62.19 California: Ridge Rock, San Ramon...some color in our 'myst(r)y world'. 62.22 Las Trampas: Chamise Trail. 62.23 Madrone Trail. 62.24 Lake Havasu, contrasting desert colors.

  San Ramon and the various towns and cities close to and surrounding the greater Bay area are most attractive, especially the adjoining mountains. Once a person has reached a good vantage point, the views of parts of the bay, the cities and surround are most pleasant on the eye. Outside of summer, the hills are lush, the wildflowers colorful, all providing an upbeat feeling when negotiating the steeper positions. Moving further east by way of contrast, Lake Havasu, part of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, might give the impression of being in a harsh, dull and an uninteresting environment. While both regions enjoy colorful winters, in a sense, the summers are similar in coloring, but the temperatures differ by wide margins. 

  The concept or point is while one would expect vibrant colors in San Ramon et al, in the Sonoran Desert one would anticipate a harsh and colorless environment. This is not true. Deserts outside summer can range from fascinating and colorful to spectacular. In addition, with the Colorado River flowing through many deserts in the west, this seemingly paradoxical situation is to be grabbed with both hands, lapped up, found refreshing and enjoyed immensely.

  We have interspersed the San Ramon group of hikes with some perspective from Lake Havasu, Arizona. 

On the short side, but very steep.
"Alexa! Play Misty for me...okay, please."
A contrast: Not bad coloring for a harsh desert...water, too.
Jen is close to the ridge at this juncture.
Leaning into the slope at Havasu.
Once we reached the highpoint on the ridge, despite the lack of clear air, San Francisco appeared. We really like the city...but only from distance. The real danger of the City from this position includes coming between a cow and its calf, slipping on dung, or passing out from steep climbs. 

  Fields of dreams and cattle, too.
A desert region with an amazing amount of water as Jen returns from the river bank, forgetting to have brought her swimsuit. (She did have a debit card though.)

Photographs of the same San Ramon park a week later; the approach is from another quarter, a different town/suburb, via Chamise Trail.

The tower is usually approached on a previous hike (opening pictures), from either end, via the path on view or a mile left of it.
Different part of the mountain, looking away from San Francisco.
Calm, watercolor and rugged.
From the top of the lighthouse rocky platform/hill.

The hills seem to flow...maybe more so when the snow melts should they ever get the 'cold, white stuff'.
Lovely to see California so lush, green and colorful.
A few from the Madrone Trail. 

Jenni being tested up an extremely steep incline...but surrounded in color.
Jen takes front-and-center from the right.
Californian 'SweetPea'...oops, 'poppy'.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

61.52 Nevada: Las Vegas: Rock scrambling outside of Red Rock Park...the ultimate in a dichotomy between Las Vegas and its premier park.

Love on the rocks and other delights...Jen wondering about the return route.
"I wanna go higher"...big deal!
  When we head for Nevada, which has very attractive landscapes, we limit our risk taking to the climbs and boulder hopping rather than the dark, sleazy places. Each aspect of life has risk and while the priority is to avoid or certainly limit the downside, we sure have more control of our feet- and hand- placing, than of of our chips. In our first trip to Las Vegas, which occurred in December 1975, (we were a little younger then being all of 23 years old and probably wiser than we are today). We are grateful for a lesson well learned, and quickly, too, during a short period. 

  We visited a casino and played roulette with $1 chips. We enjoyed some success. We returned to the hotel and calculated, based upon our system, that instead of using the lowest denomination chips, we should upgrade to the $5 level. Our system seemed a good one and we would retain it but make five times the profit instead. Sometimes we are to put it simply: Quite brilliant. 

  That evening, we returned to the casino, brimming with confidence but dare we say, also including a modicum of humility. The action began. After losing $50 in less than 5 minutes, gambling for money other than in the financial markets, became nothing but a bore and waste of time. Of course, that's personal and not meant to disparage anyone who has a different view, which is obviously apparent by the existence of the Strip. Talking of the strip...oh, oh, I'm getting the eye from the boss. 

The tricky but essential moves in order to make progress. 

 Some of the best aspects of greater Las Vegas.
After action, relaxation, reflection and of course, brunch.
This is what we call the 'flex-knee' position. Relevance? None, just needed to incorporate a caption.
A different section of the scramble.
Always a bit of the 'unknown' of how far to challenge the hip, for a hippie. Note the change in coloring but only a short distance along.
What a delightful environment.
Reaching a wide-open section.
Heading for a narrower section, one of us in a gulley, hoping to avoid a 'flash-flood'.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

Difficult to comprehend, wonderful to be immersed within. (Note snow-covered mountain in a harsh desert, at rear.)

62.17 & 18 California: Morro Bay: Hazard Peak climb and Morro Bay walk, a delightful contrast. (Paradise?)

Morro Bay viewed from the Hazard Peak trail through a telephoto lens.
On a walk near the bay, many miles closer than the above position.
Morro Bay at a further distance from the opening photograph, providing a wider and deeper perspective.
A different view of the bay and sand dunes.
One of us ready to take the bend.
A crooked path adds to the mileage. Who's complaining?
A couple of "birds eyes' views", cross-necked rather than cross-eyed and 'necking' in a beautiful region.
Lush and a little intimidating.
The peak of a previous hike, Valencia. We met a guy at the top who ran up in a ridiculous time...it was embarrassing...for us.
'Blue Water, White Death'...oops, who brought the great white? However, this is far better than the original.
Focusing on the morro from which the quaint town takes its name.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

Serenity in a very agitated world...we like to grab such opportunities. 

The final 2 of the addendum: Another perspective on a different hike of this unique location. 
"Dare I say this is another favorite place, Jenni?" That's generally considered living dangerously...the Jenni part.

62.31 Four Western States (UCAN): Views of mostly desert lakes visited over the past 6 months (December through May with a 14-days break.)

 We love, which seems paradoxical, the fact that in the desert regions of the western states, exist some of the finest examples of lakes, dams and rivers, not to forget incredible landscapes, rock formations and coloring. We'll halt there. Need we mention the Colorado River, Lakes Havasu, Powell, Mead, Roosevelt, Hoover Dam, ...just for starters. 

  One of us is inclined to go over the top in praise of these regions and places, (better than going under the surface), as might have been noticed over the years by even the least discerning readers. I have mentioned in the past and will repeat myself in stating that the greatest positive effect the United States has had upon me is via the Colorado River. Every place wet by the river including stretching large distances outward, has touched, influenced, educated and uplifted me. I truly believe had I not had the privilege of being on Hike-about, my life would have been emptier, unfulfilled, one of limited experiences and devoid of many other attributes too many to mention. Thank-you, Jenni! Our hikes, views and general activities in many parts of the world have been superb, but highlighting the Colorado regions are special and amount to the favorite should one be forced to choose. I have omitted Jenni's feeling regarding favorite places for I already fear teasing, embarrassment and a dangerous level of eyerolls. 

  With this in mind, but always avoiding these wonderful places during summer, we present random photographs from our last 6 months in what we term the UCAN states. Literally, over the period we took thousands of photographs, deleted many and selected those that follow, with only a slight bias. It's most difficult to choose even criteria; therefore, it's effectively, a random selection with a few odds thrown into fill location gaps. 

  Lake Murray, San Diego.
Antelope Point, Lake Powell, Arizona...another isolated 'horseshoe'
Jenni attempts the hokey-pokey at Powell.
Lake Mead as the sun prepares to set in Nevada/Arizona.
Jen gamboling over the low front mountain above Lake Washoe, Northern Nevada. This was not a gamble on her part as she is hundreds of miles north of Las Vegas.
A view of Lake Havasu, Arizona, from Lizard Peak.
Wahweap, Page, Arizona, trail to tiny peninsular. 
Brunch on the peninsular in an hour, should we not get lost.
Favorable lighting, always beautiful scenes.
Wandering near Fortification Hill, alongside Lake Mead.
De Valle Lake near Livermore, California.
Lake Powell, Arizona/Utah after snowfall.
Finding a snow-melted section.
Lake Berryessa, Winters, and surrounding mountains: "A treasure amongst treasures." 

A high point known as Annie's Rock. 

'Twinkle Toes' in a place that is remarkable in our opinions. "What say you, Jen?"
Back to Lake Powell region.

Pleasant Ridge, another hike at Berryessa on a currently closed trail...now you tell us. Dam wall, Monticello Dam.
Lake Mead from Hamblin Peak, Nevada.
Blue Ridge Mountain Trail, the magnificent Jenni...um...Berryessa.
Scenes from Lake Havasu, Arizona.
Climbing to top of Pilot Rock, alongside Lake Havasu.

Lake Mead from Red and Black Mountains.
Balanced-Rock cove, Lake Havasu, from peak across the way. Jen stands on peninsular to the right.
Donner Lake, Truckee, California, a hidden gem.
Lakeside: Tucson's offering of water.
Spenser Trail outside Page, the flow of the Colorado River after passing through Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam. Jen rises on a narrow section.

Creeping up on the left.
A hike to the tower above the dam and lake.
Lagoon Park, outside San Rafael, CA.
Walking near Boulder City with views of Lake Mead.

A peek through a window into Morro Bay.
Lake Washoe from the gazebo area.
Backdrop of the lake—Carson Range.
Farewell to Lake Powell.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey