We were not too happy with our campsite until we realized we couldn't see people on either side of us, or in front of us. Plus we had a dead tree where we could hang the Christmas present hummingbird feeder. Turns out we loved our spot. Unfortunately, both John and I are suffering from allergies - don't know if it's dust or something else. I ended up going to the clinic and got nose spray and eye drops. Has helped a lot, but we still have problems. On Feb. 6 we hiked up Palm Canyon which started right in the campground. We were told we might spot some bighorn sheep at the oasis at the end of the canyon. The first person we met who was coming out said there were no sheep. However, just before we arrived at the oasis, we met some people who said there was a herd of 14 ( 5 rams and 9 ewes) just above the waterfall. When we arrived, a ram showed his head above the waterfall and began his descent to the right of where we were standing. He watched us for a few minutes, and then started down. Then came another, and another, and John and I were in total awe. All 14 came down and were feasting on watercress in the stream about 30 feet from us. Neither of us had ever seen such a sight. What a treat!

The following day we did the"hike from hell 'for me. It was called "alcoholic pass" and I can see why. I would have done much better had I had a drink or two or three. The path followed along the side of the cliff with lots of loose rock and some large rocks you had to climb over. Besides that, there was no pretty lake or bighorn sheep at the top. I was GRUMPY.

We followed that up with a trip to Julian, AZ where they are well known for their great apple pie. Not only was it a cute town, it was GREEN!!!! We indulged in apple pie ala mode and checked out the town. John got a soaring eagle at a neat bird store who now flies above the coach when we're parked. We ended this great day with an earthquake. We were watching TV that evening, and all of a sudden the coach began to shake. I looked at John and said "earthquake". By then, it was over.

Next day we joined an organized hike to a slot canyon. We have done slot canyons before, but they were rock. This one was hard sand, and quite different. Had quite a climb out at the end, and one of our leaders had to take it very, very slowly.

The following day we headed out to Yucca Valley, CA, where Les was going to meet us that evening. She arrived about 6:30PM in time for dinner. She wanted to check out the Twenty Nine Palms Inn, so we stopped there before we went for a hike up another canyon on Saturday This time to another oasis surrounded by palm trees. After we enjoyed a nice crab cake dinner and a game of Mexican train, Les got a call from Cyndy saying she was in the hospital and her blood pressure was very high. By now, it was getting late, and Les was tired after our hike, so she decided she would head home Sunday morning. John and I helped load her stuff about 6:30 AM and she headed out. Cyndy was due for some more tests on Sunday and Monday, but seems the high blood pressure was causing her problems.

We were going to spend a week in Joshua Tree National Park, but we are getting tired of the allergy problem and decided to head to Las Vegas on Tuesday. We visited Morongo Preserve today for a nice walk and some bird watching.

On to our next adventure.