December 2011 - Palomar Mountain State Park

Trails and Tales
News for VIP Volunteers in the Montane Sector
December 2011
.
VIP Events
June 21-25
MAU
Los Vaqueros
campout
Photo by Michele
1
Hernandez
MBAU Article By Jesse Reyes
Early Morning Struggles;
Oh boy! It’s one of those mornings with my lack of motivation to
break open the sheets on this cold morning. And to think of riding, it’s
almost surreal.
Well, here we go. The routine incoming motivational calls from one
named “Linder”, telling me to come on Reyes, you’ll have fun, it’ll
warm up and you’ll feel great!
“Sure”, I tell’em, I’ll be there to pick you guys up. In the meantime,
I’m staring out the window watching those ominous black clouds,
wondering and asking myself “why am I doing this, getting out of a
perfectly warm bed to go bear the wind, rain and cold air?”
Photo by Michele Hernandez
As the morning progresses I continue to ponder and battle within
myself about the idea of bailin’ on the ride. Reluctantly, I call my
“amigo” Danimal for inspiration or maybe an excuse to cop out.
Just as I thought, he says “misery likes company, I’m in”!. By this
time, I guess I don’t have an excuse or good enough reason but to
join.
An hour later, after several coffee and bathroom calls, motivation
sinks in. The calls and texts are comin askn “ where r u fool”. Well I
tell’em “I’m in town”. Without giving them the clue that I meant the
next town over, Poway and headed up the hill.
Upon my arrival at the loading dock, I’m greeted with upside down
smiles, a couple smirks, clinched fists, flailing arms, open hands ready
to give me a hug!. That immediately sets the mood for a great day!
As, I exit the driver seat, Linder yells “waaaaaaaaaas Up, Raaaaaayes!
As the loading of bikes and bodies commence in preparation for
departure.
Well, finally at the park, I’m still battling with self-defeating thoughts,
wondering how I’m gonna make it through the ride. But through this
2
ordeal friends offer plenty of inspiration, with their smiles, excitement
and positive influence.
Photos by Michele Hernandez
As the ride starts, it’s outta the gate at what seems 18 or 25 miles an
hour, I’m outta breath, my hearts pumpin’ and ready to pop outta my
chest, my legs are in sheer pain and my arms are numb and tingly. All
of this, while I look beside me to only notice smiles, while others are
hardly breathing while carrying on conversations, a clear indication of
daily riders.
I’m thinking to myself “what the……..” I hope they eat………..!. This
thought process continues throughout the day and finally settles after
several hours. By this time the ride is over and they’re still smiling and
chattin’ away, masking the pain.
After several of these rides, with this crew, they’re smiles and positive
attributes become contagious and have certainly helped me grow,
taught me to enjoy and endure pain with a smile.
Well, that’s what it’s like riding with the Ramona crew, an enjoyable,
growing and educating experience. Ride On!
3
Hoodang
4
Photos by Michele Hernandez
Winter is coming to Cuyamaca…
5
IAU News
by Cathy Zimmerman and Jean Harnage
November was tome for our annual awards banquet. Tim
Doyle and Steve Maynaard received volunteer awards.
Again we want to thank them for all of their time and
dedication. They did Friday nights in the campground,
Nature walks and the Junior Ranger program, these
important activities would not have happened without
them. There is lots of great hiking to be had this time of
year. Cool and crisp air, leaves changing and herds of
deer spotted on Milk Ranch road and the Meadows going
to Stonewall Mine. We had quite a few visitors in the VC
midweek, so don't hesitate, if you have time to head up
and put in some hours.
There is a lot of new merchandise in the gift shop. Tshirts and hats make great Christmas gifts! And don't
forget, CRSPIA members get 20% off.
6
TMU ARTICLE
by Dave McClure
Since this is the month for Thanksgiving, I have been going
over in my mind all the things that we have to be thankful
about. There are so many things that I truly don’t know
where to start.
This issue came to mind today as I was working with your
Wednesday Trail Crew in the Park. What a beautiful day it
was today! The sun was out and the temperature was just
right. For those of you who are not taking advantage of the
hiking / riding / walking opportunities right now, you don’t
know what you are missing. The Oak trees are in the final
stages of their fall colors. The ground is nice and green
from the recent rains. The air is crisp and clean. So this is
one of many things that I am so thankful for this time of
year: A beautiful Park with beautiful weather. And it’s all
there for us to use and enjoy as much as we wish.
Today, we also had the pleasure of meeting some hikers
on the Stonewall Peak Trail who were visiting from Boston.
It turns out that they are frequent visitors to many parks
around the country and they told us that our Park has
some of the nicest hiking trails that they have seen. So
this is something else that I have to be thankful for; the
opportunity to meet so many nice people from all over the
world who are eager to share the stories of their travels.
And let’s not forget the wonderful and professional Park
staff that we constantly interact with. We are most thankful
that in this time of budget and personnel cutbacks that the
staff continues to do more with fewer resources and always
greet us with a smile and a wish for a good day.
I am personally thankful for all the Park volunteers in all of
the units that work so hard for no compensation to keep
Cuyamaca Rancho and Palomar State Parks open and
running for all of our visitors. With fuel prices so high right
7
now, simply driving up to the Park can put a hardship on many, yet
all of you continue to bite the bullet and come up anyway.
And now I will promote my “Hike of the Month”. Today, we worked
on the Azalea Glen Loop Trail. This is the trail that connects the
Paso Picacho Campground in the area of campsite 80 to the Azalea
Glen Fire Road. This trail is in very good condition and lined with
Oaks in their fall colors. The ground is nice and green and you truly
feel like this is your walk in the woods. It is an easy hike with mostly
gentle grades suitable for the entire family. Try this easy hike. You
have my promise that you won’t be sorry.
Finally, please accept my best wishes for this Holiday Season.
However you celebrate your holiday, be it Christmas, Hanukkah,
Kwanzaa, Yule or many others too numerous to mention (and I
won’t forget Festivus (for the rest of us!)), please enjoy a happy and
safe Holiday season! And please don’t forget those who are less
fortunate than us. Don’t forget to drop a few dollars into the black
kettle in front of the store. While you’re in the store pick up a couple
of extra toys for the Toys for Tots Barrel (and Thanks Marines, for
this wonderful and generous holiday tradition.
And a Happy and Safe New Year to all!
8
MAU News by Suzie Kirkwood
We’ve already had three patrol cancellations due to bad weather. Three
out of the four weekends in November were cancelled. Be sure to keep an
eye on the weather forecast before heading out to the park for your
patrol. The weather can change fast, so it’s hard to make the call to cancel
patrols until at least Thursdays. Often the weekend weather isn’t obvious
until Friday or even Saturday. We do the best we can, and err on the side
of caution – and safety – when cancelling patrols. Remember, if you feel
that it’s not safe to drive out to the park, or ride in the park, it’s always
your option to cancel. If you drive to the park and the weather turns bad,
please don’t risk riding just because you’re there.
Don’t forget to consider trail conditions following wet weather. A couple
of weeks ago on a beautiful sunny Sunday after a rainy Saturday, a park
visitor’s horse slipped in a rut on Harvey Moore Trail and fell down into the
rut and couldn’t get up. Ernie Smith, Walt, me and our two young
grandsons hiked up Harvey Moore with ropes, shovels and come-alongs to help get the horse out of the
ditch. Luckily, after more than two hours, the horse was able to get up on his own. Wet trails are
dangerous and fragile.
Photo by Michele Hernandez
And then there are perfect days like today! A beautiful, warm and sunny day at the end of November!
We are so lucky!
Happy Holidays!
9
Volunteer Banquet photos by Mike Hamm
10
CONTACTS:
Palomar TMU-Rick Barclay - [email protected]
TMU- Dave McClure - [email protected]
IAU- Jean Harnage- [email protected]
MBAU- Suzie Murphy- [email protected]
MAU- Suzanne Kirkwood- [email protected]
CRSP Park Headquarters (weekdays only) -- 760-765-3020
Paso Picacho Kiosk (for weekends) -- 760-765-3023
Green Valley Kiosk -- 760-765-3024
Palomar Headquarters -- 760-742-3462
Send articles and photos for next month between the 24 th and the 29th toSusan Russo- [email protected]
11