Backpack45's Musings

Good sponge, evil sponge!

2011-11-28T17:59:00.000-08:00

How come no one ever told me this? I was looking through one of those airline-type catalogs that show all kinds of items that you didn't realize you desperately needed, and came upon an ad for a double-decker sponge holder. Why did no one tell me earlier that I was committing a real faux pas by only having one sponge in my kitchen? Countless people have been in my kitchen over the last year, and no one has mentioned that I was out of step! And upon looking online, I found that these holders are widely available. (Click here for one source.).

In case I am only now bringing this to your attention, let me explain the necessity of making a change. You need something like the Spongester, which is a stainless steel rack, with two slots, for holding both your "good sponge" -- for washing dishes and the counters -- and the "evil sponge" -- for sink and drain. The Spongester, $28, neatly keeps the two sponges separate to avoid contamination and each platform of the rack has perforations in order to allow quicker drying.

I need to give this matter some real thought because I have some real questions:

How is it possible to wash the dishes (good sponge) without encountering the sink (evil sponge)?
Does anyone really wash their drain (evil sponge)?
Is this really necessary; has there been some major epidemic whose origins were traced back to the one-sponge households?

I'll let you decide for yourself!

Ass over Teakettle?

2011-11-23T20:14:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, as we all know, the mind works in mysterious ways. Yesterday I was giving some thought to where our next long hike might take us and that led me to thoughts about earlier hikes. That in turn soon had me remembering an event that occurred last year -- the time when I fell, as I recalled it, "ass over teakettle." But where, I wondered, did the expression "ass over teakettle" originate?"

But first: Earlier this year we began a hike in Granada, Spain; this is a lesser-known, but historically significant pilgrimage route known as the Camino Mozarabe. On one of the early days of the hike, we entered a particularly barren area where it became very difficult to find the trail. The guidebook's directions were vague, the trail markers absent, and off-road motorbikes had created dozens of deep ruts in the soft hillsides.

At one of the points where we had lost the trail, Ralph went on ahead and climbed a small rise. He called back to me that he had found the way. I hesitated because the path he had taken seemed much steeper and narrower than the ones we had followed to that point. But, after a moment, I started up the hill. Suddenly, the combination of heavy pack and steep and unstable trail caused me to loose my balance and fall backward.

As I fell, ass over teakettle, my life didn't exactly flash through my mind, but time did slow. And I was amazed that I didn't stop nearly as soon as I thought I would. I rolled over and over several times. Then, with nothing hurt but my dignity, I got up, dusted off my clothes and clambered up the hill again.

As to "ass over teakettle," explaining it is like "opening a can of worms." According to Cassell's Dictionary of Slang by Jonathan Green, "arse over teakettle, ass over kettle, ass over teakettle" all date from the 1940s and mean "head-over-heels." Doesn't really tell us much, does it!

It's really okay to go to "Plan B"

2011-10-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

This has been a trying year -- in both senses of the word. We tried to do three different backpack trips. It's trying that each trip had to be aborted and we had to go to Plan B.

Trip #1 was to Southern Spain to hike a couple hundred miles on the Camino Mozarabe. We'd really looked forward to hiking in Spain once again and thought that April-May would be the best time to do it. Little did we count on not only flooded rivers, but also flooded fields. We did manage to do five days on the trail, but much of the time we were road walking because hiking through the low-lying olive groves became impossible. After just a few steps, our shoes would be so thick with mud that we had to walk zombie-like until we reached a stretch of hard-packed ground or pavement. My hiking poles would pick up so much clay that they became heavily-weighted pendulums.

However, with Plan B, we were able to spend more time in the magnificent cities of Cordoba, Seville, and Madrid. And we were enthralled with the flamenco performance we saw in Cadiz -- so how could I have any regrets!

Trip #2 was to Glacier National Park in Montana -- a very long drive that was to take us to the trailhead of the park for a multi-day hike on the Continental Divide. Who knew that the rangers would reroute us -- once again -- because of trail closures. Add to that the recent spate of attacks and a fatality by a grizzly bear, and the horrendous weather.... We scoped out the situation... and drove home.

Yet we enjoyed our time together and our break from our usual heavy work schedules -- and then were happy to get back early from our reconnaissance trip. (We may try this trip another year.)

Trip #3 was back east to try a short stint on the Appalachian Trail. Neither Ralph nor I had ever wanted to hike the "long green tunnel," but after one of my favorite cousin's invited us back to Connecticut for a visit, we decided to backpack the 62 miles through that state. Once again, fate intervened. This time it was a medical emergency that landed me in the hospital the day we were to set out for our AT adventure.

But how can I complain about our alternate trip, which allowed us to have a bit more time for our family visit, the time to visit Quebec and New England for the fall color (including two nights in scenic Bar Harbor, Maine?)

I can't say that we made any of these changes easily, but I think the fact that we've had so few calamities over the years, has helped put it all into perspective. Disappointment, yes, but very little self-recrimination because even though we failed to achieve what we set out to, we both know that we rarely turn away from a challenge.

Spiders in the tub?

2011-08-08T14:22:00.000-07:00

I've found two spiders in our bathtub in as many weeks. They are not poisonous and I don't suffer from acrophobia (to any great extent), so seeing them is not alarming. However, seeing the one today got me to thinking about how many spiders we might have in our house....

The thing about a tub is that the spiders fall in and can't get out. That means that if they are within the confines of our tub, we will actually see them. However, in the rest of the house, they can roam at will and unless we spot them as they do so, we'd never know they were there.

Considering that our standard-sized tub is approximately 6 x 3 feet or 18 square feet in size, I got to thinking about how many spiders there might there have been in our house within the last two weeks.

To simplify, if our house were 1,200 square feet and collected spiders at the same rate that our bathtub does, we would have 66.66666667 spiders per week visiting the house.

However, reassuringly, it's also possible that all of the spiders who have been in our house have fallen into the tub and that we really have only had about one per week invading our house. I think the truth lies somewhere in between these figures -- and on the low end.

(photo credit: Ralph Alcorn) Generic shot of spider, not the tub spider!

Letting Go, Part 2

2011-06-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in the previous post, the theme this month of the "Awakening Joy" program is "letting go." I like the theme because it can be interpreted so many ways; it provides much food for thought. At the moment, I am working on letting go of "stuff" -- books, linens, clothing and so forth. My game plan is a two-part strategy: clearing clutter and what I'll call "in and out." For the most part, I am enjoying the process.

We had an unexpected day of rain this week and I used the time to clean out the closet in my office. Keeping in mind the "clear the clutter" goal, I scrutinized everything I had crammed on the shelves. To remain, what I kept had to be either something I will use in the foreseeable future or something I love. Out went a ten-inch stack of early drafts of one of my manuscripts. Joining that pile of paper in the recycle bin went assorted state and city maps dating back 10-20 years. It's both strange and freeing to see empty shelves.

My second strategy -- the "in and out" -- calls for getting rid of some "old" thing for every "new" thing that comes in the house. So if I buy (or otherwise acquire) a book, shirt or shoes, I have to eliminate something similar. As I see it, this has a couple of benefits. First of all, it requires some advance thought before purchasing something new because I'll have to give something up.

Initially I found that this wasn't too difficult -- it's not hard to give up a pair of shoes that you never liked. However, at some point, the choices become more tricky -- perhaps you have a pair of shoes that you really love, but they are looking just a tiny bit scruffy. You can see the dilemma. The increasing challenge this week became apparent when a new blouse arrived from LL Bean and I had to jettison* an old one. I finally decided that I would eliminate a blouse that I like, but that is a bit too small -- and requires ironing.

If I can successfully make acquiring less of an automatic reflex and more one that requires some forethought, I will have done my small part toward reducing consumerism -- our mindless cycle of shopping, storing, and discarding.

There's a lot to be said for "letting go!"

I hope to soon be tackling even bigger issues than what to save and what to throw out. What challenges do you see to "letting go?"

*jettison to Goodwill or similar

Letting Go

2011-06-23T18:33:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to the monthly meeting of the Awakening Joy series. This month's theme is Letting Go. This is a topic I can relate to -- I constantly feel that have too much on my plate, but can't figure out how to I can let anything go.

It's hardly a dilemma unique to me. It seems the whole country suffers from stress and related medical conditions such as high blood pressure, anxiety, perhaps even cancer.

It's not easy to let anything go -- especially when you pretty much love everything that's on your calendar. If I had appointments to help someone move, or clean their attic, or get rid of skunks under the deck, it probably wouldn't be an issue. My problem is that we live in an age of abundance, in an area of unlimited options for thrills and excitement. Which museum, movie, dance event, or art show do I forgo? Do I drop friends, stop going to meetings I actually enjoy, or neglect my mother?

Last night as I was thinking about all this -- and realizing that it would not be a one-time purge, I realized that I could give up something. I could stop telling myself a story -- that I have no time to spare. If I reduced the amount of TV time that I currently spend watching reruns, I would have time to try out some of the art lessons that have been ignored because I thought I had no time.

Photo: Jellyfish exhibit at Monterey Aquarium.

Polulu Valley, Hawaii

2011-03-15T18:33:00.000-07:00

Polulu Valley is a wonderful destination and a fine hike. You drive to the end of a Hwy. 270 in North Kohala of the big island of Hawaii.Then you park on the side of the road and walk down the zigzag trail to a beautiful black sand beach. Not really that difficult in my opinion if you are reasonably fit and wearing decent shoes. Still, since it's pretty steep and seriously eroded in places, I was cautious going downhill because I didn't want to fall.

A young couple passed us as we were all going downhill and I said, "Where did you get the hiking sticks? I was looking for a branch to use and didn't see any."

I didn't expect what he said in return. "Would you like to have mine, I don't really need it."

I hesitated and stopped myself from saying no. He seemed to be quite capable of continuing on without it and it really would be useful to me. "I'd love it," I replied. I guess he'd be considered a trail angel, Hawaiian style!

At that point we were 2/3 of the way down, but nevertheless the pole was helpful. When we reached the bottom of the hill, we crossed a small, shallow stream and made our way the short distance to the beach. It was not much of a swimming beach -- too much undertow -- but it was fun to walk along the shoreline dodging the surf.

The hike back uphill went quickly -- in part because I had the wonderful hiking pole -- and I was glad that we'd had some cloud cover because -- even though the trail was partially shaded by vegetation -- I think it would be hot and uncomfortable on a hot summer's day.

I highly recommend this hike -- it gives you a bit of aerobic exercise, it only takes about an half-hour to go down the hillside, and it's a beautiful destination.

You could continue on from Polulu Valley through a series of valleys, but the trails are poorly maintained and sometimes through private property, so that would not be a casual day hike! More info, click here.

Be sure to stop in the little town of Hawi on your way coming or going!

(photo thanks to my husband, Ralph, who loves to collect images of dogs doing their thing!)

Returning to the Big Island of Hawaii

2011-02-28T12:29:00.000-08:00

The Big Island remains my favorite of the Hawaiian islands; our recent visit was a great reminder. We've also been to Kauai, Maui, and Oahu, but Hawaii has the most diversity. True, Kauai is greener, Maui may have more sandy beaches for snorkeling, and Oahu has more nightlife, but you can find plenty of rain-forest, snorkeling, and nightlife on the Big Island, too.

For starters, there are wonderful snorkeling sites on the Kona side of Hawaii and we haven't had time to explore all of them. Much depends on the time of year which sites are safe. Being a novice snorkeler and not a very confident ocean swimmer, I rely on Snorkel Bob's (snorkel rental place) to find out where it is advisable to go.

When we want a beach where we can just walk into the water and snorkel, we go to the Kahalu'u Beach Park, which is just a few miles south of Kailua-Kona. Instantly fish and turtles fill our underwater field of view. There are also a lot of legs and feet in our sights when we are close to shore -- this is a popular place for families because it's somewhat protected by a barrier reef.

When we want to get out into deeper water and away from the crowds, we go out on a boat. We've been on the Fair-wind catamaran cruise a couple of times. They take you to Kealakekua Bay, which is a marine preserve still further south from Kona. As the boat is moored, swimmers and snorkelers get to enjoy the larger fish and the rich coral that enrich this beautiful cove.

Of historic note, there's a tiny piece of British land on the shore. A big white monument marks where explorer, Captain James Cook, on his third voyage around the world, was killed by the Hawaiians in 1779 -- apparently as the result of a misunderstanding.

The Kona side of the island is the sunny side; hence it draws the most tourists and has the biggest traffic problems. Fittingly we played tourist here like everyone else. We visited Hilo Hattie's to see the wild shirts and ate at Bubba Gump's, which had weak margaritas, but wonderful fish tacos.

Next stop -- we take a walk up north in Polulu Valley, HI.

Groundhog's Day, Marmot, or Woodchuck?

2011-02-08T19:33:00.000-08:00

This week I learned something new -- that the cute marmots we have encountered in the California Sierra and the Washington Cascades are called woodchucks, groundhogs, Whistlepig, or land-beaver elsewhere. They are generally large ground squirrels and are of the Marmota genus.

When we are hiking at high elevation -- especially above timberline -- we generally don't encounter many kinds of animals. Bears, yes, but deer are usually at lower elevation. Marmots provide us with much entertainment. Sometimes we spot them darting into a rocky slope before we hear them, but more often we hear their shrill warning whistle before we catch a glimpse of their rich sable-brown coats.

In 2010, when we were completing the last 450 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington, we spent a couple of days hiking through marmot territory in the Northern Cascades. We were struck by the fact that the marmots of that region live not in rocky piles, but in burrows in the ground alongside the trail.

We could see the advantages of living near the grasses, lichen, roots and flowers that they like to eat, but it seemed like their soft dirt homes would offer scant protection from predators such as foxes, coyotes, or bears.

I guess we are not the only ones to enjoy marmots -- after all we just celebrated Groundhog Day on February 2. The story is that if the groundhog comes out of its hole and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it doesn't see its shadow, winter will soon end.

"In the United States and Canada, the yearly Groundhog Day celebration has given the groundhog recognition and popularity, as has the movie of the same name. The most popularly known of these groundhogs are Wiarton Willie [lived to 22 years] and Punxsutawney Phil, well kept as part of Groundhog Day festivities in Wiarton, Ontario and Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, respectively. A famous southern groundhog, General Beauregard Lee, is based at the Yellow River Game Ranch outside Atlanta, Georgia. His forecasts are also very popular in the Southeast." (Wikipedia, click here.)

In life you occasionally encounter barbed wire

2011-01-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

Barbed wire by Ralph Alcorn

Sirocco, scirocco, jugo or, rarely, siroc is a Mediterranean wind that comes from the Sahara and reaches hurricane speeds in North Africa and Southern Europe. It is known in North Africa by the Arabic word qibli or ghibli (قبلي i.e. "coming from the qibla".) Wikipedia

I'm trying not to let it get to me, but this is the time of year when the winds come to the Oakland hills; they make me nervous. I know that I am making a mountain out of a molehill, so to speak. I know that they are nothing compared to what could be. The reality is that I've experienced much heavier blows in the deserts of Southern California and in Patagonia. None of these facts help much.

In general there is little damage caused by our local winds -- pine needles collect on driveways, rooftops, and in our rain gutters. Sometimes there are greater problems -- a tree falls and the neighborhood loses power. And occasionally there is real damage -- a tree falls on a house or car -- causing loss of property and (rarely) life.

The wind stirs up my worry center -- I feel unsettled and nervous. I wish the restlessness was the kind that spurs me to travel, but it differs -- this restlessness makes my mind whirl, but not focus. I am reminded of stories I heard long ago -- of the Dust Bowl -- of how the winds came and drove the dirt that had been picked up from the fields through every crack and crevice in the homes on the prairie. There was no way to escape it, dust and grit was everywhere.

Perhaps it was hearing another of the affects of the Dust Bowl story that unnerves me whenever it's windy here -- that people were driven insane by the constant winds. Not to worry -- I am not on the brink of an abyss, but I am reminded that my relationship with nature is not always something I enjoy!

10 ways life is better than "back in the day"

2011-01-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

This is a list of 10 things that are better than "back in the day." It's not intended to be all inclusive, nor are the items necessarily listed in order of importance. This is just my attempt to counteract in some small way the negativity that we are bombarded with every day!

Day 10: During the 20th century, the average lifespan in the United States increased by more than 30 years, of which 25 years can be attributed to advances in public health (wikipedia). Life expectancy for a white female born now is almost 80 years.

Day 9: San Francisco Bay is actually a bit larger than it was in 1965, when the McAteer-Petris Act won a legislative moratorium against placing fill in the Bay. "Save The Bay" was created and has prevented most additional Bay fill. Since that time, "public shoreline access has grown from four miles of access to more than 200 miles."

Day 8: The end of Jim Crow Laws. These included the segregation of public schools, public places and public transportation and of restrooms, restaurants and drinking fountains. The Supreme Court declared school segregation unconstitutional in 1954.

Day 7: Psychiatric care. There are many more options available today, and electric shock therapy, though still widely used, is rarely used nowadays as the first method of treatment.improved mental health treatments.

Day 6: Communication. As with many? most? things there are "unintended consequences", but still we now have the ability to communicate almost instantly to friends and family throughout the world.

Day 5: Organizations that seek to help on a more immediate, personal level, such as Marc Gold's "100 Friends" project. "If you are new to 100 Friends, we are a grassroots humanitarian effort providing funds and services for individuals and small organizations in developing countries. 100 Friends is different because the work we do is direct, hands-on and provides life-changing
Welcome to the 100 Friends Project!"

Day 4: Fans in other regions may not agree, but how about the Giants' World Series victory of 2010!

Day 3: Exotic travel possibilities. Certainly travel can be difficult these days, but we can go places today that were inaccessible to the average tourist 50 years ago.

Day 2: Transplants. Our 19-year-old granddaughter probably would not be alive today if not for medical advances including bone marrow transplants.

Day 1: Gay rights. The end of the "Don't ask, don't tell," discriminatory policy. Denying any group equal rights affects us all!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's time for some POSITIVE news!

2010-12-23T13:21:00.000-08:00

photo: Christmas stockings carry positive messages!

When a close friend, who I've always counted on to see the bright side of any situation, announced that he was going to make a video about all the ways in which our world has become less livable, I felt some despair. However I decided it was time to look at our situation in a more positive light.

Granted there is much that we can come up with to indicate that the quality of our lives has declined, there is also much to celebrate. Media in general focuses on the negative -- examples of greed, crime, corruption of all sorts claim the headlines. We read about celebrity marriages (or relationships) failing, violence in the streets, and storms. We seldom read about Trail Angels who help hikers, school holiday concerts with hundreds in attendance, or neighbors who clean out nearby gutters or pick up trash.

I've decided to start a 10-day campaign on what is BETTER now than "back in the day!"

Day #1. The repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Even if we aren't gay or lesbian, don't know anyone who is, and somehow never run across one during our forays into the world, we all should be concerned with protecting all human rights! I'm glad that we lived to see this day!

Yosemite's awesome "Four-Mile Trail"

2010-12-08T17:28:00.000-08:00

On our trip to Yosemite in early November, luck was with us the entire time. As I wrote about in the previous post, we had no sooner entered the park when we spotted a black bear ambling along. The colors on the trees were beautiful -- the red leaves of the dogwood and the yellow of the maple were brilliant.

The weather forecast for our first full day was sunny and mostly clear. We decided to try the “Four-Mile Trail” from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Peak. The hike, which is actually 4.8 miles one way, is a 3,200-foot gain. We weren’t sure how far we could go – partly because we had never hiked it before and because we didn’t know when we would hit significant snow. We knew that the road to Glacier Peak had recently closed for the season.

In general, the trail was easily followed – a 4 ft. to 8 ft. wide pathway with patches of asphalt. The many switchbacks and sections of stone steps made the grade relatively comfortable – that’s not to say that we didn’t stop periodically to take photos and breathe.

The National Park Service rates this hike as “very strenuous,” compared to the “strenuous” hike rating of the hike to the top of Nevada fall, and recommends allowing 6-8 hours for the round trip.

Every step, every bit of effort was worthwhile. The trees change from oak and the colorful deciduous varieties at lower elevation to a forest of evergreen pine and incense cedar higher up. Views across the valley to El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome are captivating.

We hit the first icy and snowy patches at about 6,000’, which meant that for approximately two miles we were crunching through 1”- 4” of powder. We were pleased that we weren’t the first hikers of the day because following in other’s footsteps made it easier for us.

Glacier Point was at its best. Because of the elevation (7,214-ft.) you can see not only far down the valley, but also into the high country far beyond Vernal and Nevada Falls, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome. It’s an extraordinary viewpoint. While it’s true that you can visit Glacier Point by car or bus during other seasons, it requires traveling on your own two feet to see it covered with snow.

The links below are helpful if you are planning a visit; the park is beautiful any season of the year.
For Yosemite Park info, click here.
For info on altitude sickness, click here.
For Susan's complete article on the Four Mile Trail, click here.

The Bear went over the Mountain....

2010-12-04T10:37:00.000-08:00

We went to Yosemite last month, before the Park's busy holiday dinners and other festivities. I expected it to be pleasant -- Yosemite is always beautiful in one way or another -- but I thought it would have taken on a dark and bleak look in this "shoulder" season.

I just didn't anticipate how spectacular it would be. We hadn't more than entered the park (through the Arch Rock entrance from Mariposa) when Ralph saw something moving in a clearing. By the time I could find a place to pull over safely, we were half a mile down the road, but we stopped and walked back.

A black bear was slowly walking along, parallel to the road, eating the native vegetation and minding his own business. It made us a lot happier to see it in the wild than it would have been to see one diving into a cooler, tent, or car. I was able to get a few photos, but I kept a safe distance and kept my eye on other cars in the vicinity in case I needed to make a dive for one.

Although there are instances of injury to visitors at Yosemite, no one has ever been killed by a black bear. If the bears get too habituated to people or become bothersome in the campgrounds, it's the bears that get removed or killed. We are very conscientious about clearing the lotions, baby car seat, and food containers out of the car when we stay overnight in Yosemite.

There are some backpackers who try to circumvent the rules about food storage in Yosemite's back country, because they don't want to bother with the approved canisters, but their actions put other hikers and the bears at added risk.

Seeing the bear in Yosemite was just the beginning of a beautiful get-away. In the next post, I'll tell you about the wonderful Four-Mile Trail.

I stepped on a what?

2010-10-28T14:02:00.000-07:00

Photo by Ralph Alcorn: Rattlesnake in a hole.

Ralph and I were trying to get in our 10,000 steps today and headed for the rolling hills behind Moraga, CA. After parking at Rancho Laguna Park, we crossed the grassy field and signed the register before starting out on the EBMUD (East Bay Municipal Utility District) trail. After a short steep stretch uphill through the oaks, the narrow dirt footpath leveled somewhat and continued through dry grassland.

I was enjoying watching a couple of red-tailed hawks and several vultures and not paying the slightest bit of attention to where I was stepping.

"You just stepped on a rattlesnake," said Ralph who was about 20 feet behind me.

I turned to see what he meant. Apparently I had inadvertently stepped on a baby rattler's head with the arch of my foot. Ralph was now busy trying to push the snake off the trail with his hiking pole. The snake was not having it -- it was flipping itself around, striking at Ralph's pole and shaking its tail. Finally Ralph convinced the angry reptile to move well aside.

I started watching where I was walking! We came to an intersection where we could turn onto Rocky Ridge Trail and continued on the (now) broad dirt trail headed east. The trail goes through more stands of oak and open grassy areas, through a few gates that keep the grazing cows where they belong, and along undulating terrain.

We reached our turn around point and began to retrace our steps. When the wind picked up, I remembered that the forecast for today had been rain. We had managed to find a beautiful window of hiking opportunity with buttermilk skies overhead and dramatic dark clouds in the distance.

While walking back Ralph and I found ourselves looking into dozens of squirrel mounds along the trail — remembering the time that we noticed a rattlesnake that had taken up residence in a squirrel's home on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Note: A Trail Use permit is required (per party) to hike on this EBMUD trail. Click here for details.

For a map of the southern EBMUD trails, click here.
For previous blog posts about rattlesnakes, click here.

Completing the Pacific Crest Trail

2010-10-22T17:48:00.000-07:00

As many of you may know, I send out a backpacking/hiking newsletter monthly (which you can receive, free, by emailing me at backpack 45 "at" yahoo.com). Anyway the following was one of the items in the most recent issue. Rather than "reinvent the wheel", I am copying an item about our recent hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. I hope you enjoy it.

Beginning in August of this year, we took a 5+ week "time off" to complete the last 460+ miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. We started where we left off last year -- Panther Creek Campground (in Washington State) and ended eight miles inside the Canadian Border at Manning Park, BC.

Here one of the emails that I sent home while we were on the trail. Communication, by the way, was rather difficult -- we found few places where we could get cell phone reception or Internet access.

"This will be relatively short because I am exhausted (as usual). This has been a very, very difficult hike for me. Washington's Pacific Crest Trail shows no mercy to backpackers!!! We are overnight at Howard Johnson here at Snoqualmie Pass (another ski center as was the last resupply at White Pass/Packwood. Amazing considering its only about 4,500 ft."

We are on schedule, though not sure how we are going to sustain that with even--everyone agrees--harder miles ahead. We are somewhat over 200 miles of our 460+ to do."

Did have a few magical moments yesterday. I will tell one here. Had been hearing some kind of military jet flights the last few years. Flying much lower than commercial airlines. Anyway, yesterday, just as Ralph and I came out of a forest into an open swath with shrubbery under huge power lines going down the mountain into Seattle, we heard and saw a jet flying towards us, up the mountainside about 50 ft. above the power lines. About 50 yards before he was over our heads, he flipped over, flew a few hundred yards upside down, and then righted himself and flew on. Nothing like a personal Blue Angels-type moment!!! We certainly whooped and hollered!"

The second great moment yesterday was finding a hiker cache "trail magic" where someone had left two coolers full of ice cold sodas and beer trailside. Little things mean a lot."

Next time I write, I'll try to tell you about making it over the "Knife" passage in Goat Rocks. Ah, and yes, we saw about 70 goats while making our way around Mt. Adams. Beautiful hiking."
Happy trails, Susan

Social Expectations and Aging

2010-09-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

Photo: Not my favorite photo, but the only one that shows me crossing the infamous Suiattle River in Washington.

Welcome back! Ralph and I have just recently returned from a 5-week backpacking trip -- hiking through the State of Washington on the Pacific Crest Trail. I'll be writing about that more later -- just letting you know why I haven't been writing.

I've just read Outside Magazine (Sep. 2010) and an article with comments (selected by Eric Hansen) by Sebastian Junger (author of The Perfect Storm) caught my attention -- in particular the following quote.

"I don't feel too old [he's 48]...." "I realized that probably up until age 70, to some degree, aging is elective. It's socially determined when you start to feel old."

I know that my ability to continue backpacking and do all the other things I do regularly is due to a number of factors -- chiefly luck, heredity and lifestyle -- but I do sort of keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Junger's comment about it being socially determined when you start to feel old hit home. I'd be better off if I stopped worrying about what others my age are or are not doing, and just keep doing what I can while I can.

I remember years ago wondering why we so seldom see adults on swings at the park. Is there some unspoken agreement about an upper age limit for enjoying the rush of the wind blowing our hair and the little jump when the chains reach the maximum height on a playground's swing? If so, no one ever told me about it.

What things in your life have you stopped doing because they no longer seem appropriate for your age -- dancing? skipping? having sex? climbing on the monkey bars? backpacking? driving and singing with the windows down and the music blaring (NIMBY, please!)?

I'll end with the cliche, "You're only as old as you feel."

This is an age thing

2010-07-31T09:15:00.000-07:00

In general I don't obsess about my age, but there are times...
For example just yesterday I got an email from the editor of a magazine for which I would love to write. Unfortunately I had to decline this particular assignment because of my current schedule, but it will happen again, I'm sure.

Two days ago I got an email asking if I wanted to apply for an all expense paid press trip to a spa in Mexico -- which I haven't had time to pursue.

Several people have asked me to connect with them via LinkedIn -- a professional social media site.

A couple of times in the last year, I have been asked by a university press to evaluate manuscripts pre-publication.

All this is great! I want to do it all; I will do it all. I love the recognition that I actually know something (not enough, but something) about writing and publishing. The problem is I'm nearing 70 and it's about 50 years too late for career building!

Le mot d'escalier

2010-07-12T19:56:00.001-07:00

photo from the S.F. Bay to Breakers 2010.

It happens when you run into someone who says something so outrageous that you are taken aback, can't believe what you just heard, and stand there stunned, but can't come up with a good response in a timely fashion. Le mot d'escalier, is the term that you mull over while lying in bed later that night in response to the verbal slap in the face.

The last time I can remember this happening to me was when we were walking the Bay to Breakers and some drunken 20-year-old jerk tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Lighten up, you're supposed to be having fun."

I think that the nicer and more polite that you normally are the harder it is to believe that anyone would be so rude and the harder it is to come up with the appropriate response in a timely fashion.

Wikipedia describes it this way, '"L'esprit de l'escalier' or 'esprit d'escalier' (staircase wit) is thinking of a clever comeback when it is too late. The phrase can be used to describe a riposte to an insult or any witty remark that comes to mind too late to be useful — after one has left the scene of the encounter. The phenomenon is usually accompanied by a feeling of regret at not having thought of it when it was most needed or suitable."

"This name for the phenomenon comes from French encyclopedist Denis Diderot’s description of such a situation in his Paradoxe sur le comédien.[1] During a dinner at the home of statesman Jacques Necker, a remark was made to him which left him speechless at the time because, he explains, l’homme sensible, comme moi, tout entier à ce qu’on lui objecte, perd la tête et ne se retrouve qu’au bas de l’escalier: a sensitive man like me, overwhelmed by the argument levelled against him, becomes confused and can only think clearly again [when he gets to] the bottom of the stairs."

'“The bottom of the stairs” refers to the architecture of the kind of hôtel particulier or mansion he was invited to. In such houses, the reception rooms were located on the étage noble, the noble storey, upstairs on the French first (North American second) floor, so that to have reached the bottom of the stairs means to have left the gathering in question."

"Diderot's fellow-philosophe Jean-Jacques Rousseau also recognised his own affliction with l’esprit de l’escalier, "staircase wit." In his autobiographical book Confessions he blamed such social blunders and missed opportunities for turning him into a misanthrope, and reassured himself that he was better at 'conversations by mail'."

I'm fairly certain that many writers are familiar with le mot d'escalier and use their insight to good use in their work.

What do you think?

For this blog, I have to give major credit to Vicki Archer whose excellent blog I much enjoy, and to Wikipedia for explaining what the phrase means in greater detail.
^ Paradoxe sur le comédien, 1773, remanié en 1778; Diderot II, Classiques Larousse 1934, p. 56

"Stranger Danger?" Hardly!

2010-07-10T11:32:00.001-07:00

(photos: Approaching Somport Pass in the Pyrenees; Albergue Aysa at the pass in Spain)

To me, "stranger danger" is not only an inflammatory expression, it's also contradictory to my experience. Once again, on foreign soil, I have had a heart-warming "trail angel" encounter. Before I launch into the latest example of how perfect strangers can be incredibly kind, I'll provide a bit of background.

Perhaps the definition of trail angel is self-explanatory, but to those uncertain of its meaning, it refers to someone who helps you out when you are on the trail. (Perhaps we'd call such a person a good Samaritan in other settings.)

A trail angel comes in all shapes and sizes and might likewise help in ways big or small. Over the twenty plus years of our backpacking, we've been given rides to trail heads and to town ranging from 20 miles to several hundred. We've been offered free rooms for the night; found caches of water, soda, beer, and fruit; enjoyed barbecued dinners; handed bars of homemade cookies; and sipped wine and cheese.

Our latest experience was at an albergue at Somport Pass just inside Spain after coming over the Pyrenees from France. We had spent the night at Albergue Aysa in a room shared with three other people. Being cautious with my money belt, I'd stuck it under my pillow while I slept.

The next morning we set out for our day's walk, which meant that we were descending from the pass of 1632 meters on a 6% grade. It's a beautiful walk -- even with the swirling fog -- and we felt like we were taking part in the Sound of Music.

But I digress -- we were about an hour downhill when I suddenly realized that I didn't have my money belt. What to do? Time seemed of the essence to get back to the albergue before the money belt with my passport, cash, and credit cards were forever lost.

We started back up the hill and then decided to call ahead to the albergue's owner. She answered and we were able to explain what had happened. We continued up the hill and when we reached the top, the woman had my money belt -- with everything intact -- in hand. She not only refused a reward, she also offered to drive us back down the mountain to where we had left off (which we declined).

We probably wouldn't have cancelled the rest of our trip -- we were only four days into it -- but losing more than half the money we had allotted for it, plus the inconvenience and stress of trying to replace my passport and credit cards would have seriously affected our time.

Tell me about "stranger danger" -- hardly! I know that most people want to be kind and helpful!

Hiking a Camino route in France & Spain

2010-07-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a while since I posted, but I have an excuse -- we were enjoying a three-week hike in France and Spain (few computers available along the way!). I've just published my newsletter with this summary, which I thought was worth posting here, too.

Ralph and I have been "working" on completing a pilgrimage route, called the GR653 in France and the Camino Aragones in Spain for the last three years. In fall 2008, we began this route in Arles, France and hiked to Dourgne, FR., In 2009 we hiked from Dourgne to St. Oloron St. Marie, FR; and this year we hiked from Oloron St. Marie to Logrono, Spain. Mileage this year 180, total 450-480 depending on the source referenced.

Although each of the segments had its high points, this one was our favorite. The scenery was more varied -- approaching Somport Pass and going over the Pyrenees; the "Badlands" (moonscapes of a sort) near Artieda, SP), songbirds in the forests, and the freshness of spring. We loved the contrasting colors of the fields -- carpets of yellow, lime green, jade green, and red poppies. We admired the monastery of San Juan de la Pena (slightly off the route) which is carved into the solid rock (included in Ralph's youtube, see item #2); A special treat was actually seeing the storks in their nests with the young ones. And I suppose there was some exhilaration about completing a route that had been so long in the making.

The route was uncrowded with just enough people to keep us company. It was interesting to us that there weren't crowds wherever we went. There were more people when our trail joined the St. James Way, just after Obanos, but still not the crowding that we anticipated. I raised the question to the GoCamino forum and learned that indeed the huge numbers of pilgrims anticipated has not arrived. Some people speculate that it had to do with the weather -- very late snow in the Pyrenees at the St. Jean Pied du Port to Roncesvalles -- and much more rain than usual. Indeed there was major flooding in southern France (vicinity of Cote 'd Azur) and in Spain.

Other people speculate that the numbers are even less this year than last at some points along the route because of anticipated crowds -- some people decided not to go during Holy Year.

It was obvious that Spain has invested a lot of time and energy in readying for the expected numbers. We found new bridges, new or "improved" trails, and many more places to stay or eat. Obviously there are a lot of disappointed merchants, but it was convenient for us.

We had two major issues with the route and the trail itself -- first, that these so-called improvements appear to be beneficial to bicyclists (who we saw in larger numbers), but to hikers, these wide paved trails are very hard on the feet and certainly the charm is lost! Secondly, the increased commercialization (notices of albergues ahead, etc.) is annoying, but then if the Camino had never happened, there probably would not have been the towns and villages that we presently enjoy.

Ralph has posted a video of the trip on youtube and he comments, "I haven't got the trip report together yet, but I did put together a video of our walk from Oloron-Sainte-Marie to Logrono that we just finished. If you have walked it, I think this will bring back memories."

Ralph Alcorn

http://www.backpack45.com/camino2.html

http://timecheck00.blogspot.com

We highly recommend this route!

After our hike, we took the bus to Bilbao and spent three nights there. A fascinating city!

You can subscribe to my backpacking/hiking newsletter by sending me an email request at backpack45 "at sign" yahoo.com It's free and generally comes out the 1st of the month.

What's going on up there?

2010-05-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

Roofers are good, but noisy! photo: Ralph Alcorn

This will be short because it has been a long week. It has been an amazingly varied, interesting, and rewarding one, but it is Friday and I need to take a break.

One of the things that I hoped to accomplish this week was to evaluate a manuscript. This was on a topic of great interest to me -- hiking -- and it was a paid job, so it was a welcome task (even if it kept me from working on my own book!).

I had inked in the hours and days that I would work on it and all seemed to be under control. That was until the roofers arrived. We've been expecting them to start their work for a couple of weeks, but the weather and the permit process (we are also getting a solar installation) have delayed things.

So there I was, yesterday, ready to jump on my assignment, when the noise began -- the scrambling around on the roof by the workers, the crashing overhead as they dropped 40 lb. bundles of composition shingles, and the bam, bam, bam of the pneumatic nailgun.

What I thought in the abstract -- a roof magically installed -- became in reality hours of unrelenting banging and thumping.

I had to complete my task so I put my creative side to work on something beyond the written word -- how could I work with the din above? Finally inspiration came and that is how it came to pass that I spent four hours working at my computer yesterday wearing my AO Safety Hearing protection devices that I usually wear when running the electric shreader. Cool!

Now all I have to do is figure out how to clean up all the silt that sifted through the ceiling during this major home "improvement" project!

We all have fears

2010-05-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

Burned forest in Oregon. photo Susan Alcorn

Maybe you have a commonly held fear -- such as of spiders or snakes -- that undoubtedly has been passed down in our genes from ancestors that wanted to survive. Perhaps you are terrified -- as many, if not most people are -- of public speaking. Quite possibly you are anxious or tense about terrorists threats. Whatever you are afraid of -- whether a real or imagined threat -- you have surely felt the paralyzing effects.

As a long-distance hiker and backpacker, most of my fears over the years have involved physical challenges -- bears, rattlesnakes, steep slopes, roaring streams or rivers to cross, forest fires, lightning... Each time that I have had to face one of these potentially risky situations, I've had to deal with my fear in order to move ahead.

This last Christmas I decided to put all of my notes from my Pacific Crest Trail hikes -- 2,200 miles worth -- into book form as a present to my husband (who almost always hikes with me). One of the things that struck me as I was consolidating my journal entries was the number of times that I had worried about upcoming trips and the obstacles we might face. Not only did I fret during the trip itself, but many a time I worried for months before the event that I might drown, fall, get bitten, or in some other way get injured or die.

At the same time that I realized that time after time I had worried, I also realized that none of the things that I had ever worried about had come to pass. How much wasted energy! While it is true that I've had to shoo away a couple of bears, I've had to ford rivers that were scary, and I've had to maneuver around a few rattlesnakes, I've never been injured.

From this realization has come a plan -- to bring the "live in the moment" philosophy more deeply into my life. I don't expect to instantly transform into a heedless risk taker, but I do plan to pay more attention to the reality and less to the paralyzing fears. This can be done by gathering information about the "threat," preparing for contingencies, and having confidence in my ability to make a good decision about whether to proceed or to turn back when faced with obstacles.

Having the fears is one thing, but giving them too much power robs us of living our best life!

7 ways to fit more exercise into your life

2010-05-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

If hiking is your exercise of choice, try new trails to keep your interest keen. photo: S.F. East Bay hills. Susan Alcorn.

1. Instead of telling yourself you have to exercise, remind yourself that you are going to have the opportunity to exercise.

2. Schedule your workouts and write the times on your calendar – just as you do with PTA meetings and dates with your spouse or partner.

3. Start where you are fitness-wise and increase the intensity, duration, etc. gradually so that you don't cause yourself injury.

4. Don't beat yourself up when you miss a scheduled workout. Keep it positive and resume your fitness routine the next day – or as soon as possible.

5. Whether it's a hike or a workout, go with a buddy. The time will slip by much more quickly if you are absorbed in conversation.

6. Reward yourself for reaching goals – whether those goals are sticking to your schedule, reaching a milepost, or exercising for a longer time. Make the reward something similarly good for your health – a bubble bath, a massage, an ounce of fine chocolate, or a nap in the afternoon.

7. Vary the intensity of your workouts and vary the type of exercise. If you are a runner or bicyclist, don't get in a rut, increase your endurance by adding in brief bursts of activity. In addition, keep your interest peaked by exercising in different locations or trying a different activity.

Keep in mind that your goal should be to establish and maintain a healthy way of life, not to become a "weekend warrior" who suffers injuries by trying to do a lot of exercise once a week without being in condition.

On being joyous, grateful, and satisfied

2010-04-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned on April 2, I've agreed to become a "buddy" to Karen, one of Ralph's nieces. It followed a brief note that she sent after she went to a seminar and took from it the value of noticing joy, gratitude, and success in our daily lives. I've since found out that other very good friends have enrolled in this program, Awakening Joy, and found it quite rewarding.

Initially I was having a problem with "success." I was looking for examples such as completing a major hike, being invited to be on Oprah, or publishing a new book -- not things that happen most days. I played with the semantics and decided that I'd define success as making progress toward a goal or acting in keeping with my values.

That opened the door to paying attention and patting myself on the back when I go for an hour's hike in the neighborhood, when I write an article for Examiner.com, and when I fix a healthy and delicious dinner.

Then "joy" became a problem. Is this when you win the lottery, when a grandchild is born, or when you lose the entire 20 pounds you'd like to shed?

I presented my question to Ralph (always less emotional about these things than I am) and he suggested that I look at the "baby steps" once again. That reminded me that the point of the exercise is to notice the small everyday joys. How much we miss if we don't really pay attention to the warmth of the sun when it breaks through the clouds, or stop a moment to watch a squirrel running up the tree, or if we wolf down a piece of lemon meringue pie rather than slowing down to savor each bite.

I have an exercise for you, which I learned at Green Mountain at Fox Run, VT. Take a raisin. close your eyes, and pop the raisin in your mouth. Hold it there for a moment before you bite it and notice the texture and shape, then bite and chew it while noticing the flavor. Finally swallow it, but pay attention to how long the flavor stays in your mouth.

A more complete version of this mindful act is at http://adeepwell.com/blog/2009/11/08/a-taste-of-now/

Let me know what kinds of mindfulness you try to incorporate into your daily life.

Reality Travel

2010-04-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

I belong to a travel writers' group, Bay Area Travel Writers. When I first applied a few years ago, I wasn't really sure they would accept me because they actually have standards and qualifications and expectations that you have written and will continue to write about travel.

My books are only marginally related to what most of the BATW members write about. Most members write destination pieces--places to go, what to eat there, where to stay, and how to spend your time. They write about Hawaii, London and Paris... I'm sure you get the point. And they publish, or at least did while there was still anything being published in print form, in magazines and newspapers. I, on the other hand, write about being sweaty and so forth while on the hiking trail.

Even after I was accepted, I wasn't sure if there'd be any common ground for conversations with other members, but I soon found that there were indeed other hikers and adventurers and we could share some good stories.

My next dilemma was whether or not to go on any press/media trips. I've solved that by looking beforehand at the expectations of the sponsoring agency and I only go on those trips where the activities planned include those that that I enjoy and will want to write about--such as kayaking, hiking, and this week--zip lining.

Space prevents me from writing about it in this post, but I have written about it in my new writing gig on Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-11423-SF-Hiking-Examiner~y2010m4d9-2010-Gold-Medalists-Davis-and-McIvor-zip-across-San-Francisco

Suffice it to say, it was fun to be invited to the opening of the British Columbia Experience in San Francisco, fun to write about it, and even more fun to try the new zip line!

What makes you feel grateful, joyful, and satisfied?

2010-04-02T17:27:00.000-07:00

An incredible hiking trail near Calistoga, CA. Palisades Trail and the Robert Louis Stevenson State Park.

Ralph's niece, Karen (I consider her mine, too) has started a new program and I get to be her buddy. I don't know the details -- whether it was a one-day event or is an on-going class, but the essence of it is to become happier/less depressed.

I know this is not a novel idea; in fact the strategies and the science behind it, are catching on. I say "science", because there have been several studies that have indicated that a person's level of happiness can be increased by mindful practice. The key is doing a set of exercises -- noticing when you are feeling grateful, joyful, and satisfied.

I'm not sure how often one is supposed to do this -- I imagine the goal is to notice, and to live in the moment frequently -- but for us beginners, we are supposed to share one thing from each category each day and check in with our partner about what we have found.

I have NO problem finding/remembering/noticing what I am grateful and joyful about. I DO have difficulty figuring out what I feel satisfied about. I think that means that this is the area in my life that needs attention.

Maybe it's semantics, but when I consider the word "satisfied", my thoughts immediately go to "settled for." Not a good place to dwell. I've been working on it and I've decided, for now, that I prefer to think about what areas I've made progress in. In other words, areas in which I've moved in a direction that is in keeping with my values or goals.

So today, I'm grateful that I've have trusted experts working on my car, I'm joyful about a clean house (thanks to our housekeeping service), and I'm satisfied (i.e. have made significant progress) with my week's writing.

Guilty as charged!

2010-03-22T17:04:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling guilty today about not keeping this blog up to date! On second thought, not exactly guilty, more like remiss. I started this blog because I thought I had things to say about the outdoors, hiking, backpacking, and travel, but I also wanted to talk about topics that were outside of my normal ones. And I wanted to be part of an online community that operated more like a writers' group. I wanted (still do!) to know what you think of my posts! The problem is, I don't get the word out.

At the moment, my quandary around writing is whether to write my Patagonia book primarily in the 1st person or the 3rd person. In other words, would people be more interested in something where I stick to the facts, or would they prefer to read about my take on our recent adventures in South American?

I welcome your comments.

On being the "third wheel"

2010-01-17T19:12:00.000-08:00

A friend recently remarked that she didn't want to feel like the "third wheel"* on a trip she was considering. It struck me that I had not heard this particular expression in decades and it seemed to belong to an earlier time.

When I consider mistakes that I have made in my life, one that I made was losing many of the connections to friends I had before I was married the first time around. When I got divorced and resumed the "single life," I made several new friends and reconnected with several of the former ones.

As these relationships developed, I realized that I had been so focused on my marriage that I had lost out on the richness of having a wider circle of friends. True, we had had rewarding couple friends, but I had lost contact with most of my single female friends. I vowed I would not "sacrifice" my friends again.

I have since remarried (and happily so), but we have tried to make our life even fuller by not giving up friends for our relationship. Several of our friends are single women and it has never occurred to either Ralph or me that these friends are the "third wheel."

I suppose I can imagine situations where a third person intruding on a couple's quality time would be a problem, but in the normal course of things, unless a woman is rather insecure in her marriage, I don't see any reason that a friend of either sex would be unwelcome. How could it be otherwise? A pleasant, interesting person is always a welcome guest!

*(Internet) "We might use this expression to describe someone who goes to dinner with a couple and feels a little bit out of place. The comparison is to having a third wheel on a bicycle, which is unnecessary, etc."

Writing for examiner.com

2009-12-30T15:01:00.001-08:00

I enjoy being able to write about the places I hike and being able to share the photos I take.

For those not familiar with it, Examiner.com is an on-line publication/newspaper with hundreds, maybe thousands, of articles written and published each day by "examiners" writing on their topic of choice. I am their "Bay Area Hiking Examiner."

Recently a friend wrote to ask my opinion of writing for examiner.com and that's what this blog answers. Whether or not writing for examiner makes sense depends on several factors.
Benefits are:
1. Achieving a high profile on Google (publicity, gaining a higher profile).
2. Tremendous freedom to write whatever you want to on your topic,
3. Gaining another outlet and possibly another audience for what you write.
4. Opportunity to learn more about utilizing Google analytics, the importance of keywords, and using social media to draw people to your writing.
5. Chance to use your photos with your articles
6. Developing the discipline of writing a 200-300 (or whatever) word column on a regular basis.

Cost/Disadvantages:
Time! Writing for examiner.com can be a tremendous time suck, but how much time it takes depends on several factors, too:
1. How often you write. Examiner.com suggests that you write several pieces per week, but they actually allow a fair amount of latitude. However, the more often you write, the more notice you will get.
2. How lengthy your articles are. Examiner.com recommends that you write often, but that you keep the articles brief and on topic. The point is to be seen as a reliable source (an expert) who writes timely stores.
3. Examiner.com works best for those with a topic of great appeal. Topics that are in the news — such as stories about Michael Jackson, Tiger Woods, holidays, the Underwear Bomber and so forth generate the most interest and readers.
4. Writers who have a huge backlog of previously written material that may need just a little bit of tweaking will be able to produce more more material in less time than those who have to start from scratch with each article.

Unfortunately, my topic of hiking isn't a very sexy one. My articles do not have the drawing power that those written about Disneyland, or hurricanes, or some politician's latest affair will have. In addition, doing the research for my articles is time consuming. Most of the time I first must go on a hike, take the photos, and then write a follow-up article. This is not a complaint about the process, it's just an explanation of why I produce fewer articles than many.

People considering writing for Examiner.com are interested in how much money is to be made. I've heard that it was originally .02 per click. Then it went to .01 a click. It's now some more complicated thing that I haven't even researched, but I have heard that the longer a "visitor" stays on your article the better. I definitely could do a better job of spreading the word, which would help my ratings, but I do mention each article on Facebook and Twitter when I first publish it. For most people, it will provide only a little bit of spending money so I recommend that you do it for other reasons.

I have many friends who are also travel writers that are writing for examiner.com. Most are doing it because the traditional outlets for travel writing (newspapers, magazines) have dried up and they are trying to figure out what to do next.

Look for articles by Susan Alcorn, Bay Area Hiking Examiner today!

Trying to do it all for the holidays?

2009-12-06T19:37:00.001-08:00

Artisan at Arcosanti, AZ pouring slurry into a mold.
Oh my gosh, how time flies when you are having fun! I was talking with someone recently about my proposal that Thanksgiving and Christmas be placed further apart than a month like they are now. We didn't settle on that, but she in turn suggested that we have celebrate Christmas every other year. We concluded, however, that merchants would not be happy with that plan, so we are going to celebrate in our usual, scattered, and all-to-often stressful ways.

Even though more than a month ago I suggested to my kids (two sons and their spouses) that we simplify Christmas this year -- specifically the gift exchange thing -- I received minimal response. This isn't exactly a newsflash, they rarely communicate such things in the time-frame I prefer (right away!), but it has left me to my own devices.

That boils down to me attempting pretty much what I always do before the December 25th event -- a few too many things on the calendar, too much shopping, and too little time for exercise and no time for contemplation. The situation is complicated by the fact that our family also has several birthdays and that involves lunches out and additional gift giving.

It's also amusing that my mother (98) likes to wait until the last minute to tell me that she wants me to do her Christmas shopping for her. In other words, she generally waits until about a week before the holiday to call and ask if I will pick up some cards for her to send and presents for everyone in the immediate family (9 people).

Since I do sometimes learn from experience, I now anticipate this request and shop for her gifts for others along with my own shopping. I used to think it was pretty funny when I would see people loading their carts with 10 pairs of fuzzy slippers of assorted colors and sizes, but at this point I think I may join them so that my next couple of weeks will be a little bit saner.

At this point, I feel that things are under control. What I can't remember from previous years is whether that feeling will last or whether I soon will run out of time and get thoroughly stressed out.

There are tons of articles written about simplifying one's life; what I'd like to know is if those that write such articles really achieve that goal or whether they, like me, are just indulging in some wishful thinking. Any thoughts?

Hiking, Spas, and Staycations, part 3

2009-11-24T09:47:00.000-08:00

Red Mountain Spa is in a beautiful setting, but Napa Valley is spectacular also.

I started this series of articles about my overnight spa "Staycation" in Calistoga, CA, a few weeks back. My original plan was to try to duplicate, at home, the experience of going to Red Mountain Spa in St. George, UT. At Red Mountain, I would have had a week's worth of healthy, low-cal meals served to me, several dayhikes in beautiful redrock canyons, a swimming pool and sauna available far into the night, and yoga, stretch, and Pilates classes offered throughout my stay. Oh, a free massage treatment was being thrown in at no extra charge.

Somehow I convinced myself, since I didn't have a week available to make this getaway, that I could put together a similar week here. I managed to squeeze out an overnight in the wine country and was able to fit a manicure/pedicure into another day. Hmm!

As I wrote earlier, the time I did have was wonderful. I enjoyed the spa experience (except the mud bath that had me gritting my teeth in order to make it through ten minutes of superhot surroundings).

The best part of the day & night away, however, was the walk on Oat Hill Mine Trail. And that part was free. There are three trailheads: Calistoga, Palisades, and Aetna Springs Road. I started from the Calistoga trailhead, which is at the intersection of Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail.

The Oat Hill Mine Road was started in 1873 to connect Calistoga and the quicksilver (mercury) mines of the region. Today's 8.3 mile route (one-way, of which I did about 3.5 miles each way) is rough and rocky in a few places, but a moderate climb on a wide path. In general, I was shaded by the oak fir, and pine forest, but from time to time there were sweeping views of the Napa Valley. Looking across the valley I was struck by the beauty of the bright yellow leaves of the grapevines. Fall is a beautiful time to hike in this part of the country.

My time was limited for the hike, so I told myself that I would hike for only an hour -- then I would turn around and retrace my steps. But as I made my way along, I would see a turn in the path ahead and tell myself, I'll just continue until I reach that point. When I would reach that point, I would see that I wasn't yet at the summit, it seemed just a bit further.

I was determined to reach the high point on the trail and to see the views on the other side of the mountain. Just a little bit farther.... Finally I got there and could feel satisfied that I had met my goal, but it was still hard to turn and go back down the hill. The views to the northeast were of intriguing volcanic formations. Also ahead was the old homestead property of Karl Gustov Holm who built a log cabin (now gone) there in 1893. I have to go back and finish this hike!

In the couple of hours time that I was on the trail, I saw only two other people -- one on foot, another on bicycle. There is probably much more activity on weekends, but weekdays in Spring and Fall are perfect times for a short, close at hand, moderately-challenging way to work up a sweat.

A few alerts:

bring plenty of water; there is none of the trail
watch for rattlesnakes, poison oak (on the edges), mountain lions, ticks
watch for bicycles and equestrians
although it can be hot, I found that the wind picked up as I climbed the hill. Wear layers.
the Upper Oat Hill Trail is closed during deer hunting season and occasionally during fire season. Check www.NapaOutdoors.org for details. The trail is under the jurisdiction of the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District.
part of the trail cross Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. Info on these sections are at www.parks.ca.gov or call (707) 942-4575.

Weasel words

2009-11-08T10:07:00.000-08:00

And just what's wrong with weasels? photo by Susan Alcorn

Recently a hiker by the trailname of "Steel-eye" sent us the following message about weather predictions. His "weather" message may not be of interest to you as writers, but his second message, about "weasel words," was a new one for me and I thought well worth passing on.

"Some prognosticators suggest that this winter could possibly be somewhat more mild than average in the Pacific Northwest region. Wow! I should be a politician. That first sentence contains nine “weasel-words”, i.e, non-specific equivocations."

Do you use "weasel words" when you write? If so, you are as Wikipedia puts it, "communicating a vague or ambiguous claim, create an impression that something specific and meaningful has been said." They continue, "Weasel words may also have the effect of softening the force of a potentially loaded or otherwise controversial statement through some form of understatement, for example using detensifiers such as "somewhat" or "in most respects". I also learned from Wikipedia why such words are labeled weasel words -- it's because when weasels eat eggs, they suck the contents out of the egg leaving the shell intact.

I doubt that I can escape using "weasel words" entirely -- being a person who usually tries to be tactful rather than blunt, but I am certain that the strongest writers are those who take a firm position rather than sit on the fence. Weasel words weaken your writing; take care to ferret them out!

Spas & Staycations, part 2

2009-11-04T18:42:00.000-08:00

When I arrived in Calistoga mid-afternoon for my day of leisure (see part 1), I drove by EuroSpa, the motel where I would be staying, to check in. I wasn't too sure about it when I first saw it. It was "quaint" and probably built in the 1940s, but once I went in the room I was quite pleased. The decor was contemporary, the room was clean and comfortable, and all the conveniences--fridge, coffee maker, iron and so forth were there. The price, which was under $100, included a good continental breakfast--that's very reasonable for a Napa Valley stay.

But I didn't come to Calistoga just to stay overnight somewhere. I wanted a spa treatment--the mud bath, mineral water whirlpool, wet sauna, body wrap, and a massage were going to be my treats for the day. I walked the couple of blocks to the facility where I was going to get my treatments.

Have you ever been in a mudbath? If not, just visualize--you walk into an aseptic looking room, rather steamy, with a concrete floor, hard surfaced walls, and several bathtubs. Your bathtub, which is surrounded by ceramic tile, is filled with mud. But not just any mud; it's a combination of peat, volcanic ash, clay, and mineral water.

After you strip down, you climb into this mixture cautiously. Once you get into a prone position, you'll find yourself suspended, basically floating, on top of the mud. Getting to that position, however, is somewhat awkward and you'll find if your feet touch the bottom, that it's HOT down there. No matter, you'll soon be in the correct position and the attendant will pile some of the mud on your chest, bring you a cup of water with a straw, and set the timer for the start of your 10-15 minute session in the tub.

Why does anyone do it? Traditionally it is held to provide various therapeutic benefits: to aid in relaxation, smooth muscle soreness, exfoliate the skin, and remove toxins. The temperature is usually in the 102-104 degree level--about the temperature of the average hot tub dunk. On this visit, however, I think it was hotter than that. In any case, for me it turned into a "grit your teeth, you can make it" sort of thing.

Next time--I'll report on the rest of the spa session--which was well worth the trip.

My mini staycation and spa trip, part 1

2009-10-30T16:44:00.001-07:00

Snow Canyon near Red Mountain, photo Susan Alcorn

It wasn't quite the equivalent of a week at Red Mountain Spa in St. George, Utah, but it had its good moments. I took off on Monday morning after the commute hour and headed for Calistoga. It's in the Napa Valley wine country and about 1-1/2 hour drive.

I went as far as Walnut Creek--half an hour from here--when I decided what the heck, I would pull off the freeway and go to Diva Nails and Spa for a manicure/pedicure. I like this place; like so many of these storefront places, it's staffed by Vietnamese women and it's inexpensive ($30). I particularly like this one because they talk to me, not just to each other in their first language.

After getting the services and being pounded, compressed and massaged in their amazing automated chair, I put on my 1/32" thick flip-flops and made my flatfooted way back to my car.

My next stop was for lunch at Burger King. I seldom (and Ralph never) stop at fast food restaurants, but since I had proclaimed it "My Week," I decided I could get away with it. I'd be embarrassed to admit it to most people I know, but I really am an omnivorous eater.

Next blog--on to Calistoga and the spa and mudbath treatments.

Handling the gift "exchange" at holiday time

2009-10-25T11:11:00.001-07:00

Most years about this time — as Halloween is rapidly approaching and then Thanksgiving and religious holidays are just around the corner — I start thinking about Christmas gift giving and such (how to make it both more manageable and meaningful). I also think about the gift exchanges just after Christmas each year, but it always seems that any comments made then might make it seem like I am somehow ungrateful (I'm not!) for what I've just received. Too risky!

A few years back, Ralph and I were giving/exchanging gifts with more than 30 people (often multiple gifts). On top of that, my mom (now 98) was also expecting that I would do her shopping and wrapping for 9 family members! As you can imagine (or may have experienced), it was not only a big monetary expense, but also a tremendous expenditure of time doing all this gift-related stuff.

I actually love shopping and wrapping presents for friends and family, but it had just gotten out of hand. I was no longer enjoying it, so it had become a chore. I want to get back to the pleasures of giving and the feelings of gratitude.

Then things changed a bit on Ralph's side of the family. One relative gave us cards on Christmas Day indicating that they had given money to the charity of their choice. I know their hearts were in the right place, but I must admit that I felt disappointed. It didn't seem like a gift selected for me (I think it would have gone over better if they had told us in advance and if they had asked us what charity we wanted donations made to.)

The next year (or so), the adults decided (siblings, cousins, etc.) that they would draw names out of a hat and each person would bring a present for that person. We all gave to the kids as usual. I saw pros and cons with this project — namely that one was putting "all of one's eggs in one basket," so to speak.

The next year (or so), the adults decided that each would bring a theme gift (kitchen item) and those would be selected by lottery. It was a novel plan, and simplified the shopping a bit — only necessitated going to one department of a store, but it was supplanted by:

The next year (last), the adults each brought three new or used books, put them on a table, and they were selected by drawing numbers, etc. (We gave to the youngest kids as usual.) I actually liked this one a lot — most of the family members read a lot and the selection of books was quite varied.

That leaves my side of the family. I've already sent an email to my immediate family with our preferences and I'm still waiting for a response and hoping that I have not stepped on any toes. Meanwhile, here's my plan:
Since we already have a drawer full of gifts selected for various family members (I shop throughout the year), we plan to distribute those. We plan to add a few more, but we are going to cut back somewhat from previous years. We are going to make a larger set of charitable contributions, but we are not going to label it as a gift to family members.

Ralph feels strongly that giving a gift does not require reciprocity. We like giving gifts, but don't really need anything. He does, however, admit that he likes consumables and says that they don't need to be wrapped. My mom always says that she prefers no gifts, but she always enjoys See's chocolates. (See's has wrapped boxes.) I prefer time with family to gifts — an outing, eating out, etc., and photos. So, we are easy.

Clearly there are lots of possibilities and we have not exhausted them. What does your family do, and how does it work for you?

Spas & Staycations, part 2

2009-10-19T11:22:00.000-07:00

I know this isn't a California Sea Lion, but this substitution will have to do until I visit San Francisco's Pier 39 later this month. Stay tuned!

I've been continuing to plan my Staycation for later this month. After spending a day and a half at Calistoga soaking in the mudbath, mineral bath and being swaddled in cotton bunting, I'll have a massage. I'm still waiting to hear back from a friend about having lunch together.

Meanwhile, I'm thinking about the days later in "my" week. Rather than missing a visit with our four-year-old grandson, I'm going to enlist Ralph's help and we're going to Pier 39 of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf to see the current crop of sea lions.

Apparently the sea lions' numbers have grown tremendously up and down the California coast this year and the 12 floating platforms where the marine mammals hang out in San Francisco are filled to overflowing. While I know that this years' massive turnout of the (up to) 600-lb. sea lions has caused more than a little consternation to local fisherman and others, I can't wait to see these entertaining characters again.

In the meantime, here's a site I found online that offers an entertaining look at the current crop of sea lions at Pier 39. http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-342494

Happy trails,

Susan Alcorn

P.S. Check out my hiking-related articles at www.examiner.com/x-11423-Bay-Area-Hiking-Examiner

Spas & Staycations

2009-10-15T10:54:00.000-07:00

Mt. St. Helena near Calistoga photo: Susan Alcorn
I've been playing with this idea for years, but this year I am going to actually do it -- create my own getaway, but nearby (the staycation concept). What is different about my plan, is that I'm not going to one place and staying, I'm creating a partial week of activities that will take me to a spa, to a museum, out to lunch with a friend, and provide free time to "veg" out. Considering all I have piled up on my desk, I'm going to primarily write in the mornings (except Days 1 & @ when I am going away overnight) and play in the afternoons.

I've given up on the plans I was trying to make to go further afield. Red Mountain Spa, near St. George, UT, has been sending me emails about their "specials" much of this year, but we've been backpacking so much that I haven't had enough days in a row to take advantage of their packages.

I'm not really much of a spa person, but I have really enjoyed going to Red Mountain the couple of times I've gone because the core of their offerings (at least to me) is the hikes they in the surrounding slickrock terrain. (From Red Mountain to Zion, or Grand Canyon (North rim), or Bryce, is only a few hours drive, so you can imagine the gorgeous scenery of the area!).

But, as I said, I've given up on going to Red Mountain because they won't give me the price I want during the one week I have available! And I've decided to set aside most of the days of my "free" week for some self-indulgence and relaxation nearby.

I've just booked Day #1 in Calistoga. That means that I drive an hour and a half into the heart of the California wine country -- beautiful this time of year with the leaves turning color -- to my lodgings.

After I check in, I'm either going to go for a couple of hours hike at nearby Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, or if I feel lazy I'll just poke around Calistoga, which has a cute downtown.

Then at 4 PM, I have an appointment to have some spa treatments. I'll be soaking in the mud bath, then a mineral bath, then wrapped in a lightweight blanket and allowed to relax for a few minutes. Soon after that, staff will be escorting me to a private room for my one-hour massage.

I expect after that I'll have no energy for anything except going out for dinner at one of the several good restaurants near by.

These are just my preliminary plans; stay tuned for Day #2.

I'm beginning to like this alternative plan: I won't have to spend two days traveling to and fro to Utah, I'll see the wine country during the height of fall color, and I'll be doing something great for myself (and it will definitely cost me a lot less!).

We're on track for practicing descents

2009-10-12T19:41:00.000-07:00

There is some challenging terrain in Torres del Paine photo by Susan Alcorn

Last week I wrote about Ralph's latest brainstorm -- that we should regularly practice going down steep inclines so that when our planned trip to Torres del Paine (in Patagonia) comes up next year, I'll be more confident and experienced. We've gone twice in the last week, about what I think is reasonable at this point. My knees are still healing from earlier this year and I don't want to aggravate the situation.

Our first day of practice was on a "bunny slope" near our house (a little slope that couldn't have been more than twelve feet long). The lesson, however, was all about how I should trust my poles, put more weight on them and distribute my weight differently. I passed with flying colors -- or at least I made it down the slope without falling or slipping. I have to laugh, however, because Ralph has been complaining about his sore hips ever since! I guess we both used muscles that we don't ordinarily use.

Today we went out again. This time we did a much longer downhill stretch and it was on a trail that I normally would avoid. Once again I did well and this time Ralph said I earned an A+.

Even though it will be hard to find trails in the vicinity that rival the steepness of the ones that gave me grief in Patagonia, I think Ralph's plan to practice will increase my skills and my confidence.

Reminiscing about Patagonia and its challenges

2009-10-06T09:38:00.000-07:00

On the "O" circuit around Torres del Paine photo Susan Alcorn

After the fantastic trip that Ralph and I had to Torres del Paine in Chile earlier this year, I am dying to return. And this time, I want to make it over the pass (John Gardner) that stymied me. There are several factors that I have to consider before heading for the pass, which is on the week's backpacking circuit around the Torres del Paine.

Challenges:
1) The weather is totally unpredictable and constantly changing.
2) The winds are notoriously fierce.
3) My body is not getting any younger.
4) My fears.

Considerations:
1) There's not much we can do about the weather, except to allow more time to sit and wait for better conditions.

2) Likewise, I can't change the wind patterns, we can only hope that we can find a window of time that works.

3,4) Items 3 and 4 are related. My knees have been giving me grief, and even when they don't hurt from some injury or another, they are stiff (probably from aging). That makes it very difficult to feel secure when going down an extremely steep incline--which is what I must face.

Ralph has a plan that he has confidence in, but I am fighting it tooth and nail. He wants me to practice going down steeper hills around here with a different technique. Instead of keeping my weight back as much as I do (almost crouching), he wants me to shift more weight onto my hiking poles. "Trust your poles," as they said on Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The problem is I don't trust my poles and I don't want to shift my center of gravity forward because I am afraid of falling forward, or in a heap, and breaking something. It does not help that I worry too much about most physical challenges, because I can't put it all in perspective.

To paraphrase the saying, "It's crazy to keep doing things the same way and to expect different results", so I know that I have to gain more confidence and skills for dealing with heavy wind and steep terrain.

I'm going to start the downhill practice this week.

Ralph's Fried Green Tomatoes

2009-09-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

I have the world's greatest husband and if word gets out that he does most of the cooking, I might have a real problem keeping other women away, but I'm not going to stew (no pun intended) about that. Often our dinners are one pot affairs without much attention to contrasting colors on the plate or to architectural interest -- but that's fine with me. Sometimes what I am being served is a real mystery.

Take last night's mystery plate -- a grilled buffalo burger patty and three lumps of breaded patties. I tasted the mysterious lumps tentatively and found that inside the slightly crunchy crust was a warm, melt-in-your-mouth... interior! Quite good, actually. "But what is it?" I asked.

"Fried green tomatoes," came the reply. "I didn't have any bread crumbs (or cornmeal) so I used wheat bran flakes for the coating."

Ralph loves to come up with creative uses for the veggies that we get when we are getting our weekly organic produce boxes, but we have had that delivery on hold because of our recent travel. However, earlier this week I was working in our vegetable garden and in the process inadvertently cut off a tomato vine that had three large green tomatoes attached. Not one to waste things he can salvage, Ralph searched online and converted the recipe he found to the following:

Ralph's Fried Green Tomatoes (1-2 servings)

1/4 cup flour
1/8 cup milk
1 egg
sliced green tomatoes (about 1/4" thick)
wheat bran flakes
salt
olive oil

Mix together the flour, milk, and egg together to make a batter. Dip the sliced tomatoes in the batter and then into the wheat bran. Pan fry in olive oil until crisp on the outside. Sprinkle with salt as desired. Serve warm -- with a glass of wine.

Someone's in the garden -- and it isn't just me!

2009-07-31T18:44:00.000-07:00

Hmm! Who's been eating my garden?

The garden is flourishing -- and then some. Since I've never had a garden do nearly as well (It's got to be the new soil we brought in to fill the planter boxes.), I'm having a hard time thinning out the crops.

I've been watching, and marveling about, the corn getting taller and taller -- probably 8' plus. I'm been peeking into the ears wondering how I'll know it's ready to pick. There's a strange squash growing -- strange to me that is. I'm sure I planted it, but the tag has disappeared so I don't know what it is, and therefore don't know what it will look like when ripe.

Ralph came back in this morning after looking over the "back .0004" acres and asked if I had left one of the mystery squash on the fence. He also mentioned that all of the other squash that had been on the long twisting vine were no longer there. Hmm, definitely the some beast has paid us a visit. I prefer to think it was raccoons, Ralph has raised the unpleasant specter of a member of the rodent family.

So far they've not gotten into the fenced beds -- only taken the vine-zillas outside the beds, but it's just a matter of time. As one of my friends said of the deer in her yard, "I love nature, just not in my yard."

It's okay, I'm sort of tired of squash at this point anyway.

How to best use your spare hours

2009-07-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

Watching the garden grow
What is it about unexpected "free" time that is so disconcerting? I have friends to whom this would not be a problem, but I think many more who would find themselves in the same boat so to speak. The problem — a scheduled event is suddenly canceled and you have some time for the unscheduled.

Considering the fact that I constantly bemoan not having enough time to do anything, and considering the fact that I have a mile long "to do" list, why, when given a block of time do I flounder like a fish out of water wondering how to spend it?

Should I use the time to check off items from tomorrow's list — thereby giving some ease to its too long list?
Should I do some task that I normally have in the "non-urgent, non-priority" list like cleaning the closets or rearranging the spice cabinet?
Should I go for a walk, a bike ride, shopping, or to an outdoor art fair?
Perhaps I should delete some of the 1,000 emails that I've accumulated since the last purge?
Should I grab a favorite book, go out into the garden with some iced tea, and read for a while. You know, that unfamiliar concept of taking time for leisure on my own!
Or, should I tackle a more meaningful project that I've been procrastinating about — such as working on a manuscript....

What do you do when an unexpected dividend of time appears?

Half Moon Bay: visit to old and new

2009-07-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Pillar Point Harbor with Oceano Hotel in background photo Susan Alcorn

Bay Area Travel Writers offers some perks — one which I enjoy is meeting in places (hotels, restaurants, museums, etc.) that I otherwise would probably never go. It's not that I don't like these places, it's just that there are "too many places, too little time."

Last weekend we met at Oceano Hotel and Spa in Half Moon Bay (Princeton-by-the-Sea) where we were treated like royalty. Tony Candes, the director of sales and marketing, greeted me as soon as I arrived and escorted me to the meeting room. The breakfast buffet offered delicious croissants and bagels, fresh pineapples and strawberries, and beverages.

We held our business meeting, enjoyed a talk by award-winning author Antoinette May (author of Pilate's Wife and Adventures of a Psychic), and then had a tour of the complex. It's in a beautiful setting and the hotel's rooms are large and elegantly decorated.

What struck me about our day, however, was the contrast between the old and the new — both of which are still to be found at the Half Moon Bay Harbor. Getting the okay and then building the new hotel and adjoining covered shopping plaza, was apparently a 25-year process. Approval was required from the California Coastal Commission, which tries to control development on the ocean side of Hwy 1 (and along the coast).

For now, there's still some of the old. I saw at least a dozen people fishing from the old pier at Pillar Point. Fishing boats go out in season, as do whale-watching boats. Just beyond the protected harbor is the Mavericks, a world-renowned big wave break. When the big breaks are happening (sometime between Dec.-Mar), the Mavericks Surf Contest is called, and Half Moon Bay's harbor becomes the prime destination for the world's top surfers.

I think a walk amongst the older weather-beaten houses at Pillar Point, past the harbor and fishing pier, and then out along the spit that leads to the surfing area offers a refreshing glimpse of Pillar Point's history. There are many good places to eat — Barbara's Fish Shack, the Half Moon Bay Brewery, and Mezza Luna are all deservedly popular. (This interruption is to foil those who steal content without attribution www.backpack45.com)

Then, one could do worse than to check into the beautifully decorated Oceano spa and finally the hotel itself. The hotel has a range of accommodations — every room has a fireplace and flatscreen TV; some rooms have full kitchens and loft sleeping areas. This luxury hotel is the only certified green hotel in San Mateo County.

Being the frugal person that I generally am, I may never check into the Oceano Hotel, but if I was looking for a staycation, or a getaway, or an oceanfront setting for a grand occasion, I think I'd go for the Oceano. The San Francisco Chronicle named Oceano the "2008 Best Wedding Venue" — and it would be perfect!

Lobby of the Oceano Hotel photo Susan Alcorn

Evening with Patsy Cline

2009-07-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

When you need a photo, don't have one on topic, but find something beautiful to share. photo ©2009 by Susan Alcorn

I was thinking about writing again about being overworked and underpaid — you know, what you find in retirement — but decided to write about something more fun — like music. Last night we went with friends to hear an evening's entertainment billed as "Crazy in Love with Patsy Cline" at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. Divas Lavay Smith, Carmen Getit, and Belle Monroe took turns through the two sets belting out such great Cline hits as "Crazy" and "I Fall to Pieces." It was a memorable and beautiful evening.

Lavay usually performs jazz with her "Red Hot Skillet Lickers," which we have enjoyed previously, but it was fun to see her doing Grand Ole Opry style music. Getit and Belle were new to us, but both were quite talented. Getit plays a Gibson guitar and has a great backup band known as the Rhumba Bums. Belle is usually seen at the Freight playing bluegrass with the Brewglass Boys.

The musicians accompanying the women were equally captivating — steel guitar Bobby Black, pianist Chris Siebert, Darrel Green on drums, and bassist Mike Sizman. With Carmen Getit, we had a change of pianist, she was accompanied by Steve Lucky. We sat at a perfect angle to see the two who played piano and as Ralph and I often bemoan, "if our parents had let us play something fun on piano — like honky-tonk — we might have stayed with our lessons."

Ah, retirement!

2009-07-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

Eagle Rock of the PCT (section A). photo ©2009 Susan Alcorn

I took what I call "early retirement" in 2001. Early because I was not yet 65, retirement because I wasn't going to show up every day at the school where I had taught for many years. I've been working like mad ever since. The only difference between my working and my retirement, is as Ralph puts it, that I'm not getting paid anymore (actually I do collect some benefits, but that's another story).

The thing is, people ask me how my retirement is going! They seem to be caught up in the same semantic problem that I am — paid employment vs. retirement. Somehow that fact that I immediately started my own business (Shepherd Canyon Books) escapes all of us!

Here's what my leisurely retirement has looked for the last two weeks:
Did preliminary evaluation of a hiking book's proposal
In capacity as treasurer, balanced banking accounts for Bay Area Travel Writers
Took several training hikes for upcoming backpack trip
Took 4-year-old camping (see previous posting for details)
Wrote 4 articles for examiner.com
Published backpacking/hiking newsletter
Gave a book talk/slide show at REI Fremont
Attended 4th of July parade (and wrote about it)
Studied for French class and attended class
Conferred with medical staff regarding parent
Provided care for parent
Continued marketing on various social media
Babysat second grandchild
Filled various book orders
Attended play at Orinda's Cal Shakes theater
Went to doctor
Shopped, exercised, cleaned, laundered, wrote checks, read, wrote, sent and received emails and phone calls....

I'm not complaining; I'm just reminding you so that you won't innocently ask me, "So, how's retirement treating you?" that I'm not retired.

Grandson's first camping trip

2009-07-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

Landscape in Sunol Regional photo Susan Alcorn

We just took our four-year-old grandson on his first overnight camping trip. We chose Sunol Regional Park (part of East Bay Regional Park District's holdings); it's one of our favorite local parks.

It turned out to be a good choice. It isn't very far, so we could have turned around if we'd decided we didn't like the campground (we'd never been camping there before). As it turned out, there were only four campsites and only one other was occupied. Even so, the other people could have been noisy, but they showed up on a "bicycle built for two" (tandem) after riding 50 miles from San Jose and were so exhausted that we heard hardly a peep out of them after dark.

Our little camper went to bed easily — content with having played in the nearby stream earlier, eating hot dogs cooked over an open fire, toasting marshmallows, and hearing a bedtime story. I congratulated myself on asking his mom to send along a favorite cuddly blanket because I think that helped reassure him that he would be okay sleeping out in a tent.

He'd seen the young deer that was browsing on the hillside before dinner, but he slept like a log through the other animal visitors — bats at dusk, owls after dark, and raccoons in the middle of the night.

The next morning we cooked bacon and eggs and English muffins over our tiny campstove. I would call it an adequate meal, but our wise grandson declared that it was the best breakfast he'd ever had in his life.

We're hoping we can make a true backpacker out of him!
Happy trails,
Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn

copyright 2009

Rewards of the hike

2009-06-26T18:50:00.001-07:00

Dragonfly photo by Susan Alcorn

Enough worrying about politicians and their escapades, I'm getting back to thinking about nature -- and the rewards of hiking. One of the benefits of hiking is that the pace is slow. There's time to see the minute things around you.

If you've on foot, you have the opportunity to see a horned toad even though their blotchy coloration helps them blend into the soil. You're able to see the iridescent colors of a dragonfly's wings. You can watch a bee collecting pollen under the abdomen or on the hind legs, and you can study the intricate spirals of a sunflower.

Like most hikers, I really like wildflowers. Since I don't have a great memory, I can see a flower one year, look up its name in my guidebook, and forget its name by the next year (and repeat the process several times!). So I have a special fondness for plants whose names I can remember even if they aren't rare and endangered.

I like fields of poppies, wide swathes of lupine, and single stems of Blue Dick. I like plants that have names with interesting histories -- miner's lettuce, which helped California's '49ers from getting scurvy. And I like plants that look like what they are named, how they feel, or how they sound -- such as Sticky Monkey Flower, Chinese houses, and rattlesnake grass. I guess I hadn't really thought about the fact that hiking stimulates all of our senses.
Shake a strand of Rattlesnake Grass before it drops its seeds and you'll know why it's called what it is!

Do certain wildflowers, grasses, or other plants make you feel more alive?

Sticky Monkey Flower (touch it and you'll see where it gets its name).

All photos by Susan Alcorn and copyrighted 2009

Okay, so Governor Sanford was not hiking...

2009-06-24T12:18:00.001-07:00

Tango in Buenos Aires photo by Susan Alcorn

We now learn that South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has admitted to an affair with an Argentine woman. Turns out that his earlier remarks about hiking on the Appalachian Trail were untrue; he had hopped on a plane last Wednesday for a trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina in order to visit his lover.

According to today's report in the LA Times (Michael Muskal), Sanford apologized to his family and the people of South Carolina. Sanford, a Conservative Republican, has had presidential aspirations and has been an outspoken opponent of President's Obama's economic stimulus package. Sanford fought accepting the package's $700 million set aside for South Carolina and finally was forced by the court to accept it.

In his latest comments to reporters, Sanford said that he had considered hiking the Appalachian Trail, but changed his mind at the last minute and went to Buenos Aires.

Clearly he would be in a lot less trouble if he had stuck to his original plan!

Governor Sanford hikes on the Appalachian Trail

2009-06-23T10:27:00.000-07:00

Hiking clears my head EBMUD trail photo by Susan Alcorn

I thought this was pretty funny, but obviously many did not. Seems that this past week, including Father's Day, the governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford, went hiking on the Appalachian Trail. That in itself wasn't so bad, but what's got his state's lawmakers worked up is that he didn't tell anyone where he was going.

According to the AP report and published in the S.F. Chronicle on June 23, 2009, his spokesman, Joel Sawyer, said, "He's just up there to kind of clear his head after the legislative session."

His wife reportedly commented that he was doing some writing and "...wanted some space to get away from the kids." She apparently wasn't concerned about where he was and continued vacationing with their four sons at the family's beach house on Sullivan Island, SC.

I can certainly understand the desire to get away from it all by going hiking, but it does seem a bit strange for a governor to take off without telling anyone where he'll be.

Happy trails,
Backpack45

Choose the 'Green' Accommodations

2009-06-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

My travel writing group, Bay Area Travel Writers, recently had a meeting in Novato. We were hosted at Inn Marin, which is just off Hwy 101, a couple of exits south of Novato's downtown.

What I especially liked about Inn Marin was the manner in which they decided to compete in a difficult market. Some of their competition is other motels or hotels that are part of large chains with much larger budgets for such things as remodeling. When Inn Marin decided to make the updates to their property last year, they put the emphasis on "Go Green."

According to Robert Marshall, co-owner and Director of Operations, Inn Marin spent two million dollars to renovate, and have made a commitment to environmentally sound operations. Recently they became the first recipients of California's new Green Hotel Certification Program at the leadership level.

Some changes they made include:
.Installing Sustainable Bamboo floors and using bamboo coverlets and dust ruffles.
.Cleaning guest room with environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
.Painting all guest rooms with Low Voc Paint.
.Eliminating the use of bleach for linens
.Installing low flow shower heads and florescent bulbs in guest rooms.

I could continue on, but you can find the details elsewhere. My point is that it's possible to make environmentally better choices when traveling and it's up to us to support business that make a difference. Inn Marin is a very good choice for visitors to the area — both because of its mission to be "Green" and because it's a comfortable, clean, and pleasant place to stay.

Beware the hidden camera

2009-06-15T17:49:00.000-07:00

Who was that masked bandit? photo Susan Alcorn

This weekend we went to an art and wine festival. We often go to them this time of year, and I find the different "personalities" of these events to be quite interesting. Just as each community has a unique population (age, income, nationality, etc.), vendors' booths in each community are a unique blend.

We don't usually buy much at these festivals, but we often have lunch and something to drink. And like most festival goers, we have an odd assortment of wine glasses and beer mugs in our cupboard because you generally have to buy a glass with the festival's motif in order to buy any alcohol. This time I also bought some earrings (I think jewelry generally sells best at these events) and that was it.

When we came home, we found a message waiting on our answering machine. Turned out to be a fraud alert from our credit card company. Turned out that someone had charged an airline ticket to my credit card about 40 minutes after I purchased the earrings.

It could have been a coincidence that the charge came through so soon after my purchase (the thief might have waited for a while after obtaining my number elsewhere), but we think it's more likely that someone stole the number while we were making the credit card transaction at the festival. All it takes, apparently, is a camera phone and the thieves can capture your name and number from your card and are off and running.

My card is now canceled, the airline charge will not be processed, and we are free and clear. The message, however, is safeguard your card because the "bad guys" are getting more sophisticated every day.

Shower Power

2009-06-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

It's simple, but it works! photo Susan Alcorn

Why is it so difficult to find a good shower when traveling? It's not like I am asking much and it's not that our shower at home would be so difficult to duplicate. Our shower has no pulsating jets, no vibrating massage wands — it's of the plain Jane, low-flow variety. It sits above a standard white bathtub that is enclosed behind sliding glass doors. Boring, yes — but it works!

So why so many poorly designed showers or shower enclosures in the places we visit? And I'm not even including the grungy shower stalls that we encounter when we stop at RV parks, private campgrounds, or rustic outposts with showers available at 25 cents-a-minute like we might find when hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. I pretty much expect them to feature clogged shower heads, dirty floors with broken bits of bar soap, and moldy shower curtains.

But here I am talking about showers in places where one expects to find greater comfort and cleanliness — namely 2 and 3 star hotels in Europe. I know it's not cool to be critical of other countries, but I'm going to break that rule just this one time.

Why would a country, which added bathrooms ensuite late in the game (because the older buildings didn't have outdoor plumbing) not learn from other countries about what works for a shower and what doesn't. Why, for example, are some shower stalls so small that if you drop your soap there's no way you can bend over and retrieve it? You either have to crouch and reach for it — often with your eyes closed because you've just shampooed your hair or you have to turn off the shower, get out, and then collect your soap and start over.

Why are shower stalls built with no rim to contain the water — or even worse, placed at a higher level than the rest of the bathroom and with no rim? And who thought it was a great idea to put a toilet in the shower stall? Of course it saves room in the bathroom, but the toilet gets soaking wet every time you take a shower.

Well, I've got that off my chest — what's the strangest shower arrangement you've run into while traveling?

Mendocino, Part 4: Climbing to a pygmy forest

2009-05-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

Pygmy Forest Walk photo Susan Alcorn

As if the Mendocino Coast didn't have enough areas of natural beauty — now you can add one that's not only beautiful, but also unique. In late April, on a fine sunny day, I took a walk on the Ecological Staircase at Jughandle State Natural Reserve. The park is on Hwy. 1, one mile north of Caspar, about halfway between Mendocino and Ft. Bragg, CA.

Our group of four was fortunate to have State Park Ranger Michael Haas give a guided tour. (There's a brochure available for a self-guided nature walk.) Michael first led us toward the ocean through a pine forest carpeted with low-growing iris, blackberries, and grasses. The forest soon gave way to windswept prairie of native and non-native grasses sprinkled with golden California Poppies and sea thrift. We reached the ocean-side bluffs and studied the exposed soil layers of the headlands. In geological terms, we were standing on the first terrace; in layperson's terms, I'd say we were standing on the first step of the ecological staircase that we were going to ascend.

This first terrace was formed underneath the sea and then uplifted by tectonic forces an estimated 100,000 years ago. The Ecological Staircase at Jughandle is composed of five levels, each approximately 100,000 years older than the one lower, each about 100 feet higher than the last.

We circled along the bluffs on a narrow trail and Michael identified several varieties of trees — spruce, fir, and pine. Many of the trees are extremely bent and gnarly because of the windy conditions.

The trail led back through the forested area, went briefly under the highway, and then down to cross Jughandle Creek on a wooden footbridge. Because of the creek, there seemed to be more varied vegetation — including willow, alder, current, and elderberry — and more birds. Michael pointed out the dreaded yellow-blossomed gorse and Scotch broom. Both are non-native shrubs that greedily overrun the native vegetation. The gorse is particularly hard to extricate because of its spiny branches and it can expand out to become an unpenetrable thicket that is highly combustible.

We continued to climb, but were If it were not for Michael's knowledge, we wouldn't have known when we reached level two. (Those on the self-guided tour will find the illustrated booklet helpful for identifying each level.) There are no signs indicating where you are leave one level and enter the next, but Michael pointed out that the vegetation had changed — Sitka spruce and Grand fir now predominated. There were pink-flowered Rhododendron in bloom and leathery-leafed tanbark.

More change — we entered a redwood forest. Redwoods occur along the coast from southern Oregon to central coast of California because of the summer fog and moderate temperatures. They don't like the salt from the ocean, however, so they're found somewhat inland. They are also highly resistant to fire.

We reached the beginning of the pygmy forest. This time no one needed to tell us we were in a different habitat — the trees were short stunted versions of their relatives downhill. We walked along a boardwalk looking at several kinds of trees and plants that have managed to adapt to this impoverished environment. You can't say they have thrived, however. Bollander Pines that might grow to 75 feet tall in richer soils and with better drainage are here only a few feet tall even though many of them are a century old. The rhododendrons here are about three-feet tall and look anemic and scrawny compared to the ones we had seen in the redwood forest.

It's all because of the poor soil — which has low nutrient content and is extremely acidic. It's caused in part because the thin top layer of soil sits over hardpan — a solid layer of rock and soil that plants' roots can not penetrate. In addition, the layer of soil overlying the hardpan has become oxygen-deprived because of water during the rainy season that doesn't run off, but sits and saturates the soil.

Our downhill hike went faster — no stories along the way, just casual conversations. Our roundtrip was five miles; bring water to drink and allow three hours.

Bonus: no fee area, free parking. Display boards and fliers available for the self-guided nature trail. Inquiries for guided tours: 707-937-5804. Drinking water and portable toilets at parking lot.

After you've explored Jughandle, you owe it to yourself to camp overnight (at least) in one of the nearby State Parks — Van Damme, Russian Gulch and MacKerricher are all on the coast. If there's too much fog, you might try Hendy Woods, which is on Hwy. 128 in the Anderson Valley along the Navarro River. It has two miles of hiking trails that lead through its two virgin redwood groves — a world apart from the hustle and bustle of city life. (Reservations are advised for all campgrounds).

Reef at Greenwood State Park (at Elk, CA)

Note: this article was first posted on Www.examiner.com on May 25, 2009. That's my new column and there are many more articles to come.

https://www.examiner.com/x-11423-Bay-Area-Hiking-Examiner

Mendocino, Part 3: By Sea

2009-05-20T14:40:00.000-07:00

I arrived at Van Damme State Park's parking lot to see a couple of other members of our kayaking party squirming into their wetsuits. The first thing for me to figure out, besides what to leave on underneath, was which way the Farmer John "coveralls" would go on. A few minutes later, after struggling into the form-fitting, but not all that flattering outfit, I noticed the nearby outhouses and realized my suit was not designed like Dr. Denton pj's of long ago, there was no drop seat. One of the other kayakers, Erin, commented that if you pee in your wetsuit, you'll be sitting in it for a couple of hours. I guess that would be sort of like sitting in a huge pee-filled sponge for a couple of hours. I padded over to the outhouse.

Our leader, Craig Comen, who owns Kayak Mendocino, asked us if we previously kayaked. All five of us had, but a couple of us (including me) indicated that we hadn't been sea kayaking before. Craig looked out over the cove and pointed out where we were headed. He explained that we were going to be exploring a unique area with a line of off-shore rocks that served to protect us from the strong surf further out. We'd be going in and out of coves, narrow passages, and sea caves.

We pulled our kayaks to the water's edge, shoved them out a bit, and climbed in. There were two things I liked already about the kayaks — they were very stable and we didn't have to use sprayskirts (sprayskirts are sort of like a skirt in that you wear them around your waist, but they also are large enough so that they extend out and also fit around the cockpit. They keep water from splashing into your boat.) Even though sprayskirts are important in some places, I have this fear that I'll tip over and somehow get trapped under water by the sprayskirt. (I know this isn't supposed to happen, you're supposed to pop right out, but who said fears are rational?)

So, thrilled to be on the water, pleased with the kayak, and trusting to the fates and our leader, I paddled out into the ocean. We set out at a moderate rate and I was relieved that I could keep up. I was determined to stay upright and to follow the course that Craig set. Sometimes the paddling was leisurely, sometimes a bit of a workout, always fun! We entered a quiet cove and tasted some seaweed — according to some a great treat, judged by me an acquired taste.

Then we headed to a narrow passageway into a sea cave. Even though we were protected from breaking waves, we were not immune to wave action — ebb and flow! The approach to the opening in the rocks had to be calculated so that we entered in a relatively straight path. Chris guided us into the cave one by one; once inside, we found it was large enough for all of us.

We continued on. We came to an area with s few seals and their pups. We kept back from the rock where they were lying, but we had no control over their antics and a bit later, when I was going through a narrow passageway, one of the seals popped up in front of my kayak. There was no way of putting on the brakes. I was relieved when the seal dived under water — then dismayed when it resurfaced moments later and I ran right into it. Apparently there was no damage done because she and her pup swam off.

Occasionally I would find myself paddling like mad and going nowhere. A swell would lift my boat and I could feel the power that was beyond my puny efforts. I should have, I reasoned, felt panicky at my lack of control — what I did feel was the thrill of moving with the ocean's raw force.

Returning to our takeout point on the beach was much easier and faster than going out had been. We'd been out for only an hour-and-a-half, at least that's what my watch said. For me, however, it had been timeless; I could now understand the allure that surfing, kayaking, and so forth hold for its disciples.

In my next entry, you'll explore the Mendocino area on foot as visit a unique ecological attraction on the coast — the Pygmy forest in Jughandle State Reserve.

Mendocino Art and Staycation, Part 2

2009-05-14T13:02:00.001-07:00

After the informal wine tasting tour that I took as I drove along Hwy. 128 in the Anderson Valley (see Part 1), I continued on until I reached Hwy 1 and the Pacific coast. The weather forecast had been for rain, so I didn't expect any views and I was pleasantly surprised to see the ocean under mostly clear blue skies. I headed north for Mendocino, CA, stopping along the way for a few photos.

Some of the members of our travel organization (Bay Area Travel Writers) had been invited to a "hands-on" art experience in town at Open Door Arts in the historic Odd Fellows Building. Janet Self, director of Flockworks, which is a nonprofit devoted to supporting artists, invited us to jump in and help make banners for the upcoming Mendocino Film Festival (May 29-31, 2009.) We were supplied with dabbers to dip into small dishes of paint and even those of us (which definitely includes me!) who don't consider ourselves artistic, were able to help create the signs. Self assured us that she would put in the finishing touches so we didn't feel intimidated by our group effort.

In the late afternoon, we were invited to a reception hosted by the Mendocino Chamber of Commerce at Little River Inn. Little River served us fancy appetizers and fine wine from Goldeneye Winery, which we all enjoyed. However, the noise level really increased dramatically when everyone received a copy of where they were going to be staying for the two nights that we'd be in the area, which restaurant would be providing our Saturday night dinner, and which activities we'd been "assigned" (we'd given our options previously).

I doubt anyone was assigned a 1-star motel, but I was particularly lucky because I was invited to stay at the Elk Cove Inn. www.elkcoveinn.com. Shortly after the reception, I drove south to Elk (about 20 minutes south) and was greeted by staff and given a brief tour.

I thought it was very generous of the owner, Elaine Bryant, to offer me my choice of unreserved rooms. It didn't take me more than a second to decide that I wanted to stay in the Surfsong cottage. The room was crisp and inviting and I loved the large windows that overlooked the beach and had fantastic views of the ocean. The window seat was welcoming, as was the basket of goodies containing freshly baked cookies, wine, and chocolates.

After I took my shower, I put on the comfy robe that was supplied and sat on one of the white painted wicker chairs and watched the sunset. I had not eaten dinner yet, so I couldn't relax too long, but I looked forward to coming home for the night and climbing into the queen-sized bed and turning on the remote controlled gas fireplace while I read in bed.

In the next episode, you'll be swept along on my sea kayaking adventure with Kayak Mendocino.

Happy Trails,
Susan Alcorn

All photos by Susan Alcorn
1.Northern California Coastline
2.Banner for Mendocino Film Festival
3.Little River Inn
4.Coastline from beach below Elk Cove Inn (Elk, CA)
5.Kayaking from Van Damme State Park

www.elkcoveinn.com
www.LittleRiverInn.com
www.MendocinoFilmFestival.org
www.kayakmendocino.com
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=441
http://flockworks.blogspot.com
www.goldeneyewinery.com

En Route to Mendocino County, Part 1

2009-05-04T17:39:00.001-07:00

Private tasting room at Zina Hyde Cunningham Winery in Boonville, CA photo by Susan Alcorn

Last weekend (April 24-26), I went on my first comped weekend trip as a travel writer. I belong to Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW) and our organization was invited to spend the weekend in the Mendocino area.

In general, I don't even try for such trips because most of my writing is about backpacking and hiking and therefore I don't write the "destination" pieces that most commercial ventures hope for. However, since I'm not indebted to anyone, I figure that I can pretty much write what I want here. In this installment, I'm writing about the road trip that I took leading to the town of Mendocino, which is on the northern California coast.

Entering Goldeneye Winery's Tasting Room, Philo, CA. Photo by Susan Alcorn

I drove along Highway 128, our usual route to the Mendocino area. It's about a 3-1/2 hour drive from the S.F. Bay Area if you drive nonstop, but we always stop because there are several excellent wineries along the way. The route, which leaves Hwy. 101 at Cloverdale, is winds along--taking you over the coastal range, through a redwood forest, and along the Navarro River. I had decided to stop along the way at some wineries that were new to me (we usually stop at Maple Creek Winery for their Artevino Cowboy Red, and the Navarro Winery for their chardonnay). This time, because I was getting free samplings, I stopped at the these three places in the Anderson Valley.

#1 was the Meyer Family Cellars in Yorkville. I chose to stop there because their specialty is port. I associate port with Porto, Portugal, so I was curious what the California port would be. Not being knowledgeable about port, I can't tell you how it compares, but I can say that it is tasty!

Meyer Family Cellars has a yearly festival called the "Yorkville Highlands Festival" on August 29th, 2009. It costs $40 if you order your tickets early. I think it would be fun because there's "grape stomping and hoop throwing, wonderful live music, great food, and lots of delicious wine." (from their website www.mfcellars.com)

#2 was in Boonville--an interesting town perhaps best known for being the source of the Boontling folk language. The Zina Hyde Cunningham Winery was a real treat. It's a small winery, producing less than 2,000 cases a year that are available only in the hotel, the tasting room, or by joining their wine club. Since I prefer red wine--for my health of course--I tried a few. My favorite was the Lake County Cepage, which was a blend of Cabernet, Malbec, and Merlot.

However, what I enjoyed at least as much as the tasting, was the setting. The main tasting room was quite richly decorated, but when I saw the private tasting room, I was captivated. I could just imagine calling ZHC and asking for a reservation for my party of 10. All that's required is that the usual nominal tasting fee be paid per person and then the servers will concentrate on pouring the wines that your group favors. Very elegant! www.zinawinery.com

My third and final stop was at Goldeneye Winery in Philo. The tasting room was more formal than the two earlier ones, but since the day was beautiful, the option of sitting outside at picnic tables near some vineyards was appealing. The wines were excellent. Goldeneye is part of the Duckhorn Wine Company of Napa Valley. Goldeneye creates incredibly wonderful Pinot Noir and it was a treat to sample some of their 2006 & 2007 wines. www.goldeneyewinery.com

Further along on the highway, I stopped to take photos in the redwood forest. I traveled through two State Parks--Hendy Redwoods and Navarro Redwoods. And if going through these magnificent forests isn't enough, in the next blog entry, you'll see the photos of some of northern California's dynamic coastline.

My Fascination with Evita

2009-04-27T15:37:00.000-07:00

Scenes from the Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires. Flowers adorn the Duarte Family Crypt. Photos by Susan Alcorn

I'm start to write about Patagonia and part of the book will be my journal entries from our March adventures in both Chile and Argentina. Although the capital cities of Santiago and Buenos Aires are not in Patagonia (they are further north), they're the cities into which most visitors will fly and from which they'll depart. We flew into Santiago and out of Buenos Aires and then made our way south on LAN airlines....

One of the more interesting places we visited in Buenos Aires was the Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Peron (the fascinating and highly-controversial second wife of former Argentine President Juan Domingo Perón). Eva, or Evita as she is affectionately called, is buried in the Duarte (her father's family) mausoleum.

I find Eva quite fascinating, which I guess millions did and do, here as well as in Argentina so we also visited the Evita Peron Museum (Museo Evita) on Lafinur Street in the Palermo district. According to the information posted amongst the photos chronicling Eva's accomplishments and displaying her clothing, the posh neighborhood at the time did not appreciate Peron's welcoming needy women and children to stay in the house while they got back on their feet. The question of whether or not Evita should be revered or reviled I'll leave for others to debate.

And today I was simply wanting to find the lyrics of the song Don't Cry for Me Argentina, which I first heard in the movie Evita when it was released in 1996. The song, performed and recorded by Madonna (written by Andrew Lloyd Weber, lyrics by Tim Rice) became an instant hit throughout much of the world--hitting #1 on the charts in many countries.

As an added treat, you can hear Lea Salonga's version here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Ns1U0OnE8&feature=related

Fitness Tools

2009-04-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

As a long-distance hiker and backpacker, I have to maintain some degree of fitness, which I find challenging. I do not spring out of bed each morning and reach for my tennis shoes; I sort of stagger out of the bedroom in my robe and start looking for my Cheerios and tea.

I can easily become a couch potato, but I know that fitness requires (ever-increasing) eternal vigilance, so I force myself to make the effort. Once going, I sort of become like the Energizer bunny, but I do need to be put in motion.

On Easter morning, we decided that we would take a longish hike at Garin Regional Park, which is in the hills behind Hayward. I decided that I would be a bit more scientific in my approach to fitness, so I wore my heart-rate monitor. The Polar monitor that I wear is the sort that has a strap around your chest that senses the heart rate and a device that you wear around your wrist that indicates the rate.

We started up the High Ridge Loop trail. I watched my monitor along the way — keeping it between 124-130 beats per minute (which was quite easily done because the trail ascends moderately straight up the hill for at least a mile). I selected the 124-130 range because that falls within Zone 2 of my aerobic endurance training zone. Exercising at this range of moderate intensity is supposed to provide me with the biggest bang for the buck — improving overall conditioning and endurance.

Then things began to go awry. We reached the high point of the trail and the trail leveled out. I glanced at my monitor, "138."

"Hmm," I wondered, "perhaps it takes some time for recovery.

We keep hiking; the trail dipped a bit. I checked again. It read "150." Seemed weird, I didn't feel particularly tired.

Ralph suggested that perhaps the battery was dying — sometimes that makes the readout inaccurate. I looked at the monitor — sure enough — the "low battery" icon was showing. I decided to ignore it for a while.

But curiosity eventually got the best of me and I checked again. It now read "159." I asked Ralph to check my pulse. Something was really wrong here. If I hadn't felt fine, I would definitely have freaked out — going downhill and having a heart rate that high is next to impossible for someone of my age and fitness. Ralph told me to take the wristband off so that the monitoring would stop. I took it off and handed to him.

He glanced at the wristband and read, "Oh, it's 2:00 PM."

I guess I'm not dying after all!

I Love Patagonia

2009-04-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

I've been really remiss about updating this blog. That's what seems to happen when life gets in the way! I'm not complaining, we've just returned from three weeks in Patagonia and it was a great trip.

It's hard to pick a favorite things that we did because "it's all good." Our major emphasis was to see penguins and to hike in Torres del Paine--everything else was gravy. We, to mix my metaphors (which writers should never do), had the whole enchilada. Visited both Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina (whre we flew into and out of respectively) for a dose of city life. Buenos Aires, in particular, is HUGE so can't say we really saw it, but we enjoyed the highlights. Went to La Boca (colorful street scenes and tango demos), went to a Milonga (tango dance lesson hall), ate huge beef dinners, visited the La Recoleta Cemetery (where the rich and famous of Argentina are buried (and also the Duarte family, which includes Eva Peron/Evita, or so they way.)

But city life was not our major attraction--we wanted to see the spectacular national parks--Chile's Torres del Paine and Argentina's Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Glacier National Park). We were not disappointed.

Here are some of the photos: the dance scene in Buenos Aires; an Argentinian gaucho; sunrise in Torres del Paine; the Perito Moreno glacier near El Calafate, Argentina; and the penguins on Isla Magdalena in the Strait of Magellan. This is just a taste, which is how I feel about our three weeks there; I'm dying to go back!

12 Things I Know About Patagonia

2009-03-01T22:01:00.000-08:00

Guanaco from Chile's Patagonia. Llama from the California Sierra. Photos by Susan Alcorn

1. Patagonia's not an actual spot of the map--it's an area generally defined as those lands of southern Chile and Argentina lying south of the capital cities of Santiago and Buenos Aires.
2. It's an extremely large area--after flying into Santiago, we will need to take another flight (3.5 hours) to reach Punta Arenas, 125 miles north of Ushuaia the southernmost city in the world, to be in close proximately to the park where we are hiking.
Comparisons:
Punta Arenas, Chile (City) 53º17' S population 116,005
Barrow, Alaska, United States 71°18' N population 4,581)

3. Patagonia takes its name from the indigenous people who lived there.
4. It's where we find the Strait of Magellan, which was named after the Portuguese explorer who made his way through the water course taking 38 days to sail the 354 miles while trying to find a navigable alternative to the treacherous route around the horn. Of course the Strait is itself quite treacherous because of the narrow passageway and inhospitable climate. Until 1914 when the Panama Canal was opened, the Strait of Magellan was the most important route for sailing from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans.
5. The city of Punta Arenas, which overlooks the Strait of Magellan, is a good jumping off spot for day trips to Magellanic penguin rookeries.
6. The seasons are the opposite of ours in the Northern Hemisphere.
7. Patagonia's winds are legendary--can be upwards of 100 mpg.
8. The weather is extremely variable and there may be frequent changes within a day.
9. The trail in Torres del Paine that we will spend 8-10 days backpacking as we do a circuit of the park is not at high elevation. The highest pass is approximately 4,000'; most of the trail is about 2,000' (that's why the surrounding mountains appear so high). Nevertheless, snow and blizzard conditions can confine hikers to their tents for days at a time!
10. The water is supposed to be safe for drinking--some say it's terrific because it's glacial melt. Nevertheless, we plan to filter ours (and carry pills for backup).
11. There are hostals along the route situated about a hiking day apart. However most are rather pricey. We plan to stay in campgrounds and buy most of our food at the hostels.
12. We will encounter many more Europeans during our hike than North Americans. Most people I mention Patagonia to, do not know where it is (Clearly I don't know a lot about it either).

It's Raining!

2009-02-14T15:48:00.000-08:00

Sunol Regional photo by Susan Alcorn

We so much need the rain here in California! According to officials, we may be facing a third year of drought conditions. Many of the water districts here in the San Francisco Bay Area have instituted rationing and others may soon do so unless we get an abundance of precipitation soon. Yet, being human, when it does rain--as it has been doing off and on the last several days, people complain about it! It's pretty funny when you think about it.

For the most part, I am enjoying the rain--and not just because I know we need it. It means that, even on the weekends, our hiking trails aren't crowded. I guess I shouldn't be sharing my secret--that hiking in the drizzle, or even a downpour, can be quite rewarding. Of course you have to wear appropriate clothing and you have to select a trail that won't leave you wallowing in the mud.

One of our favorite regional parks (which I've written about previously) is Sunol. It has miles of trails, but most become pretty muddy after several days of rain. However, the trail that we take when it has been raining, Ohlone Camp Road, is a broad, mostly gravel roadway. It's perfect when other trails are hard to manage.

We took a hike in Sunol yesterday. We eagerly anticipated seeing Alameda Creek swollen with water from the recent rains and we enjoyed seeing the water splashing through the section known as Little Yosemite, but we did not know that we would also have gorgeous views of snow on the nearby ridgetops. Unfortunately, the time that we had for our hike didn't allow time for us to hike all the way to the snow, but we did thoroughly enjoy having the opportunity to see it, and on our way home from the park, we got to see a magnificent double rainbow. Amazingly we saw only three other people in the park during the several hours we were there, so essentially we had the park to ourselves for the day.

Bottom line: you don't need to give up hiking just because it's raining (or snowing), and if you do get out there you'll often find that it's the most beautiful time to be on the trail.

Joaquin Miller Park

2009-02-12T11:05:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that we've never investigated Joaquin Miller Park before. Both Ralph and I have been there before, but only to the amphitheater to see a couple of their summer musicals. Anyway, it is a City of Oakland park, nestled in the Oakland hills. It has been described as the crown jewel of the hills parks, while Lake Merritt is described as the jewel of the flatlands.

We went for our walk with our three-year-old grandson. Street side parking was free. Ralph and I set the course so that we would start out going uphill, circle around, and end up at the play structure and then the car. Logan was fine at the uphill stretches, in fact he most liked it when we took some little dirt paths that required a bit of challenging scrambling. From one of the viewpoints, we had a spectacular panorama of the greater Bay Area--including the Golden Gate Bridge.

We wondered what the site on the map labeled "pyre" was. Turned out that Joaquin Miller, the poet for who the park is named (and who once owned all of the park's land) had wanted to be cremated at the site. Regulations didn't allow that, but the concrete monument was created.

As we continued on up the hill, wandering through the eucalyptus and pines, we came to the heart of the park--a series of waterways, waterfalls, and pools with water splashing and sparkling as it made its way down the hill. I don't know if this was a WPA project (it looks to be of that era), but you don't need to know the history to appreciate this beautiful, peaceful retreat in Oakland's hills.

Sighting in Huckleberry Preserve

2009-02-01T14:32:00.000-08:00

I'm envious! Ralph went on a hike yesterday to one of our favorite local regional parks, Huckleberry Preserve, in the Oakland hills. (I started my hike later and just went down to our local shopping village). While he was out there, he saw a motion and seconds later what he had seen registered--a mountain lion. He was sort of on an incline and waited a second before he crested the trail in order to get out his camera. But, by the time he managed that and continued on, the lion was disappearing into the brush. He had a great sight of its long tail, however, so no mistaking what he had seen.

Ralph was disgruntled that he hadn't really had a good look, but I'm envious because I've never seen a mountain lion in the wild. We went back today and retraced his steps, but no luck. We did have a great hike though. Everything in the parks is newly washed from recent rains, and the morning light through the trees is gorgeous.

The weather in the S.F. Bay Area right now is sunny with temperatures in the 60s during the day. We need lots more rain, of course, but it's hard to complain when it is perfect for being outdoors.

BTW, my latest newsletter in just out and will be on my website later this week. The website has my newsletters archived at www.backpack45.com (left-hand column).

Morgan Territory is for the Birds!

2009-01-26T12:43:00.000-08:00

Ralph and I went on a terrific hike last Saturday! It wasn't the kind of day that most people would have picked for a successful hike, but for the 30+ people who set out with Bay Nature Magazine staff and Mike Moran of East Bay Regional Parks, it was just fine!

We were heading into Morgan territory, which is a regional park east of Mt. Diablo and north of Livermore, here in the S.F. Bay Area. Our goal, beyond a hike, was to see raptors, but since we arrived at the trailhead with fog swirling around us, it didn't look like an auspicious day for seeing birds.

Ralph and I had been to the park just a couple of weeks previously. On that early January day, the mud puddles were covered with ice. This time it was warmer (50 vs. 40 degrees), but also much windier. Everyone bundled up, donned rainpants, and we set out slipping and sliding through the mud.

We stopped frequently to talk about birds, particularly the raptors, which do live in the area. So what made this recent hike successful was a combination of factors--but the bright green of the grasses and leaves and the information we were hearing about the bird populations were a large part of it.

I learned a new rhyme, which is just dumb enough to appeal to kids and to be remembered by their adults: Alice Algae and Freddie Fungus took a lichen to a rock. So the next time you see some of that stuff clinging to a rock, you can spread the word! The funniest story Mike relayed was about the behavior of ground squirrels (choice prey for many creatures) around rattlesnakes. It seems that adult (not the young) ground squirrels have an immunity to rattlesnake venom and they sometimes tease the rattlesnakes. In addition, they have been observed throwing small rocks at the snakes to chase them away. (Hmm, wouldn't that be considered using tools?)

Rainy days may tempt you to stay indoors, but they are often the most beautiful ones to spend outdoors. I can assure you that the trails are much less crowded! Ralph and I hope to return soon to see if we can spot some of the hawks and eagles that frequent this prime bird habitat.

Tradition Flowers in Mariposa

2009-01-18T17:57:00.000-08:00

"Twenty-one years," we determine — that's how long we've been enjoying this tradition. It all began the winter our friends Bob and Lorinda purchased 20+ acres near the town of Mariposa, California. That was when we all — Bob, Lorinda, my husband Ralph, and I — started making the three hour drive — trading the hectic activity of the S. F. Bay Area for the serenity of the foothills of the Sierra for a weekend every December to celebrate Lorinda's birthday and planting dozens of daffodil bulbs on their property.

Then every March since, to celebrate my birthday, we have returned to their Blade Creek property and to see the blossoms that have sprung forth — the tall, bright yellow King Alfreds, the sweetly-scented white narcissus, the peachy-colored daffodils.

For years, there was no house on the property. Ralph and I would sleep huddled in our down sleeping bags in the back of our pickup's camper shell. Bob and Lorinda would sleep in their 1950s model Shamrock travel trailer. This was no behemoth, doublewide mobile home; this was a 20 ft.-long compact model. But its cozy interior was perfect for our needs — we had a formica kitchen table and padded benches, a stovetop with two burners, and a 12" square sink. Amazingly, there was also a wood-burning stove and we were always comfortably warm.

We relished the fact that we had a hideaway where no one could disturb us. Even after E-mail and cell phones became commonplace, we would leave them behind for the unfettered weekend at Blade Creek. We would arrive on Saturday, bring in our food and gear, and then wander through the woodlands of oak and pine trees, ceonothus and other brush. We followed the trails worn by the shy deer we rarely saw. If there'd been recent rain, we'd check the banks of the seasonal creek for footprints. Sometimes we'd find signs of raccoons, birds, or ducks; some years we'd hear a chorus of treefrogs.

One year we saw a huge flock of wild turkeys, often acorn woodpeckers, red-shafted flickers and red-shouldered hawks. Tiny nuthatches have entertained us as they circle the trunk of a nearby oak searching for an insect or larval snack. Over time, we've seen everything from tarantulas to foxes to bobcats, and we shiver with delight when we hear the yips of coyotes at dusk. As night approaches we scurry back to the trailer for supper. We're happy when we have a new version of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale or a bottle of sparkling bubbly.

Over time things have changed at Blade Creek. One major difference is that our hosts have upgraded their home. A simple prefab house has been installed and we've had to say goodbye to the old trailer, which is now resting on flattened tires and taken over by ants and mice. The trails that we used to keep open by our arrival and departure are now overgrown.

But the Sunday morning tradition in December — the planting the daffodil bulbs continues. We select a planting area, start tossing bulbs into the air, and then plant the bulbs where they land. Then one Sunday in March, as we have all these years, we make a morning survey — remarking on what's sprung forth. We aren't methodical about marking where we plant in the fall, so it's speculation in the spring as to what's a new plant, and which ones are survivors from previous years. Then work or viewing completed, we pack up, say our goodbyes, and make our way back to our "real" homes.

This article first ran in the Mariposa Gazette, the oldest weekly newsletter in the country, on January 8, 2009

Simplify Your Life - Take Stock First!

2008-12-29T10:38:00.000-08:00

This seems to be the time of year when we reflect on how we are doing -- we think about the resolutions we made last winter and generally berate ourselves for our failures. (Of course by making resolutions in the first place, we often set ourselves up for failure, but that's another topic.)

One of my perennial resolutions is to simplify my life; I always "fail" miserably. When I look at what's already on my January calendar, and at our trips scheduled for the year, it seems obvious that any resolution made this year to simplify would be a joke -- or would it? I'm wondering if perhaps I have not looked at my obligations, responsibilities, and chores objectively enough in the past. I have not really focused on where my time goes.

Ralph and I have traveled a lot the last few years -- about three months worth in 2008. It takes a lot of additional time both before and after to prepare for and catch up from each trip. Yet I mentally do take note of the trips when figuring out where my time goes. I also add in the days at home that we care for a grandchild or for my mother. What I think I have not "credited" myself with -- and it adds up to a large amount of time -- is the time I spend recycling. I am all for saving our environment, the greening of America, etc., I just think that we are not acknowledging how much time we spend; it comes out of our 24 hour days and so we need to factor it in.

Below is a list of 31 items (or categories), one for each day of a month. At any one time, several of these items is on a counter or in a bin at home or in the back of my car, waiting to be disposed of. If we are trying to simplify our lives, we need to consider all the tasks involved with today's greater environmental awareness:

1. Cardboard, cans, and bottles to the gray container: boxes must be flattened* and containers washed first.
2. Batteries: used to be taken to the library, now packaged in a plastic bag taped to the top of the gray recycle container.
3. Yard trimmings: into the green container - first cut to fit.
4. Wearable clothes and useful household goods: special trip to Salvation Army or Goodwill.
5. Special occasion dresses: wedding dress shipped to Oregon non-profit; business wear to "Dress for Success," more fashionable wear to a consignment store.
6. Sleeping bag and camping gear: shelter for homeless or Inner-City Kids Outdoors.
7. Paint, herbicides, and pesticides: use them up (or allow paint to dry and then place with regular garbage) or special trip to "Hazardous Waste" locations on special days.
8. Mercury thermometers: special collection locations and days.
9. Expired medications: no more dumping down the toilet! Take to select pharmacies or to Save the Bay's designated spots.
10. Plastic bags: Avoid by bringing your own reusable totes. Reuse and recycle any plastic bags you have.
11. Paper bags: see #10 above.
12. Plastic bottles: avoid buying - replace with metal, non-toxic beverage containers.
13. Newspapers: recycle (at least we don't need to tie them into bundles anymore!)
14. Junk mail: recycle or better yet, register on-line to reduce unwanted mail.
15. Party cleanup: either use re-usable (non paper or plastic) dishes and utensils, buy biodegradable dinnerware, or recycle. I personally sort through the after-party garbage and salvage the plastic forks and cups for the next event.
16. Books: donate or trade at the library.
17. Magazines: drop off at the laundromat or doctors' office.
18. Plastic "peanuts" and other shipping materials: drop off at local UPS office.
19. Water: collect excess in bucket in bathtub and use in toilet or haul to yard.
20. Small soaps, shampoo packets, and toothbrushes: collect for homeless.
21. Decorative Christmas ornaments: MOCHA (children's art projects from reused items.)
22. Car: don't wash your own car - take it to a car wash (special trip).
23. Lightbulbs: after replacing your incandescents with CFL's (a good thing), you'll eventually have to dispose of the CFL -- but not in the garbage. Special trip*.
24. Potato peelings, apple cores, lettuce leaves: to compost container, then to compost bin.
25. Compost bin: needs tending.
26. 8-1/2 x 11 copy paper: use both sides if possible, recycle.
27. Christmas cards: bundle and save; cut and re-use next year, donate them, recycle.
28. Leftover party food: take to homeless shelter, etc.
29. Pantry larder: rotate stock by taking year old canned goods to Food bank.
30. Christmas wrap and ribbon: salvage when possible; recycle if necessary.
31. Frayed bathtowels: donate to vet office or animal shelter.

Things I don't do, but probably would if the occasion arose:
1. Hair: if it's long enough, donate it.
2. Coats: Project "One warm coat."
3. "Donate your car, boat, or RV...": No, mine stays in the family.

Note that I am not including walking instead of driving; hanging clothes to dry rather than using dryer, checking out offsets for flights, and growing your own food rather than going to the supermarket.

*actually Ralph almost always does this.

Musing in French

2008-12-11T10:14:00.000-08:00

Ralph and I are taking French lessons. I think he is doing better than I am. Seems like every time I manage to learn some new phrase the former one drops out. At least I am getting to the point where I recognize more that is being said. I can even hear phrases in my mind, but my mouth can't get around the words to say them. Our teacher is wonderfully patient — not sure how she can stand it! We are taking the classes at the Alliance Francaise in Berkeley and they are very serious (though our class is intense, but fun). So I look towards each meeting with much trepidation, but have also signed us up for another 8 week session (once a week and lots of homework). Sometimes I wonder why I am such a glutton for punishment.

This recent attempt at learning French all started when we were staying in a place in Anglès, France. The owner of the hotel lives in Cote de Azur — on the Mediterranean coast and only comes in to this small hotel when someone calls to reserve a room. Anyway, to make a long story short, she served us dinner and she served us breakfast (toast and jam), but our conversations were short because her English is limited and our French is minimal. She finally asked how many times we had been to France before. "Ralph has been four, I've been five," I answered with some embarrassment.

"It's time for you to learn French," she replied. We nodded our agreement with her and Ralph and I vowed to each other that we would sign up for a course when we got home. Which is why I am spending my Wednesday mornings being alternately embarrassed and entertained. It will be very interesting to see how we do when back on the French trail in 2009.

Everyone knows that the best time to learn a language is when you are a small child. It used to be held that older people were hopeless at it, and we might agree except for the fact that we are learning, albeit very slowly after tons of repetition. The thing is, that's how children learn their native language in the first place — they spend one or two years listening to those around them speak before they even try to talk. So we are trying to be patient with ourselves — well at least Ralph is, I'm agitated about my slow progress most of the time!

Another side effect of our attempts to immerse ourselves in the language is that we are going to, and renting, French movies. Some are pretty awful (same as American made ones can be), but an outstanding one currently showing is the award-winning, I've Loved You So Long. Go see it!
A Bientôt,
Susan

Convoluted!

2008-11-25T18:45:00.000-08:00

Vanilla Tangle photo by Ralph Alcorn

You already know that socks disappear in the washer or the dryer (and of course it's always just one--leaving you with its mate, which you are then required to hang onto in hopes that the missing one will turn up some day. Of course it won't--unless you throw the mate away!)

Of course it's not too difficult to imagine a sock being swept away down the drain, but it is a bit more difficult to imagine a sock dissolving into lint during one cycle of drying! What I really want to know is where all those socks from the washer eventually end up...do they become part of a gigantic floating island like plastics do?

An even greater question for me is how paperclips get fastened together like construction-paper-chains on a Christmas tree. Why is it that every time I reach for a paper clip, I get not one, but two locked together? Since I always separate them when I put them in the drawer or bin, how do they get attached afterward? Is it sort of like Toy Story where they come to life when I'm not in the room?

The same goes for chains in my jewelry box. It's not like I throw my necklaces into the box, in fact I carefully hang them on little pegs. So why is it that when I want to put one on, it is either tangled in a knot of its own, or tangled with at least one other chain? I no longer have a cat in the house, so I know that nothing is playing with necklace chains instead of yarn. Which reminds me of another thing that is always tangled when I want to use it...yarn!

Friendships Valued Here

2008-11-09T18:16:00.000-08:00

Hiking in France photo by Susan Alcorn

I was thinking today about the hiking/backpacking community and about our last hiking trip in France. While Ralph and I were there, we met another hiker, Robert. As is common when hiking, we met up with him off and on over several days of hiking. We would see him when we stopped for the night; we walked with him for a couple of hours one day. And then he went on ahead and that was the end of it. It's not unlike a conversation that you might have on an airplane--it's warm and rich and provides a connection--but it ends when the plane touches down.

After Robert had moved on, I missed his companionship for a while, then I started thinking about other things as one does. But today, I got to thinking about the value of various kinds of relationships. We tend to think that short relationships are less valuable than long ones. We generally give great importance to the length of time we've been friends with someone or how long someone has been married. I think, however, that if we honestly consider the various relationships we've had in our lives, we find that the value is not necessarily correlated with the longevity.

I tend to want to hang onto relationships and I have many that are quite long-lived. As much as I treasure those connections, I also see that I've had many short-term encounters that have added immeasurably to the richness of my life. I always want more, but sometimes endings and moving on is for the best.

One Perfect Day

2008-11-06T17:09:00.000-08:00

Diver in Aquarium Tank.
Cal Academy's New Living Roof
Proud Creature
Butterfly of the Dome
all photos by Susan Alcorn

Today was a stellar day--a beautiful day in the S. F. Bay Area. First of all, we picked up a good friend, Lorinda, and headed for San Francisco. I was scheduled to meet and be interviewed for a blog by a hiker, Aaron "Squirrel Meat" Richardson, at the hostel in Fort Mason.

Aaron recently contacted me because he is developing a site that will focus on long-distance trails throughout the world. He wanted to learn more about my hiking experiences, particularly our hike on Spain's Camino de Santiago. Since I always love talking about trails, and since Aaron was competent and friendly, it was a fun experience. He lives in Arcata, on the coast of Northern California, where it gets a lot more rain than it does here--so I think he enjoyed finding a sunny day for his visit.

It wasn't just to interview me that Aaron came down here--he actually wanted to meet up with a friend who he'd met on the Appalachian Trail, Lion King. Lion King came in just yesterday after completing the cross-country American Discovery Trail. Talk about accomplishments! Also there to welcome Lion King to the western terminus of the ADT were Ken and Marcia Powers. Ken and Marcia have earned the "Grand Slam" award in hiking because they have completed the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian, the Continental Divide, and the ADT. They were the first hikers to complete the ADT on foot in one calendar year. Aaron admitted that it was a bit of an intimidating experience to be in the presence of such heavy hitters.

After the interview, Ralph, Lorinda, and I went over the Golden Gate Park to see the rebuilt Cal Academy of Science. Photos and stories about the museum have been all over the place--rightly so--not only because of the interior dome that let you wander through the tropics with butterflies and birds flitting around you, but also because of the living roof with its low growing vegetation and mature trees. And as you can see above, the roof has many round windows (which can be opened to regulate temperature, humidity, light, etc.) and it also is composed of several rounded "hills," which fit in with the actual surrounding hills of San Francisco. There have been tremendous crowds to get in, but weekdays waits have now become reasonable, which makes this a fine time to visit.

What struck me, besides the exhibits themselves, was the fact that anywhere you looked was of interest. The old building had many fascinating exhibits, but it was dark and dated. The new building is light, open, and soaring--a magnificent new addition to San Francisco's many attractions.

When we had seen about half of the museum, we decided it was time to call it a day. We didn't want to go completely into sensory overload! Luckily, it is not difficult for us to visit again and often. Next time we'll see the other half of the building, which includes the African Hall and the planetarium.

Time spent with friends, talking about hiking trails, enjoying warm sunshine in November, visiting the brand new, state-of-the-art, Cal Academy of Science--what more can one ask of a day?
Happy trails,
Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn
visit us at www.backpack45.com

Heads Roll!

2008-10-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

I've been working on my genealogy -- something for YEARS I swore I would never do. My parents were really into it at one time. They took several trips to England (where most of our relatives came from) to look at old church records and such. Then my sister-in-law got involved and did a great deal of research and put it on her computer. All I am actually doing at this point is entering it onto mine.

I'm doing something with it now for a couple of reasons -- the first one is that I'm avoiding writing because I'm experiencing writer's block. More precisely, I'm stumped as to the direction I should be taking. I seem to go in one direction, reach a point where the trail ends or is going in circles, and then pick up a new topic. Frustrating!

So, I have been plugging away at this genealogy thing. What I AM looking forward to, is finding the stories behind the names and dates. That could be interesting!

Well, today I found one. I had just entered the name "Lady Jane/Joan De Vere" and I was idly thinking how far I had strayed from the family heritage of royalty, wealth, and power. "I don't get no respect," as Rodney Dangerfield would say. (Actually I love my life, but I sometimes do wish I had more control of the world -- it's crazy out there!)

As these thoughts were drifting through my mind, I came to the next entry, "born: John De Vere, born April 23, 1408, 12th Earl of Oxford, Hedingham Castle, Essex, England; died February 23, 1461/62 in ...Beheaded." Beheaded!!!!!!!!!! That's not the life of fun and games that I aspire to!

Elk and Skunks and Weasels, Oh My!

2008-10-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

Weasel Watch and Striped Skunk photos by Susan Alcorn

Yesterday was a great day for hiking in the Bay Area. The hike that we took from the Pierce Ranch, which is at the northern tip of Pt. Reyes National Seashore, is one of my favorites in the whole world. This is the time of year that the Tule elk enter the rut and because the trail is along a narrow peninsula, it's extremely easy to find the elk. Usually we see huge groups of females with a male or two in a couple of different locations. There are also usually some small groups of males -- bachelors -- sulking somewhere in the vicinity.

But to us the most exciting wildlife sightings we had yesterday were much smaller than the elk -- two striped skunks and a weasel. We saw the skunks before we had even reached the parking lot. They were about 20 feet apart, both minding their own business and searching in the short grass for something to eat. After watching and shooting a couple of photos or them -- somewhat nervously because I was sitting in the car with the window down -- we continued on to the parking lot, got out, and started our walk.

About a mile along, I saw motion in the trailside vegetation -- a weasel. Now until my first sighting of a weasel, I had always pictured them as being huge and ugly. This guy was slender and cute. If you watch the video [click video], you'll see just how adorable he was! I could not believe how long he stood there watching us. During the time we watched him -- about 5 minutes all told -- he went into and out of his burrow (or someone else's) several times, but he just couldn't get over being as curious about us as we were of him.

A perfect way to spend a foggy, but not too cold, fall day!

Camino Packing List for Hikers

2008-09-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

Scenes from the French countryside (LePuy route) by Susan and Ralph Alcorn

We've just returned from 2-1/2 weeks of hiking on the French pilgrimage route from Arles to Dourgne. This 190-mile route is also known as the Chemin St. Jacques or GR653. Those undertaking a similar hike, with most overnight stays in chambre d'hôtes, hotels, or gites, should find my list helpful. If you have any questions, email me at backpack45 "at sign" yahoo.com. My list is "skin out" (everything including what I am wearing). My pack usually weighs about 15 pounds.

CLOTHING FOR HIKING*:
1. 2 short-sleeved button up the front blouses (1 would have been sufficient)
2. 1 long-sleeved button up blouse (I like to layer) for daytime
3. 1 pr. Hiking pants with zip-off legs

CLOTHING FOR EVENING (optional category) for dinner out while daytime clothes are drying)
1. 1 short-sleeved black cotton scoop necked tee shirt (for dinners out)
2. 1 long-sleeved button up blouse, fancy
3. 1 imported coin dangly necklace (sometimes I take a neckscarf instead)
4. 1 pr. Pants (Railrider) Black. Looked somewhat dressy, but suitable for hiking, too!

OUTERWEAR:
1. Fleece 1/4 zip long sleeved pullover (med-weight) top
2. Thermal fleece bottoms (never needed, but insurance)
3. Rain jacket
4. Rain pants (insurance)
5. Down jacket (insurance)
6. Gloves (alpaca. lightweight; insurance)

FOOTWEAR:
1. Asics Gel-Nimbus Trail Runners** (buy larger than normal by 1/2 to 1 size to allow for swelling)
2. 3 layers foam cushion inserts (Dr. Scholl's). I wear an orthotic that is covered with a very thin layer of foam, so I was very glad that I had added the foam inserts. As I said, it was a very rocky trail in several places.
3. Sandals (optional). I like to wear a somewhat dressy sandal to dinner. Black, Mephisto.
4. 2 pr. toe socks (socks with toes by Injinji)
5. 2 pr. liner socks (which I wear over the toe socks in order to avoid blisters)
6. 1 pr. Gaiters (Dirty Girl) optional, but fun!

HEAD COVERINGS:
1. Cap (fleece) cap
2. Hat (Weekenders) Fabric, large brim, neck coverage. Essential! Also great for sitting on!
3. Umbrella (optional)
4. Bandanna (cotton) multi-purposes: headcovering, sit on, dry off after shower, nose wipe!

UNDERWEAR:
1. 1 pr. panties (oops! I forgot something, meant to bring 2 pr., but found they were comfortable even when still damp from wash)
2. 1 bra
3. 1 full slip (to sleep in)

PACK AND OTHER GEAR:
1. Backpack (Granite Gear "Vapor Lite" (2 pounds)
2. Pack cover (silnylon)
3. Hiking poles (collapsible, carbon fiber)
4. Water bladder/container (2.5 liter)
5. Plastic wash basin (collapsible; optional/didn't use it this time, but certainly have in the past).

TOILETRIES:
1. Toothpaste and brushes, dental floss
2. Sunscreen (Neutrogena)
3. Mosquito repellant and headnet
4. Motrin (or similar)
5. Antifungal (athlete's foot treatment)
6. Neosporin (antibiotic ointment)
7. Campsuds (optional when staying in hotels)
8. Soap (tiny bar and a packet of shampoo
9. Pepto Bismol
10. Hand sanitizer (Purell)
11. Chapstick

MISC. EXTRAS:
1. Sleeping bag (REI "Sub Kilo": rated to 20 degrees, which was more than needed)
2. Camera (digital, Canon Powershot SD700); backup battery and memory card (Ralph carried a charger for both of our cameras)
3. Paper and pen for journal writing, etc.
4. Paperback book
5. Whistle
6. 2 Flashlights (led-type: 1 is a tiny pinch light, 1 is a Black Diamond with head strap for reading at night)
7. Clothes pins (6-8)
8. Travel alarm
9. Toilet paper (small amount)
10. Sunglasses and reading glasses
11. Mirror (small)
12. Razor (disposable)
13. Hand lotion
14. Nail clippers
15. Pactowel (smallest)
16. Swiss Army Knife (smallest)
17. Money belt (waist) for credit card, ATM, passport, etc. Make copies of important numbers and give your partner (or someone back home) appropriate card numbers and phone numbers
18. Plastic bags, etc. We use several ziplock freezer bags for misc. storage. We also take a large trash compacter bag for lining the inside of our packs and a couple of turkey roaster bags for extra protection against getting our clothes, down jackets, or sleeping bags wet.

Notes:
Ralph carried a couple of items that we shared: a cell phone with international calling capacity; bandages including footcare tape; 6 snack bars in case we got stuck without food.

*All clothing listed above is made of synthetic fabrics, unless otherwise noted, both so that wicking can occur (perspiration transfers out from the body so that it can evaporate, your clothing will dry faster, and your body won't get chilled) and so that things will dry on the line more quickly.

I washed clothes every night and with the exception of my socks, they usually were completely dry by morning.

**Most Europeans still wear hiking boots on such trips. We wear trail runners like many of the backpackers of the west's Pacific Crest Trail. The French trail was very steep and rocky in places, but the trail runners worked fine for us.

Reentry into Daily Life

2008-08-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

Mt. Thielsen, Oregon PCT photo by Susan Alcorn

Paul M. wrote recently on the Pacific Crest Trail forum about the difficulties of post-trail adjustment, and although I am a section hiker rather than a thru-hiker, I can definitely relate to what he says about the problems of re-entry. I always find it difficult to reenter and that's in spite of the fact that I love my home, friends and family, and "normal" activities (not that he doesn't). Even though being on the trail takes adjusting to, it is a simpler life in many ways; the decisions are about survival (where to eat, set up camp, how many miles, etc.). At home, we are expected to be "responsible" adults and play various roles; we work and play with others in myriad ways much of the time. Our decisions and interactions with others are much more complicated.

Paul wonders if the answers to some of his questions will become clearer over time. Perhaps they will, but since I didn't start long-distance hiking on the PCT and the Camino trails of Europe until I was in my fifties and sixties, I'm not sure how much age has to do with it. One thing I have gotten better at over time is expecting some degree of difficulty with the transitions and not to beat myself over the head about it.

It's one of life's realities that making a choice often means giving something else up. I am fortunate in that I can look back from where I am (67) and see that my life has been a series of chapters. Obviously each new chapter builds on the earlier ones, but within most people's lifetimes there is time for many adventures and re-creations.

Thanks for giving us food for thought, Paul. As Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living."

Happy trails,
Susan Alcorn

All contents copyright 2008

Holy Cow! We Get Respect!

2008-08-22T15:30:00.001-07:00

PCT Trail at Crater Lake, Oregon - photo by Susan Alcorn

Not only am I pleased that the coverage of the Olympics includes lots of media attention to Dara Torres, who took three silver medals for swimming, but also that they've noted that she is older than the average Olympic athlete. I was also pleased to read in this morning's paper, the San Francisco Chronicle, an article by Julian Guthrie, entitled, "Older, Tougher, Wiser." Guthrie points out that the average competitor in this year's Summer Olympics is 27 years of age, almost 3 years older than the average age of participants in the 1980 games.

Several reasons are explored, but foremost among them is that older athletes train smarter--an example: they realize that their bodies need longer to recover than they would have needed when they were 25, and they build a training program that allows time for both training and recovery. And I love reading articles that report on research that indicates that resistance exercise can actually give you muscles that think they are much younger.

Since Ralph and I are both older (he's 72, I'm 67) than most long-distance hikers and backpackers that we meet on the trail, we often wonder why that is and how long we will last. Since I didn't start backpacking until I was 48, I can't compare what I can do now and what I could do then. What I do know is that I still am lucky enough, and determined enough, to be able to hike wherever I want to. We have just completed our last miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in California and have started working on the Oregon sections. We've now backpacked 1,900 miles of this difficult, but beautiful National Scenic Trail. I know that age at some point becomes a factor in what one can do, but I don't think it makes much sense to let a number be the determining factor in what one does or does not attempt.

Happy trails! Visit us at www.backpack45.com You can subscribe to my backpacking newsletter by emailing me at backpack45 "at sign" yahoo.com

From Fairy Godmother to "Meanie"

2008-07-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

Storytime with Grandchildren

"You're mean," said my five-year old granddaughter recently. I'd thwarted her activities once again. I can't remember if I was refusing to pick up after her, preventing her from harassing her little brother, or telling her to go brush her teeth, the point is, I have fallen from the pedestal on which I was until recently perched.

Our young granddaughter and grandson have been in our care for the last week and a half while their parents are on a much-needed vacation. Normally we see one or the other of the kids all day, once a week. We usually take them somewhere special; most recently to nearby regional parks to have a picnic, walk, throw rocks in the water, and, in general, give them a chance to run around outside. We have been held in very high esteem. We rarely need to discipline. We get and receive lots of hugs and kisses.

This week has been a bit different. There are still hugs and kisses and we have all gone swimming, to the park, on a picnic, even been on an overnight visit to the cousins. However, we have been also been playing parents; we've been the ones making requests and issuing orders: "Time to get dressed," "Time to eat," "No more snacks," and "No hitting!" It seems that having the two in the same room (or car) at the same time is often a challenge — sometimes the play and sharing goes well, but all too often there's squabbling or copying each others worst behavior.

It's not unlike being a substitute teacher — every rule made has to be tested to see how consistently it will be enforced and where the loopholes are. Grandpa and I have to be approached separately to see if "divide and conquer" might be a worthwhile approach. I find I'm laughing a lot less in this new Grandma role than I am when I get to be the benevolent and fun Fairy Godmother.

I do have to chuckle sometimes though. One day we had to pull over (to a safe place) on the side of the road because of the five-year-old's poor behavior in the car. I got out of the car with her and stood next to her to enforce a timeout. As she stood next to me watching the cars go by, she decided she wanted to test the "no talking and no getting up when in timeout" rule; she started waving to the cars going by. When I turned her to face away from traffic (so she'd have less fun and take the timeout seriously), she kept waving her hand at her side.

It's certainly been a long time since my children were this young; perhaps this harrowing experience has had the added benefit of reminding me how difficult child raising really is/was. It is a rewarding job, but it's also extremely challenging. We want to do our child rearing perfectly and yet we are not perfect people doing it! I know that I have learned a lot about children over the years — from both raising my own and teaching others in elementary school. Even so, it had been a long time since I had a 10:00 PM curfew because I had to get home to let the babysitter go home. Perhaps it's worthwhile for grandparents whose memories of child raising have faded somewhat to be reminded that childcare is a lot more difficult when the demands are nonstop rather than occasional.

I think I'll go now — I'm still feeling a bit brain-dead from the sleep deprivation at the weekend's sleepover at the cousins' house!

It's Eerie Outside!

2008-06-26T17:05:00.001-07:00

Pleasanton Ridge Trail by Susan Alcorn

According to news sources, there are more than 1,000 wildfires burning in California. The air quality is rated unsafe. It's recommended that people stay indoors with the windows closed. The danger is greatest for the very young and the very old. We aren't often smelling the smoke where we live, but the haze is pretty bad.

Ralph and I have had to postpone our hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. The "Clover" Fire, which we have been following for almost a month, has not only increased, it's gone over onto the east side of the Sierra. For quite a while, the fire was allowed to burn because it was a naturally occurring fire—caused by lightning. But now that it is close to structures—including the Kennedy Meadows store and Highway 395, it's being more actively fought.

The trail was closed at one point, then opened with escorts, now closed again. We're disappointed about having to cancel our trip because the miles from Kennedy Meadows to Cottonwood Pass are our last 50 miles to hike of the PCT in California and we'd really like to complete it. At the same time, we realize that our concerns are nowhere near as important as those of the firefighters and the residents who have homes, property, even lives at stake.

Because we want to keep in shape and ready for our next backpack trip, we are taking local hikes. We decided it was safe enough to hike because we haven't been smelling much smoke. We're hiking many of the trails listed in this year's East Bay Regional Parks Trail Challenge and being introduced to many new places to hike. Yesterday we hiked the Pleasanton Ridge trail (Pleasanton); today we hiked along the Nimitz and Wildcat Canyon trails in Tilden Park (Berkeley). The eerie thing is that most people are heeding the warnings about air quality and the trails are close to deserted. Our hikes have been wonderful—I just hope that we aren't undermining our health!

Today we met a man on the Nimitz Trail. He warned us that he had seen a mountain lion about a mile back. We've always said we'd love to see a mountain lion in the wild, but not too close. We weren't lucky enough to see this one, but it did keep us on our toes.

Our big sighting of the day was a mama and papa quail that we startled as they were crossing the trail. Mama flew to one side of the trail and then the other, warning her little ones to stay quiet. We moved off several yards and waited patiently; after Mama thought we were gone, she ran back across the trail and collected her two tiny chicks and brought them back to where Papa was waiting.

Today as we sat having our lunch in the foothills and looking out at the haze, I was reminded of Stewart's Earth Abides. The book was set in Berkeley and the main character awakes (after recovering from a snakebite as I recall) to find himself all alone in the hills—and the air filled with smoke. Turns out most of the population has been destroyed by a nuclear holocaust. Eerie? Yes!

Heading into the Unknown

2008-06-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

Mojave Red photo by Susan Alcorn

Ralph and I are soon going to be resuming the Pacific Crest Trail south of Mt. Whitney. Although it is with some trepidation that I'm starting to pack and get ready to go, I'm also pretty excited about it. When we finish the upcoming fifty miles (Kennedy Meadows to Cottonwood Pass), we will have finished the California PCT and 1,725 miles!

In May we hiked from further south to Kennedy Meadows (KM). It was in the nineties at KM, but hit 105 degrees by the time we dropped to Hwy. 395 on our drive home. A few days later—Memorial Day weekend, it snowed in the Sierra so temperatures dropped. Then a forest fire started right along the PCT just north of KM. For a few days the trail was closed, then for a couple of weeks, firefighters were escorting backpackers through the area. That escort service seems to have been called off, but I still feel like I am heading into the unknown.

Backpacking doesn't usually have a lot of drama, but it always seems to be accompanied by a great deal of uncertainty! By the way, if you don't subscribe to my backpacking/hiking newsletter, you can do so by going to our website at www.backpack45.com. It's free!

Happy trails!
Susan Alcorn

©2008 photo and contents Susan Alcorn

Trail Angels Galore!

2008-06-12T09:57:00.001-07:00

Unwary Desert Traveler?
(Southern California water cache maintained by trail angels, the Andersons) photo by Susan Alcorn

Ever since Ralph and I started tackling the Pacific Crest Trail seriously (setting the goal to complete it, and taking longer backpacking trips), we have become aware of the amazing trail angels that support hikers. Our last section hike of the PCT was once again in southern California from Agua Dulce to Kennedy Meadows—a distance of about 250 miles.

This is a rather challenging portion of the PCT as far as weather and water supplies. To help with the water problem (the lack thereof) Ralph actually went down south early in April, drove miles of dirt roads or hiked in, in order to place caches of water at appropriate places along the trail. There is at least one stretch with no natural water for 20+ miles and another stretch of 30+ miles. Since we normally hike 12-15 miles per day, you can see the problem.

As usual, we had the good fortune to have trail angel encounters. Donna and Jeff Saufley, who run Hiker Heaven in Agua Dulce, and Diane Ely, who lives in the vicinity, saw that we got off to a good start. The Saufley's provided us with a comfy bed and a hearty fettuccine dinner the night before we started hiking. They also kept our car for us until we returned. Diane was on standby to help us anywhere along the route and she was the one who picked us up in Tehachapi when our trip ended—100 miles from her house!

Part of Section E's "charm" is that you have to walk a day or two along the California and then the Los Angeles aqueduct. The irony is lost on no one who has traveled this way that millions of gallons of water are flowing just below your feet (go rent the movie "Chinatown" if you don't remember how the water was "stolen" from the Mono Lake area and sent on its way to Southern California). However in the Los Angeles aqueduct, the water is buried under several inches of concrete with no access for desert hikers.

Skipping ahead to the Mojave Desert. Although I had dreaded the crossing of the Mojave Desert, we were lucky enough to be protected by some cloud cover, or light winds, most of the time. And thank goodness, we did not see any sidewinders or even the dangerous Green Mojave rattlesnake.

We encountered a problem on Day #12. Although we hadn't seen anyone for almost three days and had no phone reception, we had been doing well and were on schedule. Mid-afternoon, we stopped for a break at Butterbredt Canyon. A car pulled up, then a second one. Chester (the younger) stepped out. We got to talking and soon learned that he and his parents were slack-packing sections of the PCT. They had two rental cars and each day they would drive one car to their chosen endpoint and then drive the second car to their starting point. Then they would walk from car to car. We thought it was an interesting way of doing their hike with the benefit of not having to carry their backpacks.

We say "goodbye" and resumed our hike. As we climbed towards Pinyon Mountain, the wind started to pick up. By 5:00 PM, it was blowing quite hard and we began to look for a sheltered place to set up camp. We found nothing suitable for setting up a tent. We continued on. The wind became so strong that both of us were pushed off the trail numerous times and we were lucky that the slopes of the mountain were not dramatically steep. Whenever I stopped, it was all that I could do to resist being pushed along.

Finally we reached an intersection of dirt roads—and amazingly, one of the rental cars was parked there. Ralph went to see if the car would provide a windbreak. No dice. Then, a fluke of luck, he tried the car door and found it was unlocked! What are the odds??????

I jumped in and announced that I wasn't leaving the car. Ralph tried to set up the tent in the shelter of a nearby Joshua tree. He finally gave up because the wind would have destroyed the tent in the process of setting it up (we estimated the winds varied between 40-60mph). After a little searching down canyon, he found a somewhat sheltered spot, where setup was possible, but opted for the relative comfort of the car where we spent the night.

My back, which had had a few twinges from the wind blowing sideways at my pack, seemed okay the next morning. But about two miles into the hike, I began to feel both twinges and spasms. Not a good thing when you are two days from a road and have no phone connections. We considered our options and decided the safest thing to do was to go back to the car and wait for Chester and his parents (Ellen and Chester).

They ended up driving us three hours on dirt roads as they placed their cars for their next day's hike and then drove us back to a motel in Tehachapi. That makes Trail Angels 4, 5, & 6 for this trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Number 4 was R. K., the hotel manager at Day's Inn in Tehachapi who gave us a round trip ride to a trailhead.)

(This post, slightly modified, was originally circulated in my twice-monthly newsletter, Susan Alcorn's Backpacking/Hiking Newsletter #105, May 10, 2008. You can subscribe by sending an e-mail to: backpack45 "at sign" yahoo.com)

Happy trails,
Susan Alcorn
Author of award winning We're in the Mountains Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers and Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago.
Shepherd Canyon Books
www.backpack45.com (previous newsletters archived here!)

1675 PCT Miles!

2008-06-11T17:02:00.000-07:00

Scorpion by Ralph Alcorn
Poppies in landscape by Susan Alcorn

Whew, I am feeling rather pleased today. Ralph and I have recently been backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) again and we are only 50 miles short of finishing all of California (We hope to soon complete those miles, too.). For some reason, it has just hit me that we may actually be able to complete the entire 2,650 miles of the PCT (Mexico to Canada).

A couple of years back I was inspired by Barbara Sher's Refuse to Choose to sit down and write out my goals. I focused on finishing the PCT and figured that if we did 400 miles a year over the following 4 years, we would accomplish our goal. We are right on schedule. Since I am 67 and Ralph is 72, I sometimes wonder if we can make it, but actually we have been doing more miles per day, and more miles per year, than we did 10 years ago. So I guess we will just have to play it by ear!

Our latest 250-mile trip was in southern California through the Mojave Desert (Agua Dulce to Kennedy Meadows). I was amazed at how isolated we were; there were a couple of periods in which we didn't see anyone for 2-3 days—and this is just east of the Los Angeles basin. We were also without cellphone reception most of the time. It was an arid landscape with long stretches of primarily Joshua trees and mesquite, but there were also sections with incredible displays of wildflowers. There were also areas with pine or oak trees with patches of Miner's Lettuce underneath.

We saw more animal life than human. Several snakes (including a rattler), lizards, Horned Toads (actually a lizard too), a Blue Skink, a Walking Stick, a scorpion (keeping warm under our tent's groundcloth), plenty of birds, and a few amazing Sphinx "Hummingbird" Moths. As much as I dreaded hiking in southern California—because I was convinced I would perish in the desert from either the heat or rattlesnakes, I will miss it when we've finished it. I thought it would be the same mile after mile, but actually it has been quite varied and interesting.

Next post I'll tell you about our latest Trail Magic and Trail Angels.

Fidelity Is Not Obsolete!

2008-05-12T16:16:00.000-07:00

The topic of fidelity has long puzzled me. Puzzled me because I've never known how to voice my support of it. All the media attention, jokes, and gossip seem to support the notion that fidelity is not only obsolete, but also biologically impossible. For years I have read and heard statements about how the vast majority of animals are not by nature monogamous. That may be true--I'm not a scientist who has studied the matter--but I think it's irrelevant. Monogamy is not biologically impossible for humans; it's a personal choice!

I'm not interested in sharing my personal history, but I do believe in fidelity. For me it is a moral issue, but I'm not trying to preach to others. I'm speaking on a practical level--what works. Being faithful to one's partner--because trust and respect are the foundation of worthwhile relationships--is much more likely to lead to romance, true intimacy, and love. (How to prove that our spouse (and we ourselves) are faithful--now that's a quandary, isn't it?)

You might wonder why I am discussing this topic at all today. It's because I was listening to Gayle King, Oprah's close friend, on Oprah and Friends on XM radio today. And one of the topics of discussion was the recent news story about New York Representative Vito who has fathered a child from an extramarital affair. Apparently Fossella (a Republican) has been a strong advocate of "family values." The problem that I have with it all is that when high-profile individuals--including elected officials and movie stars--are such hypocrites, other people may conclude that there is something inevitable about the activities.

I'm not a "family values" type person, but I do believe that parents should work hard to raise their children in loving households. Because I believe that loving households are more likely the result of mutually supportive adults working together, infidelity is a contradiction. Having said that, I'm not as concerned with what happens in other people's households as I am with the fallout, the widely repeated message that people can't help themselves!

It is sad that so many people are being bombarded with messages that indicate that great sex is only for the young and/or with new partners in clandestine meetings. Comments that hint that commitment and long-term relationships are boring, etc. are ridiculous. It just isn't the case. I know that I can't prove it, but just this once, I've decided to say it!

It's Not about the Sand! Into the Mojave Desert

2008-04-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

California Poppies near Section "E" Pacific Crest Trail photo by Ralph Alcorn (copyright 2008)

Recently someone wrote into a PCT forum asking about the possibility of sunburn from the reflected light from the desert lands of Southern California. It made me think of the Sahara Desert and the photos we usually see of undulating, high mountains of sand with minimal vegetation. Some of the deserts of Southern California do have large areas of sand, but most of the desert is arid land with such vegetation as scrub brush, Joshua trees, various forms of cactus — and in the spring — wildflowers.

Ralph and I will soon be backpacking through Section E of the Pacific Crest Trail, which will take us across part of the Mojave Desert. I'm looking forward to seeing the fields of California poppies and other flowering plants including owl's clover, forget-me-nots, wild onion, silver puffs, and red maids, and goldfields in the nearby Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve enroute to the PCT trailhead. I am not looking forward to seeing the Mojave Green rattlesnake.

If you want to see the desert in bloom, visit Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, which is on Hwy. 138 (off Hwy. 5) near Lancaster. Their website says that we are at, are almost at, the peak of the season, but there should be poppies until at least mid-May — longer if we get more rain. They say it will be a great year, at least far better than the last two drought years. Ralph was in the area recently — photo above — and was lucky enough to be there on a non-windy day. When it's windy, the poppies stay curled.

The reserve's website gives details on the local winds, which it notes can be exponentially higher than in nearby Lancaster.

The following is from the Reserve's website:
The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center is now open (March 15-May ?):
Weekends 9 am - 5 pm; Weekdays 10 am - 4 pm. Standard parking fee is $5.
The reserve itself is open year round--sunrise to sunset.

Final note: "There could be VERY high numbers of the infamous Mojave Green rattlesnakes so please stay on trails- for your safety, and for the health of the habitat. If you encounter one, slowly back away and leave it alone - they're an important part of the food chain and will only strike people if startled or threatened. Dogs are NOT allowed on trails with the exception of service dogs."

The Reserve is located 15 miles west of Lancaster at 15101 Lancaster Road.
From Highway 14: Take the Avenue I exit and head west 15 miles. Avenue I becomes Lancaster Road.
From I-5: Take Hwy 138 east and turn right on 170th Street West. Make a left at the end, onto Lancaster Road. Follow the road two miles.

Wildflower Bloom Information Poppy Reserve Wildflower Hotline: (661) 724-1180
Theodore Payne Foundation Wildlflower Hotline: (818) 768-3533

Inspiration Hits!

2008-03-31T18:53:00.000-07:00

photo of Praying Mantis by Susan Alcorn

After recently reading Richard Louv's Last Child in the Wilderness, I feel newly inspired to get my youngest grandchildren (Logan, soon to be 3 years old, and Madison, just turned 5) outdoors). Actually, not just outdoors as playing on the lawn, but outdoors as in visiting our regional parks and soon, camping. Of course playing on a lawn is superior to sitting in front of a TV or computer for hours each day, but a manicured, groomed space is a pretty sterile place.

I'm talking about going to the beach or to the woods. As Louv describes it, kids today are suffering from "Nature-Deficit Disorder." They don't have vacant lots, they can't play in the woodlots or the canals near their homes because the areas are fenced off. They can't even climb in trees in parks or other public places because of the liability issues. No wonder increasing numbers of kids are inactive and obese! I hadn't even realized that the medical profession had to change the name from "Adult Onset Diabetes" to "Stage 11 Diabetes" because it so frequently occurs before adulthood!

Anyway my commitment to helping keep our young grandchildren healthy has gotten a shot in the arm. Instead of taking them as frequently on outings to the zoo and the miniature train ride, we are taking them more frequently to open spaces and natural settings.

It's been an incredibly positive experience. What's totally amazing is that they don't need any special entertainment provided. There doesn't have to be any agenda for the day. We simply pack a lunch (peanut butter and jelly, milk, fruit and crackers), bring extra water to drink and sunscreen and a light jacket, and go! They soon become involved in throwing rocks into the creek, watching sticks race with the current, splashing through mud puddles, examining the underside of big rocks for sowbugs and beetles, and picking dandelions. On our last walk, Madison was enthralled by the fact that gopher holes go farther underground than her stick can reach. She was even more excited when one of the gophers came up top to nibble on grass surrounding it's tunnel's entrance.

In short kids will make their own fun given the opportunity to find pine cones, hollow trees, wildflowers, bugs, and water of most any sort! As kids, we did!

After our outings, from which our grandchildren return home exhausted and ready for a good night's sleep, we reflect on how much they have learned from their experiences in the wild. They learn that rocks sink and twigs float; they notice that redwood groves are shady and chilly and that relatively few plants grow in such places; they watch hawks flying overhead and learn that gophers need to be alert to such predators--they learn all this and more--informally, of course--and it sticks because it's been a "hands-on" experience.

I think that parents and grandparents who do not take their children into the woods are missing the best opportunities for playing with their kids. Because there need not be, probably should NOT be, an agenda (no need to hike any great distance), it's a special opportunity for everyone to relax and enjoy time together. Try it--and soon!

(2008 All contents protected by copyright.)

Reminder: You can visit my website at www.backpack45.com to read my backpacking/hiking newsletters.

Yikes! No time to write, it's time to hike!

2008-03-23T17:34:00.000-07:00

Sunol Regional Park by Susan Alcorn

As usual I feel pulled in many directions. We've been traveling around a bit doing book events here and there, but I'm doing very little writing these days because our first backpacking trip on a southern section of the Pacific Crest Trail is coming up soon. I realized yesterday that I always have very mixed feelings about upcoming trips — particularly the hiking ones. I'm always excited about any adventure ahead, but the closer the day of departure, the more nervous I become. Can I do it?

I remind myself that I've done similar, even more difficult trips before, but I can't ignore the fact that each year I am a year older (funny how that works!). Going on a training hike yesterday didn't help my spirits.

This was the third time we've done this particular ten-mile hike in the nearby regional park in recent weeks. The first time was really hard; I was so beat afterwards that I came home and climbed into the tub for a long soak complete with bubblebath. We did the same hike two days later and it was a breeze — all I needed was a shower. So I figured I could do the hike this time carrying some weight in my backpack. I was aiming at 10 pounds, but by the time I put in my sleeping bag, lots of water, and our lunches, my pack weighed 16 pounds. It didn't seem all that heavy, so we set out.

It didn't seem heavy even by the time we got home, but the added weight had really taken a toll on my knees — particularly the I-band muscles. I ended up in the tub and taking Vitamin I (ibuprofen). Later on, I put on an icepack and did some gentle stretches. Now I'm concerned that the time we leave is even closer and I have caused myself a setback. It's always a challenge to find just the right balance for training — how to train without injury.

If I could just find the time and discipline to start the training process earlier — or better yet never slack off — so that I could increase the mileage, elevation gain, and pack weight more graduatlly, I wouldn't repeatedly find myself in this bind.

All I can do now is back off a bit — and hope for the best!

What is Your Goal for Your Manuscript ?

2008-03-08T19:26:00.000-08:00

Lupine in Sunol Regional Park by Susan Alcorn

I spent today indoors, which was somewhat of a drag because this is a great time of year to be outdoors in the S. F. Bay Area, but I made that choice because I am a publisher and the field is constantly changing and one needs to keep up to date. I went to the annual seminar of the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association, which is held in Marin Country, CA. www.baipa.net

Since I have self-published four books, I'm fairly knowledgeable about the process, but I'm not a computer whiz. Thanks heavens that my husband, Ralph, spent his entire career in that field! However, so much changes week to week, month to month, that I need to at least understand the constantly evolving vocabulary.

Staying indoors when I want to be outdoors is worthwhile when I gain something. In this case, I did. I'm glad that I went to the seminar because I got information that should be helpful in book promotion. In addition, I was reminded of an important consideration for all writers who want to publish a book — you need to set goals for your publishing. Just as the term "success" in general usage is defined differently by different people, "success in publishing" should be defined by the writer/author.

A writer needs to think about, and decide, what his or her publishing goals really are. There are many options now for producing a book and each person's best fit will depend on what that person's goals are. For example, if you want to produce a few copies of favorite family recipes for your children and other relatives, it would make sense to explore having a subsidy publisher publish those copies. On the other hand, if you want to sell a million copies of your book, How to Green America, you might want to hold out for a mainstream publisher who has the financial resources to back such a project. Since most writing projects fall between those two extremes, it usually it takes a bit of research to determine which publishing avenue would work best for you.

We live in an interesting time for writers and publishers. Because the number of books published grows annually, there is more competition for space on bookstores' shelves. At the same time, the number of independent bookstores continues to decline, but online booksellers such as Amazon grow. And while surveys indicate that the American public is buying fewer books and newspapers, the number of companies offering to publish your book for you, or in partnership with you, continues to increase. So while the challenges are there, the opportunities also continue. To reiterate, you can optimize your odds of success if you define your success and then spend your time and money in the appropriate venue.

Because my books on hiking, backpacking, and travel appeal to a select audience — those who enjoy active adventure and armchair travel — I know that great monetary rewards are not likely to come my way. Therefore, my goals — if I am to feel successful — have to be something other than huge financial gain. Luckily, they are! I define success as getting my books to people who share my passion for hiking, the outdoors, and travel. In addition, I feel rewarded when I get feedback that I have inspired someone to take up wilderness exploration. And finally, I enjoy belonging to the hiking and backpacking community. That's just me!

And you? I hope that you will take the advice that I was reminded of today. Set your publishing goal and then do periodic assessments of how your project is adhering to that goal. Stephen Covey, whose First Things First) I've also been rereading lately, would add — be certain that your goals mesh with your values.

Susan "backpack45" Alcorn

February's Mini-Booktour of the Northwest

2008-03-05T18:44:00.000-08:00

California Coast Sunset by Susan Alcorn

We recently went on a "mini" book tour. Arranging a book tour can be a lot of work and I didn't want to create a stressful trip, so I limited the number of stops that we would make. Because my books are self-published (or independently published as some prefer), any costs involved are out-of-pocket for us. Book tours are pretty much a loss-leader for us--we don't sell many books at the time--but the interest generated by our programs, the people we meet along the way, and the subsequent sales make it all worthwhile.

Because of the financial costs involved in our book tours (transportation, food, and lodging), whenever we decide to visit an area, we make sure it is somewhere we will enjoy being. That's why we decided to make Seattle, WA; Portland and Eugene, OR, the places we would give our slide talk on the Camino de Santiago.

We combined business with pleasure. And actually the business part was pleasure, too, because we love giving the presentations! We took our time driving from here (Oakland, CA) to Seattle. We stayed with a friend in Medford on the way up, then drove up the coast of Oregon all the way to Portland, spent a day driving over to see Mt. St. Helens, looked at some art in Tacoma (near Seattle), and finally reached Seattle. We were there two days before we even had to start thinking about the upcoming talks we were giving. So we played tourist even more.

The talks all went well. In Seattle, we were hosted by Wide World of Books and Maps. In Portland and Eugene, we were at the REI stores. Each place had a great turnout with audiences quite interested in our topic and with lots of good questions. It's especially fun when we meet people who have either walked the Camino route or who have tickets already purchased for an upcoming trip.

Our drive back home was a bit less leisurely, but we still had plenty of time to take the coastal route of Northern California. We arrived home to find the usual ton of mail and newspapers as well as lots of emails, but it was good to be home again--especially since our yard was full of daffodils, flowering trees and shrubs. This may be my favorite time of year because it seems that no matter where we are, we see zillions of blossoms. The hills everywhere are green, so that means that wildflowers are not far away; I can't wait!

Bring It to Life!

2008-02-19T12:43:00.000-08:00

Paella for dinner shortly!

Most travel writers stay in hotels or motels and eat in restaurants when pursuing a story away from home. I am not the typical travel writer; I am a long-distance hiker. I spend weeks each year backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650-mile trail that goes through the mountain ranges of California, Oregon, and Washington. Most nights I end up eating freeze-dried dinners and sleeping in a tent.

I also spend a few weeks each year hiking in Spain, France, or Portugal on the various pilgrimage Camino trails. There the accommodations are usually hostels or small hotels — a step up from sleeping on the ground, but not generally boutique hotels.

Yet whether staying in upscale digs or wilderness settings, a travel writer seeks to capture the mood of the place in which she finds herself. She must bring the reader into the story. To do this, the writer should call on all the senses — the smell of bread baking, the taste of lemon curd, the sound of carriage wheels turning, the feel of the hot sand, and the sight of swaying palm trees. When writers use vivid descriptions, readers start packing their bags for the destination that's been brought to life.