Wheeler's Pass

After a great breakfast at Siena Bistro, we set off for Wheeler's Pass, we took the 95 to the Indian Springs exit, after the prison you come upon the town of Cold Creek, after you wind down unpaved roads you finally see the marker for trail 601 - Wheeler's Pass. It was beautiful scenic drive as you'll see below (as always, click for fullsize images).

On the way, just past the Indian Springs Prison

From Wheeler's Pass

Wildhorses in Cold Creek at 6000 ft

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

Seeing the horses, totally made my mom's day

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

Actual start of the trail 601

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

More Wildhorses

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

Climbing elevation, around 7000 ft

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

Approaching the peak

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

Jeep climbing to the peak

From Wheeler's Pass

And coming back down

From Wheeler's Pass

Heading down toward Pahrump

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

Mt Charleston in the distance

From Wheeler's Pass

Remnants after a forest fire

From Wheeler's Pass

Camp grounds

From Wheeler's Pass

Wheeler's Well

From Wheeler's Pass

Frank was determined to see where the hose ran. We drove through the forest along the wash to find it. It ended at a pile of rocks and went underground. No clue how far.

From Wheeler's Pass

After we left the forest area we came across hundreds of rock formations.

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

We'll have to bring the Jimmy sometime to climb these mounds, they were too steep for the Suburban.

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

Joshua Trees, desert wildflowers and views of Pahrump

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

From Wheeler's Pass

The trail ended not long after that. We dropped elevation quickly and found ourselves at Hwy 160 at Basin in no time. Next we went to mom's to see the babies! It's springtime at the zoo. Two of her goats had babies - a total of four kids, she had two baby geese and a slew of chicks.

Running on empty

Things are pretty quiet. I don’t have much to share. We spent a lot the last few weeks funds are low so we’ve been hanging at home. My mom’s birthday is Sunday; we’re planning on getting together for an off-road adventure. We’ll likely run Wheeler’s Pass. The temps are cooling, the weather should be perfect; 80 is forecasted.

Last year was her 50th, I flew in my brother, sister and nephew to celebrate. It was a great surprise and a fun-filled visit. I wish I could’ve made it happen again this year.

I saw the family in February, but it seems like much longer ago. I miss them. Nicky and my sister called yesterday. Nicky now sings all the words to You are My Sunshine, it melted my heart. He also knows what every animal says, he cracked us up with his sound the rooster makes: Cock-A-deedle-Do! The kid is a trip!

Flowers have been blooming like crazy at the house. It’s fun to see what’s new each day. It made me think, though, if April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, what do April flowers bring? I guess I’ll have to wait and see, but I'm guessing more flowers.

This week’s blooms...

Bottle Brush Bush

From flowers

From flowers

From flowers

From flowers

From flowers

From flowers

From flowers

Admin Professional's Day

I work for a great company, each year they treat all the ladies in the office to a nice luncheon in appreciation of all we do. Like last year, today, we went to the Foundation Room atop Mandalay Bay. They offer a nice buffet spread, with a variety of dishes and desserts. I thought the food was a bit better this year. It was less crowded, too - always a plus in my book. After we ate we went over to the patio to take in the view.

From foundation room

From foundation room

I also received an orchid from my project manager. It's nice to have your efforts and hard work recognized. A simple thank you is all I ask, but flowers are always great, too.

From flowers

90's

Nah, I’m not talking about the decade or the music that came from it. Although, those were some great times – carefree, with little responsibility. All it takes is one song and the memories flood back. For instance, The Perfect Drug by NIN takes me back to the start of Frank’s and my relationship, late summer nights we’d hop in his Camaro and meet up with other street racers to squeeze in as many races as possible before the police would break us up. After we were chased away, we’d hit the convenience store and pick up Orbitz and honey buns. Ahh! Memories…



Getting back to the subject at hand - the weather, we’re having a bit of a springtime heat wave. Yesterday, I had a toasty drive home from work. I came home to find Frank and friends on the patio slipping on Margaritas. They worked up a thirst with an afternoon of off-roading and shooting, a nice cool cocktail hit the spot. They took off while I got dinner together, but then I joined Frank on the patio. It was perfect. It was a great reminder that summer is near. He was tempted to jump in the pool, it looked nice and refreshing. It’d be refreshing alright, but not so nice at 67 degrees. We want to heat it, but the temperatures are supposed to dip this weekend. The swings cost a fortune to maintain a nice warm temp of 85 - yeah, I’m a wuss. Frank likes it a bit cooler, but that’s my ideal temperature. We grilled steaks, asparagus and garlic bread. The taste of summer was grand! Thank goodness it’s right around the corner.

Today and tomorrow mid-90’s are forecasted. We’ll probably regret not heating the pool. We’ll be itching to swim. However, if the water gets above 70, I bet Frank will jump in. He doesn’t mind a cold plunge.

This weekend it looks like the heat wave will pass and we’ll be back to normal temps. I can’t complain, the heat will be here soon enough, I don’t mind a few more weeks of perfectly comfortable daytime highs and cool nights. I’m not ready to rush into air-conditioning season just yet.

Another great weekend in the books

Friday's dinner at Lawry's was very good. We started with calamari, it was ok - a little tough. The chipotle aioli was really good, though. The spinning bowl salad followed, then came prime rib, creamed corn, mashed potatoes, and yorkshire pudding. I wanted a sundae for dessert, but since it was our anniversary they brought us complimentary Strawberry Trifle. Frank didn't care for it so it was all mine. All in all it was a nice dinner, just as expected.

Frank surprised me with show tickets to Love, only Friday's show was sold out so our tickets were for Sunday. No worries, I liked having the show to look forward to and it allowed us to continue our anniversary celebration through the weekend. After dinner, we caught a movie instead. We saw Crank 2. Loved it! If you liked the first one, I have no doubt you'll enjoy this one, too.

Saturday was a gorgeous day. I wanted nothing more than to hang out in the hammock and enjoy the warm breeze while reading a magazine. But grocery shopping, cleaning and laundry beckoned. I hauled ass to get everything done, so I could reward myself with time in the hammock. As soon as I settled in, Frank came home from work, but he had to pick up parts and work on the Suburban. So, that gave me time to unwind before I got dinner started. Heavenly. After dinner we went by our friends' house to watch the UFC fight, play cards and drink beer. It was a good time.

Sunday we slept in, we didn't roll out of bed until noon. Highly unusual for me, but it was wonderful to be lazy. We got ready to go off-roading but Frank wanted to fix his taillight first. It ended up being a project, while he worked on that I folded laundry, ran the dishwasher, trimmed the palms in the front yard and cut the grass. At least I was productive while I waited. It was after 3:00 by the time we were on the road. We sought out a new trail. It was a fun ride.

From rainbow powerline trail

From rainbow powerline trail

From rainbow powerline trail

From rainbow powerline trail

The sun was too bright, so many photos are distorted

From rainbow powerline trail

From rainbow powerline trail

From rainbow powerline trail

From rainbow powerline trail

From rainbow powerline trail

From rainbow powerline trail

We got home around 7:00 we showered, dressed and then left for Mirage. We picked up our tickets to Love and then grabbed dinner at Carnegie Deli. We split a Corned Beef Rueben. So good!

From there we lined up for the 9:30 show. We got seated, section 306, AA, 16 and 17. A phenomenal job was done of bringing the music and lyrics to life. It was excellent. We enjoyed it just as much as the first time. This time we were seated much higher so it gave us a different perspective, we caught things we missed the first time. I definitely recommend it. It was an all around good time.

The perfect end to another great weekend.

I do

From Wedding

Five years ago, today, Frank and I stood in front of eighty of our closest friends and family to make a lifelong commitment to each other. We waited seven years to become husband and wife. It was well worth the wait. It was a wonderful day. We had a beautiful ceremony at Mandalay Bay, a nice lunch reception at Luxor, followed by a fun filled night on Fremont Street. It truly was a special day, I'm so happy we did things our way instead of what is set by tradition. How many newlyweds have a group photo in front of a strip club? There's at least one, see...


I wouldn't of had it any other way. It's hard to believe it's been five years already. Time really flies.

Tonight, we'll celebrate at Lawry's Prime Rib. Before we married, when we lived in Chicago, each year for our anniversary we'd go downtown to Lawry's for a celebratory dinner. That restaurant occupies the old McCormick Mansion, it's beautiful. The one here lacks that special charm, but the food is just as tasty and service is top-notch. We haven't been in over a year, but we figured our anniversary was a good excuse to revisit. It should be a great meal.

Wanted: Warmth

Mother Nature has been toying with us, again. We had a gorgeous weekend; even Monday was sunny and 80 degrees. Then, Tuesday the cold front blew in. Well, more like whipped in with insane fury. The news said we had 30mph sustained winds with 50-60mph gusts. After the first set of gusts it was calm as can be, I looked up, expecting to see green skies, and possibly a funnel cloud. The storm reminded me that much of those we had back in Chicago, the kind that brought on the air raid sirens and had us ducking for cover in hallways away from windows. Fortunately, no tornadoes here, all that followed was the second wave of the storm that included one, yes one, bolt of lightning followed by thunder. Afterwards, it rained off and on and the winds continued through the night.

My poor palms have taken a beating the last six months; they’ve battled snow, freezing temps and crazy winds. They’re looking pretty sad these days. I bet they’re looking for a break even more than I am.

Yesterday, we barely hit 60, it was damn cold. Today has improved a bit, high should be 64. It’s still chilly and windy. The winds stir up so much junk into the air I haven’t been able to breathe right since Monday. One minute my nose is stuffy, the next it’s runny; plus, I have a sore throat and killer headache. I hate allergies.

However, I am hoping that today is the last cool day. I’m ready for steady warmth. We’re anxious to swim. We’ve been waiting for the daytime highs to hang in the 80’s before we attempt to heat it. Otherwise, it would cost a fortune to maintain a comfortable temperature. Just a few minutes ago, I checked the forecast it looks like I have good reason to be hopeful. The next ten days range from upper 70’s to low 90’s for daytime highs. There isn’t even a mention of wind, just sunny skies. I hope it sticks!

Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

Jake gets stuck

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

Moving on - the rock garden

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

We're two-wheeling

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

From Potato Ridge

End of the trail

From Potato Ridge