With a little help from my friends...

Last week Sharon and Rick were kind enough to join me in my battle against the Manzanita Ridge Trail up Mt. Wilson. I think they were secretly sick of hearing me go on about it. "I've just got to try again" I whined "I have a new hydration plan!" So it was that we all found ourselves back on the trail.

This time, with Rick and Sharon in the lead, we paced ourselves. We made several stops on the way up and took time to listen to the woodpeckers. We drank lots of water and enjoyed snack bars and sandwiches. In the end we popped out at the top feeling fantastic! We did high kicks and danced shamelessly beneath the blue sky without a care in the world!

Ahhhh what a difference a day makes (+ a few extra quarts of water) I am happy to report we all returned home feeling pleasingly pummelled.

Meet John Woodburn!

John Woodburn, Esq. enjoying the comfort of his canyon office.

Meet Hal & Stephie!

Hal is one of the crazy people who participate in the annual Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run. This past Sunday Hal flew by us with his faithful running partner Stephie. With this year's event quickly approaching, we are guessing they were out for a short 25 mile training run. We've seen Hal and Stephie before but today we stopped them in their tracks, spoiled their momentum and forced them to pose for a photo. We'd love to get to know them better but they always seem to be in such a hurry!

As I'm writing this, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to be able to run 100 miles.

Good luck, Hal! We'll be with you in spirit!

Manzanita Ridge

We had yet to ascend Mt. Wilson by the Manzanita Ridge Trail, otherwise known as the Upper Winter Creek Trail, otherwise unnamed and simply written as yet another "Mt. Wilson Trail" on the trail sign which has caused so much confusion for me at least. But what better way to understand it than to just climb up and see what's there?

So we descended by the Sturtevant Trail and dropped into the camp just missing the "Old Guys Club" which had spent the night. I was looking forward to meeting them and possibly interviewing one or more for the blog, but as it was they were early risers and had just left. So, we finished up their breakfast of strawberries and fresh melon and had a great visit with Chris, Joan and Joe. We got the latest on what's going on, as well as learning about all the latest technologies available to the consumer (i.e. very small cameras and iPods).

As I finished up my third cup of coffee that morning, Chris inquired about our route back up the mountain. Sharon and Rick may have been a little disturbed to find that I could not recall our route nor could I express how we were to get to the trailhead. Thankfully, Chris sorted through the chaos which is my mind and discovered my plan to climb Manzanita Ridge. He was a little surprised and told us it was a tough one. "Only 8 miles?" I said... "piece o' cake!"

May I take this moment to say it is humbling indeed to watch ones friends growing smaller and smaller, climbing higher and higher into the distance and finally disappearing, while one falls further and further behind. Of course they wouldn't just leave me here, would they? One can never be too certain. And in the stumbling and gasping which was my sole burden, as I lifted each foot and put it down again with all the determination I could muster only to learn my pace was still not quick enough, I did begin to consider alternate methods of transportation to West Hollywood. Of course that was just the dizzied confusion of my mind playing tricks on me! Sharon has assured me I can vomit in her garden whenever and wherever I need. A true friend to the last!

Well, no questions left about that trail. I don't know what Sharon thinks of it, but in my opinion it's much more difficult than the Mt. Wilson Trail we're used to and the very one we were avoiding.

Back here in the safety of my cubicle, kept at a consistent 72° complete with swivel chair, betta-in-a-bowl and double-cappuccino well within reach, I’m thinking back on that trail as a worthy opponent and I’m looking forward to a rematch.

Joe - if you're checking in. HELLOOOOOO!