Ramble and Roam

Chicago Marathon 2007 - Chicago, IL

2008-07-18T20:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-10T18:41:00.001-07:00

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:

Views from the Summit Trail

Tahquitz Canyon - Palm Springs, CA

2008-03-10T18:39:00.002-07:00

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

2008-03-10T18:39:00.001-07:00

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

2008-03-10T18:07:00.002-07:00

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

2008-03-10T18:07:00.001-07:00

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

2008-03-10T18:06:00.000-07:00

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:

Links:
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Website
Weather Report

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

2008-03-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

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:

Beautiful people play at the Parker - Guests are noticeably young, hip and financially comfortable.
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.
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

2008-03-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

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.

Sentinel Pass - Banff, AB

2008-03-10T18:03:00.001-07:00

September 2, 2007

Lake Moraine

Larch Valley

Sentinel Pass

Columbia Icefields Parkway - Jasper, AB

2008-03-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

September 2, 2007

Here are a few shots from a recent tour through the Columbia Icefields Parkway in Jasper, AB. The 143-mile Parkway is packed with incredible sporting and sightseeing opportunities. Highlights include spectacular lakes (Medicine, Peyto and Lake Louise) and glaciers (Bow, Crowfoot and Athabasca).

Waterfowl

This is a view of the Athabasca Glacier as seen from the Visitor's Center. Markers line the drive leading to the base to show the progression of the Glacier's recession over the past century.

(Click to enlarge)

Glacier Walk

Rafting on the Athabasca River

Links:

Gridley Road - Ojai, CA

2008-03-10T17:59:00.002-07:00

July 22, 2007

Citrus groves and gorgeous views of the Los Padres National Forest - Ojai is authentic, old California replete with small galleries, great restaurants, wine bars, spas and charming inns.

Wellman's Divide - Palm Springs, CA

2008-03-10T17:59:00.001-07:00

June 23, 2007

Uphill Climb to the Divide

Details:

Approximately 7 mile round-trip hike
Requires a Wilderness Permit - free at the Ranger Station

This is basically the Round Valley Loop hike with an extension to Wellman's Divide. It is a 7-mile RT hike that takes about 4 hours. The 1-mile stretch to the Divide is more challenging than the Willow Creek and Round Valley trails. Stunning views at the Divide coupled with changes in vegetation and cooler weather (a treat in the summer) make the uphill trek worthwhile.

Colorful ground cover frame views of a nearby peak

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

Links:
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Website
Weather Report

Round Valley Loop - Palm Springs, CA

2008-03-10T17:58:00.000-07:00

May 27, 2007

Willow Creek Trail

Details:

Approximately 5 mile round-trip hike
Requires a Wilderness Permit - free at the Ranger Station
Choose between Round Valley and Willow Creek path to start, but be on the lookout for the turnoffs. I missed the turnoff from Round Valley to Willow Creek and luckily ran into rangers at the Round Valley Camp.

This is a nice walk in the woods. The 5-mile loop takes about 2 hours. There are a few steep ascents, but the trails are easy and gradual for the most part. I recommend arriving early to avoid the crowds and the heat. This is a wilderness trail, so there are few panoramic views.

Willow Creek Trail

Detour to Round Valley campground - The shady side of the meadow (but not shady for this picture) was covered with these leafy plants - below. From the campground, you can proceed to Wellman's Divide.

Round Valley Trail

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
Follow signs to Round Valley Trailhead

Links:
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Website
Weather Report

Desert View Trail - Palm Springs, CA

2008-03-10T17:57:00.002-07:00

May 13, 2007Details:

Easy 1.5 mile round trip hike
Hike through pine forest to a scenic overlook offering excellent views of Palm Springs

If you forget to wear sturdy shoes to the top of the Tram, or if you are a bit out of shape, you have two short hiking options once you descend the Mountain Station's concrete ramp. The first option is a 1/2 mile wilderness-nature walk. The second option is the Desert View Trail which will take you through the woods to a lookout point where you will enjoy breathtaking views of the desert floor. Scale the rocky path to the right of the lookout area for even more panoramic views of the Coachella Valley.

Directions:

Follow directions to Palm Springs Tramway
From the Tram's Mountain Station, follow signs to the Desert View Trail

Links: Palm Springs Tramway Website

Andreas Canyon - Palm Springs, CA

2008-03-10T17:57:00.001-07:00

April 29, 2007

Rock formation at Andreas Canyon

Details:

Easy, 1 mile (est.) round-trip hike in Indian Canyon
$8.00 adult entrance fee to Indian Canyons which includes access to Palm Canyon and Murray Canyon
Please see links below for a full list of fees, times and tips.

You can play at the creek or hop boulders under the palms, but the real draw of Andreas Canyon is best appreciated on the gentle grade of its 1/2 mile trail. There, you will view the contrast between a string of lush, green fan palms clustered along the creek set against massive, dark rock formations and yellow desert mountains in the distance.

Directions:

From 111 and Washington
Take 111 West into Palm Springs
111 turns into East Palm Canyon Drive
Before reaching a turn in the road that turns East Palm Canyon Drive to Palm Canyon Drive, you will see a sign for South Palm Canyon Drive. Watch out for the sign or you may miss it. Start looking for it once you get so close to the mountain that you feel the road is about to end.
Turn South (left) into South Palm Canyon Drive
Take this road for 3 miles
Signs will appear at about mile 3 leading you to the Indian Canyons toll gate.
Location Map

Links:
Details with times, tips and fees
Site with a nice slideshow

Palm Canyon - Palm Springs, CA

2008-03-10T17:56:00.001-07:00

April 29, 2007
Details:

15 miles of trails - pictures show views from first 1.5 miles
Trading Post at trailhead with food/drink, souvenirs, restrooms (port-o-let). This is also the check-in point for guided tours ($3 adult).
$8.00 adult entrance fee to Indian Canyons which includes access to Andreas and Murray Canyons
Please see link below for a full list of fees, times and tips.

The hulking immediacy of nature hits you the minute you step into this palm grove. Lizards, squirrels and rattlesnakes don't bother to hide. Palms creak and rattle with the weight of dried fronds. Mossy protrusions darken bark, and the sandy ground reminds you that the searing heat of the raw desert waits just beyond the shady protection of the grove. It is a calming change of scenery for desert urbanites. Take the path to the Victor Trail trailhead for an easy 3-mile round trip hike in shade. To tackle the 15 mile stretch, you will have to catch a ride to a drop off on Hwy 74. Call rangers at 760-323-6018 for more details.

Click to see close-up of palm trunk surface

Directions:

See Andreas Canyon blog for directions to the Indian Canyons toll gate.
The ranger will direct you to the Palm Canyons Trading Post. It's a scenic 2.5 mile drive from the toll gate to the Trading Post.
Location Map

Links:
Indian Canyons times, tips and fees
Palm Canyon detail

Bump and Grind - Rancho Mirage, CA

2008-03-10T17:54:00.000-07:00

April 15, 2007

Details:

Popular Rancho Mirage trail with wide, well-maintained paths for hiking and mountain biking.
2 miles to the top, 1,000ft. elevation gain.
Trail options include steeper, shorter and more rugged paths at various points on the mountain or a longer and wider path with a gentler slope.
Panoramic views of Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert.

Trailhead:

Take Highway 111, turn South on either Desert Drive or Magnesia Falls.
Trail begins at south end of Magnesia Falls or Desert Drive

Links:
http://www.hiking-in-ps.com/bumpngrind.htm