It's not the place, it's the dimension and time...Huh!

Clouds clear in the valley below Mount Woodson but remain further north.



Working on my hangover—too many 'potato chips'. (The famous Potato Chip.)








Giggling! You think my hat is funny? Let me get you a mirror.


We were able to drag the editor from her bed at 5am on Sunday so she could drag us up Mount Woodson
to the peak, again. We are not intellectuals although you would think the title of today's hike indicates a
depth that we did not realize we have. This attribute is not to be confused with an abundance of humility
which we also possess. This began on Friday, the formulation of the title, when we left our injured editor
in bed and set out with Sean Bradford to attempt Iron Mountain for the umpteenth time, from the trailhead
at 4:45am. We cannot help it if they are not making any more mountains in San Diego.




A fascinating culmination of natural events this morning.




The chance of rain over the house is zero—this is a desert.



When we reached the summit, Sean had to listen to one of our theories. Even we realize this is not
an easy thing to endure. However, Sean is a special young man. Firstly, he is half our age so he still has
the patience of youth. The young man is also intelligent, fit and strong, most pleasant and has a wonderful
family. Heck, you can't have everything. Anyway we explained our theory which he already understood—he may
have explained it to us originally but we don't remember things too well anymore especially when we are in
plagiarizing mode. We said that the place is never as important as the time and dimension. Each time we visit
a place, the structure is the same, but for fair wear and tear, (we make that proviso with the editor in mind).
However, because of time, the weather, positions of the sun, moon and many other factors will differ, making
it a different place. As we know it's the same place, therefore, we think the correct word or concept is dimension.
There it is.




Always wonderful to be above the clouds.




Lake Poway, below Mount Woodson, a local treasure.



This is just an intellectual's way of justifying the posting of a blog on a hike that we undertake regularly.
Truth be told, it's 2,400 feet elevation but each time the experience is different. The only constant is the
high rate of sweat as we walk up as fast as possible and run down as slow as we can. Back to the hike. The
cloud formations were once again quite spectacular. The hike seems to improve each time.

Thanks for reading if you got this far.



Ghost prairie as clouds thinning in places.


Hike-about 18 commences on July 1, health permitting. The editor has informed us the destination is Iceland.
She went on further to explain where the country is. She also mentioned that we won't see too many sun rises/sets
as the sun is nearly always shining in summer. We think that's a deliberate act on her part to reduce the number of
pictures we can snap. We will be spending a lot of time sleeping in our tent although we may have difficulty
trying to determine nighttime. Had we known where she would be dragging us these days, where we would be
sleeping and all the energy we would be expending, we wouldn't have...changed a thing. What a woman!

We don't know how we are going to carry our skis. However, there's still time to work on it.
See you in Iceland.



Every now and again one has to show-off; otherwise, it's quite easy to lose the touch. It seems like the mid-life
crisis is a little 'long in the tooth'. Might be better to buy a motor bike.


Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

A salute to Paul from Iron Mountain.

'Burnt orange' as sun reflects off the mist.




Sometimes the colors are amazing; at other times, they are also amazing.



Although I awoke at 4am this morning to catch the sunrise on Iron Mountain, I thought how fortunate I am to
be able to do it and undertake many other things, too. In the ordinary course, one might inquire why a person
assumes a seemingly onerous task at that hour of the morning when the day is long and offers many opportunities.
In fact, Sean pointed out that it's the second longest day (daylight) of the year. After all, a sunset strolling
along the beach is magnificent, too. Physically, it appears that the strength is still present but for how long,
who knows? Mentally, which may be a bit more challenging, the desire is also still burning strongly. I chose not
to use the word 'brightly' for fear of competing with the incredible sunrise that we witnessed at about 5:30
from the peak. Sean and I moved up quickly after commencing at 4:45am and jogged down the mountain after taking
in the crisp air while observing the sun reflect off the mountains, scattered clouds, rocks, water and plant life.


Yet, while absorbing the beauty of the scene and enjoying the atmosphere and good company, my mind drifted off, thinking
of the San Diegans who have suffered ill-health in recent months, especially friends of ours and one in particular,
Paul Shtein. May Paul rise and shine soon, following the path of the sun, and may he glow brighter.


Our thoughts are equally with Barry K, Debbie G and Ivan S from Dallas.



Dust, mist and sunlight combine.



Looking south from the peak.



A 'gentle and soft' sun, perhaps there is peace on earth...in places.



A particularly beautiful moment as we watch the influence of the sun on its surroundings.



Looking towards the coast but seeing, fortunately, low clouds.




Perhaps too much sun at left but nevertheless, a powerful sight.

Cheers,


Jenni and Jeffrey

In our backyard, 3:2:1. Three hikes for two in one week.

We have undertaken a few hikes, some long walks and plenty of sleeps since our return to San Diego. It is
obvious that there are so many magnificent viewing spots in the world. Sometimes though, we forget to look in
our own backyard. We revisited two of our old favorites, Mountains Woodson, (twice) and Iron, on one occasion with
Sean Bradford. The clouds, as always, provide one of our favorite scenes. It was remarkable to see each mountain
from the other, decorated with clouds.



Early morning on Iron Mountain, 5:50am.




Morning has broken, light at 5:15am.




In the misty morning, from Mount Woodson. A cottage occupied by family of four.




Don't rain on my parade, the editor at the 'Wood' peak, 4 miles from the car.



It's not easy to reach a mountain peak before sunrise these days. Partly, we suppose, because we are
not fit enough but also because of 'fooling around with time'. Where does time go? In the mid-summer months,
we get hit with a double whammy. The sun rises early, of course, and then along comes the Federal Bureau of Time
and we advance our clocks an hour. For Iron Mountain, we left the apartment at 4:30am and could not beat the sun
to the peak. Woodson is impossible because the gates to Lake Poway, the trailhead, only open at 6am. We look
forward to winter.




The reverse, Iron Mountain from Woodson. 'Mind the gap'.




A tinted view from the 'Iron' peak, as the marine layer covers the county, before 6am.




'Clouds got in our way', two days later on the 'Wood'.




The sun reflects off boulders in the sky, on Mount Woodson Peak.




Back to 'potato chip' early, before the clouds...er crowds.




Lake below Woodson after clouds dissipated, week before. (Hike, not clouds).




We thought of taking a short cut between the mountains. Editor pointed out things aren't always
what they seem. (This one's for Maude.)