Hike-about 20: What's in a sign?

We continued to hike locally although we are moving toward an adventure in the Sierra Nevadas and other
regions of the Western United States, this fall. Rather than provide pictures from these local hikes,
we included some of the confusion that exists either in signage, our minds or both. Prior to that, the
initial three photographs are in the desert near Indio, our first port of call. San Diego, experiencing
an extremely warm period, was obviously not hot enough for us. Nevertheless, it seems appropriate to be
in the desert as Sukkot approaches. Besides, what would we do with the two camels our editor ordered from
Amazon?


One more thing. The audio below will provide music while perusing the blog should you click on the arrow button.
We are proud, and dare say, privileged to include the music of a very good friend, Brian Murray, who also happens
to be extremely talented. On bass guitar is another old-time South African friend, Neville Stanger, who we met
55 years ago at elementary school. See! We are educated. We hope you enjoy but one-of-eleven cuts on a compact
disc released recently.




Click on arrow for music.




Indio, California. The desert cools to 95 degrees. Feel the relief.




A golf course in a desert...now that's water conservation. Huh!




If we can only bury the pylons and cables...




And now for the signage:





That's it for our hiking at Mount Woodson. As much as we try to help people, it's not possible
to bring that much water and supply each hiker and dog on the trails. We estimate on a weekend there
may be as many as 300 people, say 30 dogs, not to mention a handful of bikers. At two liters a body,
we calculate a need of 700 liters of water. Should we even try to do that, where would we carry such a
large volume. Rather than ignore the sign, it probably is best not to hike in the area any longer.
What a pity having to forego this hike.

Unfortunately, one of us seems to read signage differently from the intention. We see it all over the
world and are often confused but mostly, 'tickled'. Only recently, we spent time watching for falling
rocks while keeping eyes on the road, too. We would think more accidents occur because of rock-watching-drivers
than from rocks clobbering cars. Not an easy task and what are we supposed to do when a falling rock is a mere
second above us.

On another occasion, the sign read

 

"Drive carefully when wet!"

We mentioned this in an earlier blog. The possible interpretations are endless. In the meantime, we carry a towel with us to avoid driving
carefully.

Perhaps not humorous is the South African beauty,

"Beware! High incidence of hijacking along this road."

What does one do? May we suggest better security in the area or is that too complicated.




At a hiking trailhead below Chapman's Peak in the Cape, we read the sign above:

"Do not leave vehicles unattended."

We scratched our heads that morning. The options seemed to be to either carry the car up the mountain or sit in the vehicle for the duration of the hike and consider it a different type of experience. Perhaps, rent a very light vehicle as a compromise. In an age of super-sensitive-p.c. culture, it seems that even inanimate objects are attributed feelings.

"Don't bring outside food inside."

Another instruction that gave us pause for consideration. Obviously, all foods are grown,
slaughtered and cooked in that kitchen.

An unambiguous but meaningful sign was displayed in Ouray, Colorado.

 "You don't have to be crazy to climb the local mountains...but it sure helps."

Another advert reprised from South Arica in an earlier blog is our favorite. We got excited when we saw the following solicitation:

“VIEW RHINOS AND ZEBRAS ON HORSEBACK.”

Imagine that. Can’t wait to see a female rhino ride side-saddle on a horse.

And we thought only politicians supplied humorous material.


Cheers,


Jenni and Jeffrey