Day 14 - Joshua Tree part 2

I plugged in my headphones, turned on U2s Joshua Tree album and went rock climbing this morning! Not the climbing up straight cliff stuff but more the climbing up down and around big boulders kind. I felt like Chris Pratt from Guardians of the Galaxy. After exploring one group of rocks I would drive to another group and climb up. I felt very strong and free.

After this tidbit of climbing, I drove out the northeast side of the part and hiked to Fortynine Palms, a 3 mile round trip to a group of Palm trees set in the mountains. I was blessed with my fourteenth perfectly clear day and wide rocky vistas up the trail. And then the palm oasis were tranquil, like a good oasis should be! I felt a step faster today after a great night's rest and two weeks of hiking, and I flew up and down the mountain to and from the oasis.

Aunt Susu and Bill had prepared and sent an Easter care package and I needed to drive back to Joshu Tree town west of the 49 Palm oasis to pick it up. Luckily there were two northern park spots to check out along the route there. One was Indian Cove, a rock climbing area and campground. Easy climbing up the boulders.

After picking up the eater package (thank you Susan and Bill for the candy and chocolate!!! You're the best) I drove to Black Rock Campground for my internet-researched sunset hike up to Warren Peak, a six mile round trip up hiller to the northwest most peak of Joshua tree. I brought my cap-brim-flashlight, packed my down parka(chilly), and cruised up in one hour. The sunset vista was unreal and the full moon behind me remarkable. I signed the trail register INCREDIBLE and ate my newly-acquired candy and hiked back while the moon light replaced the sun light. The second pic below is of the moon not the sun.

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Days 89 and 90 - Waterton

I started my journey north to Canada today. My plan was to head to Waterton Lakes, just north of Glacier, then to Calgary, then the Canadian Rockies parks of Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Glacier and a few others, then to Vancouver and finally to Seattle, all over the next several weeks. But first I needed the Internet! I drove south out of Many Glacier to a place I remembered having cell reception. I did some emailing and calling back home, did some research for my Canada trip and watched the final three episodes of Game of Thrones--wow, the final two episodes were sensational. This rainy, dreary day was perfect for such activities. I then drove into Canada late in the evening and to a campground set in the cloudy mountains at Waterton. The weather cleared a bit the next day and I was able to do some hiking around this scenic alpine lakes district. Waterton Lakes district from a high hill called Bear's Hump: The chipmunks at Bear's Bump were very interested in the conten...

Day 106 - Seattle

My July 4th started with a drive from Vancover to Seattle, arriving at the Museum of Flight by 11. The museum tour began with a display of the 27 U.S. Flags, made interesting by announcing the history of the states entry into the union. This B-17 is similar to the bomber my grandfather flew in WW2. A former Air Force One plane that Kennedy road on was another highlight. I stayed all day at the museum enjoying the history of aviation exhibits and finally space! I drove into downtown Seattle to checkout the city parks reserved for fireworks watching. These neighborhoods were crawling with people and would make horrible stealth street camping sites. I called several hostels and all were full... but then I found one with one bed left. I reserved the spot and drove to the hostel to find it in walking distance to the fireworks. I joined a group waking down to see the fireworks. We were joined by a few others. Two skydivers with fire flaming behind their path were followed by...

Day 93 - Calgary to Banff

After a very pleasant morning at Dave's house spent photocopying trail and scramble guide routes, enjoying a great breakfast and coffee, meeting some of Dave's extremely kind family members and chatting more about adventures, I set out for downtown Calgary. I thought a walk around a museum would be a nice change of pace, so I toured the Glenbow Museum. Two highlights were a Blackfoot Indian describing the meaning of their Tipi decorations and the Gun Scupture. The history of Alberta section was also quite interesting: fur trappers then cowboys then railroad builders then oil drillers. I then walked down to a nearby waterfront park, along a pedestrian only shopping street where a Christian pride rally was taking place, and then down quiet side streets to the park. Seeing people out jogging and playing on this Sunday afternoon reminded me of the real life I must one day return to. But not yet! Hungry and ready for mountains, I walked back to my van and left Calgary heading wes...

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