TheQueentag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-13739642010-02-25T22:23:07-08:00This -- my first ever blog -- chronicles my adjustment to retired life; a wonderful trip to the Central America, the South Pacific, and South America; searching for desert wildflowers in the Mojave desert; another fine trip to Baja California; and lots of hiking and cooking in between.TypePadAsao, a Tecate Treasuretag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af883401310f3d0e1b970c2010-02-25T22:23:07-08:002011-07-16T16:48:21-07:00Thursday, February 25 Today is the last real day of our trip, and this is the last post I shall make unless there is some real news in tomorrow's border crossing.The day started in the Hotel Mision Santa Maria (formerly...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/asao-a-tecate-treasure.htmlBahia to Bahiatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af883401310f37477e970c2010-02-24T17:59:16-08:002011-07-16T16:47:13-07:00Wednesday, February 24 Ah, Bahia! Today we travel from Bahia de Los Angeles to Bahia de San Quintin (or rather Bahia Santa Maria, as it turns out). The wind stopped during the night and the day dawns bright, sunny, and...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/bahia-to-bahia-1.htmlA North Wind in Bahia del Los Angelestag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af88340120a8cbbc3c970b2010-02-23T20:47:35-08:002011-07-16T16:46:15-07:00Tuesday, February 23 My day begins with sunrise (well, obviously, eh). The wind blows throughout the night. Before I retire, I close the kitchen window. We had opened two windows for cross-ventilation, but with the chill, perhaps only one is...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/a-north-wind-in-bahia-del-los-angeles.htmlAdios, Punta Abreojostag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af88340120a8c67107970b2010-02-22T20:14:15-08:002011-07-16T16:44:56-07:00Monday, February 22 This morning we thankfully prepare to leave Punta Abreojos. I am up early and snap a picture of the sunrise from our tiny "balcony". We trade stories; none of us slept well. I make tea and coffee...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/adios-punta-abreojos.htmlPunta Abreojostag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af88340120a8c38e23970b2010-02-22T08:21:45-08:002011-07-16T16:43:44-07:00Sunday, February 21 Mulege has been hit by 4 bad storms in as many years. The latest was a hurricane in September, 2009. The water, cascading down from the canyons, rushed into the river channel. At its highest, the flood...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/punta-abreojos.htmlSaturday Night at Ray'stag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af88340120a8beddef970b2010-02-21T08:53:58-08:002011-07-16T16:42:39-07:00Saturday, February 21 Today we have another lazy day. We begin with breakfast at Los Olivos, just down the road. It is our second visit. The young lady who plates and serves the food is something of an artist. Each...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/saturday-night-at-rays.htmlOut in the Bahiatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af883401310f22accf970c2010-02-20T11:39:00-08:002011-07-16T16:41:50-07:00Friday, February 19 Today is the day for our postponed-since-Tuesday panga trip and seafood feast. Daniel stops by the casita around 8 to make sure we're still coming. We think he is a little anxious. Yes, we're coming. We breakfast...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/out-in-the-bahia.htmlCave Paintingstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af88340120a8bb6183970b2010-02-20T09:30:43-08:002011-07-16T16:40:17-07:00Thursday, February 18 Another beautiful day in Mulege. Today D and G see us off to a tour of cave paintings. Our guide, Salvador, picks us up a 15-passenger van. What time will we be back, D and G ask...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/cave-paintings.htmlVisiting Loretotag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af88340120a8b1b5c8970b2010-02-18T07:29:11-08:002011-07-16T16:38:56-07:00Wednesday, February 17 Today also did not go according to plan, but was enjoyed nonetheless. We arise and dress in our new swimwear and water shoes, anticipating meeting Daniel at Playa Santispac. As we sit at our breakfast, Daniel arrives...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/visiting-loreto.htmlThe Little Panga That Couldn'ttag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af8834012877af4e8a970c2010-02-17T07:48:07-08:002011-07-16T16:38:16-07:00Tuesday, February 16 So today we are up bright an early to prepare for our adventure in the islands. G reports that she had nightmares all night, and blames them on the nightlight. Cycling through the colors is not, as...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/the-little-panga-that-couldnt.htmlA Day at the Casitatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af8834012877aa811d970c2010-02-16T12:05:03-08:002011-07-16T16:36:14-07:00Monday, February 15 Today is a housekeeping day. We have a washer and a clothesline, and we make good use of it. But first, we walk down the road a short way to Los Olivos. Cliff told us that the...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/a-day-at-the-casita.htmlFarewell Ignacio Springs, Hello Mulegetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af8834012877a140ef970c2010-02-14T19:42:46-08:002011-07-16T16:35:35-07:00Sunday, February 14 We took our time this morning at Ignacio Springs. Such a relaxing place. B and I walked out along the river, and inspected the next-door property. The river is tranquil. The resort has kayaks; we'll save that...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/farewell-ignacio-springs-hello-mulege.htmlBob Pets a Whaletag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af88340128779d21e5970c2010-02-13T20:33:43-08:002011-07-16T16:34:36-07:00Saturday, February 13 Today Bob got to pet a whale. Well, what else could you ask for? I might as well end the post here ... but you might want to know how it was that he got to pet...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/bob-pets-a-whale.htmlA Day on the Baja Highwaytag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af883401287798753e970c2010-02-12T20:37:41-08:002011-07-16T16:33:43-07:00Friday, February 12 Today was a road day. Yes, mostly we saw the road. We began with breakfast in El Rosario, at Baja's Best. Here our host poached eggs for G.He is an ex-California fishing mogul, who was put out...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/a-day-on-the-baja-highway.htmlAdios, Rancho Melingtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af8834012877935003970c2010-02-11T21:41:03-08:002011-07-16T16:33:09-07:00Thursday, February 11 Today we bid goodbye to Rancho Meling. It's a good thing. Notwithstanding the plaque over the dining hall door, I think the calories are adding up. We bid goodbye to our host, and then the the staff....TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/adios-rancho-meling.htmlTruly Off the Gridtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af88340120a88fa162970b2010-02-11T17:03:53-08:002011-07-16T16:32:16-07:00Wednesday, February 10 The power went off last night at 9:15 p.m. We had certainly expected the generator to shut down at 10, so what's 45 minutes. This morning, we arose with no power. There was hot water, however, so...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/truly-off-the-grid.htmlThat kind of a daytag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af8834012877923141970c2010-02-11T16:50:02-08:002011-07-16T16:26:54-07:00Tuesday, February 9 Today began with a comedy of errors. We had agreed to meet at 8 a.m., and walk down to the restaurant next door for breakfast. But first, being up early, B and I took a walk through...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/that-kind-of-a-day.htmlEating outdoorstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af88340128779229be970c2010-02-11T16:42:15-08:002011-07-16T16:24:46-07:00Monday, February 8 Today we managed to eat both breakfast and dinner outdoors. We skipped lunch in favor of tasting wine and ate an early dinner, so that made it possible. It gets warm during the day, but is still...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/eating-outdoors.htmlWe're off to Baja California!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e39332f2af88340120a8761baf970b2010-02-08T10:23:30-08:002011-07-16T16:23:45-07:00Sunday, February 7 We're off again, hurrah! This time, it's three weeks in Baja California, traveling with friends D & G. Their car is our trusty chariot for the journey. Notice the custom cartop carrier, where we have stowed some...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2010/02/were-off-to-baja-california.htmlIt's Spring in the High Deserttag:typepad.com,2003:post-644440492009-03-21T10:25:16-07:002009-03-21T10:25:16-07:00Yes, technically it's spring, but today presents more like a fall day. There is a high, thin, windblown cloud layer and cap clouds hide Owens Peak from view. But in our flower bed there are lupines. Wildflower season has begun...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2009/03/its-spring-in-the-high-desert.htmlWednesday, May 14 - Pacific Crest Trail through the Tehachapi Windmill Farmtag:typepad.com,2003:post-499146102008-05-15T09:51:14-07:002011-07-16T16:16:55-07:00Today we get the opportunity to go with Sierra Club Jim as he recreates for us a traditional annual hike that other chapters hold once a year. We drive to Cal City and up Highway 58 to Cameron Road, and...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2008/05/wednesday-may-1.htmlTuesday, May 13 - Pacific Crest Trail North from Walker Passtag:typepad.com,2003:post-499132422008-05-15T09:20:42-07:002011-07-16T16:09:36-07:00Today we take the PCT north to look at the flowers that still remain at the higher elevations. The trail takes off from Highway 178 at Walker Pass. This is one of my favorite hikes. The trail begins with a...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2008/05/tuesday-may-13.htmlSunday, May 11 - The Mother's Day Mountaintag:typepad.com,2003:post-498797262008-05-14T17:41:41-07:002011-07-16T16:03:39-07:00Today we attempted to climb Black Mountain. There are several Black Mountains, and this one is in the El Paso Range, near our home. We have climbed this as a Mother's Day climb before, one memorable time with B, friend...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2008/05/sunday-may-11-.htmlFriday, April 4 - Flowers and Flowerstag:typepad.com,2003:post-480100262008-04-05T08:30:00-07:002011-07-16T16:00:58-07:00We are having a good wildflower year, and in the last couple of days, we have explored some beautiful spots, starting with a colorful variety of blooms glimpsed on the side of the Kernville road. Indian Wells Canyon is also...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2008/04/friday-april-4.htmlSunday, March 30 - Hunting for Charlotte's ...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-477410682008-03-30T16:38:57-07:002011-07-16T12:54:31-07:00Today we rise with the sun (well, sort of), and Ja makes Orange French Toast - cinnamon-raisin bread bathed in a mixture of orange juice and milk and toasted on the comal. Well-breakfasted, we climb into the Wrangler and, literally,...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2008/03/sunday-march-30.htmlSaturday, March 29 - Acres of Poppies and a Shopping Triptag:typepad.com,2003:post-477402942008-03-30T16:09:07-07:002011-07-16T12:48:09-07:00Today on our way down south to shop, we decided to stop at the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve. The preserve's website says this is just about peak season. We arrived at 9 a.m. - sunny, very windy, and cold -...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2008/03/saturday-marc-1.htmlFriday, March 14 - Flowers and Vegetablestag:typepad.com,2003:post-470447842008-03-14T14:25:33-07:002011-07-16T12:45:08-07:00Earlier this week we found a surprise near Onyx. Here, in a canyon off of Kelso Creek Road, the hills re painted with orange and blue and yellow. The air quality was terrible, but the colors were bright enough to...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2008/03/friday-march-14.htmlSaturday, March 8 - Flowers and Vegetablestag:typepad.com,2003:post-467582302008-03-08T09:06:32-08:002011-07-16T12:40:23-07:00We went wildflower hunting in the Rademacher Hills yesterday, and found little more than phacelias and some small yellow flowers. It's early yet, but indications are that this will be an OK year, not great. In Death Valley the yellow...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2008/03/saturday-march.htmlFebruary 25, 2008 - Retired Miles Updatetag:typepad.com,2003:post-461415782008-02-25T11:15:33-08:002008-02-25T11:15:33-08:00While we traveled I lost the thread of retired miles, so I'm backtracking today. Here's what I find. Counting only destination hikes, I managed to double my miles while we traveled. That doesn't include the many miles of walking around...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2008/02/february-25-200.htmlSaturday, February 23 - Panamint Valleytag:typepad.com,2003:post-461402222008-02-25T10:45:17-08:002011-07-16T12:35:55-07:00This morning we rise early, grab a burrito at Del Taco, and gather with like-minded hikers for a Sierra Club-sponsored outing to the Panamint Valley. The morning is beautiful, and after Friday's winds, almost still. As we mill about and...TheQueenhttp://hikingtojupiter.typepad.com/thequeen/2008/02/saturday-febr-2.html