Walk Like An Egyptian

Highlights

--Beautiful 5 star hotels, particularly the Petra Taybet Zaman! An incredtble complex, one of the nicest that we have stayed.
-The food was marvelous
-The people were warm, outgoing and respectful
-Pyramids of ancient Egypt
-Extraordinary ancient city of Petra (rock in Greek) where the Indiana Jones movies were filmed
-2000' hike to the top of the Monastary in Perta
-Floating on the fabulous Dead Sea
-The Holy land from the ancient city of Wadi Muza
-New York.... tramping......-Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Times Square, United Nations,Rockefeller Center, St . Patricks Cathedral, South Street Seaport etc and........
Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe where the Lobo scored a NY Hard Rock bottle opener/magnet to add to his valuable world wide collection.

Puerto Vallarta

"A single tree in the tropical forest in the south of Mexico has more different species than some European countries"

Carlos Salinas de Gortari

I selected Puerto Vallarta, the jewel of Jalisco Mexico as a destination for our fortieth wedding anniversary and we both were extremely happy with that decision. Stretching around the sparkling blue Bahia de Banderas and backed by lush, palm covered mountains we couldn't have asked for a lovelier place to while away 10 days on a special vacation.

There are so many travel bargains available and Mexico has been the victim of much undue travel cautions. We found this tropical paradise to feel safer than being in the United States. The atmosphere was totally friendly and service oriented. The weather was nice and the prices right, the culture and scenery hard to beat. And, we didn't mind a short return plane trip home in lieu of the grueling flights from other tropical destinations.

We chose to stay in the "Zona Romantica" close to downtown in lieu of Nuevo Vallarta or the sterile American hotel strip where many tourists spend their entire time in an all inclusive hotel, "safe" from the real Mexico.

We enjoyed the picturesque cobbled streets and many great restaurants, but ended out hanging out at a local "Banana Cantina" that was a Vallarta version of "Cheers"

On our anniversary, we moved up the mountain to a large villa that afforded incredible panoramic views of the bay.

A highlight was doing the "Outdoor Adventure" with Vallarta Adventures. Billed as one of the greatest adventures on earth, we were not disappointed with the adrenaline production. In an area of tropical forest, 200 Ft. above the ground we flew on 1000 Ft. zip lines 10 times and rappelled three routes (one free fall) into natural river pools. Although an experienced "zip liner" in Costa Rica, this was Gerry's first rappelling experience. She showed "No Fear" demonstrated excellent technique and nailed them, an inspiration to the youthful group (young punks) that watched her "go first" on their experience of a lifetime.

Note: Cameras were not allowed and we elected to not buy the photographer's shots so we have no PICS of this day to share

Other highlights included:

-Luxuriating day in and day out on Vallarta's world famous Playa de Los Muertos

-Taking a panga to the peaceful village of Yelapa, only accessible by boat

-Strolling and shopping beneath the shady rubber trees on Isla Rio Cuale alongside the Rio Cuale.

-Taking a day trip to Punta de Mita and Sayulito to watch the surfers ride the waves

-Spending an interesting day at an old family tequila distillery, and partaking in a little tequila tasting

-Wandering the beautiful seafront "Malecon" and chatting about life with the locals

Other great rivers add power to you
Yakima, Snake, and the Klickitat, too
Sandy, Willamette and Hood River too
So roll on, Columbia, roll on

— Woody Guthrie, "Roll on Columbia" (1941)

I just returned from beautiful Bend Oregon after a week of action. Gerry went home on Monday. I stayed for a backpack. It was a nice break from "toasty" Phoenix.

For those of you that do not know Bend, it is located at the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains with unlimited recreational opportunities. To say that Bend is an energetic city would be an understatement.

This will be a short report containing only highlights because I have to reload and do a canyon trip for18 people from the UK.

Thanks to Peggy Shea for her tremendous hospitality and to Bob Shea for putting together a great plan and schedule of activities.

Highlights

-Evening cocktails/hors d'oeuvres/dinners on the Shea backyard patio; watching the Steller Jays, Hummingbirds, and even a large Owl.

This backyard is incredible!

-Downtown Art Walk and Shopping at Old Mill

-Moon Rise and Sunset on Pilot Butte

-Hiking to Tumulo Falls and paddling the Deschutes with Gerry

-Sunrise to Summit Race-up to the top of 9,000' Mount Bachelor-A personal best for the Mooseman!

-Lunch at Elks Lake Lodge-Black Butte Porters!

-Mountain Biking about 19 miles on the Skyliner, Phils and up and down the fun "Whoops trail" (muchos moguls)

-Smith Rock State Park

-A fabulous 26 mile backpack in the three Sisters Wilderness. (6 miles cross country up, and down some gnarly stuff)

Big City Mountaineers

"Relationships help us define who we are and what we can become. Most of us..."
Paula Nelson

AT LAST! A beer and a bed! After spending 22 days in the wilderness, sleeping on a thin air mattress, I indulged. It is good to be home.

I just returned from leading three groups of urban teens for Big City Mountaineers - www.bigcitymountaineers.org/

on backpacking trips in the Ansel Adams Wilderness located in the Sierras, close to Yosemite.

My first group hiked in the Mammoth area close to the Minarets, and the last two in the Lillian Lakes loop. All totaled, over 100 miles were logged, including trips to 25 alpine lakes. Gnarly, steep mountain challenges were completed and prayer flags were awarded.

Most of the teens live in the midst of Oakland's "killer corridor". Their youth center is a haven and serves as a second family.

They had never experienced the great outdoors. The sounds that they regularly hear are screams and gunshots. These are replaced by the resonance of nature, including the wind, waterfalls, and flowing creeks.

We fit the boys with new boots, gear, and backpacks and off we go. It is an abrupt and difficult transition.

But this is not about the lessons of backpacking but about the lessons of life.

Group 2

This experience was extremely rewarding for me. The kids took on every challenge and did things that they never thought were possible. Some demonstrated undaunted courage. They all completed a climbing challenge above 10,000 feet.

My volunteers were some of the best people that I have ever met, delivering patience, persistence and kindness every minute of the day.

The first group was pelted with fleeting snow for two days and awakened by an aggressive bear in camp one night. All food was properly stored in bear canisters so Mr. Bear went hungry, but took the opportunity to use the facilities and took a big dump in the middle of our camp, thereby answering the ageless question-does the bear shit in the woods? Not always!

After the bear left, five ended up in one tent.

This group climbed up to remote Cabin lake, which involved some tricky climbing and creek crossings.

The second group was a wee bit of a challenge. They were not serious about their objectives. One boy threw his shoes in the lake. This ugly incident was extremely disappointing considering our educational efforts of LNT. (Leave no trace) After a come to bejesus meeting, followed by me beating the worst behaved at arm wrestling, they came around. On the last night we stayed at a very rustic lodge in Groveland and watched Forest Gump on video. We finally bonded.

The third group was a very special bunch of younger kids. One, in particular wanted to go home every day but after completing a tough climb he blurted out "I can't wait until I tell the other kids back home what I did! I never thought that I could ever do anything like this!"

They loved hearing campfire stories, their favorite being "Willie the Dog Faced Boy" who ate some Skippy dog food and then started growing whiskers and hair all over his body and ran off. Willie has been sighted roaming Reno Nevada and getting into everyone's garbage can.

Every day I fielded a barrage of questions about Willie. Some thought that they had seen Willie in their Oakland neighborhood.

On the last night a feral cat jumped out of a tree on to one of the boys sleeping bags at the campground and was given the moniker of "Wanda the cat faced girl"

Preparing for Canyoneering-The "Jug" Arizona

Plivice National Park Croatia

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed."
- Mohandas Gandhi

Canyoneers:

Larry The Mountain Man

Dingo Dog

El Lobo H. Grande

The Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, close to Sedona is relatively unknown and seldom visited. The defining feature is the canyon itself, which cuts through the Mogollon Rim, and winds for more than 20 miles. There are dozens of place names in Arizona containing the word sycamore, and when you find these places you find their name sake tree, the ghostly, pale barked Arizona Sycamore.

We chose to "cowboy up" and hike the remote, obscure, 11 mile(r/t) Dogie trail, where back in it's day, cowboys drove cattle through this spectacular Wilderness. 

"Dogie" is cowboy for a motherless calf. 

We caught magnificent views of sandstone ramparts and had a nice lunch at the junction with the Sycamore Basin Trail. The Dogie dips in and out of many drainages . Cottonwoods and willows lined the banks of a very dry Sycamore Creek. Little wildlife, were out in the heat of the day, only a couple of King Snakes.

We hiked for about 6 hours and ended it with our traditional camp chair/cerveza ritual at the trailhead. The back road (525C) to the trailhead requires a high clearance vehicle.

Our plans include returning for a winter backpack skirting the entire Wilderness.

BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

LARRY THE MOUNTAIN MAN & DINGO LITTLE DOGGIE ON THE TRAIL SYCAMORE WILDERNESS

 

 

RED ROCK SANDSTONE FORMATIONS

 

QUITE A VARIETY OF WILDFLOWERS

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THESE WILDFLOWERS? OF COURSE LOBO CAN, BECAUSE HE IS A WORLD FAMOUS GUIDE.

 

 

MEN BEHAVING BADLY: (NOW THIS IS FUNNY! I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE!")

-DINGO FOR CALLING THE NATURE LOVING LOBO A "QUEER" BECAUSE THE SENSITIVE WOLF WAS ENJOYING THE DESERT WILDFLOWERS AND BUTTERFLIES.

-LORENZO FOR MISSING THIS TRIP AND SNEAKING OFF TO MEXICO WITH SECRET HIS PAL TONY. (NOTE IT IS RUMORED THAT ZO HAS A MEXICAN GIRL FRIEND IN SAN CARLOS THAT DOES NOT EXACTLY PUSH HERSELF AWAY FROM THE COMIDA.  LORENZO HAS HIRED A RODEO CLOWN TO DISTRACT HER WHEN HE BRINGS GROCERIES BACK TO THE CONDO.)

-MOUNTAIN MAN -LARRY, THE EASTERN LIBERAL FOR TORMENTING AND NEEDLING  DINGO  (OF THE JOHN BIRCH SOCIETY) THE WHOLE TRIP, " REPEATING  "ITS HARD WORK" "LET GET ER DONE"

-LOBO FOR SINGING  "GET ALONG LITTLE DOGGIE' FOR 3 MILES AND THEN "A PONY NAMED WILDFIRE" FOR 7  

-LOBO FOR HAVING CONSTANT ANXIETY ABOUT MISSING THE CELTICS/HAWKS GAME AND THEN HALUCINATING, HAVING A VISION JOE JOHNSON'S FACE IN A ROCK FORMATION.

-DINGO FOR TALKING SMACK ABOUT JUAN DA JACKAL'S  BAD, INCONSIDERATE  PRACTICE OF PROLIFIC TRAIL FARTING WHILE RIPPING THEM HIMSELF, ALL DAY.

-DINGO WHO ALWAYS WANTS TO GO EXPLORING AND PUT IN MORE UNNECESSARY MILAGE AND THEN COMPLAINED ABOUT THE LONG UPHILL HIKE  THE WHOLE WAY BACK.

-THE TRES AMIGOS FOR WOLFING DOWN HUGE PORTIONS OF  MEXICAN FOOD IN COTTONWOOD AND THEN WASHING IT DOWN WITH A PITCHER OF MARGARITAS. 

Dave Brubeck and Concert Joe

Dave and Joe probably don't know each other. Both are legends.

Dave Brubeck

Gerry and I spent an evening with jazz pianist/icon  Dave Brubeck accompanied by his talented  rhythm section of Chris and Dan Brubeck and horn player Robert Millitello, at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts. 

It was an evening to remember, an exquisite performance. Refined and perfect.

 Dave is 87 years young, but his joy of performing continues to excite his audiences. Dave grew up on a 45,000 acre  cattle ranch in the Sierras, managed by his father. The lure of piano and Jazz had him playing professionally by his early teens. In 1942 he entered the army where he served under Patton in the European Theatre.

Brubeck and his trio cut their first records in San Francisco in 1949 and launched what later became known as "cool jazz" By 1954, his popularity was such that his picture appeared on the cover of Time Magazine and his recordings were being played throughout the world. 

In 1959 the album Time Out was released and became the first instrumental jazz album to sell 1 million copies. The single, Take Five, remains the best selling jazz single of all time. When I was 12 years old,  listening to my transistor radio on the way to basketball practice, I fell in love with that song. It remains my favorite jazz piece.

During his long career, Dave has recorded with many legendary jazz artists. His musical contributions over the past half century as both pianist and composer have earned him many honors including, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Benjamin Franklin Award for public diplomacy presented at the White House by Condoleeza Rice.

Dave Brubeck-Concert number 491-El Lobo Life long list

Concert Joe

Concert Joe has absolutely no affiliation with the music business. Concert Joe has won no awards. Concert Joe simply goes to concerts. He lives in Manhattan and is a "mostly unemployed" construction worker that has been going to college for 3 decades. In 1989 he claims to have spent 15 grand on concerts.

Concert Joe tried to get into the Guinness Book of World Records -- something like Most Concerts Attended by Someone Outside the Music Industry -- but Joe says, "I called them and they laughed. I think they're more interested in people who can throw cow turds the farthest. They told me to call them back if I ate more than 176 snails."

A highlight of his two decades of concert-going, a night he remembers fondly, he saw a Grateful Dead concert then caught Ella Fitzgerald, then Kitaro, and finally closed the night with the Butthole Surfers. Only in New York can this be achieved!!!

Concert Joe, went out 350 nights last year and saw over 730 live shows. He has spent more than half his life running around clubs, bars, theaters, and arenas, catching some 6,000 shows and documenting his presence at each one. 

"I'm getting older. I can't keep this up any longer," Joe says

Like Dave Brubeck, Concert Joe is also a legend and deserving of White House recognition. His life's work serves as a fine example for the youngsters of this country. Select a goal and "Get Errr Done!""

Note: El Lobo's lifelong list of concerts does not include performances at clubs, bars garage bands etc. I mean, if I included the Justus Five and all the other stuff I have seen, God only knows what my number would be, taking nothing away from Joe.  My list is exclusive. An artist or group must have had at least one hit on the Billboard Charts. Also, Concert Joe does not have a wife that saw the Beatles in Candlestick in 1966.

Screw Concert Joe!!!!

Concert Joe

=

The mountains are calling and I must go.

 -John Muir

Highlights of this trip include

-Visiting many friends and relatives

-Staying at the Damon Five Star Resort and relaxing at the Arroyo de Tranquiidad

-Fly fishing the Truckee River

-Slamming done cervezas at local breweries and Scruples

-Listening to the "River" radio station that includes "River Runs" of 7 songs in a row

-Going to Hot August Night's Concert-Gerry and The Pacemakers (Concert # 494)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekJamEuV8pw

-Road trip to Pyramid Lake

-Seeking and finding the secluded Baron's Beach Lake Tahoe, secret location of summer time keggars and parties when I was in high school

-Backpacking to Warren Lake in the Sierras-awesome sights, sense of remoteness and wild flowers

-Attending the Reno High School all classes reunion picnic

Warren Lake from above-PIC by James Cabanas

Warren Lake from below-PIC by James Cabanas

 Secluded Baron's Beach-Lake Tahoe  PIC by Bob Shea

Scamdanavia On Da Cheap

Scamdanavia on Da Cheap-A budget travelers' guide by ELG

-Go someplace else like Mexico or South America where beer is cheap!!

If you still go-

-Carry all the snacks and food you can, unless you want to combine this trip with a diet
-Buy all your beer at the state run store, and buy your vodka at the duty free shop in the airports
-Stay at Youth Hostels in the dorm. Bring earplugs so that you can't hear snoring or other loud sounds of the night. Bring your own liner or you will get charged for a sheet.
-Shop at grocery stores for your food. Get condiments from a restaurant, although they might try to charge you. Note ELG got into a fight with an old bat that wanted 7 Kroners for 1 little cube of butter!!!
-Spend much of your time looking and talking to all the beautiful blonde women. This is the only thing free in these countries and I believe that this natural resource is why these places are so expensive!! Note, do not exercise this option if you are traveling with a significant other. They will hurt you bad, if you do!
-During breakfast at the Hostels, eat everything that you can, and then stick huge volumes of food like hard boiled eggs in your pockets for later.
-Use bathrooms in the museums, you will get charged everywhere else.
-Use the Internet at the library
-Get on the bus in the middle door and don't pay. In Oslo they never check.
-Bring a sink stopper and wash your underwear in the sink of the Hostel.
-Do a lot of walking/hiking and go to the few "free" places like the Parks

Showering-

-If you don't mind smelling a little gamey, don't shower very often. This option was employed by Jake. Warning: This method of saving money may have a negative impact on the freebie of talking to beautiful blondes!!
-Bring your own towel and TP --Remember you are heavily charged for everything
-You only get five minutes of shower for five bucks, so have your partner time you and yell out time in 30 second intervals and after 2 minutes and 30 seconds, get out and let him/her in.
-Check to see if all time has been used in other shower stalls, if not-get in!!!
-Go to the office and claim that the timer machine "ate your Kroners" and didn't deliver any water. This might get you one or two free showers.
-Rent a two wheel drive vehicle in Iceland and make it more of an adventure
-Go in the off season and freeze your ass off.

These are just a few of the ELG tips in Scamdanavia on Da Cheap. If you want more, buy my book and don't be so cheap!!!

Sounds of Silence-Simon & Garfunkle

"All Come to Look for America"

In the sixth grade Paul and Art met while performing in Alice in Wonderland, a school play in New York City. They first performed in the 50s as Tom & Jerry.

"Tom get your plane right on time.I know your part'll go fine.Fly down to Mexicooooo. The only living boy in New York."

Fifty years later the old friends were at America West Arena in Phoenix on a nation wide concert tour. Thirty four years ago, two friends in Reno Nevada played and listened to Simon & Garfunkle albums into the wee hours of the night.

"Time it was, And what a time it was, It was....A time of innocence, A time of confidences."

Last Sunday evening it all came together. Paul and Art had finally broken the silence after breaking up more than three decades ago. They have had a fractious relationship since.

"And a rock feels no pain;And an island never cries."

They opened with "Old Friends" and slowly worked the full house into a mellow frenzy. Garfunkle beamed with joy as he surveyed the crowd.

"Home where my thought's escaping, Home where my music's playing."

Two songs into the set, I looked over at Gerry and watched tears stream down her cheeks.

"Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?A nation turns it lonely eyes on you."

Garfunkle frequently talked to the crowd and mentioned several times how happy he was to be reunited with Paul. The master craftsman Paul, spoke rarely but at one point talked about their relationship and how he had won at least 70% of the arguments spanning the 50 years.

"And so you see I have come to doubt All that I once held as trueI stand alone without beliefsThe only truth I know is you."

The large screens displayed fun shots of the boys in their youth and clips of Benjamin Braddock and Mrs. Robinson.

"And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson, Jesus loves you more than you will know."

Their patented sound was as harmonious as ever.After six songs, came a special surprise. Paul introduced the Kings of Harmony-The Everly Brothers!

"Bye Bye LoveBye Bye Happines Hello loneliness, I think I'm going to cry."

Phil and Don wailed out four of their signature songs including, All I have to do is Dream".Art & Paul returned and performed "The leaves that are green turn to brown". This was the first time that they had played this great song in concert since 1967.

"Here is my song for the askingAsk me and I will play"

They continued playing all their folk rock that has spanned five generations---- and then it was over way too soon.

"Remember me to one who lives there. She once was a true love of mine."

The crowd would not let them go, knowing that this was it, they probably would never return together.They double encored with "Cecelia", "The Boxer" and closed out with "Feelin Groovy"

"Life I love you, All is groovy"

We walked to our car holding hands, saying nothing. In my pocket I clutched my souveneir ticket keychain.

"And the signs said The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls And tenament halls. And whispered in The Sounds Of Silence".

El Condor Pasa-----And the leaves that are green turn to brown-ELG

Lockett Meadows

OK, OK, for all you Men Behaving Badly junkies, here is your fix!

A perfect calm; that not a breathIs heard to quiver through the closing woods, Or rustling turn the many-twinkling leaves Of aspen tall.
So where's the calm and the golden leaves?

El Lobo H. Grande after 6 cervezas

El Lobo doing all the camp chores while Dingo sips coffee.

Quaking aspens are my favorite trees. For me, there are few prettier sights than a grove on the side of a mountain. Or, perhaps Pam Anderson, naked in the sauna. (Inside joke with Hannu)
.
Mountain Men

Digo Dan
El Lobo
Jacobo
Zo

The boys and I went on a short road trip to catch some fall color and to do some mountain biking and hiking in the high country. We persevered high winds and cold nights but it was a lot of fun. A roaring camp fire, cervezas and good company is a hard combination to beat. It's too bad there wasn't any good company!

This small primitive campground offers views of the San Francisco Peaks and camping opportunities in the cool aspen trees that surround Lockett Meadow. This is a terrific campground for those who cherish a real mountain camping experience and love to hike/bike Wilderness trails.

Although the camp aspens had shed all their leaves, we did come across a few brilliant yellow groves of aspens quivering in the breeze. AAHHHH!

We enjoyed some great single track mountain biking on the Schultz Creek Trail.
Next year we will make it up here the last week of September.

Thanks to Dingo for driving, we returned in time for game 7-(Yeah Baby-Red Sox Nation comes back from a 3 game deficit again) and a great Mexican dinner prepared by the beautiful and charming Gerry.
What a great day!!!

The immensely popular and syndicated

Men Behaving Very Badly

Dingo for planning this trip too late in the month for full fall color and early enough for freezing conditions.

Dingo and Zo for opening cervezas within seconds of arrival.
Dingo - for planning a pasta & sausage dinner and forgetting the spicy italian sausage.
Jake - for bringing the slim jims that were used as sausage substitutes.
Lobo - for feeding the slim jims to his stomach.
Lobo - for going to bed immediately after dinner to begin filling the tent with smells of 'used' slim jims, and for continuing to expel those noxious slim jim odors every 2 minutes throughout the ENTIRE night. They say everyone has a gift - why did this have to be Lobo's!?
Dingo for wanting to go on the coldest mountain bike ride ever, too early in the morning causing Lobo's hands and nose to suffer mild frost bite.
Zo - for contributing nothing to the trip except complaining, especially about having to be the one that slept next to Lobo. He used to complain about his old boss Reechard and now talks smack about his new boss claiming that the new guy farts all the time in meetings.
Zo for taking a new "executive position," getting a fat raise and now working more hours than ever and is broke again, thereby causing him to sell El Lobo his SUV with minor problems that cost the poor wolf (on a guide's salary) a piddly $2200 in repairs at Rayco.
Zo and Dingo for forever banishing Lobo from the big tent, and ordering him to bring his own tiny bivy sac next time.
Jake - for forgetting his sleeping pad and having to use poor Lobo's and Zo's parkas as a pad.
Lobo - for pretending to be a famous outdoor guide, when in reality he always brings his pee bottle because it gets too cold to leave the tent.
Jake - for wanting to take a nap after lunch instead of going for a hike while Lobo and Dingo THOUGHT they would do a mountain bike ride [a 1/2 mile trip does not constitute a ride.]
Lobo - for wearing ridiculously tight biking 'pants' and wearing them into Macy's, the legendary Flag hippie, commie joint, to get his hot chocolate - cover yourself hombre!
Zo - for being the only one that did not prove his manliness by chopping wood.
Lobo - for waking everyone when the sun came up, but refusing to get the kooffee started. He continuously chanted Where's my koofee? Where's my koofee?
Lobo, Jake, Dingo and especially Zo - for actually having 3 beers left over after the trip.
Zo for being such an adventurous guy and buying a new Nissan SUV exactly the same (color and all) as the lemon he sold poor Lobo.
Dingo for driving off with Lobo's $5000 mountain bike (my office) on top of his car and claiming that he was not trying to steal it.

Mountaineering Arizona

 

"I climb because it feels so good when I stop"

ELG

Mountaineers:

Dave who has gotten to the top of  Aconagua and Kilimanjaro

Dingo who has climbed Camelback

Lobo who has climbed Squaw Peak

Formation in the San Francisco Peaks

Taken from the saddle of Humphreys Peak

Test

Dave and Dingo da Dawg

Men Behaving Badly:

Jake, Lorenzo, Larry and Juan for coming up with feeble excuses for not going.

So put me on a highway
And show me a sign
And take it to the limit one more time