61.18: Arizona: Lake Havasu: Blue Trail to Balancing Rock and a scramble to summit of the background mountain.

  We returned to Lake Havasu for an even longer period than our initial stay in December. We suppose that's the advantage of not locking into property, fixed or otherwise. Anyway, we like the concept or should we say, love it, an idea we discussed in depth with Turk who joined us on the trail.   

  It was a fascinating period which culminated in a rather tricky climb and return to/from a summit behind the destination point. We've never attempted this before having not noticed a way up. We still did not find a trail, goat path or otherwise. I decided to scramble up to the top or as far as I could make it and report back to my boss, Jennifer, whether she would like the trail and climb. I don't think she will join me in the unlikely event I repeat the scramble. However, in the interests of longevity, peace in the home and on the trails, I don't think I should; life is challenging enough. Nevertheless, it was spectacular and testing. 

  The first three pictures have a story to tell or a story to display. Take a look and be careful when viewing the third, the crescendo...okay, perhaps a little dramatic but you had to be there. Actually, it's a lot easier to be where you are. 

The name of the destination is 'Balancing Rock'. It's a wonderful hike with amazing views along the lake/river. The rock stands proud, separate and aloof...as far as rocks might develop a personality.
The toilet and picnic table for campers at the lake edge shown separately, jutting into the water (Keep an eye on the structures). Balancing rock stands proudly as usual on its own in the foreground.
Combine the above two photographs and it brings it all together, beauty in unity. A unified scene. (Focus on the rock and above).
Inspired by Turk, I found myself scrambling off trail (no trail) to the summit of the mountain above the lake. It was a spectacular experience requiring some skill, a little daring and ideally, not much in the way of brains. It was a first time experience as I never realized it was climable. (Pictured at the high point, middle of photo).
Perhaps one of the most memorable photographs I've taken. From the top of the scramble, Jen can be seen on the jutting rock to the right of the covered picnic table. The combination of rugged mountains, serene turqoise water, colorful flora plus knowing Jen was standing on terra-firma and thus safe, provide a tiny, personal highlight to my life. 

We enjoy our daily intake of humility as nature sets some tough obstacles amongst its beauty. The tiny figure at the rear on the right is one of us after an extremely steep scramble.
While no man is an island, Jen seems to have found her niche on a peninsular surrounded in beauty. 

  The easy part is being on the top; the up-and-down is somewhat trickier.
Closing with a first time view from the peak toward the City of Havasu.

Jen negotiates a slanting, scree-covered path as she heads down toward our brunch spot. We've left many crumbs at that position over the years.
Another view, a different angle with Jenni returning to the table.
A couple of 'burning bushes'.
Let's go home...safely, Turk.

We find that for most days, on the trails, we are blessed with wonder and splendor.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

61.16: Arizona: Yuma: Telegraph Trail, part 2.

The next two blogs cover the same hike undertaken on two separate occasions. The dry desert experienced heavy rains and we decided to avoid the soft and muddy trails of other hikes we had wished to cover. However, this wonderful trail is so inviting, although more than strenuous, that we would do it regularly. Therefore, it was no disappointment that during our short stay we only accomplished completion of this trail on two occasions, plus a short and very steep one as an adjunct. 

Surreal...we just stood and stared.
From the peak, we looked down onto the farmlands through the light fog.
In the beginning, we head toward the low clouds.
We got higher, the clouds were lower, but we never quite met in the middle.
An indication of the trail as we looked back. In the distance is the I-8 Freeway, linking, inter alia, San Diego and Tucson.
Just below the summit, doing a little research...Research? Well, sounds a little intelligent.
Here comes Jen. One of the sharpest inclines although on a tarred/concrete surface.
She gets closer but no bigger against quite a backdrop.
  I had mixed feelings of Yuma, showing typical prejudices of a ‘city slicker'. How things change. Now my prejudices are against city slickers; I favor by a wide margin the wilderness and perhaps, the country folk, too. Yuma has grown over the years since we first traveled through it and I’m still not fond of it but the mountains and wilderness surrounding the city are a different matter entirely...I like, very much. 

 It was November 1990 when Gavin, Natalie and myself traveled from Dallas, Texas to San Diego, California to commence another beginning, a re-emigration, if you will. It had been a tough period since emigrating from South Africa, 20 months earlier (1989). I would not like to go through those times again having also been defrauded by an elderly man whom I liked and trusted. Silly boy, Jeffrey. 

  We departed in our Taurus, leaving Jenni and Robert, then less than 3 years old, behind. Robbie, that is, Jenni was considerably older. They would be flying to San Diego 3 days later. It was a long but memorable trip with two extremely well-behaved children, aged 11 and 9. I'll never forget the stoic look of Gavin and Natalie's quiet sobbing as we departed from Dallas, leaving Mom and Robbie on their own. I wonder if their emotions were because of departing from Mom or that they had to spend 3 days alone with me. 

  In Gavin's first full year at school in Dallas, he was awarded the American Airlines outstanding student of graduates from elementary school. Natalie had settled in nicely and proved to be well-liked by teachers and students, even with her funny accent. She got rid of that quickly. Our journey took us through Yuma which in late November was bitterly cold. I left the kids in the hotel room for twenty minutes while I went for my usual morning run. I nearly froze. 

  I did not like Yuma. (narrative continues and concludes in the next blog of Yuma)

 Another perspective of this wonderful, rugged area.

Jen stands close to the top, eyeing the way down.
On the way up, the fog begins to lift, giving us an indication of the target.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

61.17 Arizona: Yuma: Telegraph Trail plus Flagpole/Crucifix, part 1

Jen struggles up a very steep incline in the rain, poncho improves her wonderful shape.
A different hike from the above photograph, both memorable.
This view and photograph made a distinct impression upon us. The background seems to have much depth, it's extremely rugged and yet, most attractive.
I wish I could state another attractive view but that would be an exaggeration (nice tree, though). Nevertheless, it was a tough climb and tricky on the return (Flagpole hike).
A close-up of Jen trudging prior to a heavier rainfall.
Continuation of narrative from previous blog...

  Fast forward some ten years. On the way to Grand Canyon during a summer, I was filling the gas tank and found that I was struggling to breathe. It was extremely hot (110 degrees). My impression of Yuma was then formed, impossibility cold or hot. Perhaps not an intelligent summation but first impressions are powerful. 

  During 2020, Jen and I spent a week hiking in the city...well, slept in the city and hiked in the Gila Mountains. It was a wonderful experience. Hence, we returned to Yuma recently and besides being hampered by much needed rain, enjoyed another 5-day stint. It would have been extended had we not had other commitments. 

  Fortunately, another prejudice has been corrected. 

  I mentioned 'accents' earlier. I'm also a strong believer of 'balance in life', how earlier actions have later effects. We were with Natalie recently and she mentioned something about Ellie being a little embarrassed having Mom working at her school and 'being visible'...’young teen syndrome’. It reminded us of Natalie's 10th birthday, soon after arriving in San Diego. We hosted a party for her new friends. Prior to their arrival at our home, she called Jen aside and requested that we do not talk while her friends were present...our accents would embarrass her. 

One of the views at the top.
At mid-distance, the steep aspect of the remaining climb becomes apparent.
A hint of color on a dull day but a beauty in an of itself.
Farmland in the distance still visible despite the fog.
For those who have traveled through Yuma (San Diego to Phoenix) might recognize the I-8 going up and over the Gila Mountains. We are standing on Telegraph peak viewing the freeway's path beyond the range looking east.
Coming down is always more dangerous than ascending, the latter invariably more strenuous.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

'Poncho Jenno' on the right of the 'mob' rushing up the trail. 'Slow down, guys, you make us feel lazy.'

61.15 Arizona: Some spectacular opportunities over the last couple of weeks from a favorite zone.

We find hidden 'Horseshoes' along the Colorado in Page.
Finding some of the hidden marvels of Page.
Mesmerized in Yuma from the top of Telegraph hike.
From a hidden vantage position in Sedona (High on the Hog), we spot this fella.
We find the Colorado River meandering through Yuma.
Wandering in Page into a remote area and discover these 'wave-type' positions. Absolutely superb.
Descending toward the water as we make our own path toward Wahweap.
A taste of Sedona taken from Bandit Trail, near the airport.
Jen heading toward the peak of the Telegraph hike, Yuma, steep and strenuous like no other...certainly of recent hikes.
Jen makes her way from Lizard Head, Sedona...interesting positions and views, with some edgy challenges.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

61.14 Arizona: Introduction to Sedona via a few hikes...the terrain better than we thought...and that's after more than a dozen visits.

Hangover Hike. 

Jen deals with a hangover...too much Pepsi.
Goes climbing to find Jen's Pepsi supply.
Jen climbs for a top-up (with ice). Not good to be addicted...is that to rock climbing or for Pepsi-zero?
  We often talk about the soul, almost as though we understand it just as we think about mental and physical issues. The latter appear pretty standard, easy to understand at a certain level but are no doubt much more complex than perceived. 

  What do we understand by the soul? Because we don't know much about it, some might think of it as an unexplained sense, something that is neither about the physical or mental. We don't profess to have an answer, but we do have our thoughts and perceptions about it. Rather 'superficially', we do notice that when we find ourselves in certain quiet and unique places, we are touched by the surroundings. It often feels that we become attached to the location, joined to the atmosphere surrounding it rather than to its physical attributes solely. It is as if the components of nature, those visible and others less so, are touching us, entering our bodies, our beings so to speak, and lifting us partly from physical contact with the ground. Are those features of nature touching our so-called souls? 

  I often wonder why I become frustrated at times when surrounded by so much beauty, magnificent sights, its dynamism, parts that appear in a state of slumber while other aspects are in constant turmoil. My conclusion has been that it is too big an onslaught upon my senses all at once. I am constantly overwhelmed. Perhaps, just like too much strenuous exercise, excess mental exertion or stress, the soul too has a limit to its capacity to absorb an abundance of magnificence. 

  That should be our largest problem. 

Airport loop via Bandit Trail.    

Impressed by these rocks behind the airport runway. It also gives pilots a pretty obstacle to negotiate on take-off.

Chinook helicopter kicks up dust as it lands at Sedona airport.
Sugarloaf Summit and Thunder Mountain loop 2.

Some of the slopes are a little edgy...on the way to Lizard Head. We took the wrong path on the way back...that was edgy-deluxe.
We undertook a number of hikes in the vicinity of 'Chimney Rock'. The 'Climate Crowd' has stopped the City from blowing smoke through its stacks.
Solid view of Thunder Mountain.
A view of Hangover trail which shows where we were climbing in the opening 3 photographs.
Bear Mountain: A tough trail especially with ice-covering, (snow okay). 

The snow creates aesthetic beauty and tough hiking conditions.

Let's go home. 

The snow provides an enhanced view of this amazing place.
Somewhere on Upper-Chimney and onto Sugarloaf 2.

Jen reaches the peak on a new find...a delightful climb and end position.
After we talk to this fellow, we'll know more about this move. Who knows? Position is actually much narrower than it looks. Perhaps this is a literal interpretation of "Knickers in a twist".
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Full blogs to follow when the boulders release us.