Lazarow World-Hike-About: 59.07 San Diego: An unusual (anniversary) day at Mission Trails Park with an introduction of a few photographs that gave meaning to Covid-2021.

Before commencing this final blog from a just completed stay in San Diego, we'd been looking at some experiences from the Covid era and could not help marveling over some of the beauty and challenges enjoyed in 2021. The memories were such that we needed, not just to share them, but also to bring them to the forefront in order to enjoy them at ease with a mere click of a mouse. Here are a few snaps. Thereafter, the latter part deals with life on the trails and in the semi-wilderness on an unusual day.

One of my all-time favorite shots, Jester Trail, Yuma, Arizona.

Two from Berryessa Lake in Napa. Remarkable.

A visit to Mount Shasta region (Castle Craggs), California.

Del Valle Lake, Livermore, California.

Morro Bay, California.

Catalina Island, California.

Heading to Lizard Peak, Lake Havasu, Arizona.

Salt Lake City, Utah.

Kelso Dunes, California.

Grandeur Peak, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Cardiff Trail, Utah.

Black Butte, Shasta.

Roosevelt Lake, Arizona.

Scenes on Mount Shasta, California.

Picacho between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona.

I remember July 14th for a number of reasons. One being that it’s Bastille Day, a French commemoration holiday. In fact, last year we visited France and hiked on and over the famous Pyrenees Mountains, a time of delight and as always, some sweat. We spent Bastille Day in the southern part of the country and found the festivities to be subdued but nice. We like quiet at night. Jen is itching to get back to France but we have to deal with the other side of Europe first, the central/eastern part. That commences later in the week.

When we awakened this morning, we knew we would be heading out for a trail in Mission Hills Regional Park. Jen undertook to do whatever I wanted, as she said: "It's your special day'. I had suggested we go shopping but she would not hear of it—so much for 'special day'. I had thought of a visit to Mission Bay Shopping Center. After all, what could be nicer than walking around a mall looking for items that one neither needs nor wants. Apparently, many people enjoy that activity and I’m clearly one of them. However, Jen was having none of that. She mentioned she would save that activity for a far more important time—her birthday. Alas, there we were, having one alternative remaining and so we headed out for Mission trails instead on another hot day. Fortunately, we commenced at 7am at which time the weather was superb. By 7:05, it was less superb.

The perfection of nature. Only one lonely plant (this species) seen in the whole park thus far. Yet it survives, in fact, flourishes.

Because I was denied a day of shopping, I acted a little testily by selecting the toughest trail in the park which amounted to a number of add-ons, extra climbs and all without shade. Even brunch took place in a hotspot. For younger persons, it does not mean the position provided internet access. Later, Jen happened to mention that while she agreed to do anything I wished on the day, she forgot to qualify it with a little subjectivity. ‘I meant to add: Within reason,’ she informed me, too late.

The morning, the 5 hours in the park, was truly wonderful. I even had her concur, while twisting her arm. We discovered a new section of Mission Trails, well new for us, as the trail has been there since inception. While the mountains are not high, the trails we selected (not just one), allowed us to climb then drop down only to ascend again. This occurred frequently giving us close on 3,000 feet of elevation gain and maybe more than 9 miles of hiking. Now you might understand why I would have preferred shopping in an air-conditioned mall, a bagel store at hand and easy access to a Pepsi Zero. Heck, I really don’t think I’m difficult to please. I even enjoy a bagel plain.

We’ve often said that each day on the trails we know we’ll experience something new or different. What a fascinating world does nature provide for all of us. One only has to keep the eyes open to notice the many opportunities that abound. It’s an exciting concept; it requires a little application and of course, a need to get into the wilderness or at least, semi-wilderness. Let’s begin (eventually) with an example.

On Tuesday, I received an email from Mark Michelow of Johannesburg. I have mentioned Mark before. We’ve known each other for well over 60 years. I would describe him using but one word: Gentleman. Anyway, Mark asked whether we come across snakes in the wilderness. I provided a brief summary of our experiences and something in my mind told me that we would be seeing a snake soon. I think it’s another part of the mystery of the world—almost like mentioning something which then acts as a catalyst.

Three days later, more than an hour into the hike, I noticed a slight movement 4 feet ahead of me. At that stage, my left leg was in motion and would probably land less than two feet from the object. Effectively, I was in midstride. While I had not been particularly alert, suddenly, everything changed. I tried to limit my stride by bringing the foot down closer to me while attempting to get my rear end to move to the rear rather than forward. During this short period, we’re talking a split second, the object became clearer. I then realized I could update Mark further regarding his question. (See picture below).

Hopefully, Mark will ask about our past experiences of buckets of ice-cream on the next occasion.

When we arrived at the North Fortuna Peak, Jen suggested she take a picture of her boy on this particular date (time rather than activity). I climbed onto a rock and prepared for the said photograph.

Jen: Could you pull your tummy in.

Me: I am.

Jen: Not good enough. Try harder.

Me: How’s that?

Jen: Not good. I think you’re getting fat. Are you snacking behind my back?

Me: Of course not. I think it’s a posture issue.

Jen: Keep your head up. Back straight.

Me: Yes, Ma’am.

Jen: Haven’t you a better pair of shorts? Are those 'love handles I'm seeing?' The outfit makes you look like…well, the pants don’t really fit.

Me: That’s why I wanted to go shopping today.

Jen: Would you mind smiling? Pretend you’re happy to be with me.

Me: Could you not just get on with it. Click the button…please.

Jen: I’m trying my best, you know. I’d hate people to see the way you look through the lens right now.

Me: Maybe we should forget about the picture.

Jen: Don’t be silly. I’m really keen to show you off to my friends…well, both of them.

Me: After nearly 49 years of marriage and 5 years of courtship, I realize I don’t understand you.

Jen: Good. That’s the way it should be. Now try to focus on the camera and please smile. Wait a sec. Okay. I have a solution. Try this…(picture below)

We then set off for the saddle as Mrs. SCL (Jen) announced she was hungry. It meant that we would be eating over an hour earlier than usual. I mentioned something to her 'quite innocently' about this change in schedule. That’s when I was told of my new nickname. It's now AJ.

“Anne and Harvey Brenner have a grandson who is called ‘AJ’”, I remarked.

When she explained what it stood for, I was less impressed with Mrs. SCL, (Short-Cut-Laz). Compared with my new name, (Anal Jeffrey), I thought she did okay. I repented quickly and after walking for ten minutes following our meal, I decided I ought to do the proper thing. After all, I’m…well…forget it. I offered her a snack bar, the healthy kind. I still don’t know whether I offended her because I was offering more food and apparently, making a point, or else, she expected a tastier desert. Obviously, my earlier kisses had not satisfied her.

As we reached further down the mountain, we noticed a massive truck traveling erratically on a service road under the powerlines. This was followed by the arm of the crane lifting a man toward the top of the wires and pylons while he held a large hose. We watched in awe as he seemed to be spraying the heavy, thick wires with water. It was an unusual sight. In addition, we received sprays of water, cooling both our frayed nerves and tension as well as body heat. (I think those earlier kisses were kicking in, so to speak.) What were these guys from the power company doing? We thought about it and realized they were testing an incredible new concept that could revolutionize the world. (See photo below).

By using a new technology, "Bi", (‘A’) has apparently been taken already), both water and electricity can be transmitted/transported down the same line. How about that! They were delivering water through cables in a manner that even we could not envisage or fathom. This means that in the near future, it will no longer be necessary to use piping to receive water. The infrastructure will require only powerlines which will handle both electricity and water. Just as telephone lines are no longer necessary, the need for a separate water system will fall away. In addition, the water will be hot because of its proximity to the current making it sterilized as well. Although Jen and I drink water from the faucet happily, this may be a death knell to the bottled water companies. We're advising our clients...sorry, friends, to sell stocks in those undertakings.

Jen asked, “And what about sewage?” ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves’, I replied ‘we don’t want to have the powerlines bringing in clean water and power only to be contaminated with returning flushes.

Finally, we reached the San Diego River, a mere mile from where we’d parked the car. We had both walked through the river during our first visit to this part of the park. Jen announced that she would like to commemorate the day with a photograph of me walking through the stream, okay, river. She knows I like a challenge although the previous week I had turned her down. The pressure was on. Some may remember when we were in Nepal recently (Click left '(' for blog), we introduced a guidebook for Afrikaans speaking hikers visiting the country. Three of the concepts were that of the ‘Natbroek (wet pants)’ and ‘Bangbroek (scaredy cat)’ and ‘Papbroek (useless, basically). They all amount to the same thing. I thought about my arrogance in criticizing others and decided I ought not to be a hypocrite. Instead, I accepted the challenge and became a ‘Natbroek’ (wet pants), of course, literally.

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