Verdugo Mountain climb

Here are some pictures of the Verdugo Mountain climb. I started at the "Nature Walk" path at Brand Library and just kept taking the dirt road up and up. If I wasn't sure which way to go, I'd go to the right. There were lots of colors (and lots of bees/flies).

After the first big climb, there is a nice plateau with benches to look out on the city, all of the valley to the west, and downtown L.A. to the south-east.

Since I had another hour or so, I decided to keep climbing. I didn't expect to make it to the tower in the picture below, but this path was just so enticing...

Here's another picture about halfway up. This trail was pretty difficult. If you are taking the 134 East, it is really easy to see this trail from the freeway.

Not the best panorama seam, but I loved the hawk in this photo!

Rita and I made it to the top! The path meets up with another roadway that continues throughout the mountain range.

The way back was probably the roughest part of the hike, since the dirt was quite slippery at such a steep slope.

Then we took another path back down through the canyon. The flowers were in full bloom.

Overall it was 3.5 miles and I think took 1.5-2 hours, I can't quite remember. Here is the map: And one last panorama for you... the seams didn't turn out that great, but if you click on the photo, you can see a pretty clear 180 degree view:

Mid-century Modern Homes in Palm Springs

We had such a nice time in Palm Springs. We sat by the pool and had sam-made mint juleps, then the next morning, went on a little tour driving by celebrity homes, which were all within a mile of our hotel.

Here's where Marilyn Monroe would escape:

Just a few neat looking homes:

Elvis' Honeymoon Home:

Dean Martin's home:

Barbara Streisand's palace:

And the Casa de Liberace!

It was such a wonderful birthday celebration. I couldn't have asked for anything more! :)

San Jacinto Peak

This past weekend we went to Palm Springs to hike the San Jacinto Peak. On the way, a squirrel decided to commit suicide using my car. I felt terrible. It ran right for my tires and after I heard the little "thump-thump," I looked in my rear view mirror and it's tail was sticking straight up as if to salute me. So sad.
Anyway, we started the hike around 9:30am, after the 10-minute tram ride.

We didn't make it to the peak because there was too much snow.

But we still hiked about 8.5 miles. We stopped at Wellmans Divide for some lunch. Above is the 180-degree view, and below was the view while we ate. Spectacular! We were above the clouds!

It's hard to tell from this picture, but the view behind us was one of the most divine. Mountains upon mountains, from pine tree forests to rocky inclines to desert below.

If you click on the panorama below, you can see the tram cables in the middle of the picture.

To view the rest of the pictures, click this link: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150297382647846.410447.527707845&l=8afdb6bedc

I love May 17th

Today is the first day of the last year of my 20's! Sam took me to Palm Springs to hike San Jacinto Peak. We didn't quite make it to the top because there was too much snow, but we still hiked 8.5 miles and had a blast. It was beautiful, and perfect 60-degree weather. Then we sat by the poolside with sam-made mint juleps and took a drive to check out all the celebrities' mid-century modern homes the next morning. On Sunday, we even got back in time to install a new window and it looks incredible! I love having such a clear view in the mornings. :)

More pictures to come soon. In the mean time, here are a few pictures that my sister Jenni found of us when we were little:

Erin's family

I went to visit my friend Erin in Phoenix over Easter weekend, and took a few pictures of her family. She's got two adorable little girls and they are expecting their third child. Here are a few pictures from out adventures together.

Carol had so much fun with these hula hoops:

Look at those hips! Anna loves to dance:

Homemade whip cream!

Happy to be in the car!

Sad to be in the car!