High Desert Training Play Ground

The High Desert Is Always An Interesting Training Ground!

I have been home for a total of four days.  We left sunny California on November 8 leaving beautiful  sunny, warm weather behind.  We made it to Northwestern Indiana with arctic cold weather, snow, Tornados and Hurricane Winds which last until we made it to Kingsman, AZ.  So, although the actual road trip was not the best, the visit was amazing to be with my wonderful silly family.

Here is my story more in pictures than words...

There was Redneck Potato Gun Wars into the lake - Uncle Pat showing Si how to do it right!

Quality Time with my Great Niece, Si and my boy, Booger

Silly time with Si. I have to admit she is a lot like her Great Aunt!

My Nieces and Sister-in-laws.  It has been three years since we have all been together. 

My Two Handsome Brothers

My Beautiful FAVORITE Aunt (shhh) and Mother

My Running Venue everyday.  I missed 4 days out of 14, not too bad.  We don't see colors like this in SoCal

The lake my niece lives on

The Most Amazing TREES EVER!  They were so brilliantly red it looked fake.

Our home for five days in Indiana. Otherwise it was a WalMart somewhere. They have free camping always.  The house was full of other Riveras.

The Tornado that struck two hours before we were to leave in Illinois, 50 miles away.  Yes, it was coming our way! We decided to stay one more night.

Right before the Tornado hit our area in Indiana

We made it home to what?? Rain, Snow and COLD!!

Lots of snow fell in the mountains about 15 minutes from us.

The next day, it was magical and 55 degrees.

I was ready to ride my bike! Finally after two weeks.  Booger wanted to go.

After my 13 mile MTB ride, I was running 3 miles down one of my "normal" paths and a production crew was out.  They were filming a music video. A French band. The crew member said it had to do with aging. There were lots of young folk and lots of old folk.  I watched for a bit but I had to get my brick workout done.  Bad picture but there were lots of EZ-ups and trailers as well.

 

 

Today I attempted to climbed to the top.  I made it half way which was 1/2 mile in dirt and rain ruts.

This was half way from where I came from.  I had another 2.5 miles to reach the top.

The Hunter I came across.  Also a Fireman.  He just found and shot a fox.

 

The poor fox.  I didn't even knew we had them here in the high desert.  Apparently there are a lot.

Southern California Bobcat that is VERY smart! I haven't seen one yet! But the hunter has.

Lake Las Vegas in the distance where the hunter has found LOTS of Mountain Lion tracks. It is the green area and behind that is the Sierra Mountain Range

I found out a lot from the hunter that I met today. ( PLEASE I AM NOT HERE TO DEBATE ABOUT HUNTING OR KILLING OF ANIMALS.  WE HAVE OUR BELIEFS AND THIS IS NOT ABOUT THAT, ALTHOUGH I DID INCLUDE THE PICTURE, SO I GUESS I HAVE SET MYSELF UP.)  The Hunter, Dan, is an avid hunter, tracker, fireman and works with Wild
Game officials in Southern California.

I like to know about the area that I run, bike, and hike in (usually) by myself.  I know there are lots of bears up in the mountains, which he confirmed today. I have never seen any but Pat did see some tracks while camping this past summer.  There are Big Horn Sheep which I have never seen but April and I swear we saw their tracks in the last snow we had.  There are rattlesnakes which I can't stand but have seen.  There are tarantulas which I see at least one every fall. There are deer, which I do see when riding or hiking quietly through the woods.  (I just can't bring Jamie because she likes to scream from excitement when she sees one).   What I didn't know is that there are LOTS of foxes in this area.  And, this is the largest area for Bobcats in the state of California.  He said most of the Mountain Lions he has tracked have been out in Lake Las Vegas which I found interesting since it is about 25 miles from the mountains.

So, not only do I train in a high elevation, in mountains, in desert, in high heat or extreme cold, and in crazy wind; BUT around potential movie sets and lots of animals probably watching me huff and puff as I climb and climb.  The High Desert is a Beautiful, Magical Playland and I thank the Lord, the Stars, the Universe or whatever you want to call God, for bringing me here to enjoy this!  I actually (well almost 95% of the time time) enjoy training out here.  One never knows what I will find or encounter.

I can't wait to see what I will encounter tomorrow.  I'll be looking more carefully for tracks from now on.