PATAGONIA!

We were very fortunate this past holiday season to spend time in Patagonia!  We visited the southern area of Patagonia, both Chile & Argentina.   We booked a trip with Andes Adventures, an active vacation touriing company which I highly recommend, if you want to experience South America with the experts!

A week before we departed I had a conversation with my friend Julie, who did this trek with Andes Adventures in 2003.  She predicted, "You will absolultely love it!  But, be sure to bring the warmest clothes you own becasue it will most likely be cold & windy."

"Hmm", I thought, suddenly regretting my decision to give my ski jacket to Goodwill several months ago.  Julie is perceptive, and perhaps my facial expression might have tuned her in to to my thoughts.  In any case, she said "I have a wonderful warm down parka jacket you can borrrow.  Please do so, because you will need it."  Two days later I arrived at her doorstep to take her up on her kind offer.

We arrived in sunny Santiago on Tuesday Dec 20th in the early morning hours. Our next flight was late in the afternoon to Punta Arenas, which is in Southern Chile, and would be our introduction to Patagonia! (My trick to remembering the name of this town, Punta Arenas,  was "kick butt" or "punt your anus."  If you pronounced "punt-uh--your-anus", most of the locals would interpret it as Punta Arenas, so all would be good!)   "Savor the heat," was my mantra during the day in sunny Santiago, since I knew it wouldn't last for long.  Patagonia is well-known for it's windy, chilly temperatures.

We did arrive in the kick-butt town and were ready to embark on the trekking adventure!  Our first five days of hiking would be in the National Park of Torres del Paine, in Chile.  We stayed in refugios the 5 different nights, in 3 separate locations, which were very basic but perfectly adequate.  No complaints, after all, we were here for the hiking!

The weather was warm.  We hiked 4 days in Torres del Paine - covering a total of 46 miles.  It was gorgeous!  Short sleeve weather, and light weight pants all of the days.  I never did use Julie's down parka; which proves my theory: If you pack it you won't need it - but if you DON'T pack it you DO need it!

Our guide, Armando, was friendly and knowledgable.  The scenery was truly spectacular.

Our favorite refugio in Torres del Paine was our own private cabana where we stayed in Refugio Cuernos.

This was so much fun!   We enjoyed Patagonia (Chile), but also looked forward to the second half of our trip in Patagonia.  (Argentina -  to follow!)

ITALIA!

View of Barga



Magdalena Bridge, near Crasciana

Gerry and I recently returned from Italia.  We spent two weeks in Tuscany - first week in Barga, and second week in Lucca.  Bella Italia!  

MOVING! A PITA EXPERIENCE



Bye Bye House - It was nice knowing you. R.I.P.

 Moving !!!  Now I know why I haven't done this in 25 years.  It really is a Pain in the Arse (a PITA experience!)  That being said, we are happily ensconced in our town house, located a mere 1 1/4 miles from the demolition  /  construction site of our former  / remodeled home.   We signed a year lease for the town house.  I DO like having so much within walking distance - several restaurants, a grocery store, a used book & record store; and did my mention I can walk to "my house" in less than 20 minutes to check up (or scare myself even more) with the progress of the remodel??   All in all, it IS exciting.  I even have an air-conditioned office in the  town house from which I can post Mary's Musings and More in cool comfort.   

Summer in L.A.

Mariposa Lily  (Photo courtesy of Gerry)




  It hasn't been  oppressively hot (yet).  We've been in Griffith Park hiking, usually two or three times per week.  We're fortunate to have Griffith Park literally in our back yard.  (We walk out the back yard, ascend the steep hill, and then we are in the beloved Park.!)

Some mornings we have visitors who stop by our back yard.  I don't mind!  Bambi and friends are always welcome here.

There goes the doe, up the hill of our backyard!

The View on our regular Hike

A few weeks ago Gerry's brother and wife, (Allan and Kathy) visited us for a few days.  They live in Decatur, IL.  Our house is a bit of a mess, in flux, you might say.  They stayed with us here one night, then we headed up to the Santa Ynez Valley for a few days.   Wine Tasting, Relaxing, Touring the La Purisima Mission, and gourmet dining.   What more could you ask for, re a two-day getaway?  



At Rusack Winery



25 Years of Marriage!



HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US! 

Yes it is true.  And, yes it does make me feel old.   Old, but happy.   May 24th 1986 Gerry & I  were married.  We vowed to put up with each other through good times, bad times, sickness, and health.  What we have experienced together in 25 years is obviously too much and too personal for the blog-o-sphere.

On Top of The World Together !
(Macchu Pichu June 2010)



We Celebrated out 25 year marrinage!   We spent a 25-hour mini vacation away from home.

  Destination - Downtown LA.! 

  

We spent a night  at the Biltmore Hotel, which was wonderful.  We went out to dinner downtown, and also saw a play, God of Carnage at the Ahmanson Theatre.    Wednesday morning we enjoyed walking the downtown blocks of L.A., enjoying the architecture, as we viewed the historic buildings up close.

How fortunate are we!   We made a toast to the next 25 years yet to come.

EASTER!

We did go to the Grand Canyon and my post on the Canyon & AZ experience will follow at a later date.  I need to get some photos first before I blog about the adventure.  

Our latest trip was back to the mid-West for Easter.  Original plan was to fly into St. Louis on Saturday, rent a car, and drive to Decatur to spend Saturday and Sunday with Gerry's brother & wife, Allan & Kathy.  But....a tornado hit the St. Louis Airport Friday evening and so we had to come up with an alternate plan - which worked out fine.  We flew into Chicago, then caught a 2nd flight into Champaign-Urbana, which was fairly convenient to Kathy & Allan's.  

Great time with Allan & Kathy on Saturday !    We really enjoy their company.  They have a beautiful house and it was wonderful to visit with them, as well as their children - Sam & wife  Lindsey, and Danielle.

Easter Sunday was Extra Special as it was also Gerry's mother's 84th Birthday!  Gerry's mother, Ann Hans, is my idol. She is the nicest person you could ever hope to meet.  Never does she complain nor say a bad word about anybody.  I hope I can become like her, but doubt it is possible.  I'll try....

Mom Hans at 84!

I think there were 23 of us celebrating Easter and the Birthday.  Great meal with delicious pork, ham, potato casserole, sweet potatoes, orzo salad, spinach salad, etc etc.   I am fortunate to be part of this wonderful family.  

Here's the family shot of  - Allan, Dave, Jane, MOM,  Phil, Ginny, Gerry

(Don, unfortunately, was unable to attend.)

My message is to make the most of the Holidays -  Enjoy the time together with loved ones.  It is precious.  Since we don't know what the future will bring, savor the present.  Time together IS a present!

ANZA BORREGO - A Beautiful Weekend in the Desert!

This past weekend Gery & I took off for a camping & hiking adventure in Anza Borrego State Park.   Anza Borrego is in San Diego county, east of Oceanside by 70 miles or so.  It was a 3 1/2 hour drive from our home in L.A. 

It is a place which has sparked our interest for several years, but for whatever reason (RaceReady work is the logical one) we never made the trip until now.   We have our Grand Canyon trip coming up on April 16th, with the ambitious goal of hiking to the bottom and back in one day.   It seemed prudent to get a good, long training desert hike under our belts before the Canyon, and we did so this past Saturday. 

We stayed at a primitive camp ground in Culp Valley, Friday & Saturday nights.  By primitive, it had toilets on the site, but no water nor any other amenities.   They call it "primitive" but we called it "pristine and perfect." 

Satuday we hiked the trail from Culp Vally, down to Hellhole Canyon, (I am not making up the name.)   It was a downhill 6 mile trek with an elevation loss of 2,560 feet; followed by (logically enough) an uphill 6 mile trek with an elevation gain of 2,560 feet. 

Excellent training for Grand Canyon.


 

Here's a beautiful cactus bloom along with:  Pin Cushions (white) and Phacelia (purple)

We also encountered a nice looking rattlesnake. This got my adrenaline pumping!

We took a short breather when we retuurned to Culp Valley, before driving 10 miles or so to the Anza Borrego Palm Canyon Campground to do the short 3 mile Borrego Palm Canyon Nature Trail.  The gently climbing trail leads to one of the very few native palm groves in California.

Native CA Palms at end of trail.

 

One last picture - the field of Yellow Flowers!  

We found Anza Borrego to be a true Desert Jewel!  We hope to return someday.