Catching Up

It’s been about a month and a half since my last desert update. Yes, I’m still in Palm Springs and loving it. It’s hot as Hades so any outdoor activity is a morning venture.

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I’ve trekked over 600 miles on the hiking trails so far but every once in awhile, I’ve been walking the neighborhood instead. Temperatures are over ninety at first light so over-taxing myself makes little sense. Unfortunately, the aerial tramway has been closed or I’d be opting for the cool mountain trails.

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Two players in Toledo opted to push a trolley instead of hiring a caddie. Both finished in the top ten. One of them had a trolley from her childhood and it was special indeed. It was all titanium and cost a whopping £2,000! I doubt that came from her piggy bank.

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I also heard there was a bit of a kerfuffle with Lydia’s caddie. He had dinner with one of the caddies who tested COVID positive and it was feared he had to sit out. Subsequently, a retest was negative but too late for that caddie’s player. She had to withdraw.

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California just ordered rolling blackouts for parts of the state due to excessive heat. Here’s hoping I’m unaffected.

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I’ve been watching the Scottish on the telly every morning. Not to see the players but the course. I loved caddying over there. The visit to St. Andrews is my most memorable golf experience.

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Many doctors here are using telemedicine appointments to see patients instead of in-person but dental hygienists are cleaning teeth. Who would you think has a greater chance of catching the bug? Go figure.

R.I.P. “Motorcycle Jim”

LPGA caddie Jim Gilmore, passed away last night at a nursing home in upstate New York. Covid-19 took another soul.

Jim was a good caddie and a friend to many. He will be missed.

Here’s Jim and Greg Sheridan in Jamaica during the golden years of the LPGA. They are now together once more, walking the fairways up high.

Shaking It Up

I’ve hiked almost 150 miles since the Vegas trip. Usually taking only one day off per week.

I’ve been trying to diversify my hikes (not by color or sex but length and route) to keep things fresh. Today, I went up the North Lykken to the Skyline and continued on.

The Skyline climbs 8,000 feet from the desert to Long Valley, then joins with the main trail to gain another 2,600 feet to the summit. That wasn’t in the cards for me today and I doubt if it ever will be. I only went to the first rescue box (see below) for a total of 7.28 miles round trip.

Going all the way is not for the light hearted. Check out this warning.

Just in case, emergency water and first aide kit lies waiting. If you need extra water at this point, you should have never started. This was my termination point.

Almost took a header coming down. The edge of my shoe snagged on a rock and I had to jump forward to catch my balance. That could have been really, really ugly.

Hiking Vegas

Mark Scott received an invite from Chuck Parisi to come hiking with him. He’s in Vegas and it was a perfect time for both of us to get out of town and see some new trails.

The plan was to leave at 5am Thursday morning and as I approached the security gate to Mark’s mobile home park, I was greeted by a guy yelling, “Are you following me? Are you following me?” Luckily, the car behind opened the gate before I had to punch in the code, or there might have been a confrontation.

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I decided to take an unfamiliar route to Vegas through the Mojave National Preserve. After passing through Twenty Nine Palms, it was a desolate drive. A real eye-opener, but we’re both glad we did.

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Day one: Chuck took us on the Lone Mountain Loop Trail (a bunny slope) then we added some severity. It was a good workout.  Of course, he had to stop for a call along the way.

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Chuck started hiking after following my blog. Now he’s hooked.

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We ate at Dirt Dog for lunch. Chuck abstained and Mark got my dog and me his. They were both excellent none the less.

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Chuck called Dan cannon (aka “Book ‘em Danno” from Hawaii Five-O) It was great hearing his voiced and we all reminisced about caddie days past.

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Steaks were on the dinner menu for me and Mark. Chuck had chicken burgers. We sat around the dinner table telling caddie stories afterward. It was a laugh a minute.

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Day two: We hiked the five-mile Buckskin Cliff Shadows Trail early in the morning. The boys were pooped afterward, but I was only getting warmed up.

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For dinner, Chuck whipped up some pasta topped with his mom’s spaghetti sauce. Perfect! Be honest, you thought this was Patty Sheehan at first glance.

Later, he took us on a tour of The Strip. What a ghost town. It has been taken over by bicyclists and skateboarders.

Empty Las Vegas Strip counts losses as locals venture out

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Day three: Hiked part of the Flagpole Loop Trail. After a miscue at the start, we found the correct path. It was the best so far.

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Well worth the climb. This is the photo Chuck wants on his tombstone.

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All smiles before the pain sets in.

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Vegas salons are opening by appointment only and Chuck got on the list for 3pm. Good thing too.

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Day four: Heading home this morning. It was a fantastic stay. Great hiking and hilarious tour tales. Hope to do it again.

More Of The Same

Many more miles in the bank since my last post. Our most interesting hike found these Bighorns along the trail.

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The Symetra Tour is considering going caddie-free for the remainder of the season. I have a feeling that’s the way it will be.

Of course, there will be testing every week. A positive result sends you home for two weeks.

On The Road, Literally

Another hike with Mark Scott. This time we walked the asphalt road going to the Aerial Tramway. It’s closed to autos but there is also a paved walkway adjacent to the road. Didn’t go all the way. Only a round trip of five miles this time.

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There were many folks doing the same as us. The majority were Latino women packed with extra booty. At least a 10:1 ratio to men. We couldn’t figure that one out.

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I arrived in Palm Springs on March 4th and have logged over two hundred miles on the trails. Many more to go, I hope.

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The revised LPGA and Symetra schedules are out. Two northern states are hosting LPGA events in October and the weather may be dicey.

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I remember back in 1984 (I think) when the West Virginia Classic, held in Wheeling,was rescheduled for an October date. Showing off the area, with all the splendor of its fall foliage, was dashed when a cold front brought miserable conditions. We even had a sleet delay.

Caddies housed in unheated dorms were burning the furniture to keep warm. The cheap pricks wouldn’t pony-up for a half cord of firewood.

That debacle date change killed the tournament.

Trail Busters At It Again

Hiked the South Lykken Trail with “The Anchor” yesterday morning. Not too many vistas better than this.

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On our way down, a guy coming up waived us through. Hiking etiquette states that up-hillers have the right of way but as I passed, I could see why he did it.

It was ninety degrees, he was dressed in all black, had no hat or water and his breathing was labored. More proof, you can’t fix stupid. Also, his mask was around his neck all the while he was huffing and puffing. DOH!.

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Horses are permitted on some of the trails and as Mark and I descended the Garstin last week, three riders were coming up and their faces were covered with bandanas instead of traditional masks. It looked like they just robbed a stagecoach. Woulda,coulda,shoulda took a picture.

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Thursday, “Volunteer Dave” and I assembled a foldable picnic table for his rental unit. What I thought would take half hour took three times that. Next one would be a piece of cake. The beer afterward sure hit the spot.

I do good work.

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Besides the table, I also lubed the garage doors at both of Dave’s places and jimmied the lock of a neighbor’s house to get in. But that’s another story.

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How about this gem of a bobblehead I spotted at Dave’s rental unit.

I’m A Hiking Fool

Eight more hikes since my last post. Three of them with Mark Scott who I’ve nicknamed “The Anchor”. He’s a tad short of wind, so I have to let him catch up, but he’s still able to break it.

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On the Berns Trail today, I came across a rattle snake hidden in a bush. Didn’t see it, but didn’t have to. The warning of its distinctive rattle had me almost soil myself.

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Going to reach 100° or more the next ten days. That’s about 15° above normal. May have to start hiking when the sun comes up.

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My DIY haircut came out pretty good. No more going to the barber for me. One more cut and the clippers have more than paid for themselves.

A Friend Along The Way

Hiked the Garstin Trail this morning with my buddy Mark Scott. He’s a bit out of shape, so only a wee walk was in order.

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Word is, all the Legend’s events have been canceled. Bummer.

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My home county of Hillsboro has instituted a curfew starting yesterday. Apparently, social distancing has not been taken seriously. Also, I hear only a few people are wearing masks. Out here in Palm Springs, almost everyone is masked-up except the street people and the self-important.

This just in. Palm Springs issues face-covering order, plans Tuesday meeting on coronavirus issues

It Is, A Happy Easter

The hiking trails are now open with some social distancing restrictions. According to this article, the inadvertent closure was the result of “miscommunication,” by the city staff. Imagine that.

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Added another nine miles to my total this morning.  As I was starting, I passed a family of four heading down and it was a sight to see. They were all clad in heavy-duty face masks and bunny ears! Would have made a great family photo.

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FYI, “Volunteer Dave” talked to “Country Club Mike” and he is doing well. Mike is living in Virginia now.

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There have been couple rattlesnake sightings. Guess it’s getting warm enough for the little buggers to come out.