Hiker Jaye's Notes May 2007
Share and Enjoy,
-- Jaye, The North County WBC Social Director
WEEKLY HOT TIPS
- "Bodies...the Exhibition", May 12-August 26
Features more than 250 "real, whole, and partial human body
specimens..." providing up-close looks inside skeletal, muscular,
circulatory, other human body systems. Many whole-body
specimens "are dissected in vivid athletic poses."
In former Robinsons-May at University Towne Centre.
10am-7pm Sun-Thu, until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
$26.50 general, $21 seniors, $18 for those 5-12. 877-263-4375.
- 24th Annual Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 1st, 2nd and 3rd,
Lake Skinner, 37701 Warren Rd., Winchester
There is an admission fee to the Festival which includes entertainment
but not food or beverages. The Balloon & Wine Festival offers evening
Balloon Glow, Kids Faire, Arts & Crafts and Commercial exhibits
and the Food Court. Wine tasting features different premium wines
from Temecula Valley wineries as well as others from SoCal.
www.tvbwf.com [Checkout the entertainment lineup.
Several well known bands will be appearing. -- jlg]
- Celebrate National Trails Day and 150 Years of Trails in SD County
June 2, 2007 Rancho de los Peñasquitos
10 a.m. - noon: a reenactment of life at the historic Rancho de los
Peñasquitos Adobe and a mail delivery by stagecoach.
Noon - 3pm: visitors will enjoy food, live music, and activities.
Located at the end of Canyonside Park Drive in San Diego.
Parking and admission are free. For more info call 858-484-7504.
NORTH COUNTY SIERRA CLUB
- SAN MIGUEL ISLAND, Channel Island Nat'l Park
August 24-27, Fri-Mon, M16B
George Greer, ggreer4@yahoo.com
Join us for a memorable trip to Channel Island's most mysterious island
to camp and hike this marvelous place. Make your own reservations
with Island Packers (805-642-1393) for boat transportation
and the Park Service (800-365-2267) for campsite reservation.
They both fill up early for this weekend. Go to www.islandpackers.com
and www.recreation.gov for complete information on transportation,
camping and the island. We recommend staying at Motel 6,
Ventura Harbor (800-440-6000) Thurs nite to make IP boat
loading at 7am Fri. Email George with any Q's.
REI EVENTS
Events free and begin at 7pm unless otherwise noted
- World Travel 101 Presentation by Hostelling International (HI)
Chula Vista store: 5/21/2007 7:00 PM
Encinitas 5/22/2007 7:00 PM
San Diego store: 5/23/2007 7:00 PM
- Preparing for Mt. Whitney
Come to this clinic and find out how to properly prepare.
San Diego store: 5/21/2007 7:00 PM
Encinitas & Chula Vista stores: 5/23/2007 7:00 PM
[Thinking about Whitney? Checkout this video trailer.
SqueezeOC e-magazine provides this "Prep for Mt Whitney"
amusing video trailer for your viewing pleasure. -- jlg ]
http://www.squeezeoc.com/multimedia/videos/whitney/
- San Diego, Encinitas 5/24/2007 6:30 PM
Hike For Discovery Presentation
Join us for an informational meeting to learn about Hike For
Discovery, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's adventure
fundraising program that prepares people to experience hiking
Yosemite National Park in a special way.
- National Trails Day Service Project 6/2/2007 9:00 AM
Join REI Chula Vista, San Diego and Encinitas as we team up
with five non-profits and governmental organizations for a bi-national
restoration project at Border Field State Park and Tijuana, Mexico.
Number of participants will be limited due to impact on sensitive
environment. Signup now at Customer Service to reserve your spot!
- REI Outdoor School is coming to San Diego. Classes in kayaking
road biking, mountain biking, map & compass, GPS, rock climbing
back country cooking, outdoor photography will start in June.
Class info & registration: http://www.rei.com/outdoorschool
A16 EVENTS
(events Free and start at 7pm unless otherwise noted)
- Hike For Discovery-Informational Meetings
Solana Beach Adventure 16-Mon., May 21, 6:30 p.m.
San Diego Adventure 16-Tues., May 22, 6:30 p.m.
Oceanside Adventure 16-Wed., May 23, 6:30 p.m.
- Africa Wildlife Safari-Slide Show
Professional wildlife photographer Paul Renner.
San Diego Store: Tues., May 29, 7 p.m.
Solana Beach Store: Wed., May 30, 7 p.m.
Oceanside Store: Thurs., May 31, 7pm
- Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk Q&A
A Day on the 3-Day- "What are the showers really like? How is the food?
What do I need to pack in my gear bag?" Answers to these questions,
and many more, will be shared by veteran 3-Day walkers and team
captains in an interactive and fun Q & A session.
http://www.adventure16.com/wordpress/ to RSVP for this event
Oceanside Store: Wed., May 30, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
EVENTS AT BALBOA PARK
San Diego Natural History Museum
Register early for popular classes and lectures, they can sell out.
For info or to register on-line: www.sdnhm.org
or by phone: (619) 232-3821 ext 203
- Month of May 2007: FREE Admission for Bank of America
cardholders and a guest
- Free First Tuesday of Every Month to local residents
- Desert and Sea: Visions of Baja California
- Fossil Mysteries
- Playing With Time thru April 28th
- "VISIONS: Contemporary Expressions" May 5-31
- Giant-screen films
Ocean Oasis (ongoing), 38 minutes
Too Hot Not to Handle, through June 2007, 55 minutes
- Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit. June 29th - December 2007
First time this exhibit will appear on the West Coast, the museum is
predicting 400,000 visitors in the six month period! Visits will be
reserved on timed-entry. This will also be the largest collection
of scrolls ever presented, with two sets that will be changed during
the exhibit. Reserve tickets now if you want to see this exhibit,
particularly for the lecture series. Lectures will sell out long
before the exhibit opens. http://www.sdnhm.org/scrolls/index.html
- Sample of Classes, Lectures, Expeditions (full list available on web)
See www.sdnhm.org "Calendar" link for location, time and $$
o Rare Look at Rare Books 05/23/07, Adult program: Take a
peak behind the scenes at the rare and antiquarian books that
the Museum holds in the Research Library's Rare Book Room.
o Epic Baja California, Expedition
Trip preview: Wednesday, May 23; 6:30-8 PM
Trip: Sunday, September 9 through Saturday, September 15
o Savoring Guadalupe Valley, 06/09/07, Bus trip, Baja wines
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
For ticket prices and showtimes, call 619-238-1233.
- Free first Tuesday of every month
- Omnimax, currently showing:
Coral Reef; Hurricane on the Bayou, The Alps
- Early Bird Show: weekends only, Dolphins! (10 a.m.) $7
- Fridays at the Fleet, 6pm-9pm, classic & current Omnimax films, $7
May 25 6pm Wild California, 7pm Stormchasers
Jun 1 6pm Island of the Sharks, 7pm Yellowstone
- Rubik's Cube Competition
Saturday, May 26 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
The excitement and skill continues as the Fleet partners with the
World Cube Assoc for the Second Annual San Diego Rubik's
Cube Competition! For more information, including how to
register, please visit http://www.speedcubing.com/.
- June 6 WED The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show and Star Party
THEME: "The Constellations of Spring & Summer"
San Diego Museum of Man
- Indian Fair and Market, May 19 and 20
with special Juried Competition and Evening Preview on May 18
This year admission to the artists' area outside and the entertainment
inside the Museum will be free for everyone. Over 50 artists will be
participating. There will be the Juried Competition on Friday night,
followed by two full days of artists' sales and demonstrations, music,
dancing, and educational events.
LECTURES/CLASSES/EVENTS ELSWHERE
- Graham Mackintosh Presentation, May 23 - 7:00pm, Discover Baja.
Graham Mackintosh will be giving his very entertaining PowerPoint
presentation about life on Guardian Angel Island in the Sea of Cortez.
Come get a preview of the new book that Graham is writing about
his adventures living on the island. Call Discover Baja to make a
reservation or for more information: 800-727-2252.
- "Creating a Backyard Habitat" for butterflies and hummingbirds
is subject for Buena Vista Audubon Society, Wed, May 23, 7:30pm.
Buena Vista Nature Center (2202 South Coast Hwy).
760-439-2473. Free.
- "Step Into Liquid," enjoy this 2004 film during Carlsbad Library
film series, Wednesday, May 23, 6 p.m.. Continues Wed May 30th
with "Big Wednesday," boasting "some of the most spectacular surfing
footage ever filmed." Events begin at 5:30pm with "behind-the-scenes
features." Free. 1775 Dove Lane 760-602-2026.
- Acclaimed Local Author Victor Villaseñor discusses his writing and
signs books on Thursday, May 24, 7 p.m., in Schulman Auditorium
at Carlsbad City Library (1775 Dove Lane). Among his books:
"Rain of Gold" and "Burro Genius." Free. 760-602-2012.
- 35mm, award-winning short films and "cinematinis" served at
"W" San Diego (421 West B St) in partnership with San Diego
Film Festival, Tuesday, May 29, 8 to 10 p.m. No cover.
619-231-8220. (Downtown)
- Calling All Harry Potter Fans! SD State University Library plans series
of brown-bag book discussions of each title in J.K. Rowling's series,
every Thu, June 14-July 26, noon, in room 430/431 of SDSU Library.
Bring lunch, a book, comments and questions for discussion of each
book, starting with first in series and ending with discussion of final
book (the week after its release). Costumes welcome.
Free. 619-594-5148, 619-594-4991.
OUTDOOR EVENTS
- After sunset at this time of year, when the stars begin to come out
in twilight Vega is at the same height in the northeast as Capella is
in the northwest. These are the brightest stars in the May evening
sky - along with Arcturus very high in the southeast.
- The Planet Mercury reaches a favorable evening elongation position
from the sun during late May and early June. This is the best time,
and perhaps the only time this year, to easily spot Mercury with the
naked eye, as it hovers over the western horizon at dusk. There is
a narrow window of opportunity -- perhaps only 15 minutes or so
-- when in the steadily darkening sky the pinprick glimmer of Mercury
appears near the horizon, just before disappearing below the horizon.
To find Mercury, look well below and to the right of the much brighter
planet Venus.
- San Diego's Coastal Wildflower Bloom, practically a bust this year
because of little winter rain, is not entirely over. Meticulous searches
on slopes facing north (away from the sun) or in shady canyon bottoms
(where runoff may have lingered) may reveal native red monkeyflower,
blue-eyed grass, wild hyacinth, and nonnatives such as chrysanthemum
and mustard. Irrigated freeway embankments, with showy African
daisies, blooming ice-plant, and other forms of groomed landscaping,
look muted but decent this spring season.
- Chamise and Buckwheat, two of the most common native flowering
plants in SD County's sage-scrub and chaparral plant communities,
are in flower this month through June. Chamise, also known as
greasewood, readily sprouts from root crowns after fire. Since 2003's
Cedar Fire, much of the foothill and mountain regions of the county
are again being smothered by this upstart, dominant type of drought
resistant vegetation. The stems of both chamise and buckwheat are
tipped by clusters of small white or cream-colored flowers, fading
to russet-brown by July. Near the coast look for flat-top buckwheat,
common on south-facing slopes. Here it shares space with other
low-growing sage-scrub plants like black sage.
- Wildflowers of San Diego County's highest mountains are in bloom
this month, though that display is likely to be weak due to the sparse
rainfall of the last couple of seasons. Take a walk along any trail above
4500 feet elevation in the Laguna, Cuyamaca, or Palomar Mountains
and enjoy a palette of colors ranging from crimson red to indigo blue.
Among the most common varieties are lupine (blue, occasionally yellow),
wallflower (yellow), paintbrush (red), scarlet bugler (red), beard tongue
(blue-purple), checker (lavender), woolly blue curls (violet),
forget-me-not (white), wild hyacinth (purple), and yarrow (yellow and
white).
- Take interpretive walk where yellow warblers, sunflowers, poppies,
monkeyflowers may be seen, Sun & Wed, May 20 & 23, 9:30-11am,
in Mission Trails Park. Free. 619-668-3281.
- Head to Summit of Volcan Mountain with guide from San Dieguito
River Valley Conservancy, Sunday, May 20, 1-4 p.m. Bring water,
sun protection for strenuous five-mile round-trip hike. Free.
Required reservations, directions: 858-674-2275 x5. (Julian)
- Love Your Lawn, Then Replace It! Find out best techniques for lawn
replacement at Buena Vista Native Plant Club meeting, Sun, May 20, 2pm,
at Buena Vista Nature Center (2202 South Coast Highway). Expert and
novice gardeners interested in learning about working with native plants
are invited. Free. 760-439-2473. (Oceanside)
- Rediscover Downtown Escondido during walking tour led by Escondido
History Center, Tuesday, May 22, 6 p.m., starting at southeast corner
of Grand and Broadway. Free. 760-743-8207. (Escondido)
- Over Easy? See fried egg flowers, a.k.a. Matilija poppies, during a guided
walk at Old Mission Dam on Sat, May 26, 8:30am, in Mission Trails Park
at Kumeyaay Campground entry station (Two Father Junípero Serra Trail).
Free. 619-668-3281.
- Birding Basics Class planned by guide Winona Sollock at Mission Trails
Park Visitors' Center, Saturday, May 26, 1-2:30 p.m. Participants
learn five simple techniques for identifying birds at a glance, how to use
a field guide (bring yours if you have one). Free. Find visitors' center
at One Father Junípero Serra Trail. Free. 619-668-3281.
- What's Biting and Where? "Lake Jennings Fishing University" convenes
for instruction by Helix Water District lake manager Hugh Marx, Sunday,
May 27, 1 p.m., at Lake Jennings County Park (10108 Bass Road).
Program is free, parking is $3. 858-565-3600. (Lakeside)
- Herb Walk, Sunday, May 27, Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve
How were trees, plants, shrubs used for food, medicine? Outing starts
at 5 p.m. at west end staging area on south side of Sorrento Valley Blvd
(one-half mile east of intersection of Vista Sorrento Parkway). Free.
858-484-3219. (Sorrento Valley)
- Safe Boating Classes offered by San Luis Rey Sail and Power Squadron.
Five-week series begins Tue, May 22, 7 p.m., at Oceanside Yacht Club
(1950 Harbor Drive). Safe boat handling, state and federal boating
regulations, buoys, lights, more. Materials fee: $35. Registration:
760-942-0870, 760-754-8670.
- Cinema under the Stars features "There's Something About Mary,"
Thu-Sat, May 24-26, 8:30pm, at Tops (4040 Goldfinch St).
Next up: Humphrey Bogart, Igrid Bergman in "Casablanca,"
Thursday, May 31-Sunday, June 3. $12.50. 619-295-4221.
- Valley Center Western Days Festival and carnival runs May 25-27th
around Valley Center Community Hall (28246 Lilac Road). Parade,
food for sale, Marshall's Posse shootouts, pancake breakfasts,
motorcycle stunt show, country and western music, entertainment.
Friday and Sunday: free admission; Saturday: $3. 760-749-8472.
- La Misión Fiesta -- festival on May 26 and 27 with parades, rodeo
contests, cultural exhibitions, regional foods, entertainment held at
San Miguel Arcangel de la Frontera Mission (at km 65.5 on
Tijuana-Ensenada free road; take La Fonda exit from toll road).
Fiesta concludes with live music for dancing from 8 p.m.-midnight.
Free admission. 011-52-664-682-1697. (Ensenada)
- Festival del Caballo, Arte, y Vino -- Sunday, May 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.,
at Adobe Guadalupe Vineyards and Inn in Valle de Guadalupe.
Equestrian and charrería exhibitions, Andalusian dancing horses,
folkloric and flamenco dancers, music, arts and crafts, wine tasting,
regional foods. Tickets: $16 in advance, $20 at door, free for those
under 12. 011-52-646-178-3136, 011-52-646-171-5502.
(Guadalupe Valley)
- Convair Waterski Club provides three ski boats for waterskiing and
wakeboarding 8-11 a.m., Sundays year-round. Instruction on request.
Group meets at south end of Crown Point Beach. All skill levels
welcome. Nonmember fee: $15 per run (about 15 minutes).
858-863-4755. (Mission Bay)
- Lavender in Bloom, the Lavender Fields open Weds through Suns,
10a.m. to 5 p.m., starting April 25. Meet on the main gift shop porch
for "Walk and Talk" tours at 10:30am Free. 12460 Keys Creek Rd.
760-742-1489. (Valley Center)
- Cruisin' Grand
Friday nights, March 30-September 28; 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
The streets are filled with strolling people, all kinds of vintage cars
make seven blocks of Escondido the place to be on Friday nights!
http://www.escondido.org/events/cruisin/index.html
- Learn Outdoors: UC Riverside Extension Courses in the Field
Field study programs. Some of the exciting places our courses
can take you include Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley,
Owens Valley and Bishop. Complete course information, is
available on our website www.extension.ucr.edu
To enroll, please call (800) 442-4990 or (951) 827-4105.
KAYAKING
- Aqua Adventures Kayak Center; Mission Bay and La Jolla
For more info: http://www.aqua-adventures.com/
- Paddle out to Humphrey's Concerts
Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay are under way again. See 2007 schedule
at: http://www.humphreysconcerts.com/ They continue to add performances
to the lineup, check back to see what's new.
- Full-moon Paddles on Mission Bay
SD Natural History Museum & Marie Humphreys
This tour is a great introduction to kayaking as well as a scenic
nighttime tour of one of San Diego's most beautiful playgrounds.
7-10pm: Thu, May 31; Sat, Jun 30; Sun, July 29
Member $55 per adult; Nonmember $65 per adult
$20 per child age 6-12 paddling in a double kayak with a parent
Early bird social paddle every Wed. morning at 7-9am.
Mission Bay social paddle every Thursday at 6-8pm night
Free with own kayak, $10 members, $15 non-members
- Family Kayak Adventure Center
Check the website for info on current tours, classes and paddles
www.familykayak.com
- Guided Adventures in Nature (GAIN)
Contact Carol Evans at (760) 434-0487
getfit1 at pacbell.net www.guidedadventures.net
BIKE RIDES
- Cycle EastLake 2007 5/20/2007 6:30 AM
People of all ages are welcome to join for a small registration fee;
Participants have the option to ride in the 50,25,12 or 5 mile ride.
There will also be a 14 mile mountain bike poker ride. Stay around
after the cycle rides for the Taste of EastLake featuring some of
EastLake's best restaurants Price of Taste of EastLake included
for registered cyclists. Sponsored by REI.
Contact/registration: http://www.eastlakeedfoundation.org/news
- Bicycle to Golden Hill with Knickerbikers bicyclists, Saturday, May 26.
The 25-miler starts at 9:30am in north parking lot at East Mission Bay
Drive and Clairemont Drive. Venture downtown, to Golden Hill,
South Park, and arrive uptown near Vermont Street Bridge. Free.
619-523-5522. (Mission Bay)
- The Tijuana-Rosarito Beach Bike Ride
8 a.m., Saturday, May 26.
Routes, details: 011-52-664-686-1511. (Tijuana)
- Mountain Biking in Guadalupe Valley
planned Saturday, May 26, 10 a.m.
Registration: $35 U.S. 011-52-664-680-9862. (Guadalupe Valley)
- Rides to Suit Every Rider! San Diego Bicycle Club's "world famous"
Saturday rides start every Saturday -- rain or shine -- at 8:30 a.m.
at 8715 Via La Jolla Drive (in parking lot at La Jolla Village Square).
Fast rides, core training, and development rides offered. Helmets
mandatory. Free. 619-522-0058. (La Jolla)
- Tuesday Night Bicycle Racing Season continues with racing at 6:30 p.m.
at San Diego Velodrome (2221 Morley Field Drive). Free for spectators.
619-573-4953. (Balboa Park)
TRAIL RUNS
- 6/2/07 Saturday 7:15 am
Idyllwild 5K and 10K Race
Come race in the pines in the beautiful village of Idyllwild
www.idyllwildrace.com
- 6/9, 6/10, 6/16 Sat, Sun, Sat 9:00 am
14th Annual World Famous Mud Run at Camp Pendleton
Lake O'Neill, Camp Pendleton, CA
A physically challenging course of mud pits, rugged terrain, murky waters
& course obstacles. www.camppendletonraces.com
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WHERE I FIND THESE THINGS...
- Sierra Club: Find activities by Section or look up outings in the
current copy of the Hi Sierran http://sandiego.sierraclub.org/outings/
- North County Wilderness Basics Course
get the scoop at http://sandiego.sierraclub.org/wbc/nc/
- See "Raceplace" a monthly free magazine or www.raceplace.com
for a complete calendar of running/biking/blading events
in San Diego and beyond. Also checkout www.active.com
California events for a wider range of activities.
- See the "Reader" weekly free magazine or online at:
http://www.sdreader.com/ed/calendar/ev/
for a complete list of local events. Check "Baja" "Outdoor",
"In Person", "Lectures", "Special" and "Sports" sections.
- A16 Has full class list and events at:
http://www.adventure16.com/index.html
- REI Local events at:
http://www.rei.com/
- San Diego County Bike Coalition www.sdcbc.org
- Yahoo group for graduates of a WBC course. Anyone
who has taken a WBC course can join and post. The best way
to get to the group: go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sdcountywbc/
and click the "Join Group" icon on the right. If you have questions,
contact Kate at kate at verdantcustomoutdoors dot com.
- Contact me for other on-line event addresses -- jlg
HOUSEKEEPING
Send any queries, suggestions, requests, & cheerful greetings
to hikerjaye at cox dot net
If you see something fun and you want to get a group together
or just want to let people know you are going in case anyone
wants to join in, drop me a note and I'll publish it here.
These notes of outdoor activities (and whatever else I find fun)
began as a way for the North County Wilderness Basics Class
staff to keep in touch throughout the year. It has grown to
include friends and innocent bystanders. Drop me a line if
you know of anyone who should be or wants to be on the
distribution.
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