Camels and doctor day on San J

[Ellen]

Howdy All,

Forget monkeys, I actually saw camels on top on San Jacinto yesterday. Really.

After the aborted trip up Pike’s Peak, I wanted to sit on a scenic summit surrounded by pine trees. My legs and ankle were still tired and sore from the extra mileage the week before, so I opted for a leisurely hike up San J from the tram.

I caught the first tram up. In the boarding area, I met three really nice women from Orange County – Christine, Kim, and Susan – who were headed up Jean peak. Kim recognized me from this site. The climb was warm and humid. I wound up hiking with Christine up to the .3 mile to go sign for San J. They headed over to Jean and I scrambled up the rocks to the peak.

Shortly before reaching the summit sign, I found a pack of Camel cigarettes. Unbelievably, there were three cancer sticks left. I showed them to a group of men at the top, who laughed and offered to “pack” them out. I declined, knowing this would be a great title for a post. As we enjoyed our lunches and the view, I learned that most of them were physicians or in medical school. Ironic.

Clouds rolled in, which cooled off the hike down nicely. I enjoyed Red Hook ESB at the mountain station and grabbed an early dinner at the original Las Consuelas.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[halhiker]

Reminds me of a bad time I had once climbing. Actually, not climbing but on the way home.

I went climbing in Joshua Tree with a friend. After climbing, we stopped at the liquor store and he bought some smokes. We have a climbing friend, Jim Bridwell, who smokes Camel so my buddy bought some in his honor. I smoked one--I am not a smoker and usually only smoke a very occasional cigar--before we stopped at Santana's in Yucca for lunch and one after lunch.

By the time we hit I-10 I felt sick. I was getting queasy, sweating like a dog and getting the nicotine shakes. It didn't last long but it was not fun.

Haven't touched a Camel since. Those things are nasty.

[FIGHT ON]

Reminds me of a bad time I had once climbing. Actually, not climbing but on the way home.

I went climbing in Joshua Tree with a friend. After climbing, we stopped at the liquor store and he bought some smokes. We have a climbing friend, Jim Bridwell, who smokes Camel so my buddy bought some in his honor. I smoked one--I am not a smoker and usually only smoke a very occasional cigar--before we stopped at Santana's in Yucca for lunch and one after lunch.

By the time we hit I-10 I felt sick. I was getting queasy, sweating like a dog and getting the nicotine shakes. It didn't last long but it was not fun.

Haven't touched a Camel since. Those things are nasty.

never smoked and never will. can't imagine why someone would actually pick one up, let alone light it on fire and stick it in their mouth. AND THEN INHALE SMOKE? GIMMMIE A BREAK!?! WHAT ON EARTH FOR? so someone can see you? AND some people actually purchase these things too! what a world