Second Waterfall of the Year

On Saturday, Leo, Sparky, and I headed to our second hike featured in the March/April 2013 issue of Westways Magazine by AAA. The article describes five Southern California hikes with waterfalls, just in case you need an incentive to be one with nature. This one is located in Arcadia and it's called Sturtevant Falls. Off the Santa Anita exit from the 210 freeway, the trail begins at the end of the most windy and narrow road I've ever driven through. Even though we got there at almost noon, parking was difficult to find but that didn't stop other lazies like us from arriving--the breezy climate made for perfect hiking conditions at any hour of the day. If you decide to take on this moderate 3-mile loop, make sure the weather is right and don't forget your National Forest Adventure Pass.

After emptying out my bladder (bring your own toilet paper, by the way), we started on the downhill paved pathway. I was thinking, This is not what I signed up for, when our hiking shoes started making love with the dirt. We were quickly transferred into a world whose walls were made of oak and alder trees as we walked under a light show of sun rays peering through the branches of a ceiling of leaves. 

I could hear the faint sound of the stream and exotic birds chirping, singing, calling; I told Leo that I felt like I was in a jungle even though I've never been in one. And butterflies, oh my goodness, there was a plethora of butterflies! Big colorful ones, tiny blue ones, all flying in circles around people. I also caught sight of the brightest blue bird I had ever seen, on a tree, but it flew higher up the mountain before I could capture it on camera. 

Leo and I were entranced by the effect of this hike on our senses. We walked in silence, listening to the rustle of leaves in the wind, water falling over rocks and dams, and scoping out tiny cabins on the trail. 

Resort cabins with outhouses. I saw clothes on a line and a man cleaning a grill. I'm not sure if the people live there or are just vacationing. 

  

After about an hour of an enchanting walk, we reached the 50-foot waterfall. It was cold. The wind blew droplets of water in my direction and I had goosebumps even though I sat on a rock in the sun. 

Sturtevant Falls

My hiking buddies

"Do you want me to take of picture of your family," asked a nice hiker with a bright pink sleeveless shirt that attracted a large butterfly unbeknownst to her.

There were many more trails to take but Sparky is a novice hiker. We headed back to the start and took in the scenery one last time. 

Water falling at the dam.

Animals are used to transfer goods in bulk to the cabins since there are no roads. 

Check out those asses.

A view of Arcadia from the San Gabriel Mountains.

Love this!

My baby, right at home.

Rubi taking in the view, too. 

Until next time...

Desert Waterfall

Turning 31 no longer means clubbing with the college kids as we try wholeheartedly to hold on to our 20s. My friend Maria started the tradition of celebrating with an adventure last month. Her activity of choice was to ride a hot air balloon. I chose to hike.

I received my AAA magazine a few weeks ago where I tabbed several pages. One of them had a list of five hiking trails throughout Southern California that conclude with waterfalls. The sites range from Palm Springs to Malibu, and the OC to Pasadena. My goal is to tackle all five this year and on Sunday I checked off Tahquitz Canyon at the Agua Caliente Reservation in Palm Springs.

My adventure began with the beautiful drive to the Coachella Valley. Interstate 10 is filled with spectacular views of rolling green hills, snow-capped Big Bear, and desert-land that meets the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains. 

A map of the land.

The view to my left.

We had agreed to meet Maria and her family at 11am. I will admit that it was a late start but Daylights Saving Time had just kicked in and I knew our bodies would think it was only 10am. Leo and I stopped at Jack in the Box to fuel our systems before taking on the 2-mile hike, the perfect distance for Maria's kiddos to enjoy without giving out too early. 

Me and Leo at the start.

The reflection of the mountains on the windows of the Guest Services building.

My posse for the day.

Our guide.

Tahquitz Creek.

It was a little warm. After all, it is the desert.

Maria's girl playing with the Lebacho-Tahquitz Creek Ditch. "It was built in 1830 by the Cahuilla to bring water from the canyon to the village for drinking and irrigation." 

The U.S. Geological Survey Gaging Station was built in 1947.

Tahquitz Falls. "This is a place of power. When you enter you're tired and weak, when you leave you are rejuvenated and energized."

Wider shot.

The water froze Maria's toes but her little man didn't  mind at all.

A view of Palm Springs.

I love this family portrait!

Ahh, to be a kid again. Never mind that Maria told her, "I already carried you for nine months."

Goofing off on the Lookout Rock of Kak wa wit.

Our tour guide, done for the day.

 

We worked up an appetite after the hike. Since we wanted something fresh, Maria suggested sandwiches, sushi, or Mexican. Leo didn't want sandwiches and I didn't feel like Mexican food so Maria's hubby led us to a sushi place. Before heading out, though, Maria handed me a card that her little girl made for me:

The cutest birthday card I received this year. The earrings were a close second.

 



We were all very tired and sleepy at the restaurant. So sleepy, in fact, that Maria's husband caught me asleep with my eyes open while he was talking to me. That was embarrassing. Luckily, this came and distracted him.

The men's plate. Surprisingly, I  enjoyed my California Roll but the Cucumber one not so much. 

The waiter came back with the candles lit on the number 13. That's a nice person right there.

I wonder where the next 31st adventure will take us...

This Is How I Roll



The festivities started two nights before my birthday at Pete's Cafe and Bar in Downtown L.A. on Saturday night where my high school BFF and I celebrated our 31st year of life. 

On Sunday, one night before the Big Day, my parents treated me out to Chili's because my mother was craving the turkey sandwich she had there in December. (Never mind the fact that we were celebrating my birthday and I wanted pizza.) I told her before we ordered, "If you tell em it's my birthday, they'll bring free dessert." She told the waitress, "Eats hur berthday." The waitress said, "Happy birthday! Do you mind being humiliated?" I said, "Not at all." So about six waiters sang to me after we cleaned our plates. Joke's on them. 

My aunt gave me this ensemble. She always dresses me and luckily, she has good taste. So good, in fact, that I wore the blouse on my birthday.

Beautiful earrings from my cousin and nieces. My parents bought me the 24 inch TV for my bedroom. Fine, my mom can choose where to eat any time.

I walked into my apartment and saw these roses on my table. Since I told Leo I didn't feel like celebrating on the anniversary of my actual birth, he tried surprising me on Sunday night. I say tried because I spotted his car in the Guest Parking when I arrived.

This was my main gift from him. I didn't want a tablet because I have the urge to type blogs, stories,  and emails sometimes. You are reading this because of my new awesome little laptop.

He also got me the movie I wanted. I told him he better not have spent more than $13 at Target because that was the sale price. He said he had to because it's the Blue Ray/Digital Copy/Ultra Violet version. Alrighty then. 

A gift from my "work mom."

Soo cute! Also from her. 

She made sure to point out that the scarf was from her while the blouses were from her son, my friend and coworker. 

Bday balloon from a friend.

She knows me too well--those are my favorite colors! I put the bracelets on right away.

The celebration continued on to the next day. Ms. Irene and Pops gave me the  perfect relaxation gift box: Stella Rosa, a book, and two movies. It's for sure now, I am doing NUH-THING this weekend but consume myself with these presents. 

I promised my friend, the giver of such gift, and myself that I will not spend it on yogurt, peanuts, toothpaste, or paper towels. 

And finally, the gift from my sister is in the mail, right Jackie? Since I refused to pay $40 for a shirt at the concert, she said she'd get it for half the price on P!NK's website. I wonder which one she chose and when it will arrive...hopefully sometime this year.