Okay – wipe your dirty minds. I’m not giving you details of that activity but instead tell you about the hike we did today, here in Rancho Mirage, called the Bump and Grind. At first, after I had slept late, we thought we’d bag it for another day of sitting by the pool but feeling like slugs, we changed out of our bathing suits, and hit the road (with a stop first at Starbucks for breakfast) before beginning our climb up some stark but beautiful hills.
The documentation we had on this one said it’s about 1.8 miles but I clocked it at over 2 miles each way. It’s not like hiking in Vermont – no trees, no shade, no streams to cross, no wet rocks, just a dry, sandy winding path, up, up, and up, until you eventually reach a flat hilltop, turnaround and come down.
You got a good view of the snow-capped mountains that surround the dessert.
And of the valley too.
On the way down, we finally got some pictures of the wildlife (missed a picture of a desert rat – maybe a marmot – who knows earlier) but did snag this big lizard.
While hiking up we saw other walkers, hikers, joggers, runners, and two mountain bikers – give them a lot of credit. No pictures of them though, but how about some cacti.
When I get home, I’ll upload the rest of the shots, totally a stark contrast to the hiking pictures from NJ and Vermont.
Wow, that is pretty hot for March! Good thing you had water.
In the early mornings, Chiocciola, it was cool – in the high 50s but by midday, into the low 80s. We didn’t get as early a start as I would have liked so, yeah, it was pretty hot. Glad we brought 1/2 gallon of water with us though.
Lisa, back now – but leaving very early in the morning again.
Angie – definitely not for your in your condition. 🙂
As much as the sun is enticing it makes me faint to look at in my current state.
Nice photos! When are you coming back to NJ??
What an interesting landscape, I don’t think I have ever been anywhere like that. Sounds like a nice hike but it must get very hot?
I miss you!!
good pics though dad!