I do admit - every 4 years I become a TV / Olympic-Viewing Junkie. Yes, there are more important and urgent things I need, and should do. But the Olympics happen only every 4 years! I plan to live to be a hundred years old, so with simple math I will only be able to see te Olympics 25 times. Of course the actual number is much lower, since I can't watch and appreciate the Olympics at age 4 nor at age 96.
I admire the athletes. I was a somewhat competitive athlete myself so I do appreciate the dedication and determination these athletes have experienced. They are going for the Gold. They provide the Inspiration for future generations. Let the games begin! Let us all learn that the world would be a better place if we compete on the playing field, instead of the bombing field.
Every Olympian is a winner in my opinion. It hsd taken tremendous time, effort and sacrifices to get them to where they are NOW...participating in the Olympics! Let's support them ALL!
In the meantime I will relax and watch the games unfold, not feeling guilty for being lazy, but enjoying the time viewing the games. I love the Olympics!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
The SNOWY RANGE and COLORADO!
We were in Colorado & Wyoming for 6 days, July 11 - July 17. We packed in a lot of FUN in a short period of time. Weds evening we had dinner with my sister Anne and her family in Denver. My neice Nell made dessert - raspberry cream puffs, with raspberries picked that afternoon from their highly prolific raspberry patch.
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| The happy baker with her cream puffs |
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| Built in 1907, this has been significantly restored, and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, as of 2007. |
We did a 4 mile hike Thursday afternoon, then an 8 mile hike Friday morning and early afternoon, followed by a 4 1/2 mile hike later Friday afternoon. Fields of columbine & lupine were abundant, plus we saw some beautiful butterflies, and gorgeous vistas as we traversed by several mountain lakes.
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| A clump of Columbine mingling adjacent to some Asters |
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| Beautiful bouquets everywhere! |
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| Sugarloaf Mountain backdrops a plethora of lakes |
I think the world would be a better place if there were more 80th Birthday Celebrations!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Celebrating Gerry's 61st Birthday!
We celebrated Gerry's 61st Birthday this weekend with a hiking and camping trip to Pinnacles National Monument, wine tasting in Paso Robles, and then hiking and camping in Montana de Oro State Park.
We departed Los Angeles on June 7th, the birthday morning, a bit later than we had hoped. Still, we got out of town by 10:00 am and arrived in Pinnacles Campground by 4:00 pm.
What is Pinnacles?, you might wonder. Here is my answer: it is an amazing place to hike, camp, and explore. It is off the radar of most people, which is good, for those of us who thrive on a hiking experience on paths less travelled.
Wow....what a hike! And then, we did another hike the following day on Saturday. We hiked a different route, which took us up to a cave.
After 2 days of hiking, it was time to "clean up." On Saturday afternoon we left Pinnacles and drove to Paso Robles (an hour drive I think) and checked into the Adelaide Inn. The Adelaide Inn is fabulous. The staff is friendly and accomodating. We were in the mood for Mexican food, so we went to Senor Sanchez,a local restaurant for dinner Saturday night.
We did visit a few wineries on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Our favorites were the Adelaida Winery and Castoro Cellars.
Sunday, after we checked out of the Adelaide, we drove an hour to Montana de Oro State Park. We camped here and hiked on Monday morning, before we hit the road back to L.A.
What a Trip!!! It was so much FUN !
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| A sweaty 61 year old young Gerry |
What is Pinnacles?, you might wonder. Here is my answer: it is an amazing place to hike, camp, and explore. It is off the radar of most people, which is good, for those of us who thrive on a hiking experience on paths less travelled.
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| I'm glad there wasn't an earthquake as we ducked our heads, passing below this narrow squeeze. |
We did visit a few wineries on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Our favorites were the Adelaida Winery and Castoro Cellars.
What a Trip!!! It was so much FUN !
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Weekend in Big Bear
A few weeks ago, the weekend of April 21-22, Gerry and I visited Big Bear. The main reason for our getaway was to attend the memorial service of our dear friend, Herb Drury. Herb died on Christmas day, 2011 at the age of 82 years. The Memorial Service was held Saturday April 21st. It was a lovely service.
I have known Herb for 26 years. Gerry knew him for even longer. Herb was a person who lived life to the fullest. He graduated with honors from Dartmouth College, with a degree in Biology. He was also on the ski-jump team at Dartmouth. Herb enjoyed skiing and was an avid skiier up until the year he died. In the 1950s, as a young man, Herb was part of a crew that captured musk ox in the Arctic. Their adventure was featured in an article in Life Magazine.
Herb loved life and certainly lived his life to its fullest. He was a true nature lover, he fly-fished way back when, before it became the yuppie thing to do. He also was a hiker and hunter. Herb never missed the opportunity of an outdoor adventure.
I have many fond memories of Herb. Over the years we hiked and camped together on several occasions. We shared many exciting adventures together. Herb was with us on a memorable river raft trip on the Gunnison Gorge, in western Colorado, near Olathe. Olathe is the town know for its sweet corn. We stocked up on groceries in Olathe before we got on the river. The 8 of us on the raft trip tried to decide how much corn to purchase. Most of us said we would be good for 2 ears of corn; realizing you can work up quite an appetite on a rafting trip! Herb asked to be allotted 6 ears of corn. I'll never forget our campside dinner. Everyone else was long done eating and Herb was contentedly munching away on his half a dozen ears of corn! He certainly had a hearty appetite - both for food and for an exciting life. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. R.I.P. dear friend.
Gerry and I went on a lovely hike the day after the Memorial Service. We don't visit Big Bear very often; and I know whenever I am in Big Bear I will think of Herb.
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| June 2005 with Herb & Sherry in Big Bear, (Herb's back yard) |
I have known Herb for 26 years. Gerry knew him for even longer. Herb was a person who lived life to the fullest. He graduated with honors from Dartmouth College, with a degree in Biology. He was also on the ski-jump team at Dartmouth. Herb enjoyed skiing and was an avid skiier up until the year he died. In the 1950s, as a young man, Herb was part of a crew that captured musk ox in the Arctic. Their adventure was featured in an article in Life Magazine.
Herb loved life and certainly lived his life to its fullest. He was a true nature lover, he fly-fished way back when, before it became the yuppie thing to do. He also was a hiker and hunter. Herb never missed the opportunity of an outdoor adventure.
I have many fond memories of Herb. Over the years we hiked and camped together on several occasions. We shared many exciting adventures together. Herb was with us on a memorable river raft trip on the Gunnison Gorge, in western Colorado, near Olathe. Olathe is the town know for its sweet corn. We stocked up on groceries in Olathe before we got on the river. The 8 of us on the raft trip tried to decide how much corn to purchase. Most of us said we would be good for 2 ears of corn; realizing you can work up quite an appetite on a rafting trip! Herb asked to be allotted 6 ears of corn. I'll never forget our campside dinner. Everyone else was long done eating and Herb was contentedly munching away on his half a dozen ears of corn! He certainly had a hearty appetite - both for food and for an exciting life. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. R.I.P. dear friend.
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| April 22, 2012- In Big Bear, thinking of Herb |
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| A beautiful day for a Hike! |
Monday, April 16, 2012
Happy Spring!
Gerry and I enjoyed a wonderful Easter weekend in the mid-West, visiting with his family. We celebrated Ann Hans (Gerry's mother) 85th birthday!
It was a fiasco getting there (1 1/4 hours after our flight departed the pilot made an announcement we would be returning to LAX because of a problem with the rudder.) Anyway, we did arrive on Saturday evening in Decatur - 5 hours late.
Our family is growing. I have several grand nieces and nephews. Hard to believe how fast time flies.
It was a fiasco getting there (1 1/4 hours after our flight departed the pilot made an announcement we would be returning to LAX because of a problem with the rudder.) Anyway, we did arrive on Saturday evening in Decatur - 5 hours late.
Our family is growing. I have several grand nieces and nephews. Hard to believe how fast time flies.
Monday, February 20, 2012
PICTURES of PATAGONIA
Las Glaciers Natl Park - ARGENTINA
We've been home for a few months and I admit to being lame regarding this blog.
Magellanic Woodpecker
For all those who want to view many more photos, here is the link.
A belated "Happy New Year" wish to all.
From the Happy Hikers! (Mary & her better-half, Gerry)
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.
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!)
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