Friday Hike Day: Bailey Canyon Falls, Sierra Madre

These Falls are NO Falls at all! 

It was disappointing to endure such a dry hike with no watery pay off at the end. The trail and Creek bedscare dry, no moisture at all, indicating this fall has been dry for a very long time. 

There were also a ton of small pesky flies! Bring bug repellent for convenience. The trail head has a very small parking lot. There are nice restrooms and this trail head is the start to many longer, hiking trails. 

The hike to the Falls is mostly sun, hot, dry and not very enjoyable. To find it anyway, follow the trail past the restrooms, through a turnstile at a chain link fence. Take the fire road to the right, pass the bridge, toward the trail to the left.  

There will be signage near the bridge, directing to the nature trail if you cross the bridge. For a maintained trail and guided, educational exploration, I recommend the short nature trail. It has signs identifying native plant species, including poison oak. It's always good to be able to recognize poison oak! 

Unless you are heading to one of the longer trails, I don't recommend this hike. There will be no Falls. Again though, the worst day outdoors hiking is always better than the best day indoors, at home, right? Haha. 

Friday Hike Day: Bonita Falls-in winter

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I couldn't think of a better way to avoid spend Christmas Day then by being outside. Plus it is Friday Hike Day. We slept in, like we do every day Christmas and after opening presents, it was a later than usual start. We revisited a hike we've taken before because it was short.

Adventure Kids!
Sister and brother.

The weather was cool but no snow like we've been experiencing in our most recent hikes. The graffiti is a real disappointment. You pretty much can't get a picture of anything with out it being in the shot. The falls were as breathtaking as last time.

A shallow cave, surrounded by graffiti.

Low chance of wildlife sighting beyond birds. The two times we've taken this hike we haven't seen any animals. Don't forget your $5 Adventure Parking pass. The parking area is very hard to miss. Google maps may take you beyond the spot into a camp ground. The parking is right before the campsites. There is a port-a-potty at the rocky parking area.

I could not fit the full falls in the frame. 

This was our last hike of 2015...#48 to be exact! I can't believe it! That is quite an accomplishment. I think it has been a remarkable time of adventure, discovery and growth.

This hike is short and looks very unremarkable at first. You travel over a dry bed or large rocks, sand and boulders. Stay close to the mountainside along the left until it opens. From there you will head into the woods. Keep going, around a couple large boulders, until you reach the falls.

Groupie!

As the last hike of 2015 for us, it was a nice respite from the holidays. I was able to spend it with most of my immediate family and, as always, that really is the best gift of all.

See you next week!

Friday Hike Day: Big Horn Mine-into the mine

View of a tunnel leading straight up to nowhere, in the mine.

We headed back to Big Horn Mine, determined to explore the mine this time. There was more snow than last time we were here. It's not that big of a deal except it can create slippery conditions on some of the trail hills. My youngest took a serious dive on the way back and busted his lip pretty good. He was only traumatized for a little while.

Adventure Mom entering the mine.

Parking requires an Adventure Pass ($5). Restroom is a vault toilet. As most vault toilets go, it's gross. Don't look down, hold your breath or put your jacket over your nose and mouth. This time there was actually feces on the floor of the restroom. I'd rather attempt to find a private bush than venture in there again.

Small stalactites in the mine.

VEnturing into the mine definitely had a bit of creep factor. If you are claustrophobic, you may not like it. It's not too narrow and at the narrowest point, it suddenly opens up very wide. It is pitch black, flashlights are a must. The ground still has the old mining car tracks and possibly water at times.

A bit of stretch for a well-balanced mom, yah?

I don't know if it was the snow or what but this hike took us way longer than usual. HOURS longer. SOm eof our crew were really lagging behind and we had to keep stopping to wait. The cold temps and the slippery snow didn't help.

My brave adventure girl, in the pitch black mine.

For most of the mine, you can see the light of the entrance behind you. You will reach a spot with a paper map and a warning about an area that is no longer accessible and another warning to not *be stupid*.

We took that warning to heart. We reached a fork in the mine, straight ahead the ground was covered in water, to the left, and out of sight of the entrance, the mine heads a bit uphill. Call me chicken but that was far enough for me. I liked being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel--pun intended.

Take a kid outside and watch him grow.

The outside of the mine is still the perfect place to sit and have lunch, check out the view and take awesome pictures.

Adventure Kids! I love this shot. It's actually my partner in hiking crime's kiddos.

This time, along the trail, there were fresh and sturdy ropes to assist if necessary. This was nice but we didn't need them. I think with the snow and if it was worse, they would be very helpful

My girl and I being goofy.



Again, this hike is one of the more adventurous with olders. The mine steps up the adventure scale. There is also a historical cabin to look for. It was the home of the mine's original owner. We did not find it this time but after more online research, I realized it can be found if you follow the trail at the fork of the Big Horn Mine trail. Instead of taking the mine trail, turn left and take the Gulch trail.

We brought lunch and snacks as always. If you go in winter, dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes. I pulled out my hiking boots and they were a life saver. Everyone else slipped a lot more in their tennis shoes. Ten out of twelve of us slipped and fell today, including both Adventure Moms!

Being prepared for cold, wet clothes, I took extra scarves and hoodies--even teens can be forgetful--and they came in handy. I also kept blankets and extra socks in the car. This helps warm them up quickly after the hike until the heater warms the interior and in case anyone's shoes and socks get wet from snow etc.

We had a great time and it was a nice change to be in the snow. Don't forget to stay hydrated!
See you next week.

Friday Hike Day: Sycamore Canyon

Back to Sycamore Canyon this week. It's local, only about 15-20 minutes away depending on traffic. It's a mild to moderate hike, in the past it was very brown and I didn't like it, but since the rains, it hosts rolling green hills. The views from the top of the hills are spectacular. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the big city, Los Angeles.

There is a creek but it doesn't run along the trail exactly. You cross a narrow part of it along the Sycamore Canyon Trail. The hike is uphill most of the way to the peak, but that makes it easier on the way back.

The parking lot is small but free. You can also park along the street. There is one porta potty, enclosed in a nice wooden structure and the rangers keep it clean.

Clearing the tumbleweeds our friends used to block the trail. 

The trail can feel quite challenging on the uphill. The first peak offers an amazing view of the canyons, the city way off in the distance and if you are familiar with the area, you'll also recognize Rose Hills Memorial Park. The area my mother is buried at, specifically. The first hill is a great place to spread a blanket or towel and have a picnic lunch.

You can also continue along the trail to another peak, which offers a 360 degree view of city and canyon. There is also a water tower at the top. Due to the uphill nature of the hike, I wouldn't consider this very stroller friendly. If you have a small child, I'd put them in a front or back carrier instead.

Taking the steep short-cut.

The trails curves back and forth on the uphill but also offers "shortcuts" cut straight up the middle of the curves. They are steep but doable. We always take the challenge of short cuts. I believe children thrive and build self confidence in the outdoors and I've seen it to be true in my own children. My youngest is often at the front of the pack with my friend's youngest, leading the way.

I encourage my children to challenge themselves on our hikes. I feel like this is my personal therapy. I love being outdoors and I am so glad I am intentionally making time for it.

On this hike we saw hawks again and a small rabbit.

We Went Whale Watching!

That was a great alliteration. lol A sweet friend from church treated us all to a whale watching trip. It was aMAZing! We had so much fun. It was like being in Las Vegas, the way you're watching all over, hoping a whale is going to show up, one person sees something, everyone runs to that side of the boat, then BAM! Everyone is squealing and oohhing and awing in wonder over the whale sighting.

We saw humpbacks and grey whales. We also saw dolphins, sea lions, huge pelicans and other sea birds. It was a gorgeous winter day in California. We have never done anything like this before, it was such a blessing.

She also treated us to lunch at Ruby's. Being on the water was so relaxing, it was worth missing our regular Friday Hike Day to see these wonderful creatures.

 

At one point, the dolphins were swimming toward us and seemed to disappear under the boat. It was a sweet moment when the 5yo, Kurtis was the one to first spot them, under the water, swimming alongside the boat. He was so excited and I was grateful to witness his excitement in that moment. Priceless.

We couldn't get close to the grey whale because it was a mother (cow) with her calf. The captain did not want to disturb or scare them. I had no idea that a calf can gain 25-75lbs a DAY after birth! Crikey!!

Birdy looks like such a little girl in this pic, making a funny face.

When we weren't watching for whale sightings, we were able to relax and take in the peace of the ocean. There were paddle boarders and private boats, right next to the humpback whales. I can't imagine how exciting that must have been...to be so up close and personal.

The humpbacks actually came out of the water, a few times, nose up, to get food. They also came out in a half moon formation, diving back under with a wave of their tale.

I couldn't get very good pictures with phone and a few of the best moments will remain hidden in the memory of my heart forever. I think, maybe, it's meant to be that way sometimes.

Afterward, we stopped at a little coffee shop as Christine treated us again to drinks. I had a tea latte and the server created mine with the foamy milk in the shape of a heart. Just another reminder of how blessed and surrounded by love I am, everywhere I go.

Hello 2015 and January

Idk which to say first; Hello 2015, Hello January or Hello Thursday.
I've got nothing...I mean, usually there's something; a verse, theme, goal, expectation or at least One Word.

Maybe that's the point. I.don't.know. Maybe that's where the freedom is--->in not knowing?

I guess we're all going to find out, in the end.

It will be something. We can be sure of that. Maybe nothing close to what we think, expect, imagine or resolve to make it.


I mean, there was a January 20+ years ago, that I was carrying a baby due in March. No one expected him to suddenly arrive in January but he did. Way too early-yet, right.on.time.

Who knows what January may bring?

Winter Reprieve

We've experienced a really cold winter this season. Today we enjoyed the reprieve. The weather was too gorgeous not to be outside and enjoy it. After I picked up oldest from work I suggested that we should be outside soaking up the sun before the temps drop again--he agreed.

I made a quick right turn and we headed to the beach! We walked down main street and made our way to the pier. Lots of people at the end of the pier with bait and tackle, poles at the ready to make the great catch of the day.

Initially I thought we would meander down Main Street and the end of the pier but the day was so beautiful...the edge of the earth called to us. It wasn't going to be enough to admire the beach with my eyes...we took off our shoes and appreciated it with our feet too.

The water was cold but not icy. It felt nice...until it splashed up all over my pants, even though I had cuffed and hiked them up to my knees. It seems like the response would be to be bothered by this--wet and sandy jeans...but we weren't. We laughed and enjoyed the moment, knowing a pair of wet and sandy jeans was a small price to pay for a mild, high 70 degrees.

The sun shine felt so good. When the sun shines I can only think: All is well and I don't have a care in the world. The sun shines on me and I know I am loved. It's a thawing of the heart, of the soul. Everything is beautiful and I can't stop smiling.

There were a few children and surfers in the water. People mulling around, enjoying the air and the view. We walked to the end of the beach.

The other side of this fence is a private beach area, I believe. It reminds me of one, of the many, trips we took to see the Mr.'s family, in Tijuana. We went to the beach and there was a chain link fence like this one, that goes from the sand, far out into the water, dividing Mexico from the United States. The water was much bluer at that beach, in Mexico. The Mr and his dad ate (drank?) raw clams that afternoon and it was the first and only time my oldest, Ernie did too--he must've been about 5, maybe 6 years old, at the most.

The employees at the little beach side, seafood shack, smothered the clams in lemon juice. I can clearly remember my father-in-love's laugh, at the face Ernie made, as he tried to chew and gulp down the slimy contents of the plastic cup it came in, claiming he liked it.

It's the end of the day but it's not the end of winter...No matter how much colder it does or doesn't get, how much longer winter lasts--we will always remember how we enjoyed today.

A day the sun shined a little brighter and we knew we were loved and blessed and happy.