Bruce Corey

2010-12-22T14:10:00.000-08:00

My dad, "El Lobo, The Alpha Wolf, takes me hiking. He is the Coolest Dude!"

2010-12-20T18:38:00.000-08:00

"It is also rarer to find happiness in a man surrounded by the miracles of technology than among people living in the desert of the jungle and who by the standards set by our society would be considered destitute and out of touch."

Thor Heyerdahl

Jambo!

We just returned, after 30 hours of flight time. I am too tired to do a TR, but thought that you might enjoy a few PICS of this incredible trip that we wre so fortunate to do.

This was absolutely the BEST of urban and outback.

In New York, we took in the Today Show, Christmas shopped till we dropped, caught the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade as well as Broadway shows, the Village, Central Park, the statue and on and on. Of course we took advantage of the fine dining throughout Manhattan.

Dubai was incredible!

Nairobi (Nairobbery) was a bit intense but we were able to visit an elephant orphanage and a giraffe center to see the endangered Rothchild giraffes.

We took a speed boat ride on Lake Navaisha and witnessed some spectacular birdlife and wildlife that included dozens of Hippos. We were quite surprised that many of the Hippos came ashore at night and we were totally surprised to meet up with one on the grounds of our resort, after dinner.

At Masai Mara National Game Reserve we saw an astonishing amount of game. Gazelles, wildebeests, and zebras were grazing in large numbers and their predators were abound. The "Mara" is ravishingly beautiful with long undisturbed views and dramatic panoramas. It has wide greeny-gold savannas spotted with thorn trees. The landscape is simply stunning. The Great Migration of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles had started and was mind boggling.

We viewed over 40 different species of animals and birds in the Masai. AWESUMMMMMMMMMMM!!!

I will take the time to tell you about two absolutely incredible sight and sound experiences.

-A baby cheetah with a hurt leg was crying out to its mother in a shrill call. This was heartbreaking! The mother was about fifty yards away.

-We watched a jaguar drag it's slain zebra carcass up a tree and hang it over a limb before feasting on it.

Royal Arch

2010-12-20T17:56:00.000-08:00

Royal Arch "Route" - 45 miles- a top drawer Grand Canyon adventure...high level of climbing, scrambling, navigation and wilderness skills required. Offers more natural beauty and adventure than most humans can absorb, but at a cost ...water availability was a problem, without the proper skill and judgement there are ...a million ways to get into serious trouble in this remote area.We encountered rain, snow, and a rock/boulder slide too close for comfort. Excellent planning, execution, teamwork and camaraderie got us through.

EL Lobo on the "Hand"

2009-07-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

2009-07-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

"Stop the Nonsense"

Juan Hofdahl - Friday October 9, 2010 Kaibab Lodge- 5 guys in a room

ELG

Jake

Juan

Dingo

This certainly was a memorable trip and trail.We returned home at four in the morning due to a chain of events caused by the brutally jagged Kaibab Limestone rocks that litter Forest Road 22 on the North Rim, and perhaps negligence on Juan's part. See Men Behaving Badly section. This was my third trip to this remarkable area of the Grand Canyon. It was the boys first trip and they loved it.

This memorable trail offers some of the finest scenery in the Grand Canyon. In the 10.4 miles to Upper Tapeats campsite the trail makes three excessively steep descents. Thunder Spring is the most memorable sight in the Grand Canyon. It is a virtual river that gushes out of a limestone cave. Thunder River's powerful waters travel to Tapeats Creek, where we camped. (see attached picture)

The sound of the water as it explodes into the Redwall and Muav limestones gives the river its name. Thunder River is the shortest river in the world. Over 3,000 passageways have been charted behind the waterfall. The water comes from the rain and snow that fall on the Kaibab Plateau. Falling rain dissolves carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This acid rain chemically weathers limestone or carbonate rocks when it pools on the rock and passes underground through sinks and joints into caverns. Sinks are created when the underground caverns honeycomb an area creating weak spots which then collapse. The groundwater drops to the water table or flows out in giant springs if an impermeable layer is reached.

We reached Tapeats Creek around five in the afternoon. Everyone's toes were a mess, jamming them on the way down. We enjoyed a fabulous campsite, and Dingo treated us some spirit libations from the heart of the blue agave. (see attached picture)

The next day the boys hiked to the river and took in some great views while lobo guarded the camp, rested and relaxed. The poor wolf had just completed seven days in the canyon guiding a Mountain Travel Sobek group and was in need of some space away from men that behave badly, very badly.

The following morning we started the brutal 4800' ascent at 6:30. We were out at 1:30 and immediately engaged in our cerveza ritual. All was well until.....................(see MBB)

MEN BEHAVING BADLY

-Juan and Dingo for espousing the merits of capitalism and greed during the whole trip

-Juan for "venting" and telling "interesting" stories, then not allowing Lobo to use them in the MBB.

-Juan for buying crappy freeze dried food and then trying to pawn it off on Lobo

-Juan (the most prolific farter that ever hiked the canyon) for ripping loud and ripe ones every 30 seconds for 4700"

-Lobo for being the "King" of the canyon

-Juan for greeting the group in tight black underwaer at the Tapeats campsite.

-Lobo for "pressuring?" Juan to drive

-Juan for showing up with bald tires and no jack, borrowing Zo's jack.

-Zo for forgetting a critical piece of the jack

-Juan for getting a flat tire (perhaps driving too fast) 1 1/2 miles from the trail head. (Note Juan had also gotten a flat tire on the 3 years passed Nankoweep blowout)

-Juan for getting a second flat tire on the return, seven miles from the main road.

-Jake for wanting to commit suicide and hike the eight miles to the Kaibab Lodge after the second flat and no spare. This after hikingthe 10/1/2 miles out of the canyon. He wanted to notify Gretchen (his spouse), that we were stranded and in deep shit)

-Juan for not wanting to buy a second tire after we were towed to Fredonia, and only upon the insistence of El Lobo, he finally did.

-Juan for getting a third flat tire close to Jacobs Lake.

-Juan for being hopping mad and spazzing out after the third flat. Only Lobo's calm reassurance that Juan was smart enough, good enough, and that doggon it people like him, settled Juan down.

-Group for driving back to Phoenix with no spare.

-Juan for being responsible for making Lobo and Zo miss one day in paradise (San Carlos). Zo forgave Juan, but Lobo has not.

Thank you for visiting my canyon

2009-07-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

Other great rivers add power to you
Yakima, Snake, and the Klickitat, too
Sandy, Willamette and Hood River too
So roll on, Columbia, roll on

— Woody Guthrie, "Roll on Columbia" (1941)

I just returned from beautiful Bend Oregon after a week of action. Gerry went home on Monday. I stayed for a backpack. It was a nice break from "toasty" Phoenix.

For those of you that do not know Bend, it is located at the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains with unlimited recreational opportunities. To say that Bend is an energetic city would be an understatement.

This will be a short report containing only highlights because I have to reload and do a canyon trip for18 people from the UK.

Thanks to Peggy Shea for her tremendous hospitality and to Bob Shea for putting together a great plan and schedule of activities.

Highlights

-Evening cocktails/hors d'oeuvres/dinners on the Shea backyard patio; watching the Steller Jays, Hummingbirds, and even a large Owl.

This backyard is incredible!

-Downtown Art Walk and Shopping at Old Mill

-Moon Rise and Sunset on Pilot Butte

-Hiking to Tumulo Falls and paddling the Deschutes with Gerry

-Sunrise to Summit Race-up to the top of 9,000' Mount Bachelor-A personal best for the Mooseman!

-Lunch at Elks Lake Lodge-Black Butte Porters!

-Mountain Biking about 19 miles on the Skyliner, Phils and up and down the fun "Whoops trail" (muchos moguls)

-Smith Rock State Park

-A fabulous 26 mile backpack in the three Sisters Wilderness. (6 miles cross country up, and down some gnarly stuff)

Love is Black and Blue

2009-07-19T15:56:00.001-07:00

The river flows, it flows to the sea
Wherever that river goes that's where I want to be"

Ballad of Easy Rider

MY friend and fellow adventure guide Josh spent four fabulous days hiking, fishing and exploring various wildernesses in the White Mountains of Arizona, as well as the Blue Range Primitive area.

We were treated to several exciting wildlife sightings, including a black bear and cub, wild turkeys, deer, and a lone coyote in a brilliant meadow.

The first day we explored the Little Colorado in the pristine Mt. Baldy Wilderness. From headwaters near 12,000' this river flows through forests of Colorado blue spruce, white fir, ponderosa pine, white pine, and my favorite - quaking aspen, and cuts through hundreds of feet of volcanic rock formations. Near Sheep Crossing where the river leaves the wilderness area and flows through lush meadows many varieties of wildflowers laced the meadows.

The Black River forms a major tributary to the Salt River. The headwaters are in the White Mountains and it flows in a tortuous channel through a number of narrow gorges marked by magnificent rock formations and cliffs. It is a highly scenic and pristine river corridor.

We camped at Horse Springs next to the Black River. In the hot coals of the campfire. Josh prepared delicious meals of bratwurst/beans and 2 nights of steaks/potatoes. Lobo ate heartily. Cervezas flowed like the river.

Lobo elected to sleep in his Hennessy Hamock and each evening was an adventure in survival. Josh opted out of the hammock (borrowed from Zo) for his tent and slept safe and warm.

The "BLUE" is one of the most prized backcountry resources in the Southwest.

It remains one of Arizona's untouched and little known jewels. This is a land of rugged mountains, steep canyons, and stark ridges.

The Mexican Wolf was reintroduced here in 1997, Currently there are 10 packs and 4 single wolves roaming the Blue.

My son Jake and I used to camp frequently at KP CIenega and hike the extensive trail system here. I absolutely love wandering where my brothers and sisters live.

Josh and I enjoyed a fabulous hike in the Bear Wallow Wilderness. We were chased out by an afternoon thunder storm. This is a wet boggy place

where black bears probably wallow in mud to fend off insects. This wildland may very well harbor the largest concentration of black bears within Arizona and is truly some of the most wild terrain in our state. The wilderness contains some of the most extensive acreage of virgin ponderosa pine in the Southwest.

The centerpiece for this wilderness is the creek itself, that flows year round and provides habitat for the native Apache trout. You can follow the creek for 8 miles down to the border of the Apache reservation.

Thank God for the Wilderness Act of 1964 and the passage of the Arizona Wilderness Act of 1984,setting aside 42 new wilderness areas for protection, most on National Forest lands.

NOTE: Arizona has 92 total wilderness areas.

Men Behaving Badly

-Lobo and Josh for telling lie after lie around the campfire.

-The red neck dude (as%h#le) at Hannegan Meadows Lodge who complained to Lobo that "the wolves around here have more constitutional rights than I have"

-Josh in Bear Wallow for asking Lobo if he brought his Tennessee Toothpick, followed by "who should fight the bear?" These questions came after Lobo advised Josh "If black, fight back. If brown get down"

-Josh for suggesting that Lobo should fight the bear since Lobo already had much more life than Josh.

-Lobo for doing less than his share of camp chores.

-Lobo and Josh for not catching any fish. (Josh had one crawdad bite)

Great American Wilderness Road Trip

2009-07-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

The longest journey begins with a single step...not a turn of the ignition key.

Edward Abbey

The solitary wilderness experience can be an adventure, a source of personal renewal a test of survival, or a spiritual retreat. It was all of the above for two amigos from Arizona.

During eight days of hiking and backpacking on fair to poor trails through extremely rugged terrain where visitors are few, we took on the rain, wind, thunder, lightning, hail, snow and ice fields at 10,000' and loved every minute of it.

The raw beauty was without equal to any rivals in the past.

The greatest wilderness "road trip" of modern times:

ELG

This trip was planned without flaw and precisely executed. It was synchronicity at it best.

-Chaco Culture NHP New Mexico

-Durango Colorado

-Moab Utah

- Mt. Moriah Wilderness Nevada

-Wheeler Peak Wilderness-Great Basin National Park Nevada

-Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park Nevada

-Arc Dome Wilderness - Toiyabe Range Nevada

-Mount Charleston Wilderness - Springer Range-Southern Nevada

"Home means Nevada!"

Chaco, Durango, and Moab were great, but what really made this trip special was Nevada and its snow capped mountains that give its name. I left Nevada 20 years ago, but never really left. I am a Nevadan that still lives intensely and independently.

Twenty years later and Nevada is still a frontier. It was great to once again experience the beauty, the texture and the flavor of my state. Four years ago we did a fabulous backpack in the Ruby Mountains of Nevada and rediscovered the immense expanse and rich contrast between valley and mountain. We could not wait to return.

This trip had it all; cold mountain streams, abundant wildflowers, shady canyons, dramatic peaks, quaking aspen, ancient bristlecone pines and the smell of sage during rain. The best!

Mt. Moriah Wilderness

We met with a ranger at Great Basin NP to gather information to explore this territory in the northern Snake Range.

He recommended a hike through Horse Canyon to a plateau at 11,000' known as The Table, a unique world of subalpine vegetation lined with bristlecone and limber pine. Note: bristlecones are thought to reach an age far greater than that of any other single living organism known, up to nearly 5,000 years.

He also mentioned that it was the toughest hike that he had ever done. So, of course we had to do it, with a little trepidation.

After an interesting back road trip (see MBB) we followed a creek for a couple of flat miles before engaging in a torturous

ascent. Along the way the views of the valley were spectacular and we sighted a couple of sage grouses, mule deer, a bull snake, and a huge hawk. The wildflowers were brilliant. The trek gained 4500' in five miles before we reached the

Legendary Table, exhausted, after 3 1/2 hours of steep climbing. But it was well worth it. The views were incredible!

We made it down in just over 2 hours and celebrated in our camp by Baker Creek with cervezas and a round of target practice, shooting at our empty beer cans with my Red Ryder BB gun. (just like the one in the movie Christmas Vacation)

Great Basin NP

The next day we did some light hiking to some alpine lakes in the park and then set out for a 3600' altitude gain backpack to Johnson Lake in the rain. We camped by a creek next to an abandoned tungsten mill and Zo was able to build us a nice little fire in spite of the wet conditions. The hike was gorgeous and went well except for the relentlessly steep last mile.

Arc Dome Wilderness

We drove on the country's loneliest highway (50) to Austin Nevada and obtained a map and information from the BLM about the largest of Nevada Wildernesses that comprises the southern third of the Toiyabe Range, a rugged spine of mountains with difficult access.

This area in central Nevada has the least population per square mile of anywhere in the United States. Simply, no one lives or goes there.

We decided to hike the South/North Twin River Trails. A storm had moved in but we put on our rain gear and headed up the creek. There were many creek crossings and we were drenched early on. The scenery was awe inspiring. Canyon walls towered above and the thunder was deafening and lightning was flashing everywhere. This was pure raw nature and we relished it despite our fear.

Lorenzo told me if the hair on the back of my neck stood up to get down on my hands and knees so if struck by lightning it would pass through my body. Of course, I got paranoid and thought the hair was standing straight up but kept moving. It was great!

We celebrated with Tecates at the trailhead and didn't mind the downpour. From here we retreated to a cheap hotel in Tonopah where we dined on microwaved chili.

OK, thats it, see MBB below. Zo and I both agreed that we would return to Nevada and do the 72 mile Toiyabe Crest National Recreation Trail. It is the longest trail in Nevada and few have done it.

The acclaimed MEN BEHAVING BADLY section

-Zo for refusing to go to the world famous Ward Charcoal Ovens. Only after much coaxing did Zo finally agree to take the short side trip to such a spectacular and unique land mark. Lobo was able to convince Zo after explaining that on his death bed he would wish that he had eaten more ice cream and gone to the Ward Charcoal ovens.

-Zo for refusing to eat lunch at the bank in Ely that was offering a free fourth of July barbeque for customers that included yummy hot dogs, soda, chips, cookies, watermelon, and potater salad. Lobo was invited after making friends with the bankers and locals by introducing himself and saying "Howaya"

-Zo the off road daredevil for his demonstrations of how not to use four wheel drive on back roads and slip sliding away in the mud into a gully near Chaco and yelling "HOLD ON!" This was followed up by backing up on the back road to Mt. Moriah and almost rolling the Nissan in a gully and yelling at Lobo who was watching in terror - "GET OUT OF DA WAY!'

-Zo for yelling at poor Lobo in camp and calling the Lobo lazy when Lobo merely requested Zo fetch him a beer from the creek. Lobo had certainly done his share of camp chores and merely made the request because Zo was handy.

-Lobo for bringing his "Tennessee Toothpick" very large knife and taking a few shots at the birdies with his BB gun when Zo was not looking.

-Lobo for saying "Howaya" to everyone he saw, only because there were so few people around.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

The real, most interesting man on the planet

2008-06-22T20:11:00.000-07:00

"Never does nature say one thing and Wisdom another"

Juvenal

I just returned from a great trip to Saint Louis and wanted to share my experience at the Wild Canid Center

with you. The trip was fun and productive. My Grand Canyon presentations went extremely well, I enjoyed spending time with my friends and partners at Wapiti, Kevin and Ralph and appreciate their midwest graciousness and hospitality. We enjoyed a nice hike in beautiful Castlewood State Park where the Meramec River flows through.

The highlight of the trip was a half day spent at the Wild Canid Center. This was one of the best mornings that I have ever spent, it touched my soul. I was given a "VIP" tour by Director "Mac'

Sebald and volunteer PJ Harrison, both lovely people. I had goose bumbs when I heard howls that usually come at night. All the canids were extremely curious and I could see several of them peering at me from a distance. They demonstrated beauty, dignity and intelligence. They are all tough and hardy with keen survival skills but cannot survive guns, traps and poison.

The Wild Canid Center was founded by Marlin Perkins and wife Carol in 1971 and is the premier captive breeding center in the world. The enclosures span acres so that these truly magnificent animals do not lose their ability to hunt, socialize and raise their pups. They are reversing the trend to EXTINCTION through:

-Captive breeding for the reintroduction of wild canids into appropriate wilderness areas

-Establishment and maintenance of gene pools of selected species and subspecies

-Providing educational programs and materials for use by the public and the conservationists of tomorrow

-Contribution to data banks on captive canids throughout the world.

Canyon Tough is committed to assisting the WCC in meeting these objectives through education, support and ecotourism.

Here are some really cool pics taken at the WCC.

Clear Creek

2008-06-07T12:07:00.000-07:00

"We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that death will tremble to take us" Bukowski

In search of the Grand Canyon's highest waterfall, the elusive Cheyava Fall.

Day 1-Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch
Day 2-Clear Creek Trail to Clear Creek, North Rim
Day 3-Clear Creek to Cheyava Streak
Day 4-Clear Creek to Phantom Ranch
Day 5-Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Trail to the South Rim
50 miles in total
This was a Grand Canyon Field Institute trip of 11 including Lorenzo and Jake. The boys were both a tad bit high maintenance for the Lobo guide. We stayed at the Field Institute's lodging the night before, caught a few NCAA games at the Maswick Bar and later watched "Why do Cowboys Sing?" an excellent documentary filmed in Northern Nevada, and the classic "A Fistful of Dollars" in our luxury abode, stocked with old tapes. And exactly why do cowboys sing? "Why does the frog croak!"
The group headed for the Ranch early the next morning. We enjoyed a great steak dinner and several Tecates at Phantom.
Yea Baby! I love Phantom Ranch!

Unbelievably, this was Zo's first trip on the main corridor trails. He has done many of the more remote trails and routes.
The weather was a combination of sunshine, hail, sleet, and cold winds.

Cheyava fall was a major disappointment as it was only a wet streak on the canyon wall. It has been too cold on the rim and the fall had not yet been recharged with any meltwater. For the fall to be really cranking it requires a good snow year. This is my second trip to Clear Creek, and the fall was also not running then, so I elected to do the 10 mile round trip to the Colorado, down a serpentine gorge through one of the most spectacular stretches of Vishnu narrows in the park. This is a good option, but you must down climb about a 15' slick-rock pour-off just before you arrive at the river.

However, our hike to the fall was scenic, traveling through the varicolored rock layers of the Grand Canyon Supergroup. We stopped at several ruins along the way and could see granaries high up on the canyon walls.
The trek from Phantom to the rim was the usual arduous, suck-it-up climb. The boys liked Indian Gardens.
We celebrated at the Beaver Street Brewery in Flagstaff with burgers and beers and the three of us agreed that the best part of the trip was that Dingo did not come!

MEN and WOMEN Behaving Badly

Zo-for initially being a "Man behaving bravely" by addressing the over capacity compost toilet at Clear Creek with a stick, but quickly turning into a MBB by chucking the stick. If he was a good environmentalist he would have packed it out, utilizing it as a walking stick.

Jake-for proclaiming that he now had logged more miles in the canyon (120) than Juan da Jackal, because according to Jake, you lose all your miles(like frequent flyer programs) if you have not traveled in the canyon for one year.

Lobo-for deserting his guide post in the back after he got frustrated being stuck behind Angie, the slow senior citizen client, and telling Angie, “Let me get in front of you in case you fall,” then quickly proceeding to leave her in the dust.

Angie-for laughing loudly every time she fell.

Angie’s daughter-for hiking way ahead of her mom and leaving poor Lobo the guide to help her up when she fell.

Zo-for continuously asking: “Lobo, what’s the best part of this trip?”; Lobo-for replying: “Dingo’s not on it!”; and Jake-for laughing.

Lynn-for falling behind the group and going the wrong way, then demanding “I paid $600 for a guide to take me to the fall!”

Terry-the Chicago financial planner, for trying to get Zo to carry his whole tent rig after Zo volunteered to leave his rig behind and share a tent with Terry so he wouldn’t have to carry it all.

Terry- for leeching stoves, stove fuel and water filters from others in the group-no wonder he could hike faster than most of the rest of the group.

Jake-for not washing himself until the 3^rd day.

Lobo&Jake-for being antisocial by setting their tent away from the rest of the group at the Clear Creek campsite.

Jake-for not acknowledging his secret training of carrying his 1 year old son to build up

Nankoweep

2008-06-06T12:25:00.000-07:00

“In the Grand Canyon, Arizona has a nat
ural wonder which, so far as I know, is in kind absolutely unparalleled throughout the rest of the world.... Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is to keep it for your children, your children's children, and for all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American....should see.”
Theodore Roosevelt
Nankoweep Basin Exploration

Seventy nine miles, 30,000' of elevation gain loss in this remarkable region.

Eight Days of exploring the spectacular labyrinth of tributary canyons, dozens of arroyos, lush riparian oasis's, and prehistoric Puebloan ruins.

Highlights:
- Climbing Little Nankoweep Canyon-Cool Narrows (This is where 2 boy scouts died in 96 because their foolish leaders lost the route and did not carry enough water.
-Peak bagging the steep crumbly Nankoweep Mesa and Nankoweep Butte.
-Trekking up a drainage to a 300' seasonal waterfall that is not on any map, viewed by very few human eyes.
-Discovering granaries on barely accessible ledges high on canyon walls. Finding amazingly-intact artifacts including metates (concave stones used for food preparation) corn cobs and original stored wood.
-Scoring 8 cans of Guinness from a river group.

The group came from varied back grounds and locations. All were very seasoned canyoneers. Everyone did very well, although a couple got very testy on the last leg of the climb out.

Note:
After over 75 inner canyon trips and 2500 miles logged in the Grand Canyon this incredible trip may be the best.

Men Behaving Badly

Lorenzo and Jake the last time we did Nankoweep in June two years ago. They both tried to work over an old man (me) after a disagreement at the end. Their heat, stress and fatigue ignited a major blow up and them ganging up on me. John H was on my side and Dingo sat back and let them punch me!!!!

The Ultimate Adventure

2008-06-04T19:41:00.000-07:00

Please see below a great article I recently came across written by Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated. He details his experiences when given the opportunity to fly in an F-14 Tomcat.

The article brought back vivid memories of a similar experience I had many years ago with one of my best friends, also a Top Gun pilot that had flown into Fallon Naval Air Station in Northern Nevada. We flew out of Reno. I only needed one airsick bag!
Of all the adventurous activities that I have engaged in over the years, nothing even comes close to that morning in the sky over pyramid lake and the Black Rock Desert.

"Now this message is for America 's most famous athletes:
Someday you may be invited to fly in the back-seat of one of your country's most powerful fighter jets. Many of you already have . John Elway, John Stockton, Tiger Woods to name a few. If you get this opportunity, let me urge you, with the greatest sincerity... Move to Guam . Change your name. Fake your own death! Whatever you do . Do Not Go!!!I know. The U.S. Navy invited me to try it. I was thrilled. I was pumped. I was toast! I should've known when they told me my pilot would be Chip (Biff) King of Fighter Squadron 213 at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach . Whatever you're thinking a Top Gun named Chip (Biff) King looks like, triple it. He's about six-foot, tan, ice-blue eyes, wavy surfer hair, finger-crippling handshake -- the kind of man who wrestles dyspeptic alligators in his leisure time. If you see this man, run the other way. Fast. Biff King was born to fly. His father, Jack King, was for years the voice of NASA missions. ("T-minus 15 seconds and counting ..." Remember?) Chip would charge neighborhood kids a quarter each to hear his dad. Jack would wake up from naps surrounded by nine-year-olds waiting for him to say, "We have a liftoff."Biff was to fly me in an F-14D Tomcat, a ridiculously powerful $60 million weapon with nearly as much thrust as weight, not unlike Colin Montgomerie. I was worried about getting airsick, so the night before the flight I asked Biff if there was something I should eat the next morning. "Bananas," he said."For the potassium?" I asked."No," Biff said, "because they taste about the same coming up as they do going down."The next morning, out on the tarmac, I had on my flight suit with my name sewn over the left breast. (No call sign -- like Crash or Sticky or Leadfoot .. but, still, very cool.) I carried my helmet in the crook of my arm, as Biff had instructed. If ever in my life I had a chance to nail Nicole Kidman, this was it. A fighter pilot named Psycho gave me a safety briefing and then fastened me into my ejection seat, which, when employed, would "egress" me out of the plane at such a velocity that I would be immediately knocked unconscious. Just as I was thinking about aborting the flight, the canopy closed over me, and Biff gave the ground crew a thumbs-up. In minutes we were firing nose up at 600 mph. We leveled out and then canopy-rolled over another F-14. Those 20 minutes were the rush of my life. Unfortunately, the ride lasted 80. It was like being on the roller coaster at Six Flags Over Hell. Only without rails. We did barrel rolls, snap rolls, loops, yanks and banks. We dived, rose and dived again, sometimes with a vertical velocity of 10,000 feet per minute. We chased another F-14, and it chased us. We broke the speed of sound. Sea was sky and sky was sea. Flying at 200 feet we did 90-degree turns at 550 mph, creating a G force of 6.5, which is to say I felt as if 6.5 times my body weight was smashing against me, thereby approximating life as Mrs. Colin Montgomerie.And I egressed the bananas. And I egressed the pizza from the night before. And the lunch before that. I egressed a box of Milk Duds from the sixth grade. I made Linda Blair look polite. Because of the G's, I was egressing stuff that never thought would be egressed. I went through not one airsick bag, but two.Biff said I passed out. Twice. I was coated in sweat. At one point, as we were coming in upside down in a banked curve on a mock bombing target and the G's were flattening me like a tortilla and I was in and out of consciousness, I realized I was the first person in history to throw down. I used to know 'cool'. Cool was Elway throwing a touchdown pass, or Norman making a five-iron bite. But now I really know 'cool'. Cool is guys like Biff, men with cast-iron stomachs and freon nerves. I wouldn't go up there again for Derek Jeter's black book, but I'm glad Biff does every day, and for less a year than a rookie reliever makes in a home stand. A week later, when the spins finally stopped, Biff called. He said he and the fighters had the perfect call sign for me Said he'd send it on a patch for my flight suit.What is it? I asked."Two Bags."

France

2008-06-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

Bonjour,

We just returned from an exciting French vacation lasting 24 days.

-Paris on Bastille day and the finish of the Tour De France

-Loire Valley

-Normandy

We rented a car to tour the wine regions and Normandy. After all, we had previously driven all over the UK and Ireland on the opposite side of the road. How tough could this be?

Only Slightly!!!! On the way out of Paris I was stopped by the Police- After observing my "deer eyes" the insightful Policeman offered the following revelation------"Be very careful driving in Paris, It is very dangerous!"

I felt much better after that.

On the Paris Ring Road my navigator quit! Gerry-"I'm Done!" Lobo- "Gerry you can't quit!!!""

On Juno Beach Normandy (Canadian Invasion) the Tour Guide's comment on driving in and out of Paris-"Now that's a sport!"

Our way out resembled this video from Chevy Chase's European Vacation Movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3uFeauIRrA

Coming back into Paris was slightly less stressful . We went right through the eye of the hurricane, down the 6 lanes of the Champs Elysees to the Sienne River and only a couple of circles before landing at Avis . (Motor scooter to the left, Motorcycle to the right)-Holy Shit!!! look Out!!!!!

I am too tired to do a full report. I will forward more PICS later.

Here is the highlight of the trip for me. The Sewers of Paris.

Gerry enjoying herself underground. The sights and smells were a feast for the senses.

Thirty nine years ago I took Gerry on a date to the Reno Fair. There, a haunting voice on a loudspeaker kept repeating over and over. "Come see the rat from the sewers of Paris"

It put us in a trance and we went in to see this rat. (It cost a quarter-Gerry paid) The rat was a huge disturbing spectacle that left a life long horrific impression on both of us. I mean, it was bigger than a porcupine. I have had many nightmares since, each one has that rat's beady eyes staring ay me.

We both felt that the only way to rid ourselves of this terrifying vision was to travel to Paris, address our fears head on, and educate ourselves on the rat's habitat.

And we did. And we are better now.

Where Amazing Happens

El Lobo H. Grande

Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid Redux

2008-06-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

“He who does not travel does not know the value of men.-Therefore wander”
Moorish Proverb

Banditos

Sundance Kid (Jacobo)
Butch (El Lobo)

Gringo Trail

Los Angeles, Panama City, Lima, Cuzco, Pisac, Aqua Caliente, Copacabana
La Paz, Arequipa-

From the world's highest lake and capital city down the deepest Canyon in the world.
Peru and Bolivia on $20 a day. Three weeks of living the life of adventure we all wanted when we were kids.

Highlights of this trip include:

-Hanging out at the Plaza de Armas in Cuzco, the Katmandu of South America. Soaking up the culture, tradition and history of this beautiful colonial city.

-Eating roast guinea pig (cuy) on a stick, washing it down with Cuzquena cerveza

-Taking a local bus filled with pigs and chickens through the sacred valley to Pisac. Hiking to an Inca fortress on the mountain above.

-Taking a train to Aqua Caliente/Machu Pichu-South America's best known and most spectacular archeological site. Hiking a portion of the Inca Trail.

-Climbing steep Huayna Pichu to take in a stunning view of Machu Pichu’s natural setting

-Exploring pleasant Copacabana. The small city looks down on the deep blue waters of Lake Titicaca. Copacabana is also a major pilgrimage center to the Virgen de Candelaria shrine.

-Taking a boat ride to gorgeous Isla de Sol, the spiritual center of the Andean world, which was dotted by ancient ruins and traditional Aymura communities.

-Shopping at the Witches Market in La Paz for “oddities.” Negotiating with armed guards for a tour of the legendary San Pedro prison.

-Visiting with our wonderful friend Jorge Alercon in La Paz. Jorge is a (distinguished classy) Bolivian gentleman. He took us for a fabulous roast duck dinner at a country restaurant outside La Paz.

-Hiking in the Valle De Luna outside of La Paz.

-Touring the fascinating block long complex of the Santa Catalina Monesterio (actually a convent.) in Arequipa.

-Backpacking into the bottom of Canon del Colca. At 3400 m deep, it is reportedly the world's deepest canyon.

“Kid, the next time I say, "Let's go someplace like Bolivia," let's GO someplace like Bolivia,”
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid-1969

Our adventure started in Lima after an all night flight. Lima is not the garden spot of South America. It is overcrowded, polluted and noisy but could not be avoided as we could not book a flight to Cuzco until the next day. We did spend some pleasant time in the Mira Flores section of town.

We checked into a nice hostel in Cuzco and immediately drank a pitcher of mate de coca (coca tea) in order to try to prevent acute mountain sickness. We spent a couple of days exploring Cuzco and acclimating to the altitude. Massive Inca-built stone walls line many of the city's central streets and form the foundations of colonial and modern buildings. The streets are often stepped and narrow. There are hundreds of taxis that simply do not stop for anyone. Pizza was served at most restaurants and more often than not was our meal of choice.

Paradise found-

The “kid” and I took long scenic train ride to Aqua Caliente at the base of Machu Pichu and entered the lost city of the Incas, shrouded in mist and mystery. The grandeur of Machu Pichu blew our socks off. The site has exceptionally high quality stonework and ornamentation.
We trekked up the Inca Trail to the Puerta de Sol (Gate of the Sun). Early the next morning we climbed to the top of Huayna Pichu and took in a condor's view of the ruins. (Discovered in 1911)
Rumor has it that another site in Peru, even more spectacular, has been discovered, buried in the thickly overgrown jungle.

Machu Pichu

Isla Flotantes

Back in Cuzco we took a bus to the small port of Puno (3820 m) on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. Generations of school children have been taught that Titicaca is the largest lake in the world above 2000 m. Some schoolchildren including a wee lad by the name of Lobito giggled hysterically during their study lesson and were appropriately reprimanded by their fifth grade teacher.
I always knew that someday I would go to the magical Titicaca and see the limitless horizons and floating reed islands. The islands are built using many layers of the buoyant totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows.

“Butch and me have been talking it all over. Wherever the hell Bolivia is, that's where we're off to.”

On toLa Paz

We crossed the border the following day and made a stopover at enchanting Copacabana on Lake Titicaca’s southern shore. We sailed to Isla Del Sol and back that afternoon. This island of the sun is the birthplace of creation in Inca mythology.

Lake Titicaca

Magic Bus

Getting to La Paz was interesting. At one point the road ended on the shore of the lake and required floating the bus on a tenuous old wood barge across a ½ mile of Lake Titicaca.
Passengers were transported on another old boat. We watched in amusement and a little horror as the bus swung wildly from side to side. There goes the luggage!

"Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe."

Setting our eyes on the world's highest capital was memorable. We entered La Paz from above and caught panoramic views nestled in a deep valley, with the magnificent peak of Illimani rising behind in the distance.
The City and its markets are incredibly busy, the Hong Kong of South America.
At an altitude of 3500 m, the kid and I were both sucking air, and Jake suffered with debilitating headaches and nausea. Heavy blankets were an additional weight on our chests and caused us to continuously gasp for air during the night.
We spent hours wandering the alleys and markets, visiting museums and watching Bolivian life unfold in the plazas.

Life inside San Pedro Prison

On the bus we met a young woman of Peruvian descent whom told us about San Pedro penitentiary, which is situated in the heart of downtown La Paz.
She was reading the book “Marching Powder’ a true story about friendship, cocaine, and corruption in South America's strangest prison. San Pedro was described as a place where the inmates must engage in various activities to survive. Cells with 5 star conveniences are purchased from”Realtors” by the wealthiest of the drug dealers while those without money live in retched conditions. San Pedro has its own set of rules and regulations, with its own economy, equipped with a cocaine lab. Even the prison cat is addicted. Some prisoners have family members living with them inside. San Pedro was described as perhaps a surreal microcosm of Bolivian society.

Our curiosity was aroused.

Apparently, at one time, English speaking inmates made money by giving tourists prison tours along with armed guards. After the Black February uprisings the prison was declared off limits……but we were told that there was a way to get in…. and back out.

We showed up at 9:00 A.M., the time that was given for the best opportunity. I approached one of the guards with a request to interview a friend. The time was not right. He gave me a shove and directed my attention to a crude sign that was posted, prohibiting foreign visitors.
Another guard told us to wait across the street. Here, we talked with an Israelite whom had been trying to get in for the past few days. He said that he had been told that the guards were new and we needed to be patient and wait for the right time.
Dialogue was conducted through the gate with a young American prisoner who had been in there for quite a while, accused of possessing cocaine. His ticket to freedom was to pay his way out and he did not have the means.

Not being interested in burning all our time waiting, we left, disappointed but slightly relieved that we would not have to deal with making it back out.

On the road again---- back to Puno and then to Arequipa

The beautiful colonial city Arequipa is nestled in a fertile valley under the perfect cone –shaped volcano of El Misti (5822 m) which rises majestically behind the cathedral from the Plaza, flanked by the ragged Chuachuani (6075 m) and to the right by Pichu Pichu (5571 m) The Plaza de Armas is graced with distinctive stonework and we spent a day exploring the city.
Jake felt much better after dropping in elevation. The plan was to do a three day backpack into Canon del Colca but a time miscalculation necessitated a revision to two days and an all night bone jarring bus ride. We arrived in Cabanaconde, sleepless. Cabanaconde is reminiscent of something out of a Clint Eastwood spaghetti western. We had breakfast at a really cool café, then descended into the arid confines of the deepest canyon on earth.

"El Condor Pasa"

WOW!!!

My burning eyes picked up on tremendous shadows crossing our path. I looked skyward to see two magnificent Andean Condors soaring.
We reached the Rio Colca and crossed over on a rickety old wood suspension bridge. We had lunch in a small village and then headed across the canyon. There was considerable loss & gain of altitude before we reached another small village where tiny school children and dogs accompanied us to an oasis. One ninito demanded that Jake carry him. Jake carried him. When it started to rain he demanded a raincoat. We gave him a raincoat. Manuel had more personality packed into his small frame than any kid that I have ever met.

Village church

We relaxed at an oasis, got a little sleep and then started the long steep climb out with flashlights at 2:00 in the morning. We arrived at the rim around 7 A.M. and again had breakfast at the old café. From here we took a bus to a National Preserve to view more condors.
The bus ride back was lengthy and jarring but we didn't mind. It was worth it.

Getting back to Phoenix was a 24 hour ordeal involving spending the night at the LA airport where we attempted, unsuccessfully, to sleep on the floor.

Gerry and Cody, two of the prettiest girls in the world, picked us up in Phoenix. Gerry was smiling and Cody‘s tail was a wagging. Both were anticipating jewelry and treats. They were not disappointed.
There is no place like home.

This was an adventure traveler's dream trip. Much thanks to Jake for putting it together and being such a good partner. We would have liked to have spent more time in Bolivia at Sucre as well as the mining village of San Vicente where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid played their final scene.

I will end with this thought.

Marking at the portal of a cemetery in Puno---

“Yo hoy, manana tu” (I today, tomorrow you)

Playing Above The Rim (Mogollon)

2008-06-02T22:33:00.000-07:00

Not all those who wander are lost!
JRR Tolkien

This time of year when the NBA playoffs are in full swing we think of a rim as one attached to a backboard. Not necessarily!

In Phoenix, many think of a rim as a Mogollon. The Mogollon Rim marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau in Arizona and stretches 200 miles from the southwest of Flagstaff to the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. The name Mogollon comes from Don Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollón, Spanish Governor of New Mexico from 1712-1715. The average elevation is about 7000 feet, and is known for its stands of Ponderosa pine, which comprise the largest Ponderosa pine forest in the United States. It can easily be accessed within a 2 hour drive from Phoenix.

A few years ago while stopping on a back road for a 100 mile sweeping view, I came across a retired couple from Massachusetts who were mesmerized by the brilliant hue of purple as the sunlight was fading. While chatting with them, one commented "Isn't the Grand Canyon beautiful?"
Yes it is!!

But so is the Mogollon Rim.

Our backpacking group of four consisted of Hannu legend, Larry the Mountain Man, Dingo Dog and El Lobo.

Hannu is from Finland and is a world class orienteer. His navigation skills and speed on the trails are legendary. Hannu walks faster than most people run and he does not stop for anything. He has been slowed by 2 knee operations but still maintains a torrid pace.

Larry spent many years in Alaska and has climbed two faces of Denali. He used to jog in -50 temps and employed the use of 3 socks. I will let you guess where he put the third.

Dingo is a solid outdoorsman, loves to get out and explore, particularly the canyons of the southwest. He has worn the same "Red Dirt" t-shirt a record 823 times!!

We chose to do the relatively easy 22 mile historic cabin loop, following historic trails and featuring historic cabins and incredible views from the rim. The trail is the link between the earliest fire guard cabin network in this area of the rim and has its roots in the beginning of the Forest Service era there.

I had not backpacked for over a year and my soul was in desperate need of the Wilderness. My job as an adventure guide and other outdoor activities had taken me from my passion. Backpacking to me, is pure and spiritual. I love the required efficiencies, and opportunities to travel where few go. It is also a great work out. For me, this is an unbeatable combination.

Our "pack" started at the General Springs Cabin. We followed the Fred Haught Trail for six miles to the Pinchot Cabin where we pitched our tents in a gorgeous meadow.
It had snowed here last week and water was abundant in all the drainages. There were also a number of springs and perennial water sources.
The Cabin Trail passed through some of the most spectacular country that I have seen in Arizona. I had to pinch myself to believe that I was not hiking in the Rockies or my beloved Sierras, less the mosquitos.

Arizona is extremely diverse. Here we have every eco system from Mexico to Canada. You can enjoy the great outdoors all year round. In the summer you go to the mountains and in the winter you spend your time in the Sonoran Desert.

Normally, I do not build a fire when backpacking, but the camaraderie of the group, the in place fire pits and the 40 degree night time temps changed my thinking.

Larry served hors d"ouevres of salmon and cheese and elk bologna. He also brought a flask of Bushmills. Dingo brought a bottle of high grade sipping tequila and served with lime and salt. Hannu chipped in with Absolut Vodka and Lobo ponied up a fine bottle of Cabernet. We decided to save the vodka and vino for day two camp.
Around the fire, the stories grew, like the size of a fish that the man claims broke his reel.
The exchange was deeply philosophical, similar to the dialogue of the young boys in the camp fire scene in the movie Stand By Me:

GORDIE: alright. Mickey's a mouse. Donald's a duck. Pluto's a dog. What's Goofy?
TEDDY: Goofy's a dog, he's definitely a dog.

GORDIE: I knew the sixty-four thousand dollars question was fixed. There's no way anybody can know that much about opera.

CHRIS: He can't be a dog. Wears a hat and drives a car.

GORDIE: Wagon Train's a really cool show. But did you ever notice that they never get anywhere? They just keep wagon training.

VERN: God, that's weird. What the hell is Goofy?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HANNU: In Finland everyone goes naked in the sauna. I'm telling you guys, a Finnish sauna is so hot you can not get an erection in there even if a good looking woman comes in there.

LOBO: BS Hannu!! I guarantee you I could if Pam Anderson came in there naked!!

HANNU: Hey guy, no you couldn't!!!

LOUD ARGUMENT

DINGO: Does anyone know the high and low temperatures where an erection is not possible?

LARRY: I think that the low is -50.

____________________________________________________________

The following day we hiked ten miles on vague and confusing trails. Hannu had his map and compass. Larry had his GPS. Man against machine. The best of both worlds was necessary to stay on track. Whenever we would lose the trail Hannu would scowl "percolay." I think "percolay" is something bad in Finn.

That night we camped in a beautiful bright green meadow in Barbershop Canyon. A fire was built, wine and vodka flowed and the stories grew larger like the tale by the time its been told by more than one.GORDIE: Wagon Train's a really cool show. But did you ever notice that they never get anywhere? They just keep wagon training.

VERN: God, that's weird. What the hell is Goofy?

The next morning we packed up early and had an easy six miles to close the loop. On the rim, Hannu picked up a satellite signal on his Blackberry and Larry and I anxiously asked him to get on the Net and check out the score of the Celtics/Pistons playoff game. Our blood flows green and this had to be one hell of a backpack for us to miss this game.
Hannu announced the score-89-81. But who won?? Who won!?? Hannu was either messing with us or not. I considered going for his throat just before he proclaimed-Lakers-Celtics in the finals!! Music to our ears. The Celts also had played above the rim.

Still Runnin' Against the Wind

ELG

Condors Over The Battleship

2008-06-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

A mass of Victorian wiles and granite that resembles a battleship in the rain and a wedding cake in the sun."
Francis X. Clines

The Mighty Battleship-Summit Elevation 5850'

Climbers-

Zo
Lobo
Dingo
Larry da Mountain Man

I was camped at the Mather Campground on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. I had invited the boys up for a little adventure on my day off. This was a mistake. The 10 day Wilderness First Responder Class that I was attending had drained all my energy. It was much more difficult than I had expected. The course included 80 hours of classroom, a couple of hours homework each night coupled with evening field work. Passing a practical and a written test was required for certification. Certification is required to work for the Grand Canyon Field Institute.

The day off would have been better served relaxing and studying, but plans had been made to climb the Battleship.

It was late Friday night and the boys had still not arrived. The campfire was almost out and I was ready for bed. At 11 Zo's headlights finally came into play.
They made camp and we stayed up for a couple of hours draining cervezas and being guys.

At dawn we started coffee and then drove to the rim and went down the Bright Angel Trail. Our bush whack approach to the Battleship was somewhere between 1 1/2 and 2 miles down the trail. I had been told by Pat, the head of Search and Rescue that there were 3 entry points and routes with varying degrees of difficulty.

Of course we chose the most difficult because (name withheld) was adamant on entering at the 1 1/2 mile point. From here we tried to follow a cairned route north along the Coconino-littered Supai talus. We lost the route several times. My arms and legs were the usual bloody mess from fighting through all the prickly, spiny, thorny, stabbing plant life. We finally arrived at the Battleship's southern shale pinnacles and continued traversing around the eastern side to gain access to a "class 3" east facing route. We were looking for a left facing squeeze chimney. We came to a slot and (name withheld) announced "this is it!"
The 40' climb looked to Zo and I like a 5.7 technical climb. This would mean an unprotected ascent since we did not bring rope and I only had 50' of webbing.
I did not like it at all. If this was a "class 3?" then what was the rest of the climb like?
Also, this day was Gerry and my 39th wedding anniversary. I sure as hell did not want to give my wife a climbing accident anniversary gift, particularly since I had a serious climbing accident almost two years prior that negatively impacted my family. When I mentioned this fact, it was met with ridicule. (name withheld) I mean "Real Men" don't worry about s@#t like that!

Wrong! Pissed me off!

(Name withheld) insisted that this was the correct chimney so Zo led, I reluctantly followed and we used the webbing to hoist packs. After we were clear, our "class 3" became visible just around the corner. Finding it was a relief as the real concern was the danger of having to go back down the way we came up.
Here, we traversed left, 60' across a ledge to bypass the steep upper shale face. A final short ramp brought us to the summit.

On top we enjoyed the panoramic views, dined, relaxed and watched the condors above. It was magnificent. Someone had built a battleship out of rock.

The descent was easy. We took the well marked "lower route" to the Bright Angel Trail, coming out at the 2 mile mark. The climb to the rim was arduous due to the intense heat.

We celebrated in the Bright Angel Lounge, and Lobo treated the boys (including name withheld) with Fosters and pepper jack cheese burgers. They were too good!

Lobo returned to the campgrounds to study and the boys headed for Phoenix.

Note: I did pass my tests (barely) and received certification. This was accomplished despite celebrating the Celtic total destruction of the Lakers in the Maswick Lodge the night before the tests.

It seems that I unecessarily do many things the hard way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQn8OyLCRss

Men/Women Behaving Badly

(Name withheld) for being a Dick Head and allowing his need to be a "Macho Man" interfere with the golden rule of "Safety First"
Larry the Mountain Man for letting the rankest smelling fart ever, at our lunch break. On a previous adventure LTMM declared a "fart free" zone.
Dingo for demanding a fire and beers when he arrived at camp.
Dingo for waking up everyone at camp with his loud boisterous voice.
Dingo and Larry – For losing the “obviously” cairned trail to accommodate their love of bushwhacking.
Dingo – For insisting that a short 5.7 chimney climb was the class 3 scramble in the trail description. (Upon topping out of the climb, the group found the “obvious” easy scramble.
Larry, Dingo, Lobo – For deserting the poorly conditioned Zo on the trail so they could get to the beer at the bar as soon as possible.
Larry – For immediately taking off his shoes and socks at the bar, causing his smelly feet to clear out the table next to us.
Lobo and Larry – For being vehement Celtics fans and picking on Dingo, the vehement Laker fan.
Dingo – For teaming up with the Laker lovin waitress and asking her to spit on Larry’s and Lobo’s burgers.
Lobo – For missing his 39th wedding anniversary and father’s day to be at his wilderness first responder class.
Lobo for saying "Howaya" to everyone on the Bright Angel Trail.
Lobo for pumping his fist and pounding his chest and yelling Celtics at the Maswick Lodge Bar that was populated with 16 Aussies wearing Laker shirts.
Lobo for coming to class with a hangover each morning after the basketball game.
Other WFR classmates in camp that did not exactly "lean into the showers" because showers cost 2 bucks and they elected to spend their shower money on beer.
The same "gamey" classmates that stunk up the classroom.
Tracy, a very pretty nice young lady whom had finished through hiking the PCT(Pacific Crest Trail) last year, for letting out several loud belches during class. They were world class.
Free spirits (river rats etc) that partied hard and late at the campgrounds each night.

The Arizona Coast

2008-06-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

Men may dam it and say that they have made a lake, but it will still be a river. It will keep its nature and bide its time, like a caged animal alert for the slightest opening. In time, it will have its way; the dam, like the ancient cliffs, will be carried away piecemeal in the currents.

-- Wendell Berry

The "A" team spent the weekend on the Lower Colorado River.

Jacobo

Juan

El Lobo

The lower Colorado has been made supremely functional (ruined) by a ladder of dams stretching from Glen Canyon in Northern Arizona to Morelos Dam south of Yuma. This area has transformed California and Arizona deserts into a lush corridor for aquatic recreation. There are a number of high quality State Parks that offer shoreline, beaches, boating and camping facilities, golf, tennis, RV centers and the like. Brand new communities and thousands of condominiums have popped up out of nowhere. I hate all of it.

The London Bridge at Lake Havasu City arrived on the Colorado's shore in 1968 and reassembled like a giant jigsaw puzzle. I don't like it!

We camped at Buckskin Mountain State Park. In the park we hiked the Buckskin trail, relaxed, played catch, read, and "sipped" cervezas.

There is a decent restaurant in the park where we were able to catch both final four basketball games and sip more cervezas, while slamming down chile cheese fries and burgers.

The next day we drove to the Topock Marina to gain access to a unique bit of landscape known as the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. Here there are 260 different species of birds, 40 species of mammals and 20 species of reptiles. We saw a lizard.

We started our kayak trip at the Marina and took out at Castle Rock. This segment of river is known as the Topock Gorge , a 15 mile stretch of what was supposed to be gentle water, it did have incomparable scenery, perfect for kayaking or canoeing.

The trip started with gentle water but soon we encountered a strong head wind. This coupled with the wakes created by the speedy boats made it a challenging paddle for Jake and I. After the wind started, I hated everybody and everything.

Campers Behaving Badly:

Lorenzo for not going because he was too seeek!

Juan for secretly blaming Jacobo after Juan lost his "expensive" sun glasses in the Colorado.

Juan for announcing that he was an expert paddler and then leaving us to die.

EL Lobo for hating all the young punks in speed boats cruising at break neck speed, drinking beer, flaunting bikini clad beauties in their boat while poor Lobo was fighting the wind and their wake.

California spring break party animals going nuts at the famous sand bar. Next time I'm joining them, screw the paddling, after all, I am a student.

Juan and Lobo for hydrating themselves by sipping pitchers of cervezas at the restaurant and draining the camp cooler of all the bottled beer.

Jacobo for forgetting his air mattress and having to sleep on the ground-AGAIN!

The dudes in the next camp site that started "sipping" beer at 6:30 Sunday morning. Everyone knows that you don't start until after 9 on Sundays!

Walk Like An Egyptian

2008-06-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

Highlights

--Beautiful 5 star hotels, particularly the Petra Taybet Zaman! An incredtble complex, one of the nicest that we have stayed.
-The food was marvelous
-The people were warm, outgoing and respectful
-Pyramids of ancient Egypt
-Extraordinary ancient city of Petra (rock in Greek) where the Indiana Jones movies were filmed
-2000' hike to the top of the Monastary in Perta
-Floating on the fabulous Dead Sea
-The Holy land from the ancient city of Wadi Muza
-New York.... tramping......-Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Times Square, United Nations,Rockefeller Center, St . Patricks Cathedral, South Street Seaport etc and........
Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe where the Lobo scored a NY Hard Rock bottle opener/magnet to add to his valuable world wide collection.

Puerto Vallarta

2008-06-01T15:32:00.000-07:00

"A single tree in the tropical forest in the south of Mexico has more different species than some European countries"

Carlos Salinas de Gortari

I selected Puerto Vallarta, the jewel of Jalisco Mexico as a destination for our fortieth wedding anniversary and we both were extremely happy with that decision. Stretching around the sparkling blue Bahia de Banderas and backed by lush, palm covered mountains we couldn't have asked for a lovelier place to while away 10 days on a special vacation.

There are so many travel bargains available and Mexico has been the victim of much undue travel cautions. We found this tropical paradise to feel safer than being in the United States. The atmosphere was totally friendly and service oriented. The weather was nice and the prices right, the culture and scenery hard to beat. And, we didn't mind a short return plane trip home in lieu of the grueling flights from other tropical destinations.

We chose to stay in the "Zona Romantica" close to downtown in lieu of Nuevo Vallarta or the sterile American hotel strip where many tourists spend their entire time in an all inclusive hotel, "safe" from the real Mexico.

We enjoyed the picturesque cobbled streets and many great restaurants, but ended out hanging out at a local "Banana Cantina" that was a Vallarta version of "Cheers"

On our anniversary, we moved up the mountain to a large villa that afforded incredible panoramic views of the bay.

A highlight was doing the "Outdoor Adventure" with Vallarta Adventures. Billed as one of the greatest adventures on earth, we were not disappointed with the adrenaline production. In an area of tropical forest, 200 Ft. above the ground we flew on 1000 Ft. zip lines 10 times and rappelled three routes (one free fall) into natural river pools. Although an experienced "zip liner" in Costa Rica, this was Gerry's first rappelling experience. She showed "No Fear" demonstrated excellent technique and nailed them, an inspiration to the youthful group (young punks) that watched her "go first" on their experience of a lifetime.

Note: Cameras were not allowed and we elected to not buy the photographer's shots so we have no PICS of this day to share

Other highlights included:

-Luxuriating day in and day out on Vallarta's world famous Playa de Los Muertos

-Taking a panga to the peaceful village of Yelapa, only accessible by boat

-Strolling and shopping beneath the shady rubber trees on Isla Rio Cuale alongside the Rio Cuale.

-Taking a day trip to Punta de Mita and Sayulito to watch the surfers ride the waves

-Spending an interesting day at an old family tequila distillery, and partaking in a little tequila tasting

-Wandering the beautiful seafront "Malecon" and chatting about life with the locals

2008-01-22T17:23:00.000-08:00

Other great rivers add power to you
Yakima, Snake, and the Klickitat, too
Sandy, Willamette and Hood River too
So roll on, Columbia, roll on

— Woody Guthrie, "Roll on Columbia" (1941)

I just returned from beautiful Bend Oregon after a week of action. Gerry went home on Monday. I stayed for a backpack. It was a nice break from "toasty" Phoenix.

This will be a short report containing only highlights because I have to reload and do a canyon trip for18 people from the UK.

Thanks to Peggy Shea for her tremendous hospitality and to Bob Shea for putting together a great plan and schedule of activities.

Highlights

-Evening cocktails/hors d'oeuvres/dinners on the Shea backyard patio; watching the Steller Jays, Hummingbirds, and even a large Owl.

This backyard is incredible!

-Downtown Art Walk and Shopping at Old Mill

-Moon Rise and Sunset on Pilot Butte

-Hiking to Tumulo Falls and paddling the Deschutes with Gerry

-Sunrise to Summit Race-up to the top of 9,000' Mount Bachelor-A personal best for the Mooseman!

-Lunch at Elks Lake Lodge-Black Butte Porters!

-Mountain Biking about 19 miles on the Skyliner, Phils and up and down the fun "Whoops trail" (muchos moguls)

-Smith Rock State Park

-A fabulous 26 mile backpack in the three Sisters Wilderness. (6 miles cross country up, and down some gnarly stuff)

Big City Mountaineers

2008-01-21T19:43:00.000-08:00

"Relationships help us define who we are and what we can become. Most of us..."
Paula Nelson

AT LAST! A beer and a bed! After spending 22 days in the wilderness, sleeping on a thin air mattress, I indulged. It is good to be home.

I just returned from leading three groups of urban teens for Big City Mountaineers - www.bigcitymountaineers.org/

on backpacking trips in the Ansel Adams Wilderness located in the Sierras, close to Yosemite.

My first group hiked in the Mammoth area close to the Minarets, and the last two in the Lillian Lakes loop. All totaled, over 100 miles were logged, including trips to 25 alpine lakes. Gnarly, steep mountain challenges were completed and prayer flags were awarded.

Most of the teens live in the midst of Oakland's "killer corridor". Their youth center is a haven and serves as a second family.

They had never experienced the great outdoors. The sounds that they regularly hear are screams and gunshots. These are replaced by the resonance of nature, including the wind, waterfalls, and flowing creeks.

We fit the boys with new boots, gear, and backpacks and off we go. It is an abrupt and difficult transition.

But this is not about the lessons of backpacking but about the lessons of life.

Group 2

This experience was extremely rewarding for me. The kids took on every challenge and did things that they never thought were possible. Some demonstrated undaunted courage. They all completed a climbing challenge above 10,000 feet.

My volunteers were some of the best people that I have ever met, delivering patience, persistence and kindness every minute of the day.

The first group was pelted with fleeting snow for two days and awakened by an aggressive bear in camp one night. All food was properly stored in bear canisters so Mr. Bear went hungry, but took the opportunity to use the facilities and took a big dump in the middle of our camp, thereby answering the ageless question-does the bear shit in the woods? Not always!

After the bear left, five ended up in one tent.

This group climbed up to remote Cabin lake, which involved some tricky climbing and creek crossings.

The second group was a wee bit of a challenge. They were not serious about their objectives. One boy threw his shoes in the lake. This ugly incident was extremely disappointing considering our educational efforts of LNT. (Leave no trace) After a come to bejesus meeting, followed by me beating the worst behaved at arm wrestling, they came around. On the last night we stayed at a very rustic lodge in Groveland and watched Forest Gump on video. We finally bonded.

The third group was a very special bunch of younger kids. One, in particular wanted to go home every day but after completing a tough climb he blurted out "I can't wait until I tell the other kids back home what I did! I never thought that I could ever do anything like this!"

They loved hearing campfire stories, their favorite being "Willie the Dog Faced Boy" who ate some Skippy dog food and then started growing whiskers and hair all over his body and ran off. Willie has been sighted roaming Reno Nevada and getting into everyone's garbage can.

Every day I fielded a barrage of questions about Willie. Some thought that they had seen Willie in their Oakland neighborhood.

On the last night a feral cat jumped out of a tree on to one of the boys sleeping bags at the campground and was given the moniker of "Wanda the cat faced girl"

Preparing for Canyoneering-The "Jug" Arizona

2007-10-04T15:40:00.000-07:00

Plivice National Park Croatia

2007-10-04T15:37:00.000-07:00

2007-06-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed."
- Mohandas Gandhi

Canyoneers:

Larry The Mountain Man

Dingo Dog

El Lobo H. Grande

The Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, close to Sedona is relatively unknown and seldom visited. The defining feature is the canyon itself, which cuts through the Mogollon Rim, and winds for more than 20 miles. There are dozens of place names in Arizona containing the word sycamore, and when you find these places you find their name sake tree, the ghostly, pale barked Arizona Sycamore.

We chose to "cowboy up" and hike the remote, obscure, 11 mile(r/t) Dogie trail, where back in it's day, cowboys drove cattle through this spectacular Wilderness.

"Dogie" is cowboy for a motherless calf.

We caught magnificent views of sandstone ramparts and had a nice lunch at the junction with the Sycamore Basin Trail. The Dogie dips in and out of many drainages . Cottonwoods and willows lined the banks of a very dry Sycamore Creek. Little wildlife, were out in the heat of the day, only a couple of King Snakes.

We hiked for about 6 hours and ended it with our traditional camp chair/cerveza ritual at the trailhead. The back road (525C) to the trailhead requires a high clearance vehicle.

Our plans include returning for a winter backpack skirting the entire Wilderness.

BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

LARRY THE MOUNTAIN MAN & DINGO LITTLE DOGGIE ON THE TRAIL SYCAMORE WILDERNESS

RED ROCK SANDSTONE FORMATIONS

QUITE A VARIETY OF WILDFLOWERS

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THESE WILDFLOWERS? OF COURSE LOBO CAN, BECAUSE HE IS A WORLD FAMOUS GUIDE.

MEN BEHAVING BADLY: (NOW THIS IS FUNNY! I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE!")

-DINGO FOR CALLING THE NATURE LOVING LOBO A "QUEER" BECAUSE THE SENSITIVE WOLF WAS ENJOYING THE DESERT WILDFLOWERS AND BUTTERFLIES.

-LORENZO FOR MISSING THIS TRIP AND SNEAKING OFF TO MEXICO WITH SECRET HIS PAL TONY. (NOTE IT IS RUMORED THAT ZO HAS A MEXICAN GIRL FRIEND IN SAN CARLOS THAT DOES NOT EXACTLY PUSH HERSELF AWAY FROM THE COMIDA. LORENZO HAS HIRED A RODEO CLOWN TO DISTRACT HER WHEN HE BRINGS GROCERIES BACK TO THE CONDO.)

-MOUNTAIN MAN -LARRY, THE EASTERN LIBERAL FOR TORMENTING AND NEEDLING DINGO (OF THE JOHN BIRCH SOCIETY) THE WHOLE TRIP, " REPEATING "ITS HARD WORK" "LET GET ER DONE"

-LOBO FOR SINGING "GET ALONG LITTLE DOGGIE' FOR 3 MILES AND THEN "A PONY NAMED WILDFIRE" FOR 7

-LOBO FOR HAVING CONSTANT ANXIETY ABOUT MISSING THE CELTICS/HAWKS GAME AND THEN HALUCINATING, HAVING A VISION JOE JOHNSON'S FACE IN A ROCK FORMATION.

-DINGO FOR TALKING SMACK ABOUT JUAN DA JACKAL'S BAD, INCONSIDERATE PRACTICE OF PROLIFIC TRAIL FARTING WHILE RIPPING THEM HIMSELF, ALL DAY.

-DINGO WHO ALWAYS WANTS TO GO EXPLORING AND PUT IN MORE UNNECESSARY MILAGE AND THEN COMPLAINED ABOUT THE LONG UPHILL HIKE THE WHOLE WAY BACK.

-THE TRES AMIGOS FOR WOLFING DOWN HUGE PORTIONS OF MEXICAN FOOD IN COTTONWOOD AND THEN WASHING IT DOWN WITH A PITCHER OF MARGARITAS.

Dave Brubeck and Concert Joe

2007-06-02T15:30:00.000-07:00

Dave and Joe probably don't know each other. Both are legends.

Dave Brubeck

Gerry and I spent an evening with jazz pianist/icon Dave Brubeck accompanied by his talented rhythm section of Chris and Dan Brubeck and horn player Robert Millitello, at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts.

It was an evening to remember, an exquisite performance. Refined and perfect.

Dave is 87 years young, but his joy of performing continues to excite his audiences. Dave grew up on a 45,000 acre cattle ranch in the Sierras, managed by his father. The lure of piano and Jazz had him playing professionally by his early teens. In 1942 he entered the army where he served under Patton in the European Theatre.

Brubeck and his trio cut their first records in San Francisco in 1949 and launched what later became known as "cool jazz" By 1954, his popularity was such that his picture appeared on the cover of Time Magazine and his recordings were being played throughout the world.

In 1959 the album Time Out was released and became the first instrumental jazz album to sell 1 million copies. The single, Take Five, remains the best selling jazz single of all time. When I was 12 years old, listening to my transistor radio on the way to basketball practice, I fell in love with that song. It remains my favorite jazz piece.

During his long career, Dave has recorded with many legendary jazz artists. His musical contributions over the past half century as both pianist and composer have earned him many honors including, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Benjamin Franklin Award for public diplomacy presented at the White House by Condoleeza Rice.

Dave Brubeck-Concert number 491-El Lobo Life long list

Concert Joe

Concert Joe has absolutely no affiliation with the music business. Concert Joe has won no awards. Concert Joe simply goes to concerts. He lives in Manhattan and is a "mostly unemployed" construction worker that has been going to college for 3 decades. In 1989 he claims to have spent 15 grand on concerts.

Concert Joe tried to get into the Guinness Book of World Records -- something like Most Concerts Attended by Someone Outside the Music Industry -- but Joe says, "I called them and they laughed. I think they're more interested in people who can throw cow turds the farthest. They told me to call them back if I ate more than 176 snails."

A highlight of his two decades of concert-going, a night he remembers fondly, he saw a Grateful Dead concert then caught Ella Fitzgerald, then Kitaro, and finally closed the night with the Butthole Surfers. Only in New York can this be achieved!!!

Concert Joe, went out 350 nights last year and saw over 730 live shows. He has spent more than half his life running around clubs, bars, theaters, and arenas, catching some 6,000 shows and documenting his presence at each one.

"I'm getting older. I can't keep this up any longer," Joe says

Like Dave Brubeck, Concert Joe is also a legend and deserving of White House recognition. His life's work serves as a fine example for the youngsters of this country. Select a goal and "Get Errr Done!""

Note: El Lobo's lifelong list of concerts does not include performances at clubs, bars garage bands etc. I mean, if I included the Justus Five and all the other stuff I have seen, God only knows what my number would be, taking nothing away from Joe. My list is exclusive. An artist or group must have had at least one hit on the Billboard Charts. Also, Concert Joe does not have a wife that saw the Beatles in Candlestick in 1966.

Screw Concert Joe!!!!

Concert Joe

2007-06-02T14:57:00.000-07:00

The mountains are calling and I must go.

-John Muir

Highlights of this trip include

-Visiting many friends and relatives

-Staying at the Damon Five Star Resort and relaxing at the Arroyo de Tranquiidad

-Fly fishing the Truckee River

-Slamming done cervezas at local breweries and Scruples

-Listening to the "River" radio station that includes "River Runs" of 7 songs in a row

-Going to Hot August Night's Concert-Gerry and The Pacemakers (Concert # 494)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekJamEuV8pw

-Road trip to Pyramid Lake

-Seeking and finding the secluded Baron's Beach Lake Tahoe, secret location of summer time keggars and parties when I was in high school

-Backpacking to Warren Lake in the Sierras-awesome sights, sense of remoteness and wild flowers

-Attending the Reno High School all classes reunion picnic

Warren Lake from above-PIC by James Cabanas

Warren Lake from below-PIC by James Cabanas

Secluded Baron's Beach-Lake Tahoe PIC by Bob Shea

Scamdanavia On Da Cheap

2007-05-11T14:16:00.000-07:00

Scamdanavia on Da Cheap-A budget travelers' guide by ELG

-Go someplace else like Mexico or South America where beer is cheap!!

If you still go-

-Carry all the snacks and food you can, unless you want to combine this trip with a diet
-Buy all your beer at the state run store, and buy your vodka at the duty free shop in the airports
-Stay at Youth Hostels in the dorm. Bring earplugs so that you can't hear snoring or other loud sounds of the night. Bring your own liner or you will get charged for a sheet.
-Shop at grocery stores for your food. Get condiments from a restaurant, although they might try to charge you. Note ELG got into a fight with an old bat that wanted 7 Kroners for 1 little cube of butter!!!
-Spend much of your time looking and talking to all the beautiful blonde women. This is the only thing free in these countries and I believe that this natural resource is why these places are so expensive!! Note, do not exercise this option if you are traveling with a significant other. They will hurt you bad, if you do!
-During breakfast at the Hostels, eat everything that you can, and then stick huge volumes of food like hard boiled eggs in your pockets for later.
-Use bathrooms in the museums, you will get charged everywhere else.
-Use the Internet at the library
-Get on the bus in the middle door and don't pay. In Oslo they never check.
-Bring a sink stopper and wash your underwear in the sink of the Hostel.
-Do a lot of walking/hiking and go to the few "free" places like the Parks

Showering-

-If you don't mind smelling a little gamey, don't shower very often. This option was employed by Jake. Warning: This method of saving money may have a negative impact on the freebie of talking to beautiful blondes!!
-Bring your own towel and TP --Remember you are heavily charged for everything
-You only get five minutes of shower for five bucks, so have your partner time you and yell out time in 30 second intervals and after 2 minutes and 30 seconds, get out and let him/her in.
-Check to see if all time has been used in other shower stalls, if not-get in!!!
-Go to the office and claim that the timer machine "ate your Kroners" and didn't deliver any water. This might get you one or two free showers.
-Rent a two wheel drive vehicle in Iceland and make it more of an adventure
-Go in the off season and freeze your ass off.

These are just a few of the ELG tips in Scamdanavia on Da Cheap. If you want more, buy my book and don't be so cheap!!!

Sounds of Silence-Simon & Garfunkle

2007-04-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

"All Come to Look for America"

In the sixth grade Paul and Art met while performing in Alice in Wonderland, a school play in New York City. They first performed in the 50s as Tom & Jerry.

"Tom get your plane right on time.I know your part'll go fine.Fly down to Mexicooooo. The only living boy in New York."

Fifty years later the old friends were at America West Arena in Phoenix on a nation wide concert tour. Thirty four years ago, two friends in Reno Nevada played and listened to Simon & Garfunkle albums into the wee hours of the night.

"Time it was, And what a time it was, It was....A time of innocence, A time of confidences."

Last Sunday evening it all came together. Paul and Art had finally broken the silence after breaking up more than three decades ago. They have had a fractious relationship since.

"And a rock feels no pain;And an island never cries."

They opened with "Old Friends" and slowly worked the full house into a mellow frenzy. Garfunkle beamed with joy as he surveyed the crowd.

"Home where my thought's escaping, Home where my music's playing."

Two songs into the set, I looked over at Gerry and watched tears stream down her cheeks.

"Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?A nation turns it lonely eyes on you."

Garfunkle frequently talked to the crowd and mentioned several times how happy he was to be reunited with Paul. The master craftsman Paul, spoke rarely but at one point talked about their relationship and how he had won at least 70% of the arguments spanning the 50 years.

"And so you see I have come to doubt All that I once held as trueI stand alone without beliefsThe only truth I know is you."

The large screens displayed fun shots of the boys in their youth and clips of Benjamin Braddock and Mrs. Robinson.

"And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson, Jesus loves you more than you will know."

Their patented sound was as harmonious as ever.After six songs, came a special surprise. Paul introduced the Kings of Harmony-The Everly Brothers!

"Bye Bye LoveBye Bye Happines Hello loneliness, I think I'm going to cry."

Phil and Don wailed out four of their signature songs including, All I have to do is Dream".Art & Paul returned and performed "The leaves that are green turn to brown". This was the first time that they had played this great song in concert since 1967.

"Here is my song for the askingAsk me and I will play"

They continued playing all their folk rock that has spanned five generations---- and then it was over way too soon.

"Remember me to one who lives there. She once was a true love of mine."

The crowd would not let them go, knowing that this was it, they probably would never return together.They double encored with "Cecelia", "The Boxer" and closed out with "Feelin Groovy"

"Life I love you, All is groovy"

We walked to our car holding hands, saying nothing. In my pocket I clutched my souveneir ticket keychain.

"And the signs said The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls And tenament halls. And whispered in The Sounds Of Silence".

El Condor Pasa-----And the leaves that are green turn to brown-ELG

Lockett Meadows

2007-04-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

OK, OK, for all you Men Behaving Badly junkies, here is your fix!

A perfect calm; that not a breathIs heard to quiver through the closing woods, Or rustling turn the many-twinkling leaves Of aspen tall.
So where's the calm and the golden leaves?

El Lobo H. Grande after 6 cervezas

El Lobo doing all the camp chores while Dingo sips coffee.

Quaking aspens are my favorite trees. For me, there are few prettier sights than a grove on the side of a mountain. Or, perhaps Pam Anderson, naked in the sauna. (Inside joke with Hannu)
.
Mountain Men

Digo Dan
El Lobo
Jacobo
Zo

The boys and I went on a short road trip to catch some fall color and to do some mountain biking and hiking in the high country. We persevered high winds and cold nights but it was a lot of fun. A roaring camp fire, cervezas and good company is a hard combination to beat. It's too bad there wasn't any good company!

This small primitive campground offers views of the San Francisco Peaks and camping opportunities in the cool aspen trees that surround Lockett Meadow. This is a terrific campground for those who cherish a real mountain camping experience and love to hike/bike Wilderness trails.

Although the camp aspens had shed all their leaves, we did come across a few brilliant yellow groves of aspens quivering in the breeze. AAHHHH!

We enjoyed some great single track mountain biking on the Schultz Creek Trail.
Next year we will make it up here the last week of September.

Thanks to Dingo for driving, we returned in time for game 7-(Yeah Baby-Red Sox Nation comes back from a 3 game deficit again) and a great Mexican dinner prepared by the beautiful and charming Gerry.
What a great day!!!

The immensely popular and syndicated

Men Behaving Very Badly

Dingo for planning this trip too late in the month for full fall color and early enough for freezing conditions.

Dingo and Zo for opening cervezas within seconds of arrival.
Dingo - for planning a pasta & sausage dinner and forgetting the spicy italian sausage.
Jake - for bringing the slim jims that were used as sausage substitutes.
Lobo - for feeding the slim jims to his stomach.
Lobo - for going to bed immediately after dinner to begin filling the tent with smells of 'used' slim jims, and for continuing to expel those noxious slim jim odors every 2 minutes throughout the ENTIRE night. They say everyone has a gift - why did this have to be Lobo's!?
Dingo for wanting to go on the coldest mountain bike ride ever, too early in the morning causing Lobo's hands and nose to suffer mild frost bite.
Zo - for contributing nothing to the trip except complaining, especially about having to be the one that slept next to Lobo. He used to complain about his old boss Reechard and now talks smack about his new boss claiming that the new guy farts all the time in meetings.
Zo for taking a new "executive position," getting a fat raise and now working more hours than ever and is broke again, thereby causing him to sell El Lobo his SUV with minor problems that cost the poor wolf (on a guide's salary) a piddly $2200 in repairs at Rayco.
Zo and Dingo for forever banishing Lobo from the big tent, and ordering him to bring his own tiny bivy sac next time.
Jake - for forgetting his sleeping pad and having to use poor Lobo's and Zo's parkas as a pad.
Lobo - for pretending to be a famous outdoor guide, when in reality he always brings his pee bottle because it gets too cold to leave the tent.
Jake - for wanting to take a nap after lunch instead of going for a hike while Lobo and Dingo THOUGHT they would do a mountain bike ride [a 1/2 mile trip does not constitute a ride.]
Lobo - for wearing ridiculously tight biking 'pants' and wearing them into Macy's, the legendary Flag hippie, commie joint, to get his hot chocolate - cover yourself hombre!
Zo - for being the only one that did not prove his manliness by chopping wood.
Lobo - for waking everyone when the sun came up, but refusing to get the kooffee started. He continuously chanted Where's my koofee? Where's my koofee?
Lobo, Jake, Dingo and especially Zo - for actually having 3 beers left over after the trip.
Zo for being such an adventurous guy and buying a new Nissan SUV exactly the same (color and all) as the lemon he sold poor Lobo.
Dingo for driving off with Lobo's $5000 mountain bike (my office) on top of his car and claiming that he was not trying to steal it.

Mountaineering Arizona

2007-04-02T12:36:00.000-07:00

"I climb because it feels so good when I stop"

ELG

Mountaineers:

Dave who has gotten to the top of Aconagua and Kilimanjaro

Dingo who has climbed Camelback

Lobo who has climbed Squaw Peak

Formation in the San Francisco Peaks

Taken from the saddle of Humphreys Peak

Test

Dave and Dingo da Dawg

Men Behaving Badly:

Jake, Lorenzo, Larry and Juan for coming up with feeble excuses for not going.

So put me on a highway
And show me a sign
And take it to the limit one more time

Goldon Gord

2007-03-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

"Sometimes I think its a shame
When I get feelin better when Im feelin no pain"
"Sundown" G Lightfoot-1974

Hola,

How was the weekend?

Homework and taxes here. We were able to get out last night for a splendid Gordon Lightfoot performance at the old Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix. A classic venue

Gordo, legendary singer and songwriter is the quintessential Canadian. He was very important to our lives in the early 70's.

To us, "If you could read my mind " is the defining Gordon Lightfoot song.(reached number 5 on the charts in 70) In 1974, his classic single, "Sundown", from the album of the same name, went to No. 1 on the charts.

We saw him too many years ago and as Gerry put it, "Maybe we shouldn't purchase such good seats for these concerts". We were in the third row. The years have not been kind to old Gord(66) And vocal cords get old too.

In the fall of 2002 he was in Orillia Canada when he suffered a near-fatal abdominal hemorrhage that left him in a coma for nearly two months

But, he played, and he was good. The crowd of aging boomers loved him!

His voice may not be as strong, but the lyrics remain the same and Sundown was as rich and deep as ever.

"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" written by Gordo, about the Great Lakes Ore Carrier sinking during a severe storm (true story 29 dead) was as haunting as when we first heard it in 1976.

We really enjoyed "Carefree Highway", his follow up single.
Carefree Highway is a road north of Phoenix and Gord related to his audience that he wrote that song at 1 in the morning coming back from Flagstaff. He almost left it in the rent a car's glove box. It peaked at number 10 on the charts.

Gordo encored with "Old Dan's Records"

Gord is a survivor and continues to perform at 40 or 50 concerts a year.

If you Could Read My Mind:

I wonder if it would be better to remember these people in their prime, spare the expense and not attend these concerts.

NO! I still need entries for my Life Long List-----Going for 500
Gordon Lightfoot ----Concert #472.

The Big Beaver does the Canyon

2007-03-11T21:04:00.000-07:00

"We are all but pigmies in the canyon"
John Wesley Powell

Canyoneers:

Juan da Jackal
The Big Beaver from Minnesota (Gaylen)
El Lobo H. Grande

Trek-3 days

Grandview Trail to Cottonwood around the Horseshoe Mesa and out-20 miles

Last Monday I received a phone call from Juan requesting a private trip to the canyon. A young fella that works for Juan is being deployed to Iraq very soon and Juan wanted to get him a backpack in the canyon this weekend.

I explained to Juan that this was impossible. This is peak time and permits are simply not available. It is a four month lead time. Juan offered me a princely sum. I said no that I could not charge him. He then begged and pleaded. I said that I would try, I knew how important it was to Juan to have his friend experience the canyon before departing for Iraq.

However, a famous guide sometimes knows how to do the impossible.
Through my contacts I was able to learn of a cancellation and an associate at the canyon hustled to the back country office and secured the golden permit.

Thank you Elaine!!

Juan certainly does not need a guide for the canyon. He is a seasoned Grand Canyon trekker and has logged many miles in the canyon, often times in the remote areas. Juan is a strong hiker and a joy to be with. He absolutely loves hiking the canyon. He is the only guy I know that will tote a 50 lb. pack up 5000' and smile the whole way. He is also legendary in another way.

He is the most prolific farter that has ever roamed the canyon.

This was Gaylen's first back pack. Juan had him totally outfitted with a 50 lb. pack.
Juan also had a heavy pack. El Lobo, a minimalist, sported a 30 lb. pack. I wondered why their packs were so heavy?

We descended into the great abyss, every step we took represented 10,000 years of the age of the canyon.

Gaylen is a big guy whom used to play semi-pro football. He was eager to learn and also a lot of fun to be around. Although he suffered some nasty blisters from his new boots, he "cowboy upped" and hiked tough.

At cottonwood camp, while relaxing in our camp chairs and listening to the rhythm of the water, I found out why their packs were so heavy.
They pulled out liters of the finest Pinot Noir that I have ever had, along with pounds of goodies.
It was here that we christened Gaylen "The Big Beaver" from Minnesota based upon his eagerness and some unmentionable dialogue.

That night high winds tormented us, but we slept like babies.

The next day we thoroughly enjoyed the rhythms of the canyon while hiking on the Tonto Trail. Horseshoe Mesa was a dry camp and we filled up with water at a spring 700' below the Mesa and took turns toting sixteen pounds of water up.

On the Mesa we set up camp in strong winds and the boys went exploring, looking for a certain cave. They came back with a tent that had blown away. The owner was nowhere
to be found. The storm system continued into the late hours of the evening and then like magic was gone.

The trip out was relatively easy and we rewarded ourselves with our cerveza ritual at the rim -----Sierra Nevada's and Johnny Cash on the CD Player. An RV cruised by and a beautiful young woman yelled "Johnny Cash!" with thumb up.

Showers, and then to Flag and the Beaver Street Brewery, excellent habitat, for The Big Beaver---- pizza, burgers and pitchers of India Pale Ale to recap a fabulous canyon adventure. Juan bought da Beaver a Beaver Street Brewery T-Shirt and I gave him an Arizona on the Rocks" baseball hat. Da Beaver promised to wear them in Iraq.

We made a pact to return to the canyon when Gaylen completes his tour of duty.

Thanks to da Jackal and da Beaver for the time we shared. It was a great trip!

Men Behaving Badly:

-Juan & Da Beaver for carrying heavy packs with everything imaginable except eating utensils.

-El Lobo for holding the only spoon in camp for the ransom of more wine and chocolate.
Lobo was like a hungry coyote and every time the boys opened one of their treats would ask "What you got there?"

-Juan da Jackal for telling the pretty ranger at the gate that she was the most beautiful ranger that he had ever met. Juan, now that you are 40, that type of behavior qualifies you as a dirty old man.

-Juan da Jackal early one morning for stopping a hiker in his tracks that was passing by our camp. The poor hiker had a look of fear, despair and agony after hearing a horrible blast launched from Jackal's tent.

-El Lobo for greeting other hikers and scaring foreign tourists at the rim with a resounding(but friendly) "Howaya?"

-Jacobo and Lorenzo for being total slugs and not hiking the canyon with us, employing the excuse that they are too busy with work, when in fact they would rather stay at home and eat huge scoops of mashed potatoes and gravy and then wash it down with a gallon of chocolate milk! Nankoweep too tough for you boys?

The Who

2007-02-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

"Ever since I was a young boy, I've played the silver ball."

Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend......Rock & Roll Legends. They did not disappoint!!
Daltrey's vocal chords are a little weakened after 40 years, but the intensity was still there.
Townsend's sweeping guitar moves are still amazing.

Playing to many generations, their song selection ranged from their classics to the present.
They played several songs from their new CD, "Ëndless Wire" which were quite good but not the vintage "Who" that we wanted to hear.

They included their 1981 hit- "You better go bet" (#18 on the charts for 15 weeks) Gerry recognized only three of the songs that they played. Their new stuff was played at the expense of not including their late 60s classics "Magic Bus" and "Ï can see for miles and miles" MMMMMMMMMMM.......... Bummmmmmmerrr!

"Pinball Wizard" was extraordinary!!! I have waited 40 years to see the Who do that one.

Overall, a great performance but without the two classics, and because they didn't smash their guitars on stage, it was a little disappointing. However I was able to score a Who poster and shirt.

OK that's it!! Concert number 474-a 26 mile marathon to go!

Belize, Guatemalla, Chiapas

2007-02-09T16:43:00.000-08:00

Security is an illusion.Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.Hellen Keller

El viajeCashcoon, (Cancun) Chichen Itza, Telum, Chetumal, Belize City, Belmopan, Flores, Tikal, Palenque, Playa del Carmen, CashcoonOver 2800 miles -4 Southern Mexican States, Belize & GuatemalaHighlights-Exploring in awe, the mysterious Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, Telum, Tikal & PalenqueEl Castillo-Chichen Itza Palenque (PICS by Zo)-Hanging out at Flores Lake in Guatemala-Hiking along Agua Azul and Misol-Ha WaterfallsAqua Azul Misol-Ha -Canoeing up Rio Usumacinta in remote jungle territory, bordering Mexico and Guatemala where a heavy concentration of Zapatistas continue to wage war with the Mexican government.-Hanging out at beautiful Playa del Carmen-Motorbiking around Cozumel Isla-Hiking the Hotel Zone-- 20 Kilometers of storied beach in CashcoonMy Amigo Zo and I wasted no time getting out of Cashcoon where the T-shirt of choice seems to be.......One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, Floor! We considered a flight to the forbidden island- Cuba, only a half hour away on an old Russian built aircraft, but did not want to risk getting fined.Our first stop was Chichen Itza, the most famous and best restored of the Yucatan Peninsula's Mayan sites. We took in the light and sound show that evening and dined at a street taqueria for $2. Our favorite part of the day was the trek up to the Red Jaguar.Red Jaguar Throne"El Tunnel," the passage up to the throne, is up a steep, narrow stairway. The climb was slippery, sweltering, and a bit claustrophobic. From Chichen Itza we traveled to Telum on the Caribbean Sea. We consumed several cervezas at a beach side bar before retiring to our primitive cabana.The next day we headed for Chetumal on the border with Belize. Our plan was to do some snorkeling in Belize, but we hit Belize City in a torrential downpour and so decided to continue on through Belize to Flores, Guatemala, close to the Tikal ruins.Zo was having chills and feeling sick. Upon arrival, we checked into a minus-10-star hotel, for $8 , and went to dinner on the lake. Zo was barely able to get anything down. I stuffed myself with shrimp and cocktails.A hard days nightZo developed a fever and was not doing well at all. After making another trip to the bathroom, he fainted and hit the floor with a crash.His shoulder was injured and he had no range of motion in his right arm.The rest of the evening was pure hell for both of us as we were feverishly sweating and ants were crawling all over us. The next day, Zo stayed in bed and I went to the ruins at Tikal but was struggling with nausea. I felt better after a nice vomiting session.Although I was not feeling well enough to fully appreciate these fabulous ruins in the middle of the jungle, I did enjoy sightings of several howler monkeys, a coatamundi, red parrot and a crocodile.Sala, si usted puede (Get out, if you can)That night we decided to continue with our original plans of making a loop and going to Palenque Chiapas. We were both feeling lousy but we had to suck it up and get back somehow. We contracted with a local tourist group to get us to Palenque. We were told that it would take four or five hours on a good road. It didn't quite work out that way. Good roads are relative to the environment.We spent close to eight hours on a dirt road traveling through the Guatemala jungle. At the end of the road was a wide river. Our bus trip was over. Here we took a canoe upriver for about ten miles through the Lacondon Jungle to a Mexican Army control point. Rio Usumacinta (PIC by Zo)This remote pocket of jungle area (written up in the world's most dangerous places book) is where many EZLN (Zapatista National Liberation Army) hide and operate, presently waging only a propaganda war against the Mexican Government.History (Note: This data was extracted from Lonely Planet)In 1994 this left-wing peasant group took over government offices in three location of Chiapas. They were dispersed by the Mexican Army within a few days but more than150 people were killed in the fighting. The peasants retreated to the mountains and jungle. Their goal was to overturn the corrupt wealthy power in the state, where most indigenous people were impoverished, lacking education, health care and other fundamental civil rights.Subcommandante MarcosThe Zapitistas attracted world wide support and sympathy.Their leader, subcommandante Marcos, became and continues to be a folk-hero in Mexico and beyond.In 1997 & 1998 tension and killings escalated in Chiapas. Zapatistas' enemies formed para military organizations to drive Zapatista supporters from their villages. Violence reached it's worst point with the Acteal massacre.In 1999, the Mexican Army had approximately 60,000 troops in Chiapas and launched a campaign of intimidation against dozens of pro-Zapatista villages. Thousands fled to the Jungle.In 2001 the Zapatistas made a much publicized journey to Mexico City.The president, Vicente Fox, presented a bill granting rights to Mexico's indigenous people, however Congress watered down the provisions and today there is still an impasse as the Zapatistas rejected the law as a basis for peace talks. Back to the control pointAfter we were thoroughly interrogated regarding the possibility of being pro-Zapatistas, we were allowed to move on. We got a ride to a bus and then finally made it to Palenque.Palenque is gorgeous and we had a good day hiking. We planned on traveling to San Cristobol next. However, the following day Zo started having more "episodes" and was not eating. Lobo had been treating his ailment with cervezas and burritos but was not feeling real crisp. So we decided it would be best to move towards Cashcoon and spend some time relaxing in Playa del Carmen.Riders on the StormWe took an 11 hour, all night bus to Playa del Carmen through torrential rain. The air conditioning was cranked up all the way, freezing our shorts clad bodies. Time after time we were stopped by imposing roadblocks. The Federales would board and search for Zapatistas and/or banditos who make a living robbing night buses. It was impossible to get any sleep.In beautiful Playa del Carmen we treated ourselves to a very nice hotel and hung out for a few days. Zo had not eaten for five days and decided to seek "professional" attention. We went to an emergency Doctor's office located in a sleazy hotel room. Inside, we heard loud grunting noises. We knocked on the door.A loud "uno minuto" came from inside and then we heard the toilet flush.I decided to forego treatment. Zo was given an ampicillan prescription that, as it turned out, can be bought over the counter in Mexico. He was also given a prescription for a big bottle of horrible tasting anti-diarrhea serum.On to Cashcoon (Cancun)We returned to Cashcoon in order to see a bullfight. Although we hated the hotel zone we nonetheless stayed in a nice resort room that overlooked the beautifully colored Caribbean Sea. We had cervezas at the Hard Rock Cafe but failed to make it to the Mecca--Senor Frog's.It was wonderful to pay $7 for a one-scoop ice cream cone at the mall.The World Trade Organization was meeting and the atmosphere was tense. Military and police were everywhere. Three Mexican naval vessels (WW2 vintage) could be seen from shore.A Japanese protester had stabbed himself, and rocks were being hurled at the riot squad. Access to the Toro Bravos arena was barricaded and our cab driver had to turn around and try to get in from the South. He did a stellar job of driving around and through protesters, army, and police to get us to the arena on time. We were estatic. We would finally see the bullfight that has eluded us for many years. But, what's this? The bullfight was canceled--with no refunds!Somebody else stole our cab and we were left in the middle of this melee. We decided to head for the Mercado, have a few cervezas and forget about this whole ugly incident. En route we somehow ended up crossing through the protesters' tent camp and headquarters. We resisted the urge to become violent after missing the bullfight and went shopping instead. Get Back to where you once belongWe arrived at the airport five hours early to be certain that we would get out of Cashcoon. Fifty cent Coronas and a free shot of tequila at the airport did not change our attitude about Cashcoon. We hate it!!!Men Behaving badly-Zo for having frequent "episodes" and at one time dropping our only roll of TP in the toilet.Zo for becoming cranky and irritable and at one point, after an 11 hour all night bus ride, snapping at El Lobo Grande.-Zo for accusing El Lobo Grande of behaving like a dirty old man when encountering topless beauties on the beach. This is such a crock! I hardly noticed those luscious, perky TaTas.-Zo's grunting doctor, who charged $80 to write a prescription for an over the counter medication.El Lobo for estimating a beach walk to a point in the hotel zone to be only a mile. So I was short by only seven miles?Playa del Carmen venders--Lobo had to endure cat calls of "Bandito" when walking down the street due to his tough negotiation skills.EpilogueThe day after returning, Lorenzo was not having any "episodes." He left for a decadent weekend in Las Vegas to see the De La Hoya fight.Lorenzo Martinez lives in Mesa Arizona and works at the State Legislature. He enjoys rock climbing.El Lobo went to his doctor and is currently taking a strong dose of Ciproflaxin and Matronidazole. (His costs were only $60) Lobo attended a reception with spouse at the Nelson Fine Art's Museum at Arizona State. It featured Mexican folk Art. After the reception El Lobo polished off an entire pizza. He presently is able to pass gas comfortably and confidently. He enjoys Canyoneering and rock concerts. Daily activities include working on his yoga practice, tennis and listening to surf music.El Lobo Grande lives in Scottsdale Arizona with his wife Gerry and daughter, Cody.

Ruins Seldom Seen-Sierra Anchas

2007-01-15T15:58:00.000-08:00

“Similarity of intention with others marks the fool from the explorer.” - Bukowski
Vaqueros

ZO
ELG
Dingo the Bad Dog
Drewsky-Bachelor Party Boy

The Sierra Anchas is a relatively small wilderness, forested with Ponderosa Pines within the Tonto National Forest and offers some great remote natural features, but travel in some areas is very difficult due to the extreme topography.

We took a rough Cherry Creek back road to the middle and upper reaches of Cherry Creek where we could set up cowboy base camp and explore ruins in the heartland of the Anchan world. The Anchan developed out of an indigenous Archaic population dating at least as far back as A.D. 800.

Here we sought to find the Pueblo Ruins, hidden in the rugged steep walled canyons leading into Cherry Creek. We had been here once before and had done an intimidating climb to the Cooper Forks Canyon Ruins. Travel and route finding was extremely difficult and we struggled to return before dark.

We started our bushwhack at ten in the morning, hopeful to be back in camp before dark and not requiring a return with headlamps. After about 2 steep miles we were able to spot them with binoculars. Awesome!!!!

We finally arrived, bloody by the thick brush, but elated to find this prehistoric apartment complex. Quite a few of the rooms reach a second story and one building stands three stories high with a partially intact wooden ceiling between the first and second floors. There were wooden beams the size of telephone poles that once supported roofs or second stories lying on the ground. A number of seeps answered our question of "did they have to climb all the way to Cherry Creek for water?" Still, why had the Anchans chose to live in such a challenging environment?

We returned to cowboy camp well before dark, in time for an extended Cerveza Happy Hour.

EL Lobo H. Grande romping in the Sierra Anchas

Hard to find San Pueblo Ruins across the canyon (middle of the picture)

Ruins portal
Zo examining the Anchan culture
Zo the ancient wood gatherer, laboring for the cowboy fire

Cowboys Behaving Badly
Dingo & Zo - for having a pre-hike beer and leaving poor Lobo short of beer for his dinner.
Group - for reenacting the infamous Blazing Saddles scene, after having a steak, potatoes and Cowboy BEANS dinner, mmm.
Lobo - for turning down post dinner seegars and 16 year old single malt scotch, and instead going straight to his sleeping bag after his belly was full.
Zo, for perhaps having a vision of Brokeback Mountain and yelling at Lobo to zip up his sleeping bag. Note: Zo could not sleep with his head outside the tent because of high winds and rain.
Dingo, Zo and Drew for having the rest of the scotch in their morning coffee.
Lobo for getting up very early and yelling "where's my koffffffeeeeeeee!!!! at Los Borachos to get them up. Also for dancing wildly to "What a Feeling" by Irene Cara.
"Take your passionand make it happen.Pictures come alive, now I'm dancing through my life."
Drew - for ignoring the group’s combined wisdom and still planning on going through with his wedding. (Good luck Brendan)
Drew - Whom on a previous trip to Gila Wilderness New Mexico handed Lobo a useless bottle of Beano and proclaimed "This is ridiculous" On this trip he often had a satisfied smile followed up with MMMMMMMMMMMM

Woodstock Redux

2007-01-15T15:52:00.000-08:00

"The New York Through Way is Closed, Man!"
Woodstock -Arlo Guthrie July 22, 1969 1:33 A.M.

If you're going to Scottsdale, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.
Yes, that's right, there is flower power in Scottsdale!

A lot of freaks, Man!

Continuing the tradition that began in the 60's, of traveling from rock show to rock show and camping out with fellow music-loving nomads, thousands showed up Friday morning to the venue at Westworld to dig in, many came in Volkswagen buses.
Amazing! Just like old times. Where do these people come from?

The McDowell Mountain Music Festival festival went non stop all weekend, I went Friday night with Juan DA Jackal and Saturday night Ger and I opted to go to the Scottsdale Center for the Arts.

Friday night-Concert #476.....The Neville Brothers and Bob Weir and Ratdog
Saturday night-Concert #477 .....Arlo Guthrie and Family -Legacy Tour

The Mountain Festival featured an eclectic lineup of rock & soul bands from around the world."

Juan is a "Deadhead" and was decked out in a colorful tie die shirt when I picked him up.
I was wearing my outfit of choice since the 50's-501 Levis, nothing has changed there.

I was very interested in the Neville Brothers, a very fine New Orleans soul band. When we arrived Aaron Neville was singing his classic "Tell it Like it is" which hit number 2 on the charts in December of 1966. I love that song and have been waiting all my life to hear Aaron sing it.
The Neville Brothers were excellent!!!

The festival had all the ingredients of a mini Woodstock less Wavy Gravy and Max Yeager.
Peace love and music. There was not a police presence and everyone was having fun. Beach balls, frisbes and cannabis were in the air. People were dancing crazily to the music, many food and head booths, and appropriately, large trucks selling Sierra Nevada Beer brewed out of Chico California. The best beer in the world!

Juan transitioned from a conservative Republican to a let your hair down liberal. Always the people person, he interviewed several attendees and made friends with a guy selling magic mushrooms.

The deadheads were bobbing their heads like bobble dolls and in unison, pointing to the stage when Bob Weir played. Reefers were passed around. Our drug of choice was slamming down Sierra Nevada's.

I wondered why the deadheads bobbed their heads and pointed, but half way into the concert I started doing the same and fully understood the importance of this ritual. Perhaps this was because of the second hand smoke or that I simply just plugged into the feeling.

On the way home, I stopped at a convenience store so Juan could get some chew. I had developed a serious case of the "munchies". This was treated with the largest ice cream cone in the world. Best one that I have ever had!

"This Land is your Land"

Saturday night was a fantastic evening under the stars. Ole Arlo and Co. put on a vintage performance. His group included many talented family members. The crowd absolutely loved them.
Arlo told a lot of funny stories and to his credit he kept the politics to a minimum. He played a lot of Woody's stuff. His legendary father was all that a lot of people had for comfort during the depression and dust bowl of Oklahoma.

"You Can Get Anything that you Want at Alice's Restaurant"

Before playing his Woodstock Classic-Coming into Los Angeles bringing in a couple of keys" Arlo told a funny story about a Bush secret service guy that he recently met in the airport that was our age. After shaking hands with Arlo he blurted out "Alright Guthrie, are you carrying a couple of keys?"

Coming into Los AngelesBringing in a couple of keysDon't touch my bags if you pleaseMister Customs Man

We both love that song!!!

It was a great evening and a great weekend, just like old times!

El Lobo H . Grande

Supai Reload-Zion

2007-01-15T15:51:00.000-08:00

"A free spirit must be able to surmount anxiety time after time."
Mason Cooley

I returned from a six day Supai Grand Canyon trip with an Arizona Highways photography group late Thursday night and took a final at ASU early Friday morning. After, I spent an hour pacing the hall in front of Ger's office while she frantically tried to get everything in order so that we could get on the road for a seven hour drive to Zion National Park in Utah for a special wedding and some hiking.

So this email is all about a couple of wonderful people, free spirits that were united in matrimony at the altar of Zion. Brendan is a fine writer from Denver and Emily is in graduate school preparing for social work. They make a beautiful couple and have been soul mates for quite a time.

We really enjoyed the ceremony and reception and all their wonderful friends and family.
The following day we did some mild hiking, checked out the legendary "Narrows" and took in the incredible Zion National Park.

On the way home we stopped in Vegas and had a really nice visit and dinner with our friends Al and Chris Yates. And yes, we split the bill --Mckimmeeeee!!!

OK, for you sickos that only read these reports for the MBB section, I have included a particularly disgusting entry. For those of you that are mentally healthy and enjoy natural beauty I have included a few nice photos
Mooney Falls Grand Canyon
Brendan & Emily in a gopher field at Zion

WOW! Who is that Lady??

Men Behaving Badly

El Lobo Grande for redefining the term "draining your lizard"
While in Supai, Lobo was taking a leak under a tree, out of the scorching sun, when a lizard poked his head around the corner of the tree to see what was going on, then incredibly, scurried under the man made waterfall for a shower! El Lobo accommodated the little fellah and was happy to be part of the circle of life.
You see, lack of water creates a survival problem for all desert organisms, animals and plants alike. Fortunately, most desert animals have evolved both behavioral and physiological mechanisms to solve the heat and water problems the desert environment creates. Behavioral techniques for avoiding excess heat are numerous among desert animals.This little fella caught a shower when the opportunity presented itself.
The Turkey Vultures excrete urine on their legs cooling them by evaporation, and circulate the cooled blood back through their body. This behavior is called urohydrosis.
I just love nature!

Reload!!!

The Jersey Boy and Good Vibrations

2007-01-15T15:48:00.000-08:00

"Inside, outside USA"

Can you believe it? The Beach Boys opened for Frankie Valli! Who would have thought!
Last night at the Phoenix Dodge Theatre we caught an unbeatable combination, a contrast of the best from the west and the east.

The theatre was packed with the geritol crowd, mostly people in their 50's and 60's, some with their grand kids. New energy injected into our veins through "real music",(and alcohol) us aging boomers were on our feet for the better part of both performances. Lit cell phones were waved. We were alive again!!

Ger and I came to see Frankie. We had seen the Beach Boys a dozen times previous and were not that interested in seeing America's Band with only Bruce Johnston, the sixth Beach Boy and Mike Love remaining and trying to keep the summer alive. I mean Mike Love is now 65. Can he really still be the consummate front man?

I remember one performance up at Tahoe, in the late 70's when the band had the same powerful impact as a Stealth Bomber flying over a football stadium.

But we were really surprised! Although not originals, the rest of the band was a very talented group and they put on a DYNO-MITE show.

Tears came to my eyes when .Bruce sang and dedicated "God Only Knows" to the deceased Carl Wilson. Carl co/wrote and sang that song at their performances. For many years he was the soul of the Beach Boys.

Bruce

God, I love Bruce Johnston and the memories of Carl. Bruce has been with the group since 1965 when Brian became ill. He has penned several number one hits including Ï write the songs" crooned by Barry Manilow.

We both loved the show and the summer was indeed kept alive.

Walkin Like a Man

Frankie is truly a rags to riches story. He grew up in the projects of Newark. He told the story of how at the age of seven, his future course was set when he saw a young Frank Sinatra perform at the Paramount.

Today the story of Frankie and the Four Seasons is a Broadway hit that has won the Tony award. They have sold over 100 million records, had 8 number one hits and thirty seven hits in the top 40--Remarkable, and he is performing like a thirty year old in his seventh decade of life.

Frankie and his group put on a riveting performance. His signature sound, a stratospheric falsetto is almost as strong as ever .Do not miss him if he comes to your town!! He went through about 25 of his hits.

Frankie and Bob Gaudio. Bob penned many of the Four Season hits.

Frankie has a new album coming out in late summer doing songs of the 60's.

In the fall of 1962, "Sherry" was a number one hit on the charts. It was my first year of high school at Reno. I have been waiting all my life to see him do that classic and it plugged me back into that incredible period of time.

Needless to say, we were blown away by the show.

OK that's it, concert number 478. Projected time to break the all time record-2009.

ELG
Tryin to Keep The Summer Alive

Baja-Hotel California

2007-01-13T19:28:00.000-08:00

The 2002 Baja Sur Cerveza Challenge
El Bueno, El Hambre,& El Sed

Baja Sur-

San Jose Del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos, La Paz, Loreto, Mulege, Santa Roasalia, Los Barriles, Santiago, Todos Santos. -
Overall trip rating 10++

After eleven mucho calor days, 1600 miles of driving,(Zo) and over sixcases of cerveza my traveling companions and I returned to Cabo San Lucas for our flight home. And, yes, on a dark deserted highway we found The Hotel California.
El Lobo (The Good), Jacobo/El Hambre (The Hungry) and Zo/El Sed (Thirsty-for Pacificos) were ready for the comforts of home. We had slept on the beach, stayed in cock roach infested hotels, driven miles of dusty back roads, were attacked by insects in the Laguna Sierras, scorched by El Sol, harassed by Federales and received the "Big Bite" from police in La Paz.

But, we just loved it. Every minuto, including the gringo populated Cabo
San Lucas.

The California Baja is where the bright blue waters flirt with the harsh desert coast. The Sierra Laguna Mountain range splits Baja Sur. These "sky islands" are rich in biodiversity and accessible from the East or West.
Our journey did not consist of all adventure activities and wasting away in margaritaville. Jacobo (Hambre) led us through museos, galleries, and Catolica iglesias (Catholic churches) at every pueblo and ciudad that we stopped. Yes, he got his cultural depth from the Lobo of all seasons. Or, perhaps his madre.
In Santa Rosalia we visited a church designed by same Senor Eiffel that was responsible for a little tower in Paris.

Highlights:

-Kayaking to vqrious islands in the Sea Of Cortez from Eco Mundo camp near Mulege.
-The comida (food) particularly Restaraunte, MI Casa in Cabo San Lucas. (Highly recommended)
-Colonial Loreto and the Istituto Nacional De Antropologia & Historia.
-Climbing (fourth class) and Hiking in the desert near Eco Mundo with our new amigos, Carlos from Ensenada and Eco (the wonder dog) from Eco Mundo. Sighting two grizzly foxes.
- Hiking to Cascada Sol de Mayo outside of Santiago. Swimming in the deep pools.
- Walking on the endless beaches on the Pacific and Sea of Cortez.
-The rustic zoo in Santiago that had a Bengal Tiger as a guest.
-Scoring great souvenirs, including "Dan" the monkey man, a large Mayan monkey carving. Donde Esta Dan? (Shapiro)

"Welcome to the Hotel California"

-We toured the Hotel California in Todos Santos. The Hotel and souveneir shop claim that it was here, that several of the Eagles Rock Group hung out in the late 60s. The hotel's owners stated that the writer (Glen Frey or Don Felder)of the famous song (one of 5 number 1 hits for the Eagles) has publically stated that some of them stayed there. Don Henly has publically stated that he has never been there.
It is a classic hotel built in 1928 with interesting rooms and architecture. It has not been open for four years. There are dozens of old, dusty suitcases left and stored in one room that has never been opened. A Canadian couple recently purchased it and plan to reopen in Noviembre.

Eco Mundo-(written by Zo-Sed)
Our longest stay was 3 days/nights at Eco Mundo, which is just south of the town of Mulege. Mulege is worth checking out for its old mission which affords a view of a sea of palm trees and 'undeveloped' river walk. Accommodations consisted of hammocks under Palapas (huts with dirt floors covered with palm fronds) situated on the beach 5 feet from the water. The typical day consisted of El Lobo (ahem, El Bueno) getting up with the sun and making his usual morning noises - MMMMMMMMMMM! LORRRRRRRENZO! JAAAAAAAAKE! in an attempt to motivate the unmotivated into a morning hikes up one of the surrounding 'hills'. The motivated were usually joined by the always motivated Carlos (programmer from Vera Cruz/Ensenada/Tijuana) and Eco the resident and possibly most fearless land/water dog in Baja.
We were blown away one morning when we spotted Eco swimming towards an island that we had kayaked to. She had swam close to 5 kilometers. When she arrived, she laid on one of the kayaks, sending a clear message that she wanted a ride back. Jacobo managed to paddle back with her on board without capsizing.
Hikes were followed by a dip in el mar proceeded by a breakfast, prepared by Fabi the caretaker, of huevos con ham (or veggies or chorizo or...) with a side of frijoles, and beer for the still motivated (or smoothie for those think sculpted stomach muscles mean something).

The rest of the day would be spent napping, swimming, hanging out with Eco, Carlos, Tamra from San Diego who came to Baja to find some solitude and found the perfect place for it, and the adventurous Christina and Marta from Spain who provided the spark for profound worldly discussions and plenty of laughs while enjoying cervezas in the dark.

Deep Sea Fishing
We spent a couple of days in Los Barriles. There was a sports fishing tournament in progress and in the afternoon we watched a number of large El Dorados and Blue Marlin "trophies" brought in, weighed and recorded by bonita bikini clad gringo senoritas to add a little spice to the event. We had considered doing some deep sea fishing but decided that seeing these magnificent creatures alive while snorkeling or diving was a better choice for us. Commercial fishing by foreign fleets had seriously depleted the Sea of Cortez but recent Mexican regulatory coastal laws have assisted in restoration. I doubt if sports fishing has had much of an environmental impact.
All of the tourney participants had the same profile, shaped by years of sedentary activity while consuming gallons of Bud and mashed potatoes. We simply had not trained hard enough to participate this year. El Hambre and El Sed are on track for next year's tourney.

Sol De Mayo (written by Zo)
While checking out the zoo and Divo Jacob Iglesia in Santiago, we stopped at a hotel to try to get info on the Sierra Lagunas and were recommended a hike to a 30 foot waterfall with a swimming hole. We took the trusty rental car down the dirt road and hiked down to the picturesque waterfall cascading down to a refreshing and very welcomed swimming hole. This fresh water diversion rivaled our salt water/beach activities.

Men Behaving Badly

-EL Sed for having a beer at 8:36 A.M. on the airplane
-El Lobo for getting caught smuggling El Sed beer from the First Class section
-Jacobo for saying "Tengo Hambre (I am hungry) 97 times on this trip.
-El Sed and El Hambre for screaming "Get em off me" in the Sierra Lagunas while swatting away thousands of flies, knats and mosquitos.
-El Sed for bringing insecto repellent that not only didn't work, it actually attracted malaria carrying mosquitos. What was the DEET content of that product El Sed?
-Pequeno Pr*@K Fedarale that got into El Lobo's face and asked if he had been smoking Mary Juana.
-Grande Pr*@K La Paz policeman whom forgot his ticket book at the estacion and told us that if we were in a hurry could just pay him the 720 pesos for not slowing down somewhere?
-El Hambre for the numerous images of a gringo running off into the desert with papel de banos, loudly moaning-MY ESTOMAGO!! MY ESTOMAGO!!
-El Hambre and El Sed for spending a good portion of the day in the hotel room at La Playita, laying on their beds drinking beer and watching Mexican horror films starring killer alligators and sharks. El Lobo kept appealing to the chicos to get up and do something. Anything!! No se!
-El Lobo for singing "La Cucharacha" whenever he was in the banos
-ALL for producing room clearing odors at least once.

So, did we stop at THE Hotel California, or is the Hotel California a state of mind? Either way, we were there.

Because in the Baja, "you can check out if like, but you can never leave."

Hasta luego

Muderous Mountain Bike Ride

2007-01-12T15:49:00.000-08:00

When you ride hard on a mountain bike, sometimes you fall, otherwise you're not riding hard."President George 'Dubya' Bush, July 2005, following a crash into a bike cop at the G8 summit, Gleneagles, Scotland
Dingo must have been riding hard because he flew off his bike took a 360, landed on his pack and came up smiling. We let out a big sigh off relief. This was no place for an injury. There is no shade and no water.We were in the middle of no man's land.
After driving to the Cameron Trading Post late Friday night, our group got up early and spent 2 hours on a gnarly Navajo back road in order to ride, carry and walk our bikes for 24+ miles in 90 degree temp at 6000 feet. We each carried in excess of a gallon of liquid and it was not enough. We cached some along the way. Elevation gain/loss was estimated at close to 3000 feet.
Our route was a closed jeep trail across the scrubby, gully, carved erosion surface of the Kaibab formation atop the Coconino plateau. Our destination was Cape Solitude. Now we understand why this promontory was named such by Clarence Dutton because, as he put it, "it stands solitary and alone". The Cape towers above the confluence of the Little Colorado and Colorado rivers.
The bike ride was totally gnarly and bone jarring. Large rock, deep sand, and the heat wore us down. We lost the route several times. When we attempted to take a break under one of the few trees along the way hundreds of ants climbed onto our sorry carcases.
It was a short break.

Little Colorado River Gorge-Navajo Land

Keith the Hawk, Dingo Dan and Larry the Mountain Man from Alaska

This trip ended up being exploratory. We badly underestimated the degree of difficulty.
A Grand Canyon Ranger had told us that he had done it on a mountain bike and we were stupid enough to believe him. Perhaps he did do it, but not in one day.

The Gates of Hell?

At 12 miles, the watch showed 12:30. We had started riding at 9:30. We gazed across the plateau and Solitude looked a long ways away. Below us was a side canyon requiring about 600' of up and down one way. We estimated that we had a couple of hours left to get to our destination and calculated between 5 and 8 more grueling miles to negotiate. Coming back would be mostly uphill and a two hour drive out on the maze of back roads was necessary. A projection of our water, day light time, and personal tank capacities netted the correct decision, to turn back and log this one as a tough recon ride. We backed down. We would have to settle for views of the Chuar Valley region and the Painted desert. There would be no dramatic overview of the Colorado River today. It would be unfinished business and we would deal with that later.

We arrived back at the car at quarter to five, somewhat exhausted and fell into our camp chairs for the after adventure cerveza ritual.
The unfinished business was discussed and a future strategy developed. Like Angel Eyes in the Good Bad and the Ugly-we always finish the job.

Next time-
Cooler Temps-in the fall
Take another back road route and try to get within 7 miles of Solitude. Our recon indicated that this is possible.
Get a Navajo permit and camp.
Day hike, Mtn Bike to solitude and return or get a NP permit and backpack in and carry more water.

We stopped in Flag for our traditional dinner at the Beaver Street Brewery and arrived back in Phoenix after midnight.
Thanks to Dingo for driving and to Larry and Keith for being such tough hombres in order to share such a "fun" adventure

Men Behaving Badly

Dingo Dog for constantly saying "Whose idea was this?" along the torturous route. This coming from the guy that absolutely loves this kind of stuff and is in his element while driving the worst back roads known to mankind.

Still a Ramblin Man

2007-01-07T15:54:00.000-08:00

"Änd the Cowboys ride-Against the wind"

Real quick, for those that wanted feedback on the Bob Seeger concert-He brought the house down at US Air Arena. Everyone was on their feet for two hours. Unlike a lot of old rockers, his voice is as strong as ever. The sax player has been with the Silver Bullet Band since 71 and was unbelievable!
Seeger has not toured for 10 years and missed Phoenix then. He has a new album that has already sold over a million copies.
I rate this concert in my top ten. (Of 473)

Locked in A Gilded Cage

2006-10-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

White Bird In a golden cage On a winter's dayIn the rain White birdIn a golden cage Alone
It's a beautiful Day-1967

The "Gilded Cage'- La Paloma Resort in Tucson- (Santa Catalina's in the background)

The leaves blowCross the long black roadTo the darkened skiesIn its rageBut the white birdJust sits in his cageUnknown.
El Lobo Grande was laying on his lawn chair by one of the pools at the La Paloma five star resort in Tucson, accessing his location while Gerry was in the Spa getting a massage.

Lobo wistfully looked out at the distant Santa Catalina's and contemplated escape. He pictured himself romping in the sun and chasing mule deer.

But, with broken ribs and an injured front leg he knew that he would not get far and would be captured and put back into the La Paloma ( the dove) gilded cage. There would be no behaving badly, just good manners.

The Betrayal

You see, Lobo was coerced into going to this resort by his wife Gerry and very good friend The Fabulous Spook who prefer these resorts (gilded cages) to the Wilderness. Perhaps they thought a little relaxation would be good for the wolf. After all, the last few months had been tough ones for the pack.

White bird must flyOr he will dieWhite bird must flyOr he will die
A brief escape into Sabino Canyon

White birdDreams of the aspen treeWith their dying leavesTurning goldBut the white birdJust sits in his cageGrowing old.Highlights of this trip include:

-Dinner at the World Class restaurant Jano's -written up in Bon Apetit
-Shopping, and slamming down Pacificos in Nogales Mexico. We scored a beautiful hand made bench that would not fit into our car.
-Watching the Gold Medal Hockey game played with savage intensity by Finland & Sweden. (Sorry Hannu, --Silver but your Finns were awesome!)
-Having breakfast with the intrepid travelers Bob & Peggy Shea who had just returned from an extended stay in old Mexico.

The sunsets comeThe sunsets goThe clouds Float byAnd The Earth Turns slowAnd the Birds EyesDo always Glow And he must flyhe must flyhe must fly

White bird must flyOr he will dieWhite bird must flyOr he will dieWhite bird must flyOr he will dieWhite bird must fly
Respectfully Submitted

El Lobo H. Grand

West Fork-Oak Creek

2006-10-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

West Fork of Oak Creek-12 miles roundtrip

Hombres de Canon
Zo
Lobo
Dingo
Jake da Snake

After 7 straight days of taking clients through the desert, it was great to get in a personal trip to one of the most beautiful spots in Arizona.

This canyon runs 12 miles from end to end with 5 really cold deep pools in the upper part that require swimming. Water temperature at this time of year is in the 40's.
Given that, we decided to do the lower end as a Canyoneering "warm up" (a little climbing, some waist high wading) and save the upper end for July when the icy pools are in the 50's and we pack wet suits.

There is a high usage trail on the lower end for four miles before it fades and you enter a narrower section of towering sandstone into the cathedral.

This area is extremely diverse in plant life. Manzanita, prickly pear cactus and agave live on the south slopes, and Douglas and white fir, and ponderosa pines populate the northern exposure.
We saw numerous reptiles (see pictures) indicating a healthy eco system.

Pics by Zo

Towering formations of sandstone-Beautiful topography!
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

El Lobo Grande surveying the water depth-Have frio!!!

Snaaaaaaaaaaake!!! Common garter

text
Dingo Dan
Reptile soft porn
Meandering up canyon

Hombres behaving Badly
AH COME ON!!!!!!!!! – Jake, after being the recipient of Lobo’s noxious fumes. Lesson learned – NEVER walk behind Lobo.
Lobo – for being on the SOOOOOUUUP for the 10th time this (calendar) year.
Jake, Dingo & Zo – for stopping at McDonalds to get breakfast sandwiches, while poor Lobo’s stomach worked on the peas he had for breakfast.
Jake – for taking after his father and almost making a poor garter snake pass out after the snake’s tongue caught a whiff of Jake’s semi-processed breakfast sandwich.
Lobo & Jake – for being less than fearless and deciding to wait while the fearless Dingo & Zo went on.
Dingo – for telling the group we needed to purchase a Red Rock pass and then having to pay the Park Service another fee because we DIDN’T need the Red Rock pass for this hike. Also for wearing the same "Red Dirt" shirt for the 512th straight time!
Zo – for depriving Lobo of his usual after hike nap by making Lobo drive home because Zo had too many post hike beers with Dingo.
Lobo & Jake – for showing too much matching genetics when they were both picking at their toe nails while Dingo & Zo stared entranced as if watching the Nature channel.

San Carlos

2006-10-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

Poncho was a bandit boy, his horse was fast as polished steelHe wore his gun outside his pants, for all the honest world to feelPoncho met his match, you know, on the deserts down in MexicoNobody heard his dyin' word, but that's the way it goes

Pancho & Lefty -Willie Nelson

This is my favorite time of year, the combination of great weather, spring training, and the NCAA Basketball tourney is hard to beat.

However-San Carlos Mexico played a trump card.

Road Trip!

Hombres de Camino

El Lobo H. Grande (El Bueno)
Jacobo la Serpiente (El Barato)
Zo (El Boracho)

We had a late start Friday evening (See men behaving badly section) and arrived in Nogales around 9:30 and hustled over the border to our favorite Nogales' restaurant-La Roca. As usual, the comida was excellent and the Pacificos went down very smooth. I was able to keep the boys out of the strip clubs and we hit the rack before midnight.

We crossed the border early the next morning and had a smooth 4 hour 250 mile drive on a well maintained 4 lane divided highway.

Our role as potential foreign investors in Mexico real estate was to perform due diligence and gather as much information as possible on San Carlos.

We had already spent many hours researching the area in preparation. Our amigos Mooseman and Peggy had recently spent much time in San Carlos and loved the area and the available activities of tennis, snorkeling, diving, mountain biking, clamming, kayaking, fishing, boating/sailing and wildlife viewing. There is a very nice golf course there too, for those that like to abuse themselves with that challenging game.
There are two international airports within 1 1/2 hours of San Carlos. One is 8 miles south in Guaymas and the other in Hermosillo-1 1/2 hours away. You can take a ferry from Guaymas to the Baja.

When we arrived we followed directions to Rich's abode. Rich retired from American Express last year and is a very happy camper, living the life of Jimmy Buffet. Having a 27 year old beautiful Mexican girl friend has not hurt his outlook on the current world situation. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Rich took us on a very interesting mini-tour (see men behaving badly section)
El Lobo H. Grande with Tetas de Cabra in the background (goat's tits)

For years, San Carlos has been a well kept secret. We were blown away by the raw natural beauty. The mountains, beaches, and desert are stunning.
The bay is one of the most beautiful views that I have ever seen, rivaling San Diego.
El Lobo Grande Y Jacobo at the seawall of Bahia Delfin Condominios

We dropped Rich off and enjoyed an excellent lunch before spending the afternoon looking at properties with Karen, our Casa de Amigos Realtor.
She did a great job, and we got an excellent feel for the playing field and the rules of engagement for buying property in Mexico's restricted zone.

Phase 1 of Bahia Delfin Condominios

The evening was spent at the local hangout called "Froggys'. Nightlife in San Carlos can be quite raucous on a Saturday night. (snowbird's gone wild, see men behaving badly section)

We stayed in a modest but very clean and reasonable motel by the beach. This was luxury when considering where we have stayed in Latin countries.

The following morning we met with our realtor and had a smooth drive back until we hit the border. Here, we suffered through a two hour wait to get through. It sucked, but we kept ourselves amused and found the mini dramas that unfolded quite entertaining. (brutal merging into one lane tactics and cars going the wrong way-(see men behaving badly section)
We finally crossed the border in a fierce snowstorm at 2000', all part of the adventure, but we won't cross back on a Sunday again.

Thanks to Zo for again being the Road warrior and driving the whole way. Thanks to Gerry for giving me a weekend pass with the house in a mess due to remodeling. Thanks to Jacobo for the time we shared.
This whirlwind tour was fun and productive. Es Verdad!

Men Behaving Badly

Zo and Jake for delaying departure by getting called into El Hefe's office (Reeechard) late Friday afternoon and getting their asses chewed out.
Zo for further delaying departure and making us go back to his place to pick up his passport. (He did gain a little redemption by bringing out ½ pound of Hershey's w/ almonds and devils food snack cakes.)
Retired Rich for continuously asking while touring the trio around San Carlos if we had time for a beer stop and borracho Zo for always responding yes.
Retired Rich for setting a bad example for Zo by retiring early, spending his days drinking and getting himself a girlfriend half his age.
Jacobo for stinking Zo’s vehicle with foul odors that still linger (and stinking up every other place visited on the trip).
Zo for once again thinking he left his cell phone at the motel when it was under his seat.
Security guard at the motel for extracting a tip from Lobo because he checked out at the desk and not with him.
Rowdy spring breakers in the room next door for waking the trio at 3 am and then having to hear a girl puking 2 hours later.
Waiter at the restaurant in San Carlos for telling Lobo he had eaten too many chips with salsa before his meal arrived.
70ish Arctic Hare at Froggys for dancing with all the women in the joint and then falling on his back while executing his signature dance move.
Band at Froggys for making CCR covers half of their set.
Barato Jake for always being the last person to get his wallet out.
Lobo for making Zo and Jake endure oldies from his ipod.
Zo for always waiting till the gas tank gets to empty before filling up and having to coast down a hill in the snow at the border crossing so the trio wouldn't run out of gas.
ASSHOLES who tried to cut in line at the border crossing.
Lobo for going out to take a pee in between cars while waiting to cross the border.
Lobo for making Jake&Zo risk pneumonia and walk across the border in a snow storm to look for a bench maker whose shop turned out to be CLOSED.
Lupe the bench maker for closing his shop.
Mooseman for wanting a finders fee of one free month's rent at our beautiful new beach front condominium. Lo siento, there is not enough room, you can sleep outside in a tent like I did in the snow at Joshua Tree! Just kidding, of course.

Mary Wilson

2006-10-15T21:27:00.000-07:00

Through the Mirror of My Mind-Time after Time-"Reflections Of the way life used to be"

Mary Wilson-Concert # 462
Fort McDowell Casino -May 14-2006

Mary Wilson put on a dynamite show last night. At 62 years young she looks great and kept the sold out crowd of ancient baby boomers on their feet for an hour and a half.

Mary co-founded one of the most successful female groups-The Supreme's.
Since then, Wilson has gone on to be a part of dozens of hit records, has written a best-selling autobiography, performed on stage and screen, lectured and toured the world.

The Supreme's has an unprecedented 12 number 1 hits including “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love,” “Come See About Me” and “Stop, In The Name Of Love,” The Supreme's set the precedent for super group success.
In 1988 they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
You can win a free Bus Trip there by participating in the FabulousSpooooooook/Great Grandee Oldies contest.

In 1970 Mary kept the Supreme's going after Diana Ross and Florence Ballard left the group. She paired with Jean Terrell and Cindy Birdsong to form The New Supreme's, racking up three top 10 hits “Up The Ladder To The Roof”, “Stoned Love”, and “River Deep, Mountain High”(with the Four Tops)

Mary went through all the hits and got the"girls" on stage numerous times to let it all hang out and shake their booties. It was really fun, a great show.

Many Super Groups are reuniting for perhaps one last ride and a lot of dough. There exists quite a rift between Mary and Diana Ross. Will it be reconciled? From my perspective-Screw Diana Ross, I would rather see Mary any day!!

Men and Women Behaving Badly

-El Lobo Grande for wasting away again in Margaritaville

-The Hotsie Broad (Cat woman) in the sexy striped top and her friend that started a fight with a guy with one leg (in a wheelchair) and his family. Lobo, the peacemaker attempted to calm all down. The guy with one leg kept screaming "If she hits my wife again I'm going to kill her!"
When Lobo requested that Cat woman should perhaps "Chill out" she tried to scratch his face with her long nails.
Peace was eventually restored after lengthy negotiation.

-The Security Guards whom were too afraid of Cat woman to get involved.

Respectfully Submitted

El Lobo H. Grande

Connie Francis and Bread

2006-10-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

"When the legends die, the dreams end, there is no more greatness"
Tecumseh

Concetta Rosemarie Franconero (Connie Francis) is the best female vocalist of all time. (In my opinion) She has 34 hits that made the top 40 on the charts including two #1 hits-"Everybody is somebody's fool", and "Don't break the heart that loves you".
I have been in love with her since 1958 and waited a life time to see her and hear "Where the Boys Are"
The Fort was packed with a crowd of over 5,000. Connie was awesome! She went non-stop for two hours. Her voice is not quite as strong as years past but every bit as beautiful.
She ended with "God Bless America" just as she had ended her concert for our troops in Viet Nam in 1967.
Despite all her success, Connie has led a tragic life. I have the ultimate respect for her. I admire her resilience. God Bless Connie Francis. She is still America's Sweetheart.

Marlene, Frank Parrella and Gerry at the Connie Francis Concert at Fort McDowell. Frank is a retired Air Force Colonel and a great American. He likes those Italian girls from Jersey.

On Sunday night we caught David Gates & Bread at the best place in the world to see a concert -The Celebrity Theatre.
This was another Celebrity up close, personal concert-mellow and refined.

Bread was formed in LA in 1969. David Gates has been their leader and wrote, produced and arranged all their songs.
They opened with "Make it with you" (#1 in 70) and Closed with "IF' (#4 in 71)

Gerry confided that hearing "Lost without your love" was her best concert moment ever. That is saying a lot since she has hundreds of concerts under her belt including the Beatles at Candlestick in 65.

The House was packed with a very loyal and appreciative crowd. David Gates appeared to be a down home type of guy (from Tulsa Oklahoma) and was quite endearing.
He went through all their hits-- "It don't matter to me", Baby I'm a Want You", "Everything I Own", "Diary", "Sweet Surrender, "Aubrey", and "The Goodbye Girl" and a number of other high quality David Gate's compositions.

Bread had 10 hits that were in the top 15 on the charts. They are an important piece of Rock & Roll history.

That's it-Concerts #460 & #461 marching towards the legendary 500.

Respectfully submitted

El Lobo H. Grande

Classic Rock-Deep Purple-Edgar Winter Group

2006-10-15T16:02:00.000-07:00

"Smoke on the Water, Fire in the Sky"

The boys (Dingo Dog & Zo) and I took in a couple of kick ass bands last night. The show was at the Old Sun Dome in Sun City so it was a road trip to get to that side of town.
I am not an aficionado of hard rock and heavy metal but these bands are legendary, I love their chart hits and I needed them for my list. This concert definitely increased my concert list stock. and..................................
The show was awesome!
The Edgar Winter Group opened for Deep Purple.
Edgar Winter had significant success in the 1970s and 1980s. He is a talented keyboard player, vocalist, saxophonist and percussionist, well-versed in jazz, blues and rock. His brother is blue rock guitarist and vocalist, Johnny Winters. Both Edgar and Johnny have albinism.
They played for an hour and included their 1973 hits Free Ride and Frankenstein. Frankenstein hit number 1 in March of that year and stayed on the charts for 20 weeks. It is amazing that a hard rock instrumental could reach that position and sustain.
Edgar Winter in 73

Deep Purple played for close to 2 hours and brought the house down.
Deep Purple is an English hard rock band formed in 1968. Along with Led Zepellin and Black Sabath, they are considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal and hard rock.
They are nothing short of legendary in Classic Rock circles.

Deep Purple today

They went through all their classics, including Smoke on the Water and Hush. Both, hit number 4 on the charts in 1968 and 1973 respectively.

Hush!

The show was a slice of life as the unruly audience was from primarily the "West Side" and the ushers/bouncers were Sun City Seniors in their 70s.and 80s.
The ushers tried numerous times to get the crowd to sit down and return to their seats. They were overwhelmed and fearing that they would be trampled by the raucous 50s age group the white haired Sun City Senior officials retreated to safety.

Too funny!!!

Benefit Concert-Barry McGuire

2006-10-15T16:00:00.001-07:00

"McGuinn and McGuire couldn't get no higher But that's what they were aimin' at."

Mamas & Papas-Creeque Alley-4/29/67

That would be Roger McGuinn of the Byrd's and Barry McGuire. Barry McGuire wrote & sang "Green Green" for the New Christy Minstrels. and helped the Mamas & Papas get their start.

But Barry is best known for his hit single "The Eve of Destruction" which hit the number one position on the charts on 8/21/65 and stayed on the charts for 16 weeks.

"The eastern world, it is explodingViolence flarin’, bullets loadin’You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin’You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’And even the Jordan River has bodies floatin’"
This song was recently voted as the number one all time 60's protest song
on Satellite radio and is viewed by many as more relevant in today's world - 40 years later.
Six months after McGuire's release, on 2/5/66 The Ballad of The Green Berets by Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler hit the top of the record charts.
This was reflective of a divided country, and confused times,not unlike today."and you tell me over andover and over again, my friendAh, you don’t believeWe’re on the eveof destruction."

In September, a car struck a Phoenix woman, actress Terry Earp while she was bicycling. She remains in serious condition.
A benefit concert was organized and put on this last Thursday at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center. Barry McGuire and poet Rod McKuen, were joined by local cowboy songwriters and singers.

Gerry and I attended the concert. It was an intimate venue, seating no more than 250 and the atmosphere reminded me of folk singing at coffee houses in the 60's.

don’t you understand what I’m tryin’ to sayCan’t you feel the fears I’m feelin’ today?If the button is pushed, there’s no runnin’ awayThere’ll be no one to save, with the world in a graveTake a look around ya boy, it's bound to scare ya boy

The show featured both old school cowboy and folk music.

Barry's set included songs from the Christy Minstrels, Mamas & Papas & Byrds and of course the infamous Eve of Destruction that has become popular again and is an important part of American pop music history.

It is rated number 25 on my all time top 5000 songs. I was able to score the original Album (now a CD) that is only sold in Germany.

Barry, actually lived through the "60s" twice, now 70 years young.
He was great!!!!

Yeah, my blood’s so mad feels like coagulatin’I’m sitting here just contemplatin’I can’t twist the truth, it knows no regulation.Handful of senators don’t pass legislationAnd marches alone can’t bring integrationWhen human respect is disintegratin’This whole crazy world is just too frustratin’
Finishing the show was Rod Mckuen. McKuen is a poet, author, songwriter, composer and performer. He has penned more than 1,500 songs, including Seasons in the Sun ( #1 hit for Terry Jacks in 74) It Was a Very Good Year for Frank Sinatra and If you Go Away.

In the late 60's every college coed had a Rod McKuen album in her dorm room. I know Gerry did!!!
We pulled two old LP's out tonight for dinner music.

Think of all the hate there is in Red ChinaThen take a look around to Selma, AlabamaYou may leave here for 4 days in spaceBut when you return, it’s the same old placeThe poundin’ of the drums, the pride and disgraceYou can bury your dead, but don’t leave a traceHate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say graceAnd… tell me over and over and over and over again, my friendYou don’t believeWe’re on the eveOf destructionMm, no no, you don’t believeWe’re on the eveof destruction.

Rod is now in his mid 70's and his delivery was a bit raspy, the vintage wine becoming vinegary but the crowd loved him.

Overall it was a warm, uplifting performance for a good cause. In our hearts the 60's will live forever..............And Terry will recover!

OK, that's it, EL Lobo concert # 465 on the road to 500 and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of fame.

France

2006-10-15T14:17:00.000-07:00

Well its three in the morning and I am trying to log on with no success, toaddress the ton of Emails that have piled up while we were spending thelast10 days in Paris. My remote access sends a message that my account is notsetup to log on at this time of the morning? I love working for the new Wells!Gerry is tasked with writing this trip report. She was intoxicated with theculture. I was often times intoxicated with the wine and bier. The earlypart of our stay was spent exploring the must see sites including NotreDame,Versailles, the Louvre, Musee d' Orsay and climbing the Eiffeltower.The rest of the time was spent exploring the areas that tourists seldomsee.This included a couple of wild offbeat clubs. We got quite proficient attheMetro and touched down on every section of the city. We walked in the parksand I ran in the Bois de Boulogne. We took a cruise on the Seine. We stoppedf requently at the charming sidewalk cafes and dined at exquisite Bistros.It was all quite lovely. We really enjoyed.On a more shameless note, I was able to find Jim Morrisson's grave at thePere Lachaise cemetary. This was not easy, but my orienteering skills and perseverance prevailed.

2006-08-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

"Standing in a slide zone Falling through a time zone Steppin' in a slide zone He had me falling through a time zone"
Moody Blues 7/78

Jake and I had just started the steep climb down into the bowl of Iceberg Lake. The lake is nestled at the base of Clyde Minaret and the feeling of high mountain wilderness was all pervasive.
The lake was almost totally iced over except for a few pockets that reflected a striking blue/green color. A small cascade of water flowed into the lake.

Zo and Dingo had decided to make an attempt on Clyde Minaret. Above I thought that I heard repeated distant screams of "Test!" "Test!"
I had no idea it was Dingo screaming "Self Arrest"

After reaching the bottom, we climbed around the perimeter of the lake and followed a stream out to Ediza Lake. The stream crossings had been very tricky, the flow was heavy and fast.

At one point Jake came close to being swept away.
We hiked up to Garnett lake and returned to camp late and fatigued, having logged 17 tough miles. Dingo and Zo were anxiously awaiting us. We had told them that we were just doing Iceberg lake and would return early.
They also had quite a day and were eager to relate their adventure.

Zo took a serious fall on the snow/ice and screeched down the mountain at break neck speed for about 60' before he had the presence of mind to get his ice axe planted. He stopped fifty feet from the edge of Iceberg Lake, a 2000' drop.

He would have gone through the ice and never got.out ...dead or alive. I can
picture him with his hands and feet up, on his back, looking up through the ice. Ten thousand years from now they would have discovered the "Zo Man"

Zo, being the man he is, got up, and they continued the ascent but wisely called it quits when they hit pure vertical ice with about 1500' to go.The conditions were not right. Retreating would give them another day.

Agnew Meadows to Ediza Lake-Ansel Adams Wilderness

Many say that this area is the cream of the crop of all Sierra lakes, where amid towering evidence of mountain building and glacial action, we were in awe of the colossal forces that shaped these incredible landforms.

Ediza Lake is a true alpine beauty and a primo destination. It can be used as a base camp for day hikes or for scaling the classic peaks in the Ritter Range.
The mosquitoes were vicious!!
Ediza Lake
Ritter Range-13ers-Minarets, MT. Ritter, and Banner Peak

Dingo was a man on a mission. He had just returned from Jamaica and wanted to drive all night. He was quite disappointed that the rest of us that preferred to get some sleep.

This was unfinished business. He had made an attempt on Ritter 15 years ago and after getting most of the climb completed, his partner could not continue and they went down.

The seven mile uphill pack in was arduous. None of us had back packed in quite a while and the packs were heavy with bear canisters and alpine equipment.

Dingo was intent on nailing Ritter. The failed attempt on Clyde only fed his compulsion and I wanted no part of it, preferring death by mosquitos to a climbing fatality.
Dingo was intent on going and when I refused, he decided to go by himself. I could not talk him out of it. He got up before the rest of us and was gone. Jake and Lorenzo packed up and started down. They had a wedding to attend in the Bay Area.

I was left to worry, develop a rescue plan, and try not to go crazy with the swarms of mosquitoes on attack.

At 2:00, Dingo returned triumphant.

Loco Dingo

A great relief raced through my mind and we proceeded to cover ourselves with insect repellant and drink all the rum and tequila that should not be consumed at high altitudes or anywhere.

The next morning we packed out with packs that seemed heavier than when we came in.

At the trail head we were delighted to find our Guinness cold in the car. Even though we were totally exhausted Dingo's insatiable appetite for adventure was not satisfied and he insisted that we hike (without packs) the three miles to an impressive Rainbow Falls.

From here we drove to the legendary Golden Trout Wilderness where we explored and camped before the long drive back to Phoenix inferno.

Men Behaving Badly

-Dingo for hiking and driving like an animal just escaped from his cage.
-Dingo & Zo for no communication and not bringing a tent.
-Dingo for crying mutiny because the group wanted to stay at a hotel and drink instead of hiking in the dark with the mosquitoes.
-Dingo-For screaming "This is not a vacation! This is a climbing expedition!"
-Dingo for trying to kill Zo on the steep icy snow slope.
-Zo the fearful, for begging Lobo for a huge knife for protection against the bears and never took it out of his pack.
-Lobo for drinking his full flask of tequila and ordering everyone to get his gear and food so he would not have to leave his chair.
-Lobo for bringing his biohazard pee bottle because he was too lazy to leave his tent at night.
-Lobo for disturbing mid-afternoon valley peace by taking a cold shower, butt naked on a large rock and yelling "YEAH BABY" at the top of his lungs over and over.
-Bear for pissing all over Dingo's tire and car.
-Jake & Zo for packing out early and leaving the bear canisters and all the heavy stuff for Dingo & Lobo to carry out.

El Condor Pasa

2006-06-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

Canon De Colca Peru -Deepest in the world

Izagu Falls Argentina

2006-06-03T16:29:00.000-07:00

Lake Titcaca Peru

2006-06-03T15:48:00.000-07:00

Mountaineering-Jepson Peak & San Gorgonio

2005-11-11T14:56:00.000-08:00

I like big fat men like you. When they fall they make more noise !" — Tuco in The Good Bad & The Ugly

Falling was not an option on this epic winter route. The gullies were steep. (steeper near the summit) assuring trauma if we stumbled on descent.
The gullies as well as the surrounding slopes were subject to avalanche. The snow was not consolidated and the summit ridges above the gullies were corniced.
Rescue could not be dispatched until the following morning and a fallen climber would be left on the mountain for the night- chances for survival would be slim.

Escaladores:

Brian
Carlita
El Lobo

Summits nailed:
MT. Jepson
Gorgonio Peak

Twenty two miles and 16,000' of elevation gain/loss.

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there." Lewis Carroll

Road Trip

My REI colleague and amiga Carlita left the Valley of the Sun Friday afternoon and arrived in Redlands, California five hours later.
The following morning we met Brian Hall.
Brian worked at REI in Phoenix but now lives in Southern California. Brian is a skilled, experienced mountaineer and would lead us to the promised land.

Where the Hell is Dry Lake?

At 7000' we lifted our fifty + lb. packs on our backs and started our trek at the South Fork trail head. Our tools included full crampons, ice axes and snowshoes. We left behind harnesses and rope .
Our base camp destination was Dry Lake, where we planned a Gorgonio South East ascent the next morning.
The weather conditions were great, we quickly shed layers and after two miles put on our snowshoes.
At a fork, we elected to follow some ski tracks and climbed to 9500' and dug out our snow camp. We had overshot Dry Lake.

During the snow melt operation we discovered that one of the fuel canisters was inoperable. This would put us short of water and cause us to turn back the next morning.
Brian studied the map and GPS data and a new plan was agreed upon. If we had enough fuel for water we would climb to a ridge line and survey the Jepson Peak bowl and make a decision on our plans there.
The fuel canister was put in the tent for the evening and successfully put into operation by switching stoves the next morning.

Morning has Broken

At the ridge line Brian surveyed the peaks and felt that getting back to Dry Lake would take too long for a Gorgonio ascent and that Jepson, although a very steep climb, was doable in our daylight time window.

At 11,205 feet Jepson Peak is the 2nd highest mountain in Southern California and offers some of the best snow climbs in Southern California. There are 3 main chutes or gullies that rise 1,300 vertical feet out of the Jepson Bowl on the north side of the mountain.

Jepson Peak

We chose to climb a spectacular ridge on the north side of the mountain from the Jepson Bowl directly to the summit.
The going was extremely strenuous.

"That which does not destroy me makes me stronger." (Nietzsche)

Carla climbing the North Face of Jepson Peak---"A Woman's Place Is on Top." — T-shirt from first American woman's ascent of Annapurna.

The view from Jepson was spectacular. We were all pleased with making this pure alpine climb.
Carlita quipped "Dry Lake-You Bastard" Although elated to get on top of Jepson, she was disappointed that she had not conquered Gorgonio. This was her second try. She had turned back last year during an adventure race. Gorgonio was unfinished business.
Brian surveyed the ridge line to Gorgonio and surprisingly announced that he thought that we could bag Gorgonio and get down in a daylight time window.
"Let's do it"

San Gorgonio Saddle/Jepson Peak

An hour later we hunkered down in a rock shelter on top of Gorgonio. The winds were bitter and strong.

MT. San Gorgonio, also known as "Old Greyback", at 11,490' it is the highest mountain in Southern California.
The goal had been met but the trek was only half done. Now we had to get down.

"Be careful when you go down a mountain. Remember, there's only one step but it's a big one !"

We headed back down the ridge line and Brian picked the safest route.
He went first and moved quickly but carefully. Crampons were balling up, so we had to rely on our footing and ice axe placements. This was really dangerous.

I followed and then Carlita.

Carla was spooked and moving tentatively but overcame her fear and made steady progress. We were both relieved when she joined us.

The rest of the descent went smoothly. We did some glissading.

Ancient bristlecone pines, (Pinus longaeva) the oldest known tree species in the world, peppered this exposed, windswept harsh environment. The oldest bristlecones usually grow at elevations of 10,000 to 11,000 feet.

At the bottom we looked up at the chutes, amazed of our accomplishment.

Brian's GPS gave us an inaccurate reading in the woods and we overshot our camp by climbing an unnecessary 600'.
Brian made the adjustment and led us into camp.
It was a beautiful sight.

The next morning we packed up and started out with snowshoes but quickly abandoned them. The snow had gotten quite slushy.
We were out in three hours.

"Well I woke up this mornin' and got myself a beer"--Jim Morrison (The Doors)
In Redlands, Brian took us to an old fashioned A& W where we gulped down draft root beers in icy mugs and devoured burgers & fries. It was paradise!
Carla the road warrior, drove all the way back to Phoenix that afternoon. I kept her awake by talking her ear off.

This was an outing, that none of us will ever forget.

Thanks to Brian for his patience, planning and expert execution.

Thanks to Carla for inviting me, and demonstrating admirable courage. She is one tough woman that more than held her own and defeated the fear within.

Thanks to both Brian and Carla for the time we shared.

Next year Brian has promised to put together a San Bernadino Ridge line trek----San Bernadino summit to San Gorgonio summit along the ridge line crossing East San Bernadino Peak, Anderson Peak, Shields Peak, Charlton Peak, Little Charlton, and Jepson.
Perhaps we will cross the wild new junction where skiing and mountaineering converge. I am thinking about a short, fat, light approach set of skis with alpine -touring bindings.

I would love to ski down one of those chutes. And I will.

Men, Women and Varmints Behaving Badly:

-A dirteeeeeeeee sweet toothed varmint that got into my food bag and ate my whole bag of cookies, leaving the rest of the food alone.

-The Sweet, innocent Carlita who again was using the vernacular of a truck driver.

-Dingo Dan & Zo who did not make this trip because they were afraid of their respective bosses-Richard & Jeanie

-Brian & Carla who were flaunting their new Patagonia "Puff"
jackets. Carla kept hugging hers like it was some small pet and mumbling something like "My Puff, My Puff-I Love You?"

-Carla for complaining about being down wind of Lobo and then stepping to the side and "tooted"
Why is it that women only toot? C'mon Carla you just plain farted!

A solo mountaineer/skier who said "right on" 15 times in the course of a 2 minute conversation.

Lobo and Carla for creating a scandal at their workplace by not only spending the night together in a cheap motel but spending 2 nights in El Lobo's den. (New Black Diamond FirstLight tent)
This could make the cover of one of the outside adventure tabloids!

Carla for claiming that she was not "hogging the tent" and that the ice floor was causing her to slide and take up most of the tent.
El Lobo spent his nights pinned to the wall of the tent.

The Eagles

2005-10-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

Veteran Cosmic Rockers,

Well I can now die a happy man. I finally was able to get to see the Eagles in concert and hear "Hotel California" live.
I have been to "THE" Hotel California in Todos Santos Mexico where there was plenty of room and dozens of old dusty suitcases left in room that have never been opened. ("You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave")
Hotel California was one of five number one hits for the Eagles and they played non-stop for 2 1/2 hours. The audio visual was fantastic.
Tickets were outrageously priced but worth every penny.

The night before I caught the Boxtops,(The Letter) Jay & The Techniques and Marrillee Rush (Angel of the Morning) at the Fort, for a Veterans Day concert. It was great! (and free)

I have attached for your enjoyment a copy of my lifetime concert list that includes over 200 artists/groups and 452 performances.
Please review and let me know if there are any groups that you have seen that are not on my list. (If there are any, I may have to kill you!)

Gerry has me trumped with The Beatles at Candlestick in August of 66. She also has the Troggs, Jefferson Airplane and Pete Seeger that are absent from my list.

Life is so unfair! I am so jealous!! I need them on my list!

I will sign off with this food for thought.

Was I really at THE Hotel California in Todos Santos or is the Hotel California a state of mind? What do you think?

Far out!!
"Stay Hungry Stay Foolish"

El Lobo H. Grande

PDOG goes down in Supai

2005-10-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

Flash Flood News-Havasupai Grand Canyon

"People are strange-When you're a stranger-Faces look ugly-
When you're alone "-Doors-1967 Summer of Love

The following event recently sent shock waves through the Havasupai Tribe
in the Grand Canyon.

PDOG,(Patrol Dog) the alpha wolf and one of the largest dogs in the canyon got the stuffing beat out of her by "Stranger", a mellow, medium sized dog whom had wandered into the camp.

The tribal council had an emergency session to discuss if this was a bad omen and to determine if a message was being sent down from the spirits.
PDOG had successfully chased any and all dogs that had previously entered our camp, interested in the bountiful scraps that were being fed to PDOG.
P had shown no mercy in her hostile attacks of rivals.

But "Stranger" persevered and hung around and eventually one of the guides started putting out a plate for him. Even though PDOG always had a bountiful plate, she would viciously charge Stranger and take his plate.

Until---one day---- Stranger jumped out of the way while being attacked, jumped on top of PDOG and knocked the mighty P to the ground. The aging PDOG's size was no match to Stranger's youthful speed and agility. He took the big old girl down quickly. PDOG retreated, lucky to be alive.

Our client group of 17 Travel Writers stared in disbelief, they had witnessed a fine example of survival of the fittest.
The fur had flown and a Stranger had emerged as the alpha wolf.
.
PDOG during happier times

"Is it strange I should change? I don't know, why don't you ask her?"
Buffalo Springfield-1967 Summer of Love

Stranger and PDOG now peacefully coexist in our camp, both of them are well fed. Stranger has however, taken over PDOG's place sleeping on my tarp.
Note: PDOG is the helicopter pilot's dog. No one knows where Stranger came from.

PDOG going down is bigger news than TYCO Jeffrey in Supai

No more Toga parties for you dude!

The Havasupai Reservation is located in one of the most beautiful and remote areas of the western Grand Canyon. The Village of Supai, is located in Havasu Canyon, a southwestern branch of the Grand Canyon, and is accessible only by foot, horseback, or helicopter. The village is the tribal center for the Havasupai Tribe and is noted for its four blue-green waterfalls and camping facilities. Havasupai translates to People-Of-The-Blue-Green-Waters in English.

Climbing A Wet Needle

2005-10-15T21:46:00.000-07:00

"But still they begin--Needles and pins"
Searchers -3/64

Climbers

El Lobo Grande
Zo

Our destination was Weavers Needle in the Superstition Wilderness. Weavers Needle is one of Arizona's most striking and famous landmarks.
This 4,553 -foot-high peak yields an easy but potentially dangerous four pitch ascent on crumbling rock.

The approach is somewhat of a bitch. It is four miles, starting from the Peralta trail head, with an elevation gain of 2800'. There is about a mile off trail climb on steep talus.

Rain was in the forecast and we left Phoenix with the attitude of giving it a try, and if nothing else checking it out for better conditions.

We free climbed the first pitch. The rock was wet and dangerous. Zo did not like the conditions. If it rained we would be screwed. It was time to back off. Zo belayed me down and we headed for a nice lunch at a water runoff into a large pool.

We will return when there is safer conditions. This is unfinished business.

Stunning wildflowers on the well used Peralta trail. Weavers Needle looms in the background.
The Needle-A cross country scramble before you start any technical climbing.
Dingo-Te gustan mes pistolas?

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Retreat

Men Behaving Badly

Lorenzo for yelling "I can't talk now" when Lobo called him at work to plan this outing. Geeeeeeeeeeez Lorenzo, El Lobo also happened to be under a lot of pressure, trying to learn how to use his new IPOD and watching the NCAA basketball game at the same time.

Lorenzo for missing climbing at the gym because he had to buy some Qtips and get a haircut after work?

Lorenzo for letting the foulest fart ever launched in Superstitions and claiming revenge. The full environmental damage has yet to be determined.

Lorenzo for flaunting the fact that he climbs 5.11s and stealing El Lobo's ATC

El Lobo for going back on the Soup Diet.

Extreme Hot Springs

2005-10-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

Awesome Nevada

Four days relaxing, visiting family and checking out our condo at Incline-now that's extreme!

Highlights of the trip included:

-Tahoe- What more need to be said
-Lunch at the Hounds Tooth overlooking the beautiful Genoa Valley near Heavenly Valley
-Lunch in historic, beautiful Markleeville California
-Soaking in the awesome natural mineral pools of Walleys Hot Springs-A Nevada Historic Site
-Genoa-Nevada's first settlement
-Hiking the Faye Luther Trail that connects with the Tahoe Rim trail
-Strolling the Carson Valley arts & crafts fair in Minden
-Awesome wedding and reception at Walleys for our niece Lindsay & new spouse John
-Champagne brunch at the Peppermill with my parents Wally & Thelma

Nevada and Walleys Rock!!

Respectfully submitted

J. Gordon Liddy (how long do I have to hold my finger over this match?)

2005-10-15T21:41:00.000-07:00

Hola,

Hope all had a good weekend. It was a great one here. The weather is really nice for June and the activities were the best!

Concert # 448

Friday night Ger and I went to see Janis Ian at the Cave Creek Coffee Company. The Coffee Company is a fun place that serves world class wines and roasts all their own coffee. It is Arizona's version of "Austin City Limits" The ambiance can't be beat.

The show was fabulous, up close and personal, only 200 tickets were sold.

There were some dirteeeeeeee liberales there, caring about other people and accepting alternative life styles, but an obnoxious cowgirl in a mini skirt balanced everything out. MMMMMMMMMMMM

Janis has aged, but her voice and song writing talents appear even more refined than when she stunned New York folk audiences in the 60's.

In 1967, at sixteen years old and four foot seven, she shook the music industry with Society's Child, a composition about a white girl and black boy kept apart by an unfeeling society. The song was banned from many southern radio stations.
I remember it well. My girlfriend and I loved that song.

"Your name was never called, when choosing sides for basketball"

In 1975 Janis released a Grammy award winning album-Between the Lines that included the hit single At Seventeen that soared to number three on the charts.
This hit seemed to touch a common nerve with many young people, particularly the female gender.

Like a vintage wine, Janis flowed through the evening. Everyone loved the show.
.
Janis Ian is almost 60, Jewish and gay. She lives in Memphis Tennessee with her partner.

Society's child has made an important contribution to the world. God Bless her.
That is what Janis says that they say to her all the time in the south. They are still looking to convert her.

Gorging ourselves-Canyoneering the headwaters of Clear Creek

Dingo
Lobo
Jacobo

Jacobo & Dingo having a special moment together

West Clear Creek is the classic Mogollon Rim canyon. We descended steeply down the Maxwell trail to the Creek and boulder hopped and waded downstream where we enjoyed lush shade loving vegetation, clear pools of trout, crawdads and frogs, as well as petroglyph panels. The Coconino sandstone cliffs and narrows were spectacular. There are many deep pools where you can fish or huck your carcass.
Navajo Sandstone
We found much bear scat along the way but did not have an encounter. Brightly colored butterfly's fluttered by and hawks soared in the high currents.
This is one of the most beautiful places in Arizona. (or anywhere)
We all agreed that this would be a great area to pack into and do a little fly fishing.

Arizona or Hawaii?

Men & Woman Behaving Badly

Carlita for backing out at the last minute because "something came up"?? and then wanted a copy of the trip report! Some Nerve!
Juan for not going because he is afraid of his wife.
Zo (motorcycle boy) for not going because he was on a p*^*y motorcycle trip to Canyon De Chelle where he was sitting down the whole time.

Men Behaving Good

Dingo, Lobo, and Jacobo for getting along very well, enjoying special moments together and not fighting and insulting each other like everyone does when Juan and Zo are along.
Drewsky (Mr. Sony) who graciously got my precious digital camera repaired that I fried at Havasupai. Thanks Drew!! Wish that you could have made this trip!!

Brittish Invasion-Havasupai

2005-10-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

"I have a rock in me bum and one in me tit!"

"OK Audrey, just step and grab and that will take care of it."
A few minutes earlier Audrey had removed her pants (too tight for climbing) and was ascending in her white panties up to the top of the Esplanade.

After taking 21 fun loving, crazy Brits for a week of adventure in the Grand Canyon I am tired, but fulfilled with a restored faith in the human spirit.

On Friday, after kayaking 18 miles on the Colorado , we celebrated the completion of their charity challenge at the great American Pub -Gordon Biersch, in Las Vegas.

All 21 were successful and was ready to parteeeeeeeeeee. Not that they had denied themselves down at Havasupai.

They came to the Grand Canyon to complete a challenge in order to raise money for several charities in the UK such as youth hospices and cystic fibrosis. All had been touched by the charity they were working for. Some had young children that had been stricken, some were suffering from a debilitating disease.

This group was the happiest, most caring, kindest people that I have ever met. They were brave and they all lived for the moment.

They invaded Havasupai and treated the Grand Canyon as if it was pure magic. Their eyes sparkled when they saw the blue green water.
They hiked 35 miles in the heat and paddled 18 in strong winds. They jumped off Navajo Falls into the deep pools. They showed much courage when they climbed down Mooney Falls.
All worked very hard helping the guides with every chore. They were most appreciative of our guide work and made you feel wonderful. Most had never met before but loved each other.

I can name that tune in three notes

On the road I played the oldies station and identified each song in less than two notes to the cheers of the entire van. They sang along with every song and knew all the words.

Patrol Dog

At our camp in Havasupai they met and fed "PDOG" (real name is Otis, although female) PDOG is the helicopter pilot's dog but spends most of her time at our camp and is very well fed with leftovers. Other Indian dogs like Yoda and Shadow also hang out and are subservient to PDOG but if the alpha wolf catches them eating any scraps she rips into them.
When we hiked out PDOG was up at the Supai village. She has an arthritic hip and sometimes can not make it down to camp.

Paradise?

"I go where the sound of thunder is." Alfred M. Gray
One night a monsoon blew in and the thunder rumbled through the canyon walls. The distant lightning was spectacular. It was eery and we were on alert for a possible flash flood.

The swimming was great

Simon, Clare, Dave and Georgia.
(It's a tough job but somebody's got to do it!)

How's this for a swimming hole?

Late Friday night I left the group at the Hard Rock Casino. They had 5 Pacificos lined up for me but I just had to get some sleep.

At the airport the next morning we all said our goodbyes. I was promised T-shirts from the Beatles shop in Liverpool.
There weren't many dry eyes and I found myself fighting back tears. It had been a privilege sharing time with these people.

"The road to hell is paved with adverbs".

The long drive back to Phoenix was pure hell. Just outside Vegas, at 65 miles an hour and in heavy freeway traffic, my trailer shimmied badly and I averted a serious accident by getting to the side of the road. I don't know how I did it. Upon examining the trailer, I discovered that the pin holding the hitch was gone. It blows me away to think how that could happen. Vandalism? Who knows?
A young man pulled off the Freeway to help me. He gave me the pin off his hitch and helped me lift the trailer back in place. Thanks to this act of generosity and kindness I was able to get back on the road.

When we got to Phoenix, I 17 was closed and I had an hour's delay.
Finally I made it to the AOA office. After cleaning the coolers and gear I as more than ready to get home. I jumped in my truck and was greeted with a dead battery. Of course I did not have my AAA card with me.

Somehow these events were met with perspective .

"Lets live for today"

EL Lobo H. Grande

Born In The USA

2005-10-15T21:37:00.000-07:00

"It stays with you, and it makes life feel so good!" Wolfman Jack on Top 40 radio

Hola cosmic rockers,

How was your fourth? I hope you all enjoyed our USA freedom to share time with friends and family, barbeque, catch some fireworks etc.

We caught a "free" (I love that word) concert under the stars at the Fort McDowell Casino and it was absolutely incredible as was the fireworks. The night before we enjoyed a fun barbeque at the Hofdahl Ranchero in Paradise Valley. Isn't it wonderful to spend time with good friends?

Note: Juan Hofdahl is a investment genius buying in PV. He got abused in the last trip report but he is one good friend and smart guy.

Back to the Concert

Gerry was not thrilled to be going to this concert. She is not the aficionado of late 50's early sixties music like I am. She preferred to stay home and listen to Mozart or Bach and watch the fireworks poolside. Also she thought that everyone that would be there lived in a trailer park in Apache Junction.
I don't know where she got this type of arrogant, rico Republican attitude. Once she got there she got caught up in the fervor of the moment, had a few Bud Lights and she was a Democrat again.

The groups that played are Rock & Roll Legends. The lead singer of the Diamonds, David Sommerville is now 72 years old. He looks and sounds great. There were at least one original member in each group. They are still carrying the torch. This music is eternal it will never die.

The Lineup

Opening Act

The Diamonds were a clean-cut white vocal group that had sixteen hits between 1956 and 1961, ten which were covers of songs sung by black R&B artists. Their biggest hit, LiL Darlin is in the top all time 100 of Rolling Stone's greatest hits.(#98)
Chills ran down my spine when he rolled into that one.

Next

The Marvelettes-One of the great Motown groups they hit number one on the charts in 61 with Please Mr. Postman. C'mon everyone knows that one! Beechwood 4-5789 played through my head while I was at Billinghurst Jr. High (you can call me any time) Other hits included Playboy and Don't mess with Bill.
They really got the geritol crowd of 4,000 going.

The Crystals
I am an aficionado of the girl group sound, and I believe that there can't be five acts more beloved than the Crystals. Their best-known songs, which include "He's a Rebel," "Uptown," "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Then He Kissed Me," and "There's No Other Like My Baby," are what I consider to be some of the finest examples of the best that American rock & roll had to offer in the period before the British Invasion.
The sisters were fantastic!! You go girls!!!
Closing
The Contours was a soul singing group on the Motown label during the 60's. Their biggest hit, "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)", was a pop hit in 1962 (#3 on the charts) and was prominently featured in the 1987 movie, Dirty Dancing.
They brought down the house and then the great fireworks was the icing on the cake.
Ok that's it, concert # 452, & 206 different groups/artists seen in concert.

Salome Jug

2005-10-15T21:36:00.000-07:00

"With the eyes of a child You must come out and see That your world's spinning round And through life you will be A small part of a hope of a love that exists In the eyes of a child you will see".
Our children's children-Moody Blues

"The Jug"-A spectacular granite gorge-5 miles round trip

Canyoneers-

Dingo
Bailey (Dingo's 13 year old niece)
Lobo
Zo

This was an absolutely fantastic day's worth of adventure.

This gorge is an amazing place with it's pink- hued polished granite, forming marble smooth walls. Salome Creek plummets down steeply and slippery slides often times were our only access downstream. At the bottom of the slides, rippling, deep, clear pools spanned from wall to vertical wall.

Bailey had an absolute ball sliding into these pools. It was wonderful experiencing "the jug" through the eyes of a child. (teen)

We all enjoyed wading and swimming through the gorge. With temperatures exceeding 100 the cool water felt so nice!! The pools are still chilly, and we all wore wet suits, and were glad to have them.
We periodically would warm our wet bodies on sun warmed slabs of granite.

Head of the "Jug" --Dingo, Bailey & Lobo PIC by Zo (The Preacher)

The "Cathedral" PIC by ZO

Towards the lower end of the gorge there is a 20' waterfall with a long pool sitting at the bottom. Bailey had never rappelled before, but she showed 'no fear" and smiled all the way down. She is a great Kid-fun loving, interested, poised and focused.

Our theme song for this trip was "The Hanging Tree" (Frankie Laine) and she recited over and over one of the lines-- "to really live, you must almost die"

All good things must pass and we were disappointed to finish our last swim to find the smooth canyon walls ending and the Sonoran desert now surrounding Salome Creek. We had a steep hike in extreme hot temperature but everyone was in great spirits and joked and chatted all the way to the car. We were all still in awe of "The Jug."

At the car we enjoyed our customary cerveza ritual. Bailey had ice tea even though ZO behaved badly and offered her a beer.

Back in Scottsdale we had a pizza party at Lobo's Den to celebrate.

Thanks to Dan and Zo for helping to get me through the Jug, I have the best outdoor adventure partners on the planet.

Lowlands-Hilton Head

2005-10-15T21:22:00.000-07:00

"Momma always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."
Forest Gump

The park bench that Forest sits on for much of the movie was located in historic Savannah, GA, at Chippewa Square. The original bench was shipped back to Hollywood. I sat at the same location and pondered a box of chocolates/ life. What a great movie! What a great city!

Ger and I just returned from 8 fabulous days in the "lowlands." Pat Conroy is one of our favorite authors. (Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, The Lords of Discipline, Beach Music) His novels, set in this region, instilled a strong desire to someday feel the texture of the South Carolina Coast.

Despite Hurricane Wilma, the time was now.

Highlights of this trip include:

-Touring Savannah's storied historical district, enjoying the restored colonial homes and the city's original 24 green-leafed 1-acre squares.

-Staying at decadent 5 Star resorts (thanks to Clint)

-Visiting Fort Pulaski National Monument on marshy Cockspur Island . It was built with 25 million bricks. Union forces defeated the fort's Confederate defenders during the Civil War.

-Mouth watering low country cuisine-Shrimp & grits to kill for!

-Hanging out at well manicured Hilton Head Island resort area

-Exploring colonial Charleston, enjoying it's European charm, historic architecture and friendly residents

-Touring the storied Citadel in Charleston (Lords of Discipline) Scoring a Citadel climbing shirt and doormat for the front door at the gift shop.(El Lobo loves souvenirs!)

-Taking a boat to Fort Sumter National Monument where the first shots of the civil war were fired in 1861

-Strolling on Myrtle Beach

-Touring the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site. Pinckney was a principal framer of the U.S. Constitution.

-Wildlife sightings-particularly the gators and a beautiful red fox romping and jumping gracefully in a meadow in the woods.

My Backpages

2005-10-15T15:39:00.000-07:00

"Ah but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now"
Byrds-1967 (written by Bob Dylan)

Hola,

Do you remember your first bike?

Of course you doI

Mine was a Schwinn that my parents paid a whopping $29.95 at Odens Cyclery on fourth street near downtown Reno.
Everyone in the neighborhood came out to see the shiny new bikes that my parents had surprised my brother and I with.
"We thought we were millionaires this afternoon and went out and bought the kids bikes"

I loved riding my new bike with playing cards flapping in the spokes. I often times cruised the neighborhood with a frog in my pocket that I caught in the Ore Ditch.
I wore Keds sneakers (you know "Keds, Kids, Keds" or perhaps you don't) and rode through empty lots often times getting a flat tire. A sagebrush sticker would be the culprit.
My bike also served as my "office" as I used it to deliver the Nevada State Journal Newspaper early in the morning. My paperboy job netted enough money to buy a new Fred Bear re curve bow. So Cool!!

Almost fifty years have now passed. Where'd they go? Fifty years I don't know I sit and I wonder sometimes Where they've gone

I have just received another new bike and took it for a test ride. Instead of Keds, I now wear Shimano specialty shoes with clips that fit in the pedals. The bike came without pedals and I purchased a pair of Crank Brothers Mallet C for five times the amount my parents paid for my first bike.
It is a super lightweight, high performance, engineering marvel equipped with all XTR components. The tires are tubeless. This bike is the equivalent of a Lexus with all options.

We live modestly and do not drive fancy cars. At first I was a bit uncomfortable having such a fancy bike. It retails for over $5000. Can you believe it? A bicycle for $5000!
I paid considerably less for it (at cost) thanks to my boss, Brian at Arizona Outback Adventures. But still......on my guide and REI salary it seemed like I was being extravagant.