Angel's Landing, Zion National Park...

After scoring my permit for an overnight in the Kolob Canyons for mañana night, Yay! I hit the trail almost running. I wanted to beat the lines of (shall we say) awkward hikers who would soon arrive on scene. 

Angel's Landing is a huge drawing card for the multitudes of Zion's visitors. It's a rite of passage to many. It features a lot of cliff-side, big drop exposure. So why do so many people with a fear of heights do it??? I dunno. I'm afraid of water, but then again fish do all kinds of bodily functions in it too. 

I got up to the top without having to say, "Excuse me! Please!" too many times as I slid by other trail blazers. 

By the time I was heading down, the Converse Sneaker, cotton sock and jeans wearing crowd was ascending. Although the Europeans stand out with their fashion statements. Dress shoes, button down shirts and slacks seem to work for them. Can someone please explain to me the wearing of scarves in the desert?

There was even one woman decked out in tight (I hardly noticed) black leather pants. Wow!

Then again, I'm sure I entertained them with my neon tank top and "Blue Light" special baggy black shorts.

In retrospect, today was more of a people watching day, then a scenery observation day. It was fun. 

A Dogfish 60 Minute IPA anyone?

East Rim Trail...

Zion is Utah's most coveted and sought after park among looky-loos. (2.5 million visitors/year). This humongous rock garden is a real hit with people from all over the globe. English is almost a second language here. 

So...one would rationalize there's no places to get away from your fellow scenery seekers. Not so much. I hiked three hours today and was only passed by a few clouds and deer. There's not many folks on the upper portion of the East Rim. Perfect.

It won't be so quiet mañana, I'm planning on going up to Angel's Landing. I'll have to get a numbered ticket and wait my turn for that one.

Good night from Springdale, Utah

Escape from Los Angeles,

My getaway plan was simple enough. No tunnel digging required or scaling barb wire fences  and not even one hacksaw in a cake! I just figured if Barley and I were on the road by Zero-Dark Early time, we'd breeze right through the City of Angels. Wrong!

Where did all those drivers come from and who is making them? This is the down side of the Golden State. Too many humans inhabiting the place. Alas, it was a great visit though.

I'm now in Zion National Park, Utah after a brutally long  seven hour drive. OY! I'm whooped. 

The Mormon pioneers considered the Zion area to be a sanctuary. Other than the occasional flash flood (a recent deluge just took the life of a hiker in the Narrows portion of the Virgin River), it's a region of grandeur. For a few days it'll be my sanctuary too. 

I'm not planning on hiking in the Virgin River though. The waterline would be waist deep on me. The Bailey's Irish Cream colored liquid is a chilly, hyperthermia inducing 55 degrees too.

Screw that!

I'm hiking the 10-plus mile East Rim trail mañana. I already made the size large caterpillar into a hummus-like spread. No worries, I added heaps of garlic to remove the gamey taste. 

Good night from Springdale, Utah.

PS. I have three pounds of coffee and two cases of IPAs. Like a Boy Scout, I came prepared for the Beehive State. 

Sambur's 60th Soirée II

Sambur's 60th Soirée II

If you have already RSVP'ed me, thanks! If not, please continue reading.

Please consider this a personal invite.

It would be nice to see some of my old acquaintances. Maybe get the chance to break some bread, imbibe in a drink or two and tell a few yarns. 

And yes, the Bronco game will be on the big screen at the Tap & Handle too. I'll bet you are capable of drinking and watching the game at the same time. Maybe even speaking between plays. 

So...here's the Admit One invite once again. Print it out or scrawl a facsimile. If we gather enough revelers, it's a private party! 

Help a fella out! Renting a bar is on my bucket list! 

Hope to see you all on Sunday, October 19th.

Cheers!

Jeff

http://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/

Montana de Oro State Park, California...

Might be smallish in size but it's large on views. Sporting a whole seven miles of rugged California coastline, it would be a developer's dreamland. 

Too bad for those greedy speculators. The state beat them to the table by purchasing the property in 1965. Score one for the masses.

This landlubber got his seaside fix by strolling along those beaches, bluffs and one 1,000' summit. All this with a less than energetic body and mindset. (It might have been that extra 8.5% IPA I drank last night.) 

I even went for a "Sambur swim." I dipped my toe in the Pacific Ocean. Why would anyone do a full-on immersion? There's fish and other creatures doing their bodily functions in that watery mix!

Good night from Moro Bay, California.

Southern-most Redwoods, Pacific Ocean and...

and bathing beauties.

Another species of big trees demanded equal hugs, so I drove to Big Sur.

Here lies the most distant southern outpost of the Coastal Redwoods. 95% of the original old growth Redwoods are a thing of the past seen only in photos. That outside deck/patio you are walking upon might be made of Redwood. The wood is tough, attractive and very resistant to wear and tear. 

I'm glad these specimens avoided the chopping block.

Here's a photo of a baby Redwood. Even the Mighty start out small. I am patiently waiting for my growth spurt.

Here's a gang of Elephant Seals after a long bender. That must have been some party. 

I hope they applied enough sunscreen.

I've run out of western movement. Barley can't swim. It'll be time to turn south and east soon.

Cheers!

Pinnacles National Park, California...

Welcome to America's newest National Park. This little known hard-to-get-to place began as a National Monument until it's upgrade in 2013. I would suggest vIsiting during the week. I believe it would be worth the effort to arrive here.

That is if quiet, low volume humans, sustainable space around your campsite and unusual (not take your breath away) landscape piques your curiosity. 

 I won't BS you, this isn't the Sierra Nevada, but it's nice. 

It's 7:47 pm and I'm already horizontal in Barley scratching out this post.

If you enjoy a swinging night life, don't bother to follow my wheel on this lifestyle I've chosen.

You would be bored beyond tears.

Ain't that tarantula photo something? They are pretty tasty once you sear the hair off of them. They are kosher too. 

Happy New Year II,

Jeff