Saturday, November 28, 2009

And this is why I run...

PALM SPRINGS
After Schlopping around in the rain in Vancouver this last month, Jim and I decided to take advatage of a deal to Palm springs. Aaaaah, sunny Palm Springs! Hot, dry, 25-30 degrees.

AND THIS IS WHY I RUN....
Not  so much for 'winning' or  a 'tight butt', but more so I can adventure through backcountry and see things that others could never see! I am my own 'tour bus'. But instead of sitting in a stuffy bus, seeing only the touristy things.  I get to feel the terrain, smell the air, touch the plants and go places a tour bus could never go!!!

 RAVE 10 mile RUN  IN PALM SPRINGS
While staying in Palm Canyon Drive area, we would look up at the mountains wondering...where the trails are. With some local investigation and driving around we found the LYKKEN TRAIL!

Short warmup on the road, then straight up switchbacks for 1.2 miles or so to immediate vistas! Then, a fun  run alongside the mountain with views of Palm Springs below.  What a Beautiful way to start our day!


Cool trail.

We ran until we basically hit , well ,a cliff. I believe it is called Taquiz Canyon. Again, beautiful views.  We met a lady who did  a hike straight up every Sunday for 18 years. She was unaware this longer/more gradual trail existed. Funny how people get in a rut.
INDIAN CANYONS

We shared our love of the outdoors with our Daughter. We did a very interesting hike thru the oasis then up top of Indian Canyons.  A lovely 2-3 mile easy, hot hike.  She thouroughly enjoyed it.

JOSHUA TREE

Of course, any visit to Palm Springs should include the drive thru Joshua Tree National Park. Amazing trees,landscape and rock formations. Nice campgrounds with lots of rock climbers. There is actually a climber on the TOP of the phallic rock on the right. Amazing.

MISC
Of course, the trip includes shopping, drinking, and lounging by the pool. But those events weren't nearly as memorable as the adventures above.  I can't wait to go back. There is soo much more to see and do! I want to hike more in Joshua tree, and go visit the 'Salton Sea"- the start of Badwater race, etc, etc,

I think we were the only ones in Palm Springs who diddn't golf!  ha ha !

Heather




Saturday, November 7, 2009

Down time adventures in Vancouver

So, we trained all summer for our first 50 K, did it, then I ran a 30 K just for fun in the mud.  Not many races to prep for so we put our energies into family life active adventures  in the lower mainland as follows:

CRYSTAL FALLS

Beautiful hike. Only about 5 K right in the middle of suburbia.  We brought Megan along, and took it easy since we did our 3 hr run earlier that morning. I love this picture. Someone painted 'REST' on the tree. Megan took it literally The Falls themselves were beautiful . Will Certainly visit on a hot summer day. Lots of nice 'pools' to soak in. i was a bit sore after as I was wearing high heels! I diddn't know we were doing a hike till it was too late.

CHILLIWACK LAKE
First time there. MUCH nicer than the teen hangout Cultus lake. TONS of hikes in the area. The picture below is a 2 hr straight uphill hike we did to a glacier lake . Beautiful!

What is weird is that in the middle of bf nowhere we come across a sign saying 'transcanada trail'. Wow, its everywhere!

BUNTZEN AREA
Eagle bluff:
A beautiful trail with about 20-30 mins of switchbacks. Megan loves this trail. She talked the whole way up. Funny how kids like to talk when hiking.  This is one of my favorite bridges. Soo pretty.  At the top you look down to buntzen lake and the mountains. Very rewarding short hike. I am so pleased my tween daughter can also appreciate it. She diddn't want to leave.

BLUE HERON DYKE RUN
Figured we had done enough trailwork and should maybe try the flat. Still working on tying to get our speed back.  Found this great 19 km circuit in Pitt meadows we ran with friends. Lovely wide open spaces. the flat was certainly a wake up call. I can not believe we were actually hurting after only 19k! Maybe I'll postphone that 1/2 marathon for a while. hee hee.

The lower mainland is such a beautiful place to adventure thru. There is sooo much in just our back yard. There is always new places to discover.  I look forward to discovering more incredible trails.

Heather