But, we are getting back into golf. The Bishop Country Club is very affordable (cheap) and a pretty course with mature trees and mountain views all around. When we play in the evening we always see rabbits & baby ducks. Chuck was hit in the head by a particularly testy blackbird one evening when he apparently got too close to its nest. With unlimited play I think we’ll be out there playing a lot. Tonight we played the front nine, and saw a dozen or more rabbits on hole #5. We rationalize bad shots by blaming them on the wildlife: rabbits, hawks, ducks.
After months of “retirement” lifestyle , i.e. procrastination and laziness, we decided we need a schedule to organize our days. It calls for 2 days of golf (9 holes); 2 days of moderate hike or bike exercise; 1 long beautiful hike (somewhere in the high canyons); 2 strength training at home. We had fishing in there as a regular event, but it has fallen away by mutual consent. You might notice climbing is not on the schedule … golf seems to have replaced it because it is more fun these days.
The climbing was very hard to get our heads back into. Too hot at Alabama Hills (below Mt Whitney) and wasn’t as much fun anymore…too scary and a hassle with the dogs. Piton used to sit peacefully at the base of routes (or go around and meet us at top if she knew the way). These little rats wander all over if not tied up. Legal, but worrisome to ‘Mom” especially now that it’s rattle snake season. We hope to continue to climb when our climbing friends visit and are willing to lead us up some short routes. Alan has visited a couple of times (always fun), and we followed him up a number of climbs.. The passes are now open over the Sierras so the drive is much shorter. But now that it’s summer, Alabama Hills is too hot.
It’s getting into the 90’s now on many days. Beautiful in the shade (lots on the golf course and back yard). The evaporative cooler easily keeps the house cool. And it cools down at night to the 50’s. I think we’ll like it. Many more trail heads are accessible since Memorial Day…little snow left on ‘lower’ trails. The trail head area of Mt. Whitney, 45 minutes south of here, brought back such good memories of old climbing days - camping and climbing in that spectacularly beautiful area. We are learning to appreciate hiking up there more and more.
Big Pine is like an oasis here in the desert environment of Owens Valley. It was settled in the late 1800s and people planted and irrigated trees of all kinds in their yards and park. I’m learning to tell a larch from a sycamore from an elm. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Pine,_California
Even though the L.A. Water & Power Department gets most of the water from the Owens Valley into their aqueduct, there is apparently plenty left for our domestic use…though not much for farming, and I haven’t seen a swimming pool in the Bishop/Big Pine area. Still trying to figure out how it all works.
This week Melissa visited for a few days. She enlightened us with stories of Hollywood life, and we were fascinated by the by the inner workings of reality shows. We had a great time during her visit, and the dogs were happy to spend time with their L.A. cousin.
Pictures available on request. I don't have the patience to figure out how to get them from Picasa or my phone to the blog!
