The team enjoyed a training hike in July 2019 at Mt. Hood, Oregon where they had an opportunity to meet, connect and bond before the upcoming Patagonia hike.

Lupe Duarte, Multiple Myeloma Project Manager for the City of Hope, will soon be hiking over glaciers and deep valleys in Patagonia. Her trek will touch the lives of many, raise funds for cancer research and honor those who have survived, live with or died from this type of cancer. The 13-member team will consist of individuals who have a direct connection to multiple myeloma: patients, caregivers, family members of patients, and those who work directly with myeloma patients. The trip is scheduled for November 9-18.
At age 46, Lupe has been the COH Multiple Myeloma Project Manager since 2009. “I am hiking to honor all of our multiple myeloma patients at City of Hope and to honor the memory of all cancer fighters, including my own family member and friends who have beat cancer. Lastly, I’m hiking to honor our beloved Dr. Arti Hurria, as she was not only a close collaborator of our Program but also an amazing mentor to many of us and most importantly, a friend with such spirit and light!”
Preparing for the trek, Lupe awakes at 3:30 a.m. every weekday to work out at a gym for cardio training and endurance. Patagonia will be her second MMRF hike, as she participated in the Grand Canyon Trek in May of 2017. The Patagonia team recently took a practice trek to Mt. Hood in Oregon where they hiked on ice and snow. The upcoming South America trek will be a first for her in many ways. “I have never been out of the Country,” she admits. “and just received my first passport. I’m looking forward to seeing a condor in Patagonia, a bird I have never seen.”
The Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma (“MM4MM”) program sponsors are the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (“MMRF”), CURE Media Group and Celgene. They offer this opportunity to allow the team a life-changing experience as the members overcome challenges beyond their perceived limit and honors loved ones and friends living with multiple myeloma. Lupe is convinced that the MM4MM team is living proof that the work being done by the MMRF and its research partners helps myeloma patients live longer and more active lives.
Myeloma is a relatively rare cancer, accounting for around 10 percent of blood cancer cases. It often affects the aged and most cases are diagnosed in people age 65 and older. Although myeloma grows within bone, it is not considered bone cancer. Lupe has more than 23 years of experience in clinical research, which allows her to watch many of the advances and see the importance of research.
Research comes at a high monetary price. Therefore, the Patagonia trek and those like it are also geared to raising funds. Team members pledge to raise a minimum of $10,000 per person and are responsible for a majority of the costs involved in the trip. Friends, family, patients, social media friends and the public sponsor team members. The link to her fundraising page is: https://endurance.themmrf.org/2019Patagonia/LupeFaithMovesMountains
Lupe will follow up when she returns from Patagonia. In the meantime, she says: “Please support my participation in the Patagonia Trek benefiting the MMRF. I have made a commitment to raise at least $10,000 and I will need your help to get there. More importantly, patients need these funds to extend their lives while we closer and closer to a cure.”

VICTORVILLE, Calif. — Union Pacific Railroad has announced the return of Big Boy steam locomotive #4014 to Southern California in October, making its final public appearance for 2019.
The locomotive will pull a special Union Pacific passenger train consisting of immaculately maintained 1950’s era Heritage Fleet passenger cars commemorating the 150th anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad at Promontory, Utah, on May 10, 1869, according to The Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, Southern California Chapter.
Called “The Great Race Across the Southwest”, the Big Boy train will depart its home base in Cheyenne, Wyoming on September 27 and arrive in Victorville on October 8th, 2019, before going to the greater Los Angeles area on October 9.

Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941. The locomotives were 132 feet long and weighed 1.2 million pounds. Because of their great length, the frames of the Big Boys were “hinged,” or articulated, to allow them to negotiate curves.

TRAIN BUFFS DID NOT DISAPPOINT. THE PLACE WAS JAMMED WITH SPECTATORS HOLDING CAMERAS. THE DEPOT WAS ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE ROUTE 66 MUSEUM. ONE LAST SHOT AND WE RACED THROUGH THE CAJON PASS TO THE RT. 66 EXIT TO GET IN PLACE FOR ANOTHER SHOT AS IT PASSED.

After a few days at the Goffs Rendezvous, a visit to the Avi Casino and an overnight stop at The Cove in Blythe, we headed for the Salton Sea by way of Mecca. There we got another chance to see Big Boy as he traveled from Indio to Niland. Set up on the highway near the old Cowboy Man’s spot, we awaited Big Boy. He chugged on by at breakneck speed but Alan managed a great shot.

A GROUP OF 13 DUARTEANS CHECKED INTO THE ICONIC WIGWAM MOTEL IN RIALTO FOR A SATURDAY NIGHT PARTY. FIRST A DIP IN THE POOL ON A WARM AFTERNOON AFTER CHECKING INTO OUR TEEPEES. THE ROOMS ARE COMFORTABLE WITH ALL THE AMENITIES.

Dinner delivered by Juan Pollo – the chicken chain owned by Albert Okura – owner of the Route 66 town of Amboy.

A few years ago we stayed and partied at the Wigwam. Our dear friend brought his hotrod. Sadly he passed away recently and we held a small memborial with a cake. His wife BJ was with us.

Jim & Kathy Kirchner at their Teepee

BJ tries one of the morning donuts. A leisurely morning then we pack up and head for the ORIGINAL MCDONALDS MUSEUM.

This is the site of the first McDonald’s that was open in 1940, but the property has since been purchased by the owner of local chicken restaurant Juan Pollo and converted into a museum. It is always debated as to whether this location is the first, since the Des Plaines McDonalds in Illinois also claims that, but the Illinois one was opened 15 years after this original one.

WHEN YOU GO TO PARKER BE SURE YOU HAVE A FRIEND LIKE HANS WITH A BEAUTIFUL BOAT!

Julie gets a lesson on how to be a captain.

RETURNING TO THE CALIFORNIA SIDE AFTER A NIGHT AT THE CASINO, WE WERE SHOCKED TO SEE THE RAILROAD BRIDGE ON FIRE. IN THE MORNING WHEN WE HEADED HOME, FLAMES WERE STILL ALIVE.

DINNER AT THE PIRATE’S DEN ON THE RIVER

A STOP IN QUARTZSITE BROUGHT THE BAD NEWS. PAUL WINER, AKA THE NAKED BOOK MAN HAD PASSED AWAY IN MAY. SO SAD TO HEAR THIS. HE WAS A CHARACTER FOR SURE. A MUSICIAN, BOOK SELLER, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST AND NUDIST.

AND CLOSER TO HOME WE FOUND OUR LONG-LOST COWBOY. FOR YEARS WE VISITED HIM AT HIS STRIP MALL IN MECCA AND THEN – POOF – ONE DAY HE WAS MISSING. WE PUT OUT A PLEA FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE ON THE ALERT BUT WERE UNABLE TO FIND HIM. THEN, DRIVING HOME FROM PARKER, THERE HE WAS IN FRONT OF A LITTLE TOURIST SHOP IN JOSHUA TREE WHERE HE IS WELL LOVED AND TAKEN CARE OF. THEY RE-NAMED HIM “JOSH.”

WHEN YOU PASS SHASTA YOU KNOW HAPPY CAMP ISN’T FAR OFF. BRILLIANT AUGUST SKY! WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE BIGFOOT PARADE AND JAMBOREE AND THE GARRETT SIBLING REUNION!

THAT IS WHAT I LIKE. WE PULL INTO THE RANCH AND DINNER IS SERVED.

A JAUNT INTO TOWN TO VISIT BIGFOOT. NEXT, THE BIGFOOT PARADE AND JAMBOREE. THIS LITTLE TOWN IS HERE TO PARTICIPATE AND TO CHEER ON THE PARADERS. STARTED OFF THE MORNING ON THE PARADE ROUTE WITH BLOODY MARYS COURTESY OF MY SISTER KAREN.

A SIB REUNION NIGHT AT BROTHER CHRIS’S CABIN WITH THREE OF MY FOUR BROTHERS ENTERTAINING. ALWAYS A FAVORITE: DEAD SKUNK BY CHRIS, KIMBALL AND KIRBY. COUSIN JEFF KENNEDY JOINED US. THANKS TO CASEY AND GEORGE FOR ALL THEIR HOSPITALITY AT THEIR RANCH.

COUSIN JEFF

THE ADVENTURESOME MEN HAD AN ADVENTURE AT DILLON CREEK

I PREFERRED THE POOL

LEAVING HAPPY CAMP WE TOOK THE RIVER ROAD AND HIT A FEW CASINOS THEN ENDED IN TRINIDAD BUYING FISH AT KATY’S.

STOPPED AT THE SAMOA COOKHOUSE IN EUREKA. Samoa Island is a scenic 5-minute drive from town across the Samoa Bridge. Before the bridge was built in 1972, people traveled here by ferry.

A FAVORITE: LUNCH AT THE BENBOW. MMM BEET SALAD

IN UKIAH WE VISITED THE HISTORIC VICHY HOTSPRINGS, established in 1854. It is a unique 160-year old historic hot springs resort only two hours north of downtown San Francisco. Naturally warm and carbonated.

A LOVELY DRIVE THROUGH THE REDWOODS – AVENUE OF THE GIANTS – BIGFOOT FOLLOWED US

LOVED THE STEINBECK CENTER IN SALINAS AND HAD LUNCH AT HIS BOYHOOD QUEEN ANNE STYLE HOME

OUR LAST NIGHT A PEACEFUL STAY AT PISMO’S SPYGLASS INN. LOVELY ROOM AND RESTAURANT. GREAT WEATHER.

GET READY TO GET YOUR KICKS???
SEPTEMBER 21, 2019
Check in time at the Wigwam: 2 p.m.
Cool off around the pool or in your air-conditioned teepee
Each teepee has a/c and a refrigerator!

Update:
We will show The Long Long Trailer movie.
As of 8/3 – there are 3 teepees left
We stopped there recently and the firepit is
Awaiting our arrival! Pool looks great.

What to bring?
Appetizer to share
BYOB
Beach chairs – Small table (optional)
Umbrella or easy-up (optional)
Musical instruments
$20 cash per person (covers dinner, morning donuts, firewood)
Motel provides coffee

Pool time
Pre-cocktail hour at 4:30
Cocktail hours at 5 p.m.
Dinner at 6:30 P.M. (catered)

RSVP TO CLAUDIA (So I can order dinners)

(626) 893-3266 or (626) 253-5573 (famheller@msn.com)

RESERVE YOUR ROOM ASAP: WIGWAM (909) 875-3005

Headed toward the Inyo Kern Area, the landscape remains harsh, but the wild west is all around us. First stop is the historic living ghost town of Randsburg established in 1896 in the gold and silver mining belt of Kern County. The main street is lined with antique stores, lively bars, friendly locals, and a General Store featuring a lunch menu served at a counter lined with old fashioned milkshake machines. On the road back to 395 we passed the old town jail.

as always, we check into Boulder Creek Campground a few miles south of Bishop. The temp is 103 so we opt for the pool. As the afternoon goes on finally it is down to 100. A visit to the Movie Museum is called for. The next morning we drive up to Whitney Portals to partake of a world’s largest pancake then fish in the pond. There are fish but they aren’t biting. Alan catches one. The waterfall is roaring. The temp is perfect.

Next stop the portals. Through the Alabama Hills and up the switchbacks. Can you believe this pancake? I like fishing on the board walk but no bites. Alan makes a catch which we have promised to Mayra.

MANZANAR – a somber stop visiting America’s dark time when thousands of Japanese, two thirds of whom were U.S. Citizens, were kidnapped and incarcerated in internment camps. Some returned to their belongings, proected by their friends. Others returned to nothing, their belongings stolen by low lifes.

Jim rented a pontoon on Convict Lake. Again, no fish but it was lovely cruising the lake with Cherese manning the helm.

Hamburgers at our campsite at McGee Creek RV park. No fish.

SET UP CAMP AT BENTON CROSSING ON THE OWENS RIVER. OUR CREW ARRIVED – HOLIDAY, JORGE (exch. student from Spain), HAILEY & NAHUEL. Perfect weather, blue skies, and good food.

AND DON’T FORGET THE BRUSSEL SPROUTS

A NIGHT AT KEOUGH HOT SPRINGS. A TRIBUTE TO OUR FRIEND HEATHER .R.I.P.

A NIGHT ON THE MEADOW AT BIG MEADOW CAMP GROUND – ROCK CREEK. THE WILDFLOWERS WERE AMAZING. ALAN CAUGHT FISH NO. 2.

THE MELTING TOWN OF DAGGETT, SOME 30 MILES EAST OF BARSTOW ON ROUTE 66, IS HOME TO ABOUT 200 RESIDENTS. IT WAS THE SITE OF THE DAGGETT DAYS PARADE ON APRIL 6. THE TOWN WAS ENTHUSIASTIC SHOWING UP IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS. GUITAR PLAYERS ENTERTAINED PRE PARADE AND DURING THE PROCESSION.

ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE WAS THE  STONE HOTEL.(BELOW).  THE DAGGETT BROCHURE SAYS IT WAS BUILT AROUND 1875 BUT “SOME UNVERIFIED SOURCES CLAIM AS EARLY AS THE 1880s.” ITS PAST VISITORS REPORTEDLY INCLUDE DEATH VALLEY SCOTTY, LT. GOV. JOHN DAGGETT, BORAX SMITH AND AMAZINGLY JOHN MUIR WHO VISITED OFTEN TO SEE HIS DAUGHTER WHO LIVED THERE.

THERE ARE MANY HISTORIC DWELLINGS IN TOWN, SOME BARELY STANDING. THE SKI LODGE ROOF HOUSE IS ONE. IT DATES BACK TO 1926, THE YEAR ROUTE 66 WAS BUILT.

THE DESERT MARKET (ABOVE) WAS ON THE PARADE ROUTE. THE ORIGINAL BUILDING WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1908.

WE VISITED THE DAGGETT CEMETERY. A VOLUNTEER AT THE DAGGETT MUSEUM, GAYLE GILPIN, HAS TAKEN ON THE TASK OF MAPPING THE GRAVES. SHE KNOWS WHO IS BURIED THERE BUT NOT IN WHICH GRAVE. QUITE AN UNDERTAKING.

headed home we visited the ghost town of CALICO, enjoyed a fried chicken lunch, perused the many shops and witnessed a shoot out.

THESE OLD MINING TOWNS MADE ME THINK ABOUT THE HARD LIFE THE MINERS LIVED WORKING ENDLESS HOURS WITH LITTLE OR NO SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

HEADING SOUTH ON 10 OUR FIRST STOP IS ALWAYS THE FARM’S HOUSE IN BANNING (above).

WOW. THE USUAL FLOWERS AND THEN SOME RARE ONES ARE BURSTING FROM THE GROUND. CATTERPILLARS LUMBER OVER PLANTS, BEES ARE IN HEAVEN, AND THE PAINTED LADIES STOP FOR A REST IN THEIR MIGRATION. HENDERSON CANYON IS ABLAZE. SOME OF THE BEST SHOWS WERE BEHIND OUR CAMPSITE AT THE PALM CANYON RV PARK AND AROUND THE VISITOR CENTER.

It isn’t a trip to Anza Borrego without visiting the beautiful sculptures of Ricardo Breceda. The dragon is always a favorite as it undulates under the road and then emerges with a rattlesnake tail. Thanks Ricardo for the joy you bring us.

THE DESERT TOWN OF BORREGO SPRINGS IS ALSO KNOWN FOR ART, SHOPPING AND RESTAURANTS. THE PATIO AT POBLITOS IS A PERFECT SPOT TO TRY CACTUS MARGARITAS AND FINE MEXICAN FOOD.

CAMP IS THE PERFECT SPOT FOR HAPPY HOUR AND THEN FOR GREAT FOOD AND ATMOSPHERE WE HIT THE CRAZY COYOTE STEAK HOUSE AT THE PALMS.

NEGOTIATING THE SANDY ROAD INTO THE SOUTHERN END OF ANZA BORREGO, WE FOUND TAPIADO ARROYO AND CONTINUED ON TO EXPLORE THE TAPIADO MUD CAVES. THIS AREA IS BETTER KNOWN THAN THE PARK SERVICE WOULD LIKE. THE CAVES ARE A FUN SPELUNKING EXPERIENCE AND CAN OFFER A SHORT JAUNT INTO THE DARKNESS OR MILES OF EXPLORATION.

ZOE AND CARIE WERE GAME AND FLASHLIGHTS IN HAND EXPLORED SEVERAL CAVES.

AND WHAT IS THIS? HOLLYWOOD AND VINE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. A GEOCACHE?

IT HAS BEEN FUN, BUT SOMETIMES YOU NEED ALONE TIME, NOT SURROUNDED BY TOURISTS AND CROWDS. WE ESCAPED TO THE BADLANDS AND PERCHED ON A CLIFF WITH AN AWESOME VIEW OF THE BADLANDS AND IN THE DISTANCE: THE SALTON SEA.

HUNDREDS OF PAINTED LADIES FLEW THROUGH OUR CAMPSITE AND BLISTER BEETLES LUMBERED OVER THE ROCKS AS IF ON A MISSION.

RESISTING THE URGE TO STOP AND MAKE A DONATION TO THE NATIVE AMERICANS AT THE RED EARTH CASINO, WE HEADED FOR THE SALTON SEA. THE RECREATION AREA IS ALWAYS A FAVORITE AND THIS TIME WAS EVEN BETTER AS WE SET OUT TO EXPLORE THE DESERT X ART WORKS RIGHT IN THE CAMPGROUND.

FROM OUR CAMPSPOT WE ENJOYED THE SPARKLING SEA -NO DEAD FISH, NO FLIES, NO CROWDS. ALSO, NO PELICANS OR EGRETS, ONLY BLACK NECKED STILTS. HEY, WHAT IS GOING ON OUT THERE? A LONE FLOATER ON THE SEA. LOOKS LIKE ALAN. HE LIVED TO TELL THE STORY.

The View from our 11th floor room at the Aqua Caliente in Rancho Mirage was spectacular and changed every few minutes. The storm brought wind, rain and even snow to the desert.

ABOVE FLOWER PHOTOS WERE TAKEN JUST OFF I-10 AT THE COTTONWOOD EXIT.  WE STOPPED JUST OUTSIDE THE PARK BOUNDARY TO SNIP A FEW FLOWERS TO PRESS. DRIVING THROUGH THE PARK WE WERE AWED AT THE PATCHES OF SNOW AND THE BEAUTY OF THE DESERT UNDER THE BLUEST OF SKIES AND PUFFY WHITE CLOUDS.  PASSING THE CHOLLA GARDEN, OCOTILLO PATCHES, JOSHUA TREE FORESTS AND BOULDER STREWN CAMPGROUNDS, PATCHY SNOW WAS LIKE FROSTING.

A LITTLE SNOW IN YUCCA VALLEY, BUT PIONEER TOWN WAS IMPASSABLE FOR A WHILE AND APPEARED AS A WONDERLAND.

DINNER WITH WENDY & MARK AT BABE’S BBQ AT RIVER MALL IN RANCHO MIRAGE. ALAN TRIES TO PICK UP A PIG.

__________________________________________________________________

FABULOUS DESERT X!

It has been an unusually wet winter in the Coachella Valley. Nearly a year’s worth of rain fell in the first six weeks of 2019, while a mega-storm crashed through on Valentine’s Day — the wettest desert day recorded in 76 years.
Apocalyptic flooding closed roads, blocked freeway exit ramps, shut down the aerial tram, clogged the washes with mud and shuttered businesses. The desert and foothills are now startlingly green, the mountain tops blanketed in lovely white snow.

Near the Palm Springs Visitors Center at the city’s entrance, a massive digital screen erected in the desert melds fossil fuels with state and national emblems as part of the second installment of Desert X, a valley-wide biennial exhibition of preexisting and commissioned public art.  WE VISITED TWO DESERT X SITES IN DESERT HOT SPRINGS: