Up reasonably early,
another
amazingly
beautiful
and
warm
day
(83
degrees),
more
convivial conversation with John and company at the
local Starbucks,
then
a
farewell,
with
supply stop --
driving
the
way
back
towards
Cherry
Valley,
Beaumont
and
Banning --
to
finish
off
the
last
mile-or-so
of
yesterday's
outing,
starting
at
the
base
and
working
back
upwards
towards
the eucalyptus grove.
Shortly before reaching it, receive a phone call from Fred Conner, who would like another review -- so, always glad to oblige in that regard. Back in the car,
there's just enough time to blitz across the greater Los Angeles Basin
(243 in Banning
back to 10,
through Beaumont,
Calimesa,
down
the
Yucaipa
Grade
to Redlands --
210
with
views
of
the
San
Bernardinos,
City Creek Canyon,
Mt. Baldy,
Cajon Pass,
Ontario and
Cucamonga Peaks,
Glendora
Ridge
and
South
Hills,
the Front Range of the San Gabriels,
Irwindale,
Mt. Wilson,
Arroyo Seco,
the
Verdugo
Mountains
and
La
Tuna
Canyon,
Tujunga,
San
Fernando
Valley,
Mt. Cahuenga)
and
over
Newhall Pass (Weldon and
Gavin
Canyons,
Valencia Oaks,
the cliffs of
Rye Canyon and the
Santa Clara River Valley
to
to rendezvous at
Parker Road
(of Castaic Inn and
Carl's
Jr. fame),
with renowned drummer Steve Pemberton,
for our aquatic afternoon adventure on the Lake.
After a standard inspection,
we proceed to the ramp,
dropping off the boat and parking the car,
then off we go into the
wild blue, green, and golden --
yonder to Dry Creek and
Elizabeth Lake Canyon.
On the way back,
there's a
new
captain,
briefly
(only in the "no wake", i.e. slow, zone),
then we're back on
dry land.
A great way to catch up with our lives,
and now there's catch-up for the journey still ahead:
up
the
inverted
lanes
of
Violin Canyon,
to
Paradise Ranch,
Canton Canyon,
the
Ridge
Route,
Pyramid
Lake,
Liebre Canyon,
doubly-eroded
Hungry
Valley,
the fringes of the
Mojave,
Gorman
Ridge
Ranch,
over Tejon,
Frazier Park,
the Kern County border,
Lebec,
the oak-dappled
ridge and
valley
near the
Fort,
down the
ever-spectacular
Grapevine,
to
the
misty
southern
San
Joaquin
Valley,
where
the
lights
eventually
go
out
under purple haze. Home via 12 (intriguing open country compromised by the monstrous synchronized windmill lights) and back roads.
The playlist? Finishing up a Philip Glass collection with
Naqoyqatsi
and
The Fog of Ware
plus
John Corigliano
The Red Violin
Tommy Boyce
The Monkees
Ali Farka Toure
Talking Timbuktu
and
Louis Andriessen
Der Stijl
M Is for Man, Music, Mozart
Oh, yes, before leaving southern California, there's also some Mark Alburger...
Song of Solomon
John, John, John
Christmas Carrels
Ave Maris Stella
