6.01 Arrival in Morro Bay, Central California

"Just when you thought we had disappeared"

We are very fond of this little coastal town some 300 miles north of San Diego. It is renowned for the Morros, the large, rocky outcrops in the bay and the surrounding area. The 'sleepy' little fishing village experiences cool weather with much cloud cover, not forgetting to mention, many tourists that enjoy the refreshing atmosphere. In fact, for a moment while we walked along the harbor we thought we were in Netanya again. No. There were no Israelis about, just so many Russians.

Before arrival, we spent almost a week, a delightful one at that, with Ellie in San Diego, while her parents took off some time. Apparently, they were at a resort and ‘failed’ to undertake even a solitary hike. Go figure! We now understand the reason for young parents. Their existence, inter alia, is to take care of their children for the benefit of grandparents. It is a wonderful system (for grandparents). After each day with Ellie, we slept like babies—through the night but without diapers, of course.

We should have been en route to Switzerland and Italy by now. However, we postponed the trip and decided to continue enjoying the wonderful Western United States. Throughout May, most of June, parts of July and August, we have been based in these parts, including Hawaii which we termed the ‘far West’. The thrust of this trip, which takes us through the period before Rosh Hashana, is to visit the Mount Shasta area. We were ‘knocked out’ by that fabulous mountain when we climbed part of it on the way home one afternoon last year. The intention is to experience that part of the world in some depth and time permitting, ‘pop’ across the border into Oregon, another favorite. It would appear that everything is a favorite with us. Perhaps that is why this adventure is so exciting, stimulating and rewarding. We live in a beautiful physical world. How we choose to behave is another matter.

Once you get past Los Angeles, the scene changes, especially with the decreasing motorized traffic. We think that will choke us one of these days perhaps even before the ‘ruling class’. While travelling through wine country around Santa Maria, the vineyards impressed us greatly. More particularly, we could not help but notice the new plantings. The trees or vines stand in straight lines that attest to the use of geometry in modern husbandry. It is quite a sight. “What about stopping for some wine tasting?” we asked our editor while she knitted. We are hoping the mittens are not for our attempt of the ‘half-dome’ climb. Whew! That would be embarrassing indeed—both the wearing or telling her as such.

“Why would you want to go wine tasting? You don’t eat cheese nor do you drink wine.” Sometimes her logic is impeccable. We really hate it when she doesn’t know when to stop though. “But how are we going to become ‘sophisticated and suave’ if we don’t indulge in activities such as wine tasting?” we retorted.

“Maybe they’ll have some grape-juice and a cracker for you, Big Boy.”

“Got Milk?”

Cloud cover 'sitting' on ocean surface as viewed from summit at Cerro Alto

A peek from Ridge Peak. The ocean is completely covered in cloud whereas the sky is clear

Cheers,

Jenni and her 'Wino'

5.18 Jordan’s Trail, 5.19 Brin Mesa and 5.20 Devil’s Bridge with much off trail rocking

We concluded this leg of Hike-about 5 with two late afternoon rock-scrambling sessions and a hot Monday morning hike of 6.5 miles. Southern Utah and Northern Arizona are spectacular; we believe some of the photographs only ‘touch’ upon the magnificence. On many occasions, we think we should have better cameras in order to capture the scenes more appropriately. Then we realize it would slow us down in other endeavors. Besides, one needs the professional touch. Life, of course, is full of trade-offs. In the meantime, we are most fortunate to be enjoying this thrilling adventure.

This last three weeks has been an incredible experience, once again. To those who continue to show support and give encouragement, you make us feel even more fortunate and motivated. We thank you kindly, as always.

Here are a few scenes in closing (Try clicking on pictures):

The Devil's Bridge--devil subdued by Editor

Sundowner on the rocks

Surrounded by Giants

Returning down from Brin Mesa

Football season commences: Referee gives strong signal. (What rock did he crawl from?)

Some others that missed the cut: Try clicking on pictures

View from Angel's Landing

Zion Narrows (and chills)

Bryce's Peekaboo

Balanced Rock, Cathedral Rock

Looking down from peak at the Bear

One of the peaks at Bell Rock

Poor picture but does give one an overview

Horseshoe Bend, Page, AZ

A chasm at 'Hidden Canyon'

Calf Creek Falls, Escalante

We leave again, heading towards Mount Shasta and surrounding area, from about August 22nd or so.

5.17 Bear Mountain, Sedona

Bear Mountain, bare of bears, particularly the brown bears without wishing to denigrate black bears or in fact, any other colors of this specie.

Destination--Bear mountain (Notice editor has a new red pen)

One of our earlier starts--a different Sedona look

Not Bryce--Sedona has its own hoodoos (Click on pictures for perspective)

After a Shabbos, during which our minds were stimulated by an incredible Torah portion and our bodies rested after a strenuous week, we set off on this climb of over 2,000 feet. It has an emotional aspect for us. We undertook the hike once before in December 2009. We remember it well for two reasons.

It is a truly spectacular hike enabling a person to see all the mountains, monoliths, valleys and town from a single spot. Without doubt, it is one of our finest hikes. On the ‘spotty’ trail, we covered red rocks, slate, sandstone, small and great, gray rocks, slabs, checkerboard rocks—the types of material were endless. There are three false peaks before one reaches the genuine summit. With each step, the views are breathtaking. As you might have gathered, we love to scramble up and over rocks so we frequently leave the trail to ‘fool’ around on them. One should understand the last sentence in context; nevertheless, it is an interesting thought.

Searching on 3rd false peak for rocks on which to 'fool around' or showing off. Editor knows

Bear Mountain, tucked away, if a mountain of this size can be hidden, is in a slightly out of the way part of Sedona, behind another monolith. In fact, until we returned to the last half-mile, we had only come across a man, his dog and a small snake. We’d say that points to quite a good job of the camouflage department.

In the early stages, editor pushes hard--1000 feet gain per mile

Man, these early starts--catching a few winks

We mentioned there was another reason for the emotional aspect. After we completed the hike in 2009, we suffered pain in our hip for six days. (Of course, this had been going on for many years while we tried our own remedies.) That is when we made the decision to hand over the reins to the ‘good doctor’ and trade in the bone for some titanium. Our original equipment was defective and we presumed the warranty had expired. When we set out today, we had this in mind. After hours in the heat, a steep climb and return to the trailhead over four hours later, the only pain around appeared to be the one in our editor’s neck. B’H with gratitude as always to Dr. Norman K.

A view from 2nd false peak. We thought we were there.

Now those are solid walls

In the early part of the hike, a Labrador greeted us as it peeped over a rock we were climbing. This is not usual but Jenni remarked that the same thing happened twenty months earlier at the top of the Bear. As we approached the dog’s master, we recognized Ron, the same person we had met at that time. Is that a coincidence or what? Only one other person on the mountain today, a strange town, an infrequently used trail, our second time on it and we meet the same person as before. What a “kyk-weer” (a replay). We have many of these interesting occurrences during our adventures. We feel truly blessed as each day brings something new, usually interesting as well as a great sweat.

We mentioned checkerboard--similar to Zion

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

Jenni checks out the legal disclaimer and approves

The most difficult part of the hike. The wheelchair aspect has us beat. Az is not for 'sissies'. At least in the wild, we don't need ropes for relief. Could it be a way of encouraging us to fertilise the wilderness. Confused for a change.

5.16 Bell Rock, Sedona

Better views by clicking on pictures and then the 'return button'

Blue Belle on return from scaling the Bell

Ringing Belle on top of the world. Courthouse Butte 'behind'.

At Peak. Of beauts, buttes, belles, butts and bells

Yesterday, the heat was murder, in the Cathedral, Thomas. Today, enough tolling that bell already, Ernest.

Fear! What is it? Difficult to describe but as a former legislator or judge remarked of pornography: “I cannot define it but recognize it when I see it.” I suppose the analogy will work for fear, too with the difference that it’s mostly an inner feeling. Why do we mention this? For two reasons, really. The first being it is pertinent to the Bell Rock climb. The second: We are running low on words and our editor pays us by length. She realizes we would starve if the criterion was based upon quality alone.

On the mountains, we have felt real fear a couple of times, the male member particularly. That doesn’t read right, does it? Perhaps, it should read male spouse instead. That’s better. One time was in Telluride where we climbed on loose rocks that reached a pitch of 60 degrees. We realized that we were in trouble when there was no way back or forward.

On Bell Rock some three years ago, we made our way to the top; the problem occurred coming down. Climbing this particular monolith takes thought. We think it requires thinking oneself both up and down. We reached a point where the brain froze and ‘demanded’ of us not to continue. We were perched in a position with a sheer drop before us—no man’s land, if you will. A slight error and we would tumble hundreds of feet. That is when fear takes hold. We notice the longer one remains in position looking down into the abyss, the less stable one becomes. Our editor followed directly behind and when we mentioned the difficulty of our situation, she alleviated the tension somewhat with her reply. “Hey. I have no problem. If I fall you will be in the way and act as my buffer.” Great!

Still a bit to go--some early apprehension

One of the peaks where the wind is shifty

Still some way to go--click on picture to find Mom Belle

We always approach Bell Rock with caution as we move along the slick rocks and derive considerable joy and excitement, mixed with caution and a twist of fear just to keep ‘our feet on the ground’. A good question might be: ‘Then why do you do it?’ Let us get back to you on that.
Today’s climb up and down the Bell went smoothly. Sure, there are parts when the fear factor rises but that is necessary so that one does not act stupidly. The funny thing is that it only takes one tiny misjudgment in life or on a mountain. One can do a thousand good things and slip up once—and that may be once too many. Sometimes the odds can be frightening. Perhaps that’s another reason to hope Hashem is watching over us.

Coming through the gap

Not the smartest--but somewhat of a tradition at each hike

In closing, we remember the first visit to Bell Rock. In those days, we thought the attractive rocks were for viewing, not climbing. We moved up a hundred feet or so and spotted someone standing at the top perch. We have to admit we pointed rudely towards the fellow and mentioned to our editor: “Now that’s a moronic thing to do. What an idiot!” Yes, well either we are morons, too or that was a premature judgment…we leave that to you.

Reaching the top surrounded by rocks (trying not to use hands)

Hey, Miss Cool

Your move, fellah. Mind that cactus below

The third peak

Triumph and joy after climb. Down is trickier

Cheers,

Rocky and Rock

5.015 Cathedral Rock, Sedona

Cathedral Rock--a 'little intimidating' at the start

Courthouse Butte through the Spires at Cathedral

Stopping for a view on way up

There is no accounting for taste. However, we believe that Sedona is one of the most beautiful towns that we have visited. This is perhaps our sixth or seventh trip and it never fails to impress. The town is crafted into the mountains and red monoliths, in a way that makes the houses and buildings look as if nature designed and built them. The roads are few, using roundabouts rather than traffic lights, except on Main street; sidewalks are pinkish in color, designed to match the surrounding rocks; the town and homes are neatly kept, the latter well set back from the road and usually hidden under trees. The front yards are mostly desert style—tiny colored rocks, bushes and cactus plants that meld to form simple elegance. Above all, one must not forget the vortex, a feature of this area. We’ll mention more about this later but we think it’s something to do with nature’s version of Viagra. However, we are not experienced in either so we’ll stick to poking fun instead.

A few good women

Credibility squeeze

Scaling Cathedral and Bell Rocks is our favorite outdoor activity in the town. Cathedral is a massive rock, mountain or monolith. Many of the rocks are named for object look-alikes. We tend to spend much time climbing and scrambling over their slick surfaces. We really enjoy the feeling of walking up or down the surfaces without the use of hands at acute angles. Poise, balance and good soles are essential; pure souls would make a difference but we are only sure of our boots. We remarked to each other that this activity is a child’s delight—healthy, skill building and a lot of old-fashioned fun. Okay, we agree it is not as good for kids as television and Ninetendo, but it comes close.

Perched with a view searching for the vortex (Probably need to click on picture)

Look Mom, no teeth...hands

On the climb today, we came across a walrus. Yes. You did read correctly. We are seeing some strange looking …um beings lately. This guy had a nose ring except it was in the shape of a large metal “n”. It hung from the nose with both vertical prongs touching his upper lip. Someone please explain this to us. We were nearly ill on the descent after seeing this specimen. We haven’t even touched on the tattoos and all sorts of piercing that cover so many bodies these days. We realize we are big ‘squares’ but are there no standards any longer? End of rant.

Jenni looking towards the Spires

At least the background is attractive

A couple of years ago, we came across a Dutch fellow sitting on one of the ledges you might notice in the pictures. We approached but signaled to our editor to hold off a while as we noticed the man sat on the edge with the bare minimum of clothing. We don’t know the correct word to describe less than minimum. He explained that he was invoking the vortex but we could not notice any marked change in his body or the atmosphere. Thus far, we have found most places that are uninhabited by man (and we love our neighbors) provide a level of tranquility and peace that is indescribable. Perhaps that is our vortex after all. Pass the Viag…the butter, dear.

Views from all nooks and crannies

Stopping for a soft drink at the 'Hard Rock' cafe

What's on your mind, son?

Cheers,

Jenni and Perky