mike & rhonda's latest adventure: Won't Get Fooled Again ???

Some fellow travel hounds in Sedona recommended a magnificent RV park they had recently visited on the east side of the Salton Sea (1 hour east of Palm Springs), called the Fountain of Youth Spa RV Resort. After verifying (through Google) that the resort indeed had natural artesian mineral water filling it's 6 pools, providing therapeutic healing effects, I decided to add it to my itinerary since I was headed to Palm Springs anyway, to meet up with my VCR sister and her husband Doug who were there on a home exchange which they do quite often on their world travels. While the hot pools felt wonderful, especially for my over-worked hiking legs, I don't feel any younger and am quite certain that my next mountain hike will remind me that I am in my mid-60's. Upon checking in at the resort, when questioned by the two ladies behind the reception desk as to how long I wanted a site for, I asked them how long I would need to stay in order to feel like I was 25 again. They looked at me and responded "more than a month". Then I asked how long until I felt like I was 50 again? They repeated "more than a month". Being wise enough to not ask how long until I felt like I was 63 again (2 weeks ago), I decided to only spend one day in the mineral springs. My world-wide search for the 'real' Fountain of Youth continues.

For those of you who have not yet had the experience of visiting the Salton Sea, don't add it to your 'must do' list. The Sea has been dying since water from the Colorado River was diverted to satisfy other California aqua needs. It lies directly over the San Andreus fault, 235 feet below sea level, and the salinity has killed almost all of the fish that used to live there along with adding a sour smell to the air. It is really sad to drive through the former burgeoning seaside towns which are also dying with more than half the homes abandoned and decaying rapidly.

Prior to this recent experience, I spent 3 more days hiking in Sabino Canyon, a wonderful destination for hikers of all levels. While I did some of the more strenuous hikes, all between 10-15 km's.....Esperero Trail (last posting), Bear Canyon to Seven Falls (7 creek crossings, some up to knee level with the impressive falls at the end of the trail), Blackett's Ridge (steady uphill with steep drop-offs on either side near the summit) and the Phoneline Trail (along the upper side of Sabino Canyon)......there are both shorter trails available and a shuttle that goes well into Sabino Canyon, offering great views for those that are not able to hike and shortens trails for those who desire that option. My only impediment turned out to be a dead van battery in the parking lot on one of those days but a park ranger lent me his phone to call AAA and I was back on the road, with a new battery, 45 minutes later while enjoying an adult beverage in my camping chair beside the van while I waited.

Following 5 straight days of solid hikes, I departed Tucson and drove to the Rancho Mirage community in Palm Springs for a visit with my sister and her husband in their luxurious home exchange property which they also shared with some Vancouver friends of theirs, Donald and Ruth. We enjoyed the backyard pool and hot tub, and spent a day visiting the busy College of the Desert Market and then took in a polo match later which was more entertaining than I anticipated partially due to the various tail gate parties along the sidelines which are encouraged by the Empire Polo Club. Another day we did several short hikes into Indian Canyons which ended a bit sooner than expected when the park rangers asked everyone to get off of the trails. No reason was given but we suspected (since confirmed on the internet) that there was a fresh mountain lion sighting / kill (non human) along one nearby trail and there was concern that the lion was still in the vicinity. Everyone was happy to return to the comfort and safety of our backyard pool.

I have now arrived back in Phoenix where I will spend several days hiking in the Superstition Mountains (near my site in Apache Junction). Only 5 days until Pocahontas joins me following her successful and injury-free expanded ski season. Looking forward to our re-union.

Tucson's Sabino Canyon - 7th Bear Creek crossing on my way to Seven Falls. This one was only calf-deep.

Seven Falls at the end of Bear Canyon. The pool at the bottom would have been wonderful to swim in if the water temperature had been quite a bit warmer.