Idyllwild 5K

Emi ran the Idyllwild 5K for her 2nd straight year. She ran with her friends, while Sage and Abby ran the Kids Fun Run, 1/2 mile race. She came in 2nd in her age group with a 34:41 finish. Not bad for someone who didn't train at all.

Abby's only goal was to beat Sage. That's him behind her in the red. She actually was the only one who halfway trained on the treadmill. Her first words after crossing the finish line, "I beat Sage!" Sage slipped on a turn, which is why he fell behind...

Finally Did It

After talking about it for a year and a half, walked the trail from Idyllwild to Palm Springs Tramway with David. We started from Devils Slide and walked through some virgin trails. Thinking the 8.6 mile hike won't be too hard, I wasn't prepared for the long uphill hike that lasted 4 miles. However, the views were wonderful. All in all, a very nice hike. Would do it again, via a different route. Next time with Emi or my friend Michelle. Unfortunately, this'll be the last hike with David for a while since the kids will start summer break soon.

Walked inches away from this rattlesnake. Pretty scary...

The long uphill climb that seemed to go on forever...

Skunk cabbage.

At one of the junctions, at 9700'. We would of checked out San Jacinto peak, 2 miles away, if we had more time.

It is always nice walking through the forest...

After 4 hours of hiking, we took the tramway down to our car parked below.

Play Ball!

Sage has been having a lot of fun playing baseball. Its nice to see him enjoying sports.

Suicide Rock w/ Michelle

Hiked Suicide Rock with Michelle. Six miles roundtrip, shorter than the 10 milers I've been doing with David, but still a great workout. It was a nice sunny, but not too hot day. We saw a sign saying the San Jacinto Peak is 7 miles from the Suicide Rock turnoff. Would be about 9 miles one way. If we leave early enough, and rest a bit while we're there, and head back, maybe its do-able. 18 miles in one day...hmmmm. Maybe something to shoot for at the end of summer if we're strong enough.



































Here's Michelle trying to take a nice scenic picture without falling off the rock.

Devils Slide with Emi

Emi and I hiked up 2.5 miles, uphill miles, to Saddle Junction to pick some ferns. I let her lead, and to my surprise, walked at a pretty brisk pace. Picked ferns for a good 90 minutes before heading back down. She has developed an interest in hiking and will starting hiking with her more during the summer. Nice little alone time with Mommy.

Sage's Lego Creation

Devil Slide Trail

Walked Devil Slide to Saddle Junction, did a five mile loop and back down for 10.2 miles. Halfway through the hike, started to feel weaker and felt a headache coming on. Possibly heat stroke or the altitude. The hike took us halfway up the trail we would take to go to the Palm Springs Tram we're planning for next Friday. Once we passed Saddle Junction, the trail got mellow, which was nice since we just walked 2.5 miles uphill. We saw a deer along the way, and a huge field of ferns. Going back to go pick some for my parents! Again, a beautiful hike taking many pictures along the way like a "Japanese tourist" (according to David.)















Deer!

































Playing around with the B&W feature on my camera. (Suicide Rock)

Emi's Honor Roll

Emi was recognized at a district assembly in Hemet for being on the Honor Roll, by having a 3.5 GPA or higher. She was one of 30 from her school (4th & 5th graders), and of 500 district wide. Pretty cool.

Taquitz Peak, Again

Hiked to Taquitz Peak Lookout again. This time with my buddy Michelle. It was a nice hike, seemed quicker this time. The weather was cooler, which really helped. It was Michelle's first time up there, she remembered how nice it was to go hiking. Next week we'll walk to Suicide. It was nice hiking with a friend, having good conversations along the way.

The peak is 8828', we walked about 2000' gain in elevation in 1 1/2 hrs. It is the second highest lookout in California, and the only lookout located inside a Wilderness area. Still hard to believe we walked all the way to the top of that mountain!

Painting

I painted for the first time in several years. A small 5x7 painting of a beer label. Planning on more beer label paintings to create a series. Since this was David's idea, they will go on display in his bike room. Hoping for many more paintings to come...