Hike-about --Fifth Leg--The Beginning

Hello Again,

Surfs up--extremely high today--(Click on picture & <-)

Someone tell the oaf that the blue background is the sky, not the ocean

The vacation is drawing to a close so we are preparing for work, to get back on the road—maybe that should read trail or mountains. Yes. It does sound better. Fifth leg it is. ‘We may have a problem,’ we mentioned to our editor, ‘we should invite a friend to join us this time.’
‘Pray tell me why,’ she answered. We could already tell she is a little weary, days before departure. ‘Looks like we’re a leg short—we only have four between us.’
She muttered something about being a long trip ahead. Who knows what to expect when she gets into such moods.

You have to love our editor—we certainly do. Here in San Diego, the weather is pleasantly warm to hot during the daytime and cool at night. The initial part of the trip is in the desert where 95 degrees is the norm. Yes. There is no doubt we love her very much else why would we follow her to Utah and Northern Arizona. At least the trip following is to the cooler Swiss Alps and Italian Dolomites.

Our son Gavin, shows up Dad as he 'eats up' the hike.

Half-way up Iron Mountain, Poway.

We had a very enjoyable stay in San Diego. During the period, we had just a few hikes and quite a few runs. We are retraining our hips. One hike was with our son , Gavin, which turned out to be a very satisfying day. Gav may not hike that often but he sure knew his way up and down Mount Woodson in the heat of the day. He did not miss a beat. Then there was another special occasion, a hike at 6 am up Iron Mountain with Sean Bradford, a young man with strong religious convictions and principles. We learned much from both young men. On the latter hike, we were amazed at the harsh beauty surrounding the county. A spectacular sight greeted us: The clouds and mist filled the valleys and at times only allowed the various peaks to protrude slightly. For locals, we would suggest taking the opportunity to daven on a peak in the early hours.

Can't beat the view for San Diego

One of the reasons for our return was to participate in the wedding of Mike and Alison Sneag. On that wonderful occasion, our immediate family was together but for Ellie. Sometimes it does make sense to split the family. It was a lovely simcha with good friends and our family.

We spent our Shabboses at Kehillat Ahavat Yisrael in Carmel Valley. Our regular shul and community was out of range—we don’t have the energy for a twenty mile round trip. We enjoyed a warm and welcoming atmosphere—they treated us very well. We were ‘tickled’ one Shabbos when seated in the Rabbi and Rebbetzin’s home. We began to tell a story of our first visit to the United States in 1975/1976. Upon looking about the table of the hosts and guests, we realized that no one, including Rabbi Moskowitz, was alive at the time. We are not as young as we once were, it seems.

We fancy ourselves as a racehorse. Why? Sometimes there are no answers, particularly for dumb thoughts. After thinking about our recent history of whether, in our fantasy, we are SeaBiscuit or Secretariat, the answer stared us in the face. The following sequence put paid to any doubts.

A pattern emerges different from a streamlined horse

My favorite jockey

At home with retired racehorses aka mules (Indian Gardens Grand Canyon)

We look forward to communicating from the trails once again.

Cheers,

Jenni & her 'Cart Horse'