Journeys and Wanderings

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Musical Interlude

I arrived in Cuenca on Monday afternoon after a flight from Quito. After walking around the City Center, I was a bit tired, so I retired to my room to read before going to bed. Out in a small atrium near my room, a couple Americans started playing some music; one on guitar, one on mandolin. I listened to two songs from my room and these guys were GOOD. I walked out to the atrium and filmed one of their performances. Good stuff. Please go to the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoDncd9xPzU&feature=youtu.be

Cuenca, Ecuador - Vol. II

The massive cathedral at Plaza Calderón

There are no shortages of churches in Cuenca. Here's a sample of the them, from giant cathedrals to small neighborhood churches.

Las iglésias de Cuenca -

My last full day in Cuenca, in the morning, I walked to Parque de El Paraíso. The park is at the confluence of Rio Tomebamba and Rio Yanuncay. Down the steep steps from Avenida Larga to the path along the Rio Tomemamba and then about a 30 minute walk to the park.

Your 31 seconds of Zen at the confluence of the two rivers:

Monday, December 26, 2011

South Mountain

Arriving at the Holbert Trail

Yesterday was my third annual Christmas Day hike. This year I went to South Mountain to hike up to Dobbins Lookout, which is the highest point in the park accessible by trail. (See here for my 2009 and 2010 hikes) To get to Dobbins Lookout, you follow the Holbert trail almost to it's terminus, where you take a spur trail to Dobbins.

It's been a chilly December this year compared to last; the temperature at the start of the hike was 40º, compared to mid-50s last year.

Metrics:

Round trip distance: approx. 4.8 miles
Elevation change: approx. 1100'
Ascent time: 48 min.
Ascent pace: 3.00 mph
Descent time: 43 min.
Descent pace: 3.35 mph
Footwear: Vibram Five Fingers
Water consumed: approx. 20 oz.

Thoughts:

This trail surface was much rougher and more rugged than my previous hike in Zion. Coupled with the chilly temperatures, my feet got a good workout in the Vibrams. Also, overall, this trail was a bit steeper, so it provided a good workout, but a slower pace. Being on the north side of the mountain, most of the hike was in the shade, so it was nice to get to the top and bask in the sun.

Let's get going

Piece of cake

Rocky slope forming one side of a ravine

Sun peeking over South Mountain

Downtown Phoenix in the distance

Approaching the ridge line and the morning sun

I took the spur trail to Dobbins Lookout

Success

The Valley of the Sun from Dobbins Lookout

Dobbins Lookout shelter

Looking west from the shelter

Looking north from the shelter

Looking northeast from the shelter

Back at the trail head


Lunch at Lux after a 4.8 mile hike and a 17-hour fast: egg bake with broccoli, cheddar and onions; bacon; sourdough toast; corn muffin; and coffee

Monday, September 26, 2011

2011 Zion Canyon Music Festival

3rd Annual Music Fest

A beautiful DeArmond Guitar

The 2nd act on Friday night was Shannon McNally and the Smoke Signals. She and her band left later that night to continue their tour. On Saturday night I arrived at the music fest and ran into Alex, the event coordinator. The following is the gist of our conversation:

Alex: Dave, when do you go back to Phoenix?
Me: Tomorrow morning.
Alex: Can you do me a huge favor?
Me: Sure.
Alex: Shannon McNally left last night and forgot a $2,000 guitar. She needs it for a show in Tempe tomorrow night. Can you get it to her?
Me: You got it.

Her band was playing at the Sail Inn in Tempe at 8:30, near ASU, and I delivered the guitar at 4:00 p.m. Mission accomplished. (Do NOT say like GW)

Hike to Scout's Lookout

Crossing the Virgin River at the Grotto Trailhead

On Saturday morning, I took the Zion National Park shuttle to the Grotto to hike up to Scout's Lookout. From Scout's Lookout, hikers can continue on to Angels Landing or the West Rim Trail. I'd like to say that I did this hike to commune with nature and be in the Great Outdoors, but I really did it to push myself and gauge my current level of fitness and conditioning. And just to add another element, I did the hike fasted. (hadn't eaten in over 12 hours) I left the trailhead at 10:00 a.m., so the hike was still mostly shaded and the down canyon breeze still plugging along.

Metrics:

Roundtrip distance: 3.9 miles
Elevation change: 1070 feet
Ascent time: 38 minutes
Ascent pace: 3.08 mph
Descent time: 34 minutes
Descent pace: 3.44 mph
Footwear: Vibram Five Fingers
Water consumed: 24 ounces

Thoughts:

While this is a spectacular hike and I've done it numerous times, I've always dreaded it, because it would beat me up. I have to admit that I destroyed this hike this time and I'll tell you why. First, I didn't take my first water break until the base of Walter's Wiggles. Usually, I've had 3 or 4 by this time. My second water break was at the top of Walter's Wiggles and a third at Scout's Lookout. I didn't have any more water until I got back to the trailhead. I got through the entire hike on only 24 ounces of water. Second, I was easily passing other hikers on the ascent when it's usually me giving way to let someone pass. Third, my ascent time was very close to my descent time and I was not lollygaggin' on the way down. Fourth, I buzzed up Walter's Wiggles in virtually no time, a first for me. All in all, very happy with my current level of fitness.

The trail surface varies between sand, gravel, rough-textured concrete and rock. My Vibrams performed like a champ. At the end of the hike, I had one hot spot on my left heel from the descent. Can't ask for more than that.