My Golden Girl.
You want the spotlight, you got it! San Jacinto mountain range with a little one fore.
On golden pond. Our timing was good that morning as sun hits part of mountain and reflects into ponds..
We wrote a while ago about the concept of views at a fixed place changing because of different times,
seasons and even moods—providing unique sights on each occasion. It’s nice to have an actual example to
support the position or 'our view'. We headed on a different hike but commenced from the same position
as that of Murray Peak, the previous blog. The first 850 feet of the Gastin Trail goes straight up; it makes
for a great workout. It also provides exciting views immediately, reaching height very quickly. Although we
left our ‘residence’ in the dark, we began hiking in light but before sunrise.
The sun hits San Jacinto perfectly, the moon takes a backseat.
This backdrop visible from nearly everywhere. Notice the small mountain in front of us recently crossed.
Crazy about the red ridge on mountain top as Jen trudges early.
The early sunrays crept over the mountains to the east and caressed the summit of San Jacinto in
the west, causing that area to shine bright red while the unlit areas remained dull. As we rose, the shadow
on the mountain decreased, replaced by the creeping red. It was a magnificent sight and experience. We think
the pictures give a very accurate depiction of the sights confronting us that morning. When we add the
reflection of sunlight off the mountain onto the golf course ponds, the golden look was breathtaking.
Once again, the concept of never knowing what one would see or experience was reinforced. Each day, each hike
is a new beginning. Perhaps that’s the way life is supposed to be—a new life dawns each morning. Something
to think about, more importantly, something to pursue.
The mountain loses color as sun rises higher though Jen looks serene and retains golden look on trail peak.
A burning bush and a red cactus cause much delight.
Reaching a peak of a secondary mountain as we head down Araby Trail.
We are most fortunate that we meet some very fine humans on the trails. To this day, we count ourselves
blessed because of these chance meetings. The relationships continue with a few and this adds an incredible
dimension to hike-about and by extension, our lives. We met a Canadian couple, Joanne and Ron, on returning
from the turnaround point of this approximately 8-mile hike of a little over 2,000 feet. We dropped towards
the canyon floor, passing the late Bob Hope’s house and sat against a mountain wall that blocked out the sun.
Breakfast was enjoyed in temperatures not exceeding 70 degrees, in the desert. Cereal and yoghurt never tasted
so good. Back to Ron and Joanne. It’s a good thing that Ron decided he would have to return to his hotel for
dinner otherwise we might still be talking. Heck, we had a lot of catching up to do—we are all over
sixty years old—that’s a lot of history.
Normally dull colored mountain juts into Palm Springs and grabs early sunlight.
Silver pond and smaller golden one upper right.
Facing into the rising sun as it breaks above the horizon.
When we had to catch up with the editor, we took a leaf out of Barry Jahn’s book, and ran up part of
the stiff incline. As we write this blog, we are still puffing. That’s the problem when one tries to emulate
someone much stronger and capable than oneself. We met Barry last year in Oregon. Take a look at the
photographs. We think the sights were stunning, we hope you concur. Bear in mind, that all took place
within the first thirty minutes of the hike.
Contrasts caused by sun and in places, lack thereof
Most enjoyable hiking on the Palm Springs mountains. It was a fine experience. Guess who can't wait
to return to the desert with or without a horse?
Shadow on mountain continues to diminish as sun rises higher; reflections off the ponds staggering.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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