Beyond Limits on Foot!

If you live in Southern California, you must make it a point to go to Big Bear for your birthday. I’m not just talking about going to Big Bear, I’m talking about snowboarding/skiing there. The reason why this is important is because if you have a birthday during snowboarding/skiing season, you get a lift ticket for FREE. It may be a little hard to encourage your friends to go along because it is not free for them, but if you plan enough time in advance, then you can make it happen.

This is one thing my sister and I try to do each year on our birthday if we are in town. This year was special because our older sister and her boyfriend were here from Switzerland and they made it the best.

– Misi

Every year since we were about 12, we have gone on a trip for Thanksgiving. We would pack our water proof bags and go on a journey to the Colorado River, in which we spent four days. No, we didn’t spend four days reading Harry Potter on the shores of the Colorado River, we spent four days canoeing down the river or up the river, moving our camps like nomads.

This year was exceptional for me, because not only have I not been on this trip for more than 4 years, but we didn’t get into the water at all. It was freezing and not just the water obviously. We spent the whole time with chattering teeth from the crazy winds. Enough about those things that don’t matter when you are on trips like this one.

Each day we would canoe several miles down the river. During this time, we would loaf with the other canoes and have some mate, a strong drink (tea) from Argentina. This was extremely soothing because it was cold and windy the whole time. While loafing we made sails with tarps and space blankets that we had. With the wind going toward our backs we were able to move much swifter and quicker in the water without having to paddle.

Before dinner, we would go on a hike to the highest point in the area- taking in each moment of sunsets and scenery around. When night fell we sang songs and told jokes by the fire. Out there a must do was to watch the million stars in the sky which you are unable to see if you live in the city of lights, Los Angeles.

If you live near the Colorado River, canoeing/kayaking is an obvious trip that should be made. The landscape and scenery is beautiful by day and the sky is bewitching by night.

-Misi-

P.S. Another adventure you can experience is depicted in the following video…

Five hour drive from Los Angeles, but well worth it. Walking through a wash most of the way, we found a hike that leads into Arizona Hot Springs. We’ve been there before, but only by canoeing up from Willow Creek Docking Area.
It was so windy the day we went in, but who cares, we got to go to a hotsprings. The one most annoying thing about the whole hike was that we were hiking on little rocks the whole 2 hours in, which made it harder to feel like we were moving. But, we were moving! After a couple successful rockclimbs, we found the Colorado River.

After arriving, we set up the tent on a sandy part right next to the river up on a ledge. We were covered by some bushes, but the wind still hit us pretty harshly during the night. We woke up to a pile of sand on our tent. Before we went to sleep, we headed over to the hot springs.

After going over the canyon we hit another wash, yes we were so happy to walk in the little rocks again. Once we found some water that was coming from the hot springs, we changed into our suits and sandals. The water kept getting warmer and warmer. Yes it kept getting even warmer, but not until we hit the ladder and had to climb it. That was an enjoyement in itself, though a little bit scary as well.

Once the climb was over, there was a small pool that was pretty warm. The higher you went there were three more pools and they got hotter and hotter. The middle pool was just perfect and kept us away from the harsh winds outside the canyon walls.

We spent about 3 hours there and were completely exhausted, because the hot water sucks the life out of you. Went back to the campground through the wash down to the river and over the canyon and back down to the other side. We found our tent and stuff butchered by the wind, everything was sandy. We cleaned up and made a fire, wasn’t to pleasant because of the wind, but still warmed us up.

Apart from the wind all went well. We headed out the next day to Hoover Dam. If you ever consider visiting Hoover Dam make your way over to Arizona Hot Springs, it’s a pleasant easy hike with a soothing reward!

-Ani-