Quabbin Reservoir - Hiking

A mellow 5.5 mile hike through peaceful, beautiful woods and sights! Joined the Metrowest Retirees (or not yet) Ready for Adventure meetup group for a hike in the Ware, MA area. The Quabbin Reservoir, Ware River, Wachusetts Reservoir and their contributing watersheds supply drinking water to many communities in the metro Boston area as well as the Chicopee Valley area. The reservation is accessible to the public via more than 50 marked gates from around the perimeter of the reservoir. Our hike took us from the Observation Tower, to the Enfield Lookout, and finally to Hank's Meadow. Enjoy some photos taken of our hike.

Quabbin Observation Tower

Views from the Tower

Along the trail

A fine specimen with hair and bones!

(Coyote scat)

Fiddleheads

Many water crossings

The view from Enfield Look Out

Read here about the underwater ghost town

Pano of Quabbin Reservoir

Reflections

Along the trail

Petroglyph Wall - Short Walk

Petroglyph Wall, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

After lunch my husband and I took a drive on the Scenic Loop of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. We stopped at a couple of places along the loop, but at the Willow Spring picnic area, we took the easy and short Petroglyph Wall trail to view the Petroglyph Wall. The trail is way too short to be called a hike. But it's a pleasant walk and the Petroglyphs are both fascinating and beautiful to look at.

Along the trail

The trail crosses Red Rock Wash

Gorgeous views from the trail

Las Vegas is nicknamed the "9th Island"
For lunch we dined at the Island Flavor on Durango Drive in the Windmill Plaza. This eatery was highly recommended and I now know why. Their menu is full of Hawaii local favorites, the serving portions are huge (compared to Aloha Kitchen), the prices won't break your pocketbook and the service is quick and full of ALOHA! We walked in and the place was filled with local Hawaiians.....it was like being back on the islands! The walls are decorated with hula implements and posters and photos of the islands. And there's Hawaiian music playing overhead while you dine. Original owners are from the Big Island and the chefs also own Island Style Cafe in San Diego, CA. I give this place 5 stars and highly recommend if you want to dine on Hawaiian local food! From now on this is my go-to place to kaukau, always! 

Hawaiian Style Ahi Poke (1/2 pound)

Ronnie always orders Kalbi Short Ribs. 

It comes with rice and Mac salad. Had a bite

of the Mac salad and it tastes like home!

They have "Daily Specials"

This was the Tuesday Special

Noodles and Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

And for dessert we split the Guava Cake!

I'm in love!

Joshua Tree National Park 2017, California - Food & Shopping

Joshua Tree National Park is amazing! So glad that I had the opportunity to visit this very special place. It was such an experience climbing and hiking in the desert. I met a lot of very nice folks here as well. While here I also got to do some shopping and lots of eating out! Prior to my trip I researched places to eat and found some pretty awesome places to eat here in the towns of Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms. Here's some of my favorite places:

Fuji  Restaurant
http://www.fujitwentyninepalms.com/
Twentynine Palms, CA

Just 2 miles from the Best Western, this was my favorite place to grab take-out! From the outside, the place doesn't look like much, but don't let that stop you from ordering. I've eaten their Shrimp Tempura, spicy Tuna sushi roll and Beef Bul-Go-Ki. But I was beyond ecstatic when I saw Spam Musubi on their menu! 

Joshua Tree & Oasis Visitor Centers
These are the two visitor centers that I visited the most. Public rest rooms are available as well as a bookstore with maps, books, stuff toys, hats, clothing and souvenirs. I made sure to get myself a "Joshua Tree NP" T-shirt.


Park Rock Cafe
http://jtparkrockcafe.com/
Joshua Tree, CA
Didn't get any photos of their foods but I ordered their "Box Lunch" whenever I was going to spend an entire day in the park. The store is conveniently located right next to the Joshua Tree NP West Entrance Visitor Center in the town of Joshua Tree. The cafe's manager, Oana, is a sweetheart and is ever so helpful in making sure customers are helped. I'm lactose intolerant and they made all my sandwiches "dry" - cheese and mayo free! **I personally found their sandwiches to be big. Since they're cut in half, I ate the first half for lunch and saved the second half for dinner.

Crossroads Cafe & Tavern
http://crossroadscafejtree.com/
Joshua Tree, CA

I just dined here once, but their Organic Mixed Green salad with Seared Ahi Tuna hits the spot! The waitstaff is helpful and friendly.

Nomad Ventures
http://nomadventures.com/
Joshua Tree, CA
Picked up climbing supplies here! Grabbed a roll of tape for my crack climbing lessons. A wide-brimmed hat for my hike. And a copy of "The Trad Guide to Joshua Tree" by the Wingers. Here you can also get climbing, hiking, camping gear, guidebooks, maps....and more!

Coyote Corner
http://www.joshuatreeoutfitters.com/
Joshua Tree, CA
Love this shop! Picked up some Cactus Candy for the grandkids. You can get all sorts of JTree souvenirs here, including handmade soaps, maps, camping supplies and a lot more!

Joshua Tree Outfitters
http://www.joshuatreeoutfitters.com/
Joshua Tree, CA
These folks rent out all kinds of camping gear as well as Bouldering pads. And you can purchase guidebooks, clothing and even used climbing gear!

Aki Sushi
http://akisushi.site.mobi/
Yucca Valley, CA
Delicious Japanese food! Reasonably priced and the waitstaff is friendly and attentive!





I lodged at the Best Western in Twentynine Palms. They had complimentary breakfast daily with a complimentary dinner one day during the week. There was a lot to choose from the breakfast menu! Tater tots, egg omelet, pork links, bacon, turkey bacon, pancakes with fruit toppings, cold cereal, hot oatmeal, english muffin, toast, mini chocolate donuts, danish, yogurt (flavored and greek), boiled eggs, fresh fruit (bananas, apples, oranges), coffee (regular and decaf), hot water, fruit juices (orange, apple, white cranberry), and made-to-order fruit smoothies and iced coffee.

Joshua Tree National Park 2017, California - Day 8

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

I spent the last day in California riding the rotating Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs. It ascends nearly 2.5 miles to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park and wilderness. The floor of the tram rotates so you can see all views without moving. The ride starts at the Valley Station at 2,643 feet and ends at the Mountain Station at 8,516 feet. At the top you'll find a bar, a cafe, a gift shop and many lookout points for viewing. The Mountain Station is the entrance to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness. There is also a Natural Exhibit that features animals and plants native to Mt. San Jacinto State Park. I watched two films while at the Mountain Station; "Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness" shown in the San Jacinto Theater. And "Building A Dream" in the Santa Rosa Theater. Enjoy a few photos I took of my visit.

The tram ascends/descends along cables that

 are supported by 5 towers (aerial lift pylons).

Counterweight Pit - keeps cable tension

under exact tension at all times.

The entrance to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park

and Wilderness from the Mountain Station

Joshua Tree National Park 2017, California - Day 7

Rappelling off the top of The Bong

Another amazing day with Seth Pettit of Mojave Guides at Joshua Tree National Park. I spent the day climbing 8 pitches using the crack climbing techniques I learned during my first day with Seth. I was pretty stoked to climb crack so I can practice jamming. Like my first day with Seth, I took every opportunity I could to jam my hands, fingers or feet! Enjoy some photos taken of our day.

Our first stop was the Reggie Dome West Face. We parked in the (Wonderland North) parking lot of the Boy Scout trailhead and followed the climbers trail to Reggie Dome. I'm really impressed with the climber's trail signs throughout the JTree park!

This climber's trail was once a road used to access Keys Ranch many years ago.

Reggie Dome West Face

Right: The Chief

I followed Seth up the The Chief (5.5), 

then top roped the fun slab climbs 

Speed Bump (5.6) and Fender Bender (5.8).
We were the only climbers here at
the Reggie Dome West Face.

We headed over to Bear Island for lunch and more climbing.

Like the Reggie Dome, we were the only ones at Bear Island.

I followed Seth on Shardik (5.3)

Just look at that crack! 

Then top roped 3 routes on the northwest side;

Kodiak (5.3) - super fun start with crack near the top

Polar Bears in Bondage (5.7) - fun layback crack at start with reachy mid section

Ursa Major (5.7) - my fave! 

Left: Polar Bears in Bondage (5.7)

Right: Ursa Major (5.7) The crux is right at the start but 

that crack was a super relief! It was sweet to slot my fingers

in the crack for a solid rest right off the cruxy start! #fingercracklove

For my last climb we headed over to The Blob

and I followed Seth up The Bong. But not after

we watched two solo climbers go up it first.

The Bong (5.4) - jam time! Now this is a super fun route

with lots of places to jam. The crux is a small roof but beyond

that the angle lessened and I got to practice "shuffling" my jammed

hands while smearing the sides of the crack with my feet.

Seth and I at the top of The Bong

Pano from the top of The Bong

Another beautiful day for climbing in Joshua Tree NP! 

It was a bit windy (at the tops) but still a great day for practicing newly learned skill sets. 

I never thought I'd learn how to crack climb, or if I would even like it. Learning the 

basics was fun and I'm totally in love with it! I love the technicality and the mental

aspect of this style of climbing. There is a lot of satisfaction of being able to obtain a 

good hold when you have your fingers, hands, toes and/or feet jammed into a crack.

Thanks so much Seth and Mojave Guides for a memorable time learning in JTree!