TheQueentag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-13739642009-03-21T10:25:16-07:00All about the places we visit, the hikes we take, and the food we cook for friends.TypePadIt'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-499146102008-05-15T09:51:14-07:002008-05-15T09:51:14-07:00Today 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-499132422008-05-15T09:20:42-07:002008-05-15T09:20:42-07:00Today 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-498797262008-05-14T17:41:41-07:002008-05-14T17:41:41-07:00Today 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-480100262008-04-05T08:30:00-07:002008-04-05T08:30:00-07:00We 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-477410682008-03-30T16:38:57-07:002008-03-30T16:38:57-07:00Today 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-477402942008-03-30T16:09:07-07:002008-03-30T16:09:07-07:00Today 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-470447842008-03-14T14:25:33-07:002008-03-14T14:25:33-07:00Earlier 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-467582302008-03-08T09:06:32-08:002008-03-08T09:06:32-08:00We 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.html