Salle's cowardice. A formal apology was never issued. To the end, they blamed the runners for showing up on an unusually hot race day. I was, however, completely won over by the people of Chicago. They were the perfect race crowd. They came out in droves to cheer us on. And, in the end, they nursed us through the heat, the thirst and the pain.

Grant Park

Millenium Park

The Art Institute of Chicago

Joshua Tree National Park - Joshua Tree, CA

Joshua Tree National Park is an easy day trip from La Quinta/Palm Springs. I recommend arriving at first light to catch the sunrise over the rocks and to avoid the crowds. I entered through the West Entrance Station, just off Hwy 62. There are numerous lookouts, picnic areas, camping sites and interpretive trails along Park Boulevard. The Boulevard is a relatively easy, ride through paradise for road bikers. I don't remember seeing dedicated bike lanes, but the road is wide enough to accommodate cars and bikers. I took Park Boulevard to its terminus at Keys View which offered a grand view of the Coachella Valley, the Santa Rosa Mountains, San Jacinto and the Salton Sea. The San Andreas Fault is also visible from the lookout.


I signed up for a two day introductory rock climbing course through Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School. We focused on fundamentals on the first half of day one and started climbing immediately after lunch. On day two, we tackled more challenging rocks. I was in a group of five people which meant we had easy one-on-one access to the instructor. The pace was faster than I imagined, so I had little time to dwell on my fear of heights and trust issues. I recommend the two day course, as there was only a minimal sense of accomplishment after day one.


If sporting isn't your thing, just go for the views. Bring your camera - the rocks and cacti are photogenic. If you're not camping, try and catch the monthly star party hosted by the Andromeda Astronomical Society. I regret missing it. Ask the ranger at the entry for details.

Links:
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School

Squaw Peak Summit Trail - Phoenix, AZ

February 21, 2008

A few years ago, I attended a lecture given by former FAA Deputy Administrator Barbara Barrett. She noted that she met her husband, Intel Chairman Craig Barrett, at the top of Squaw Peak (also known as Piestewa Peak). I mention this because Squaw Peak's Summit Trail is a laid-back, people watching alternative to the Scottsdale social scene. The hike is a nice mix of rigorous workout, pick-up joint and city lookout all in one.

Other towns boast sprawling central parks where beautiful people meet and jog. Phoenicians have Squaw Peak. Over the years, as Phoenix transitioned from small town to city to megalopolis, it has retained, at its core, Squaw Peak. It's still a gathering place for tourists and natives alike - all hell bent on getting to the top. Some complete two to three rounds of the 2.4-mile RT trail in one workout. The paths are dusty and hard with large, step-like rocks in many spots. The downhill can be particularly tough on the knees. Like San Jacinto Peak, you need to scale boulders to the top where you will find great views of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale and Tempe.

Details:

• 1.2 miles -one way
  
• 2,200 ft elevation
  
• Rocky, hard, dusty trails with desert vegetation
• A few handrails towards the top
  

Links:

• City of Phoenix Piestewa Peak information
• About.com Piestewa Peak
  

Views from the Summit Trail

Tahquitz Canyon - Palm Springs, CA

January 6, 2008

Tahquitz Canyon Visitor Center

Details:

• 2-mile round trip hike
• 350 ft. elevation gain
  
• $12.50 adult, $6.00 child entrance fee (includes guided tour)
  

This moderate hike follows Tahquitz Creek into Tahquitz Canyon. The hike culminates at Tahquitz Falls - a powerful, 60 foot waterfall. Schedule 1 hour for a self-guided tour or 2.5 hours for the ranger-led interpretive hike. Tahquitz is just a few minutes away from Indian Canyons, but here you'll find more rocks, a waterfall and NO palms. Tahquitz is more of a spiritual and cultural walk in the park. Opt for the guided tour for a total brain/body workout.



Directions:

• From Washington, take Hwy 111 West
• Hwy 111 will turn into East Palm Canyon Drive - continue on East Palm Canyon Drive
  
• Mesquite is the second stop light from the South Palm Canyon turnoff - turn left
• The road will lead to the Visitor Center
  

Links:

• Tahquitz Canyon
  

San Jacinto Peak - Palm Springs, CA

September 2, 2007

Details:

• Approximately 11.6 mile hike
• About a 2,400 ft. elevation gain
• Requires a wilderness permit - free at the Long Valley Ranger Station

Schedule at least 6 hours for this challenging hike. The most strenuous stretch is the trail to Wellman's Divide. The trail to the Peak leads you through milder switchbacks and ends at a stone cabin which serves as an emergency shelter about .3 miles from the Peak. You must scale large boulders to get to the top where you will be rewarded with impressive 360-degree views. San Jacinto Peak elevation is 10,800ft, so pack for rain (even in the summer) or snow.


Directions:

• Directions to Tram from Washington and 111
  
• Ride the Tram to the Mountain Station
• Follow directions to the Long Valley Ranger Station
• Get a wilderness permit at the Station
• Take the Round Valley or Willow Creek trail to Round Valley
  
• From Round Valley, follow the signs to Wellman's Divide
• From Wellman's Divide, follow the signs to San Jacinto Peak
  

Links:
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Website
Weather Report

Palm Springs Art Museum - Palm Springs, CA

May 27, 2007

If you are trying to define the flavor of Palm Springs - to determine what makes this place so appealing - a quick trip to the Palm Springs Art Museum will help. This is an intimate museum - just the right size for a three-hour tour. It is conveniently located next to the Annenberg Theater and is only one block from the restaurants and shopping on Palm Canyon Drive.

There are a few trophy pieces (Motherwell, Modigliani, Chihuly, Warhol) weaved in with a smartly assembled collection of Western and MesoAmerican art; Native American crafts, artwork and furnishings; and Contemporary sculpture and paintings. Each exhibit tells a cohesive story and is relevant to the art, history and culture of the area.

Art snobs may leave a bit starved for big names (LACMA and the Getty are just 2 hours away), but I believe most will enjoy a visit. This museum is whimsical, historical, hip, surprising and deserty all at once - just like the town that houses it.

First Floor

• Special Exhibits - Try to catch the Marion Pike exhibit (through Sept. 23, 2007) to see her massive and hauntingly beautiful portraits of 20th century celebrities. And... if you're not a big fan of cowboy artists, the Treasures from the West exhibit (through Sept. 23, 2007) just might change your mind. The exhibit features stunning Native American and Western works that will resonate with anyone who loves the Western US.

• Permanent Exhibits:
  
• Best of the West
• Contemporary Desert Photography
• Contemporary Glass
• Desert Painters
• Miniature Room
  

Second Floor

• MesoAmerican Art - A wonderful exhibit! You will leave with a good understanding of the regional differences in MesoAmerican art.
  

Third Floor

• 20th Century Art
• 20th Century Sculpture
  

Links:
Palm Springs Art Museum Website
Directions

Stagecoach Music Festival - Indio, CA

May 2007

Coffee Dan, sometime photographer and Just Java entrepreneur, visited this year's inaugural Stagecoach Country Music Festival and donated a few choice pics to this site. The two-day festival was held at the Empire Polo Fields and was tagged as the largest country music festival in California. 2007 headliners included George Strait, Kenny Chesney and Alan Jackson.

Links:
Stagecoach Festival Site

Kenny Chesney

George Strait

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - Palm Springs, CA

May 13, 2007
Details:

• Rotating Tram transports visitors from the Palm Springs valley floor (elevation 2,600 feet) to the San Jacinto Mountain State Park (elevation 10,800 ft).
• The ride lasts about 10 minutes and passes through five distinct ecological zones.
  
• Temperature at the top is about 40 degrees cooler than at the desert floor - please dress accordingly.
  
• Jaw-dropping views of the Coachella Valley in addition to waterfalls (in season) and wildlife (if you are lucky).
• Activities at the top include hiking, nature walks, camping, cross country ski and snowshoeing.

A unique experience, the tram offers a little bit of something for everyone. There is the obvious draw for nature lovers and outdoorsy types. And there is the not-so obvious draw for engineering buffs (this is a celebrated civil engineering marvel), history addicts (its story spans a century), romantics (mountaintop twilight dinner packages available), and desert dwellers seeking shelter from the 100+ degree heat. A one-time visit is essential if only for the ride. A dizzying 8,000 ft elevation gain in 10 minutes coupled with views from a rotating carriage and cool, crisp mountain air at the top is well worth the fee... and the drive.

Directions:

• From 111 and Washington
• Take I-10 West
• Exit Date Palm
• Turn Right on Vista Chino
• Turn Right on N. Palm Canyon Drive
  
• Turn Left on Tramway Road
• The road ends at the entrance to the Tram's Valley Station
  

***Instant gratification - The tram eliminates 8,000 feet of heavy hiking, making the hikes through the wilderness or to the Peak accessible to all willing adventurers. Don't rob yourself of a unique opportunity to truly experience all that the tram has to offer. Even if you don't plan to hike, come prepared for a nice walk in the woods - water, snacks, proper clothing, good shoes. At the top, you may just be hit with the urge to explore.

Trail phogs:

• Desert View Trail
• Round Valley Trail
• Wellmans Divide
  
• San Jacinto Peak

Links:
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Website
Weather Report

Palm Springs Yacht Club at the Parker - Palm Springs, CA

May 13, 2007

Entrance to the Spa

Details:

• Full service spa at the iconic Parker Palm Springs
• Amenities available to spa clientele who are not hotel guests are:
• Locker Rooms
• Separate men's and women's steam room, sauna and whirlpool spa
• Separate men's and women's body temperature indoor pool
• Complimentary yoga and pilates classes on the weekends
• Access to the fitness center

Ladies Locker Room

Observations:

1. Beautiful people play at the Parker - Guests are noticeably young, hip and financially comfortable.
2. The Parker applies the "fun" philosophy to the typical matchy matchy theme theme hotel approach. The result is an atmosphere and a collection of facilities and services that can be described with words like peppy, perky, preppy and psychedelic.
   
3. Not much imagination was applied to the basic spa menu, and the sunbathing area is the size of a postage stamp, but the nautical decor, a spa Manifesto, and a nice indoor pool make up for it. There is also a week-long Camp PSYC offering that is decidedly anti-Canyon Ranch or pro-self-indulgent 21st century fun.
   

Entrance to Veri Peri Gift Shop

Croquet Lawn

Directions:

• From Washington and 111
• Take 111 East
• 111 turns into E. Palm Canyon Drive
  
• The Parker Palm Springs is on the NE corner of E. Palm Canyon Drive and S. Cherokee Way (one block past S. Gene Autry Trail)
  

Links:
Spa at The Parker Palm Springs Website

Shield's Date Garden - Indio, CA

April 28, 2007
Summary:

• Free video - "Romance and Sex Life of the Date"

• Garden with views of 20 acre date farm

• Food counter serving famous date shakes

• Items offered include 100+ varieties of date, fresh and dried fruits, nuts, condiments and sundries
  

Directions:

• From 111 and Washington

• Take 111 East

• Pass Jefferson

• Shields Date Farm is on your right side immediately past Jefferson
  

Link: Shield's Dates Website

Shield's Date Garden houses an unusual mix of farmer's market, classroom and ice cream shop. Date farming, you'll learn, is a precise art requiring both patience and hard labor. The same care and passion applied to growing and harvesting a date is also applied to the crafting of your Date Garden experience. Yes - the garish signs, the date shakes and the sex video are all contrived marketing tools to get you to spend. Surprisingly, by the time you leave, you won't mind the trap. The dates, after all, are clearly of excellent quality. And, like the date, the knowledge you will gain on dates and date farming is earthy, super-sweet and strangely satisfying.

Date palm - the brown bags protect the dates

Food counter - Serves drinks, ice cream and the famous date shakes at $3.50/serving. Ask for the shake recipe at the merchandise register.







Merchandise - Fully equipped with a down-to-earth staff, samples of dates and other edibles, and free brochures and recipes.