Take a Hike

We took a day to get out of the park and go on a hike with the RCB Hiking Club. This hike was at Anza-Borrego Springs state park which was about 60 miles away. Even with the long drive 37 people showed up for the hike, so we were off in eight cars for the hour and half drive. Our friends Jaak and Barbara joined us for the drive. This was one of the largest groups they have had with the hiking club.
After a quick rest stop at the Visitor’s Center we went trhough the campground to the trailhead. The hike was up a canyon to a small oasis. It was not a big climb but some of the trail was over rocks along a stream. As we got higher the dry stream began to have some water but it was never a large flow that can occur during rains. The large logs that were placed high on the stream banks were and indication of just how much water can flow down this canyon. Although some of the other groups we met said they had seen mountain sheep on the hillside, we did not see any.
After reaching the oasis we took a short break before heading back to the cars. We then proceeded to a Mexican restaurant for lunch. The big excitement for me was when we got to the restaurant I realized I did not have my billfold. A quick search of the car and I was sure that I had dropped it on the ground as I got out of the car at the trailhead. I got it out when I paid the entrance fee and left it on my lap. So when I got out of the car it fell on the ground. As luck would have it, I had parked between two cars that were there when we got there and still there when I returned so the billfold was not out in the open and nobody and taken it. With it safely back in my pocket I returned to the restaurant for lunch.
After lunch we went back to the visitor’s center to look around and take a few pictures before slowly driving back to RCB. Along the way we stopped to look and some of the dessert badlands we had passed as we rushed to start the like. We also drove into some of the development by the Salton Sea.

Love or Something Like It

The highlight of my season at RCB is over. This year eight singers including myself and Pauline presented a musical review called “Love or Something like it. I sang two songs with Pauline including “All I Ask of You” from Phantom of the Opera and I did three solos including “Some Enchanted Evening”.
It was well received by the people and we had many wonderful comments about the show. It is always a pleasure to work with Pauline. The focus of the show is on the music and there is very little use of props or costumes. I guess it is the old Keep It Simple Stupid outlook on doing a show.
We had Ruth on piano and she is always a great help with her ability to follow the singer and to change from one song to another when we put several songs together in one set. I had not been singing very much for a number of years until I had a chance to work with Pauline and I have learned a lot from her and the other people in the group. It is great to sing and for people to enjoy it.

Wildflowers

Wildflowers are starting to bloom in the desert. We have had enough rain that the warm weather has brought and beautiful array of wildflowers. I have not had a chance to get out and really enjoy all the flowers but hope to get out for a hike or drive before all the flowers are gone.
I did take a walk to the end of our street and into the empty lot that is to be a city park at some time in the future. It had a very nice collection of flowers and I spent about thirty minutes shooting a number of the flowers. I selected five of them and submitted to The Desert Sun for their wildflowers pictures online. Of the five I selected to submit one was selected by the editors to print in the Saturday paper. You can look at mine and other photographs online. I go by the name Roland42. The picture with two purple flowers was the one that was published. I will try to get more information about all the things I am doing now ASAP. It is a very busy time.

Potato Feed

We are now into the full season of activities and it seems each one involves food in some way. We had the Potato Feed which is a private party given by two couples we have the privilege to know. It starts with a tournament of Table Tennis and Holley Board and ends with a baked potato with all the trimmings, salad and desert.
We made it past the first round of the tournament in both games but failed to reach the semi-finals. Since neither of the games are something we play often, I guess we should be happy. The host couples provide the potatoes, prizes, and other necessary preparations for a successful party and each of the guests bring a topping, salad, or desert in addition to their drink of choice.

Nova Scotia Night

Each year we have our Nova Scotia Night that is a lobster feed and fun. That includes chowder and wine to go with the entertainment. There are many people that make a party for 100 people work and I can’t mention them all. The one that must be mentioned is Laurie Mcclare. He is the organizer and puts it all together.
Both Pauline and I have had the opportunity to sing the last three year. We don’t sing together but are part of the entertainment. This year I sang The Last Farwell for the second time. I think it is always a crowd favorite. Of course you can’t have a song fest without Ruth at the piano. After it was all done she played while we sang along.
It seems many of our gatherings at RCB are based on food and this is just one more. They are pot-lucks, western barbecues and other gatherings that involve food and drink.