Las Vegas Trip - Backstreet Boys and Red Rock Canyon

Last time I saw Backstreet Boys in NYC, I had to leave the concert early, so I did not think that experience counted as "seeing" them. On their last weekend in Las Vegas before they started their world tour promoting the new album "DNA", I went to really see them. This was the second to last concert, and I certainly would not miss it regardless of the crazy week at work.

I left work early to drive to Vegas, but it still took me 5 hours to get there because of all the traffic. I checked in my AirBnb and went to the strip to get some food before the concert. I truly enjoyed the delicious sandwich at Earl of Sandwich right at Planet Hollywood. I still had plenty of time left, but decided to head to Zappos Theater (also within Planet Hollywood) to people watch. Indeed, it turned out to be quite entertaining observing dozens of crazy 30-year-old females posing in front of the "BSB" sign. Interestingly, there were quite a few folks of older generation whose kids probably made them listen to Backstreet Boys when they were teens.

My seat was pretty good, except the tall man in front of me partially obstructing the view. Luckily, there were screens on both sides of the stage, so I could glance at them once in a while. The concert last about an hour and a half and was full of positive energy. It seemed that the band really enjoyed their time as well.

After the concert, I headed straight to bed as the next morning I wanted to go to Red Rock Canyon.

About 40 minutes from my AirBnb,  I still did not get to the trail until 9.30 AM the following day. Unfortunately, the parking lot was completely full, and I had to pick another trail to hike. Random trail picking is not my kind of thing. I prefer prior research with lots of planning ahead of time, but hey, I was forced to be spontaneous and picked White Rock/La Madre Springs Loop Trail.

Originally, my plan included 3 trails, but since the weather was getting brutally hot already, I was planning to just do one trail. It did not disappoint. About 9 miles round trip, the trail offered views of the desert, wildflowers, a small spring and the red and white rock all around. It was not an easy trail due to distance, but the changing landscape offset occasional misery.

It all started with a decent, but gradual climb that allowed to get a 180-view of the park.

As the hike progressed, the type of rock slowly became more reddish instead of white.

Even in the desert wildflowers seem to live happily. This one was quite strange, a mixture of flowers and what looked like pine needles.

Lonely cacti, families of cacti, condominiums of cacti - you pick it, Rock Canyon probably has it! 

A variety of desert plants was beyond my imagination. Below is a strange plant with features of a cactus and a tree.

...and some usual wildflowers.

The trip ended with delicious sushi...

...Matcha dessert (a mixture of icecream, cornflakes (?), jelly and some weird bean)...

...and private Karaoke!

Joshua Tree National Park

One of the parks I have always wanted to visit is Joshua Tree National Park. Several years ago when I moved to California, there was a superbloom in early months of 2017 at the park, but I did not have a chance to go. I felt guilty at the time having missed it, but I think I got a second chance. After months of rain, Joshua Tree was supposedly again covered in wildflowers, and this time I was not going to miss it.

On Easter weekend that coincided with the first day of the National Park Week (and hence free entry to the park) and Coachella, at 5.30 AM I bravely headed to the park anticipating crowds and no parking. I was really happy to see few sleepy people entering the park and only a few cars in parking lots.

The first trail was one of the most popular among Joshua Tree lovers. Baker Dam Nature Trail appeared to be tricky from the very beginning as I went wondering off the trail. With no cell service, I could hardly use AllTrails to capture the directions, but after a few minutes of walking around, I was on the right path. Indeed, the loop trail was well-marked, and mid-way culminated with pools of water that used to serve as water sources for cattle in the past.

The second trail was Hidden Valley Nature Trail. Only a mile round trip, the trail offered unique views of Joshua trees and unnaturally stockpiled rocks in a wide-open landscape. I wondered how these piles of rock were created so perfectly aligned and concluded I was in Twilight Zone...

The next trail was a few minutes away going deeper into the park. Ryan Mountain Trail was supposed to be a piece of cake at only 3 miles round trip. The caveat was that I forgot to look at the elevation gain. Gaining 1,000 ft over 1.5 miles is not a joke, but the views offered some reprieve.

After a quick break for lunch on top of the mountain, I descended (much much easier!) and headed to the Willow Hole Trail. This is where wildflowers truly were visible in dozens of varieties. Who knew that desert can have such beauty?!

While I don't think I completed the trail in full, I saw why I came here, the wildflowers. I was pretty tired, and after seeing a rattle snake and another snake, I thought it was time to conclude my visit. Indeed, Joshua Tree did not disappoint. Unique landscape and plants together with rocky structures were worth the 2 hour drive, and I certainly be back in the fall when it gets a bit cooler.

Tenaja Falls in Murrieta, CA

I have heard of Tenaja Falls a few times from my colleagues, but because of the short distance of the trail, I didn't want to make it a destination hike for the day. But after a long work week and no plans on a Saturday morning (intentional planning), I decided to give it a go.

The drive to the hike once I got to the park area was a bit challenging. On a single lane winding road, I had to be rather careful, and since my car's suspension system is quite old, I took all the time needed to drive to the trail head.

Initially, I started hiking along the wrong way into the woods, but luckily AllTrails helped me out with showing the right pathway. It involved crossing a large creek. Apparently, with all the rain California got this winter the trail was conveniently overrun by water. No worries though, an overhead rope was a safe solution to the problem. Or was it?

The rest of the trail was pretty easy to follow, and together with a family of 6 I hiked all the way to the falls. Interestingly enough, they decided to chill out there drinking beer (yes, at 9 AM), while their neglected children were running around the treacherous drop of the falls. As you might imagine, I did not stay by the falls too long.

Another thing that was upsetting is how disrespectful people are to nature. Right by the falls, the rocks had graffiti all over them. Sadly, I anticipate that because of the short distance more people can access the falls, those people who probably would not hike longer to do something that damaging. 

Limestone Canyon and The Sinks in Irvine Ranch

Wilderness Access Day is one of the few days of the year when Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve opens its doors to the public. The rest of the year, the preserve is closed for conservation purposes to allow nature recover from us, humans. What a great concept!

The event was well-organized with booths set up to check in to get a badge and park rangers directing the traffic and showing people where to park.

I did not anticipate to see much at the preserve, but was really impressed by biodiversity of the it. From cacti to dozens of species of wildflowers, from Grand Canyon-type of landscape to open fields and beautiful ridges, Limestone Canyon was truly a treat.

While the hike was not that hard, it was relatively long clocking close to 10 miles. Wherever I looked, I saw something beautiful. I wondered what it would feel like camping there. We saw deer tracks, and the sign at the entrance warned about mountain lions, but we were not as lucky to see any animals this time. Well, just a few peculiar insects...

The weather was perfect for this hike, not too sunny, not too shady, just the right amount of breeze and warm air.

The wildflowers were really amazing. I felt so lucky to be able to see them at the preserve today.

Please donate to Golden Paw Society!

Golden Paw Society is one of the cat rescue organizations I volunteered for back in New York. They save cats from high kill shelters and adopt them out. Please donate to their campaign!