Haven't written in awhile....

....and a lot has happened!  I weighed in yesterday at 211.8, and today at 213... nutrition is still a battle, but getting easier.  I actually love vegetables now!

Follow the posts to come about what has been going on!

Mt Baldy

On Memorial Day, May 27th, we went hiking to the top of Mt Baldy.  10+ miles, 10,064 ft elevation.  This is the highest peak in LA County, but not So Cal. The hike was tough, but the height is what got to me.... its like I got vertigo at certain points.  Still, what an accomplishment!!

Being our first time, we were advised to take the lift up, in order to cut out a few miles of uphill trekking.  What we ended up doing, was taking the lift up, and walking down, making it a little over 10 miles, instead of 13.  Also, the ski lift parking lot gave us free parking, but when it is being monitored, it is five dollars to park.  This was a great alternative still, especially for those of us who did not purchase a LA County Adventure Day Pass.

The ski lift cost us $15 for a ticket up.  I believe that it was $12 for a ticket down.  Check the dates of operation before you go!  http://www.mtbaldyskilifts.com/

Once you get to the top, veer to the left two paths, from the Lodge, and make your way up to the Devil's Backbone. The beginning of this trail is at another lift that wasn't functioning at the time, and to the left.  You will be greeted by an orange warning sign.  From here, the trek is difficult, scary (for me!), but great!

Hiking guide: http://www.modernhiker.com/2007/11/22/hiking-mount-san-antonio-mount-baldy-and-mount-harwood/

This is the part that scared me first, but then the ledges (which I did not a pic of) got me pretty bad at the end. 

Slowly, making our way up.  The key was keeping a steady, slow pace, and resting when needed.  The elevation is definitely a factor to take into consideration.

At the top, there are random spots to rest at.  There are random clusters of rocks scattered about, and many lean up against them and took naps (as you see here).

The main trail we took is called the Devil's Backbone.  Here is the view from the top.

Full set of photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.858789966547.1073741830.68604167&type=1&l=e66a7ca3a3

Crazy Drivers and So Cal

50 Worst Traffic Cities in the U.S. (PHOTOS) By Devin Brown 

1. Los Angeles

(Flickr/FontFont)

Lost Angeles is the worst traffic city in America. 'Carmaggedon' is no joke. Drivers in the worst traffic city wasted an average of 63.3 hours in traffic over the last year. Congrats to Los Angeles, although worst traffic city might not be the most coveted of titles.

So... I live in Southern California, and I am always travelling in, through, and around Los Angeles, and as a result, I can say that I have collected some crazy car stories.  

1. The longest I have been in traffic? 7 1/2 hours... when I brush fire started next to the 91 fwy, and jumped, effecting multiple freeways.  I was coming from Temecula to La Mirada, without GPS, a car charge, and my phone dead.  My brakes over heated, and stopped braking, so I had to pull into a gas station and wait a bit.  The gas station attendant let me use their phone, and I bought a map of Southern California to figure out how to get home.  

2. I have walked the freeway... we tried to go see President Reagan's casket before it was buried... and so did half of California.  The car was parked, and I needed to stretch out my legs.

3. Road rage... memorial day- lots of traffic, and lots of drunk drivers... and one in particular that I got too close to trying to pass, and pissed off.  I drive a Honda, the kind that is often used in racing, and I drive aggressively I do admit, but I did not cut him off.  Just tailgated him for about 30 seconds, trying to pass.  He chased me down, started to brake check me, and I was freaking out trying to get away from him.  The biggest mistake I made was trying to outrun him. That just pissed him off even more.  I boxed myself in, tailgating another car so he could try to make me crash again, and he just kept up screaming at me.  I was afraid he was going to shoot.  When I finally figured out that that wasn't working, I saw a car coming up behind him and next to him, and my lane cleared, and so I hit the brakes.  He was boxed in, I slowed and boxed myself in, he was pissed, but couldn't get to me, and after about 5 minutes, when he lost me, I passed him and headed on my way.  I went straight home, ran inside, and went into a full blown panic attack.  I hope Karma bites that guy in ass.  

4. My car has been stolen, once in La Mirada, and attempted again right out front of my house in the IE... I learned the last time though, and they couldn't get through the locks.  

5.  I was in an accident, with my friend driving, making a left turn.  My side got hit, and the car was totaled. 

6. I've seen a motorcyclist fall off on the fwy, and I helped him... on the 57 where the 60 meets it, so it was slow moving.

7. I've pulled a girl out of the middle of a street... she flew off of her bike after crashing it going downhill on Beach Blvd.... broke her collar bone and knocked her out.  I was the first one there.... saw her, pulled over, and pulled her to the side, praying hard no one would hit us.  But a few other cars saw me pull over, and then her, and one pulled behind her, and the other in front of me yelling that he was calling 911.  

8.  Almost hitting a car that was in pieces on the 210, at 4am, on the darkest part.  It was like the car was in two, and I stopped right in the middle of it.  I swerved and by the grace of God, there was no one behind me or next to me, and stopped between the pieces.  I gathered my composure, and made my way to the side, where there were others who had also hit, or almost hit, the car.  I called 911 and told the dispatcher that there was a car in pieces, when I another car hit it, spun out, and stopped too close to my car, and another... I told the dispatcher I didn't hit anything, but I am getting off the freeway.... and so I did.  

Fish Creek Canyon

Found this hiking spot in Duarte, CA.  It is only open about 10 Saturdays a year, as it is private property owned by a mining company.  Parking is available at the company's site, and they offer a van to take you past some old mines, and to the opening of the path.  It is a beautiful hike, that ends at a beautiful waterfall.

http://azusarock.com/hiking.html