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Review: Banachek's Mind Games Show

9/13/2021

Banachek is an English mentalist/magician who is performing at the Strat (formerly the Stratosphere). To put it simply: He will read your mind!
Kathy and I attended the show on Sunday, the 13th of September. As some of you know I also perform effects that appear to read hiker's minds.
Banachek is at a whole different level. I was both amazed and entertained.

Kathy on Stage

Kathy on Stage with Banachek

Interactive Show

One of the best aspects of the show is it is very interactive. There's a good chance you will be part of the show. This is Kathy on stage during a mind reading effect where she thinks of a word in the book Banachek is holding. The show is family friendly.

Numerous people in the audience are part of the show. Sometimes they do not go up on stage, but nevertheless Banachek reads their minds using books, dollar bills and even have people just think of a card! This one blew me away!

Information About the Show

The show is at 4 pm daily, dark on Tuesdays and Fridays. The doors open at 3:30pm. It runs 75 mins in duration. There's not a bad seat in the showroom and the chairs are very comfortable. As mentioned above the show is at the Strat (2000 S Las Vegas Blvd.) and the Strat has FREE parking. Also, you don't need a GPS to find the Box Office and the showroom :)
Note: The show will be dark from Sept 14 to 21.

The Best Part!

Tyas, Banachek's manager, has given hikers a great discount to the show! Print the coupon below and present it at the Box Office at the Strat to get your discounted tickets.

Conclusion:

I really enjoyed the show and was fooled. This is not a show where tigers appear or mannequins are sawed in half :) This show is about reading your mind! If you are into that, you will love the show.
I did not list all of the effects Banachek does. See the show and you will be amazed.

What You Need to Know Before Moving to Mountain View

9/7/2021

The land where Mountain View now sits was once simply a stagecoach stop between San Francisco and San Jose located near the crossroads of where El Camino and Grant lie today. It was originally inhabited by the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, with the first European settlers arriving in 1777. Part of Mexico until California joined the U.S. in 1850, just two years later, the first store was opened, owned by Richard Carr and managed by John Shumay who gave the city its name in 1854.

Of course, the area has a totally different look today as the home of many tech giants like Google, but you'll still enjoy a gorgeous view of the Santa Cruz Mountains. If you're thinking about making a move to one of the Mountain View apartments, a home or any other space here, there are a few things you should know first.

Thanks to Google You'll Get Free Wi-Fi

While the S.F. Bay Area isn't exactly the cheapest place to live in the country, one of the perks of living in Mountain View is that you'll get free Wi-Fi. With the corporate headquarters of Google here, the city allowed the company to place wireless transmitters on its streetlight poles to create one of the first city-wide free Wi-Fi networks in the country.

Bike Sharing and Public Transport

There are a few cities in the Bay Area that are participating in a pilot bike share program and Mountain View is one of them. That means that Bike Share members can check out a bike from one of the automated stations, use it for a ride to another destination and then return the bike there or at another station. It's a great way to avoid traffic congestion, burn some calories, and enjoy the cycling paths.

This is a city that's very bike and pedestrian-friendly in addition to offering public transport that includes light rail and transit services provided by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. While it might be easier to get around by car when venturing outside of the city, you don't have to have your own vehicle here.

Castro Street is the City's Heart

The main street in Mountain View is Castro Street, a place that's jam-packed around the lunch hour and in the evening, bringing out a lively crowd who take advantage of the wide range of restaurants, cafes, bars, and boutiques. When the city hosts a festival or an event, this is where

Live Performances

If you enjoy theater, music, and the arts in general, you're in for a treat. The Mountain View Center for Performing Arts features state-of-the-art technology for theater and dance performances year-round. But Shoreline Amphitheatre is where you can often catch those big-name performers in an open-air environment with seats on a grassy lawn or in the stands.

The Weather

If you're moving from a more northern climate where you're used to scraping ice off your windshield in the morning and shoveling snow off the sidewalks, you're not going to have to worry about that here. While it can get warm in the summer, it's not humid, with the average high in July just 81 degrees and there are only 37 days a year with any measurable precipitation. All in all, the climate is mild and you'll be able to enjoy the outdoors pretty much all year-round.

Ruby's Inn at Bryce Canyon Update 8-2021

8/30/2021

Ruby's Inn is the closest lodging to Bryce Canyon (less than 10 minutes away) and is the perfect place for you to stay for an enjoyable visit. Established in 1916 the folks at Ruby's Inn know how to treat their guests. Ruby's Inn and Bryce Canyon are open year-round. The temps in Bryce Canyon are much cooler than Las Vegas due to the elevation ( ~ 8,000 feet) and being about 200 miles north of Las Vegas.

Rooms

There are five different types of rooms you can choose from: Double King, Double Queen with jetted tub, Double Queen, King with in-room spa or Two Room Family Suite.

All rooms include: Cable Satellite TV, Coffeemaker, Iron and Ironing board, Dataports, AM/Fm Alarm Clock, Microwave, Refrigerator, Free High-Speed Wireless Internet and there are 100 Non-Smoking Rooms.

The rooms are spacious, very clean, and there are connecting rooms if you are travelling with a group. If you want to bring your pets, they are allowed.

Dining

Ruby’s Inn has three great restaurants, the Cowboy’s Buffet & Steak Room, Canyon Diner, and Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill. I have eaten at the Cowboy Buffet & Steak Room and the buffet is great. It features high quality food at reasonable prices. Currently, you receive a free breakfast buffet for each night of your stay!

Amenities

Ruby's Inn has an indoor pool and jacuzzi. It's a great way to relax after a long hike! Free towels are provided for your swim.
If you didn't hike enough, there's a fitness center.
Need to do some work? There's a business center.
Staying for an extended period? There's a laundromat.
Forget something or looking for a gift? The General Store is amazing. If you forgot any of your hiking equipment, the General Store has it. There’s also a wide variety of food for your hiking snacks or to eat in your room.

Old West Photos

Getting your photo taken as cowboys/cowgirls is so much fun. There are lots of clothes to choose from and it only takes about 15 minutes. You get your photos a few minutes after the photo shoot.

Activities

There are so many different type of activities you couldn't do them all in one trip.
Here's a list of the activities offered:
Hiking
Horsebacking Riding
Guided ATV Tours
Rodeo
Bike Rides
Ice Skating
Cross Country Skiing
Sleigh Ridges
Snowshoeing
And special events during certain times of the year.

Tip from Branch

If you are into hiking, save the sunrise hike to Queen's Garden for the day you leave. The views are the best in all of Bryce Canyon. This is an easy hike taking about 90 minutes and that allows for stopping for plenty of photos. You can get back to your room, take a shower, and eat the breakfast buffet before driving home. Check for the time of sunrise.

Also, if it is cold walk down the trail just 100 feet and you will be out of the wind.
Directions for the Queen's Garden hike can be found here: hiking directions

Conclusion

If you are planning a trip to Bryce, Ruby's Inn is the place to stay. It has everything you could possibly want and is the closest lodging to Bryce Canyon. For more information and to make a reservation: Ruby's Inn

Best Red Rock Peaks to do this Fall

8/27/2021

If you have been hiking in Mt. Charleston and other high elevation areas this summer, you are in great shape. Take advantage of your accomplishment and do the toughest peaks in Red Rock this Fall.

You are in great shape to handle these difficult peaks and the days are still relatively long, especially in September and October. Add to that the great temperatures and you have the perfect combination to tackle these peaks.

Which Peaks?

Some of the toughest peaks are: Mt. Wilson, Rainbow Peak, Holiday Peak, Bridge Vista, and Ice Box Peak.
Two of these peaks have numerous routes to them: Rainbow and Wilson.
You should have no problem with your cardio to scramble to these peaks.
All of these peaks require at least class 3 climbing skills to reach their summits.

Smartest Way Climb These Peaks

Is to be a member of the 52 Peak Club. We have hiked to these peaks more than any other hiking club. In fact, we named some of these peaks and found routes to almost all the peaks in Red Rock Canyon.
The 52 Peak Club has weekly hikes to these peaks during the fall.
To learn more about the 52 Peak Club.
To read the route descriptions to these peaks.

Can I Be compensated If I'm Injured on a Guided Hiking Adventure

8/20/2021

Hiking by yourself or a group or family is always fun and exciting. It is the best way to explore unexplored destinations across the hills. Los Angeles has multiple gorgeous hiking locations that promise to offer a wonderful adventurous experience. Of course, safety is the topmost priority during a hike. But sometimes accidents can happen.

What if you got injured on guided hiking? If you think you are injured because of someone else’s mistake, then do you know what action you can take? You can hire personal injury attorneys to claim for the accident and get compensation.
Each year thousands of people find that hiking and walking on Los Angeles Park trails are safe and fun. But you need to follow specific safety tips. And in case you get injured, you should know whether you will get compensation or not.

Tours or expeditions
Experience the fantastic hiking trails in Los Angeles is by signing up with a well-known tour or expedition group. Tour guides have a whole lot of information about the hiking area. They can guide you well on moving ahead with the adventure and the best sites to visit. The Hollywood sign overlooking Los Angeles from a hill in Griffith Park is the most visited hiking trail. More than 45 million visitors visit LA every year, of which 10 million reach Griffith Park.

Traveling with a tour guide ensures that you are safe rather than traveling alone. However, do not forget that even tour guides can make mistakes sometimes. Imagine you get an injury during the hike because of the tour guide’s mistake. What will be the next step that you will take? Let me tell you that if the tour guide commits an error that led to your injury, then you have a choice to file a complaint against the group.

Tour and travel companies owe a duty of care to the visitors. They have to face legal consequences for breaching the duty. Clients sign a waiver for the expedition companies stating they are not responsible for accidents on the hike. It can save them from personal injury claims but does not provide legal protection in case of negligence.

National and State Park hike injuries
Some of the finest hiking locations in Los Angeles are the National and State Parks. However, it is not necessary that the parks are safe for hiking. Unfortunately, many people sustain injuries during a hike in the state and national parks. Government entities are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of properties that include inspecting parks for potential risks.
Earlier, sovereign immunity laws protected government bodies from premises liability, but now it is not the case. LA courts now permit filing a personal injury claim against the federal government. So, if you met with an accident in a government-owned park because of the owner's negligence, you can go for filing a claim.

Hiring a well-versed personal injury lawyer will help you determine whether you have a claim or not. In addition, it will help you seek appropriate compensation and protect your rights.

City trail injuries
Sustaining an injury on city trails during a hike has similar rights to those injured in National or State Parks. You have the right to sue the city or person responsible for neglecting the maintenance of the city trail or property. For example, if you fall on a tool that the maintenance crew left in the trail's middle and sprain your ankle, then you have the right to claim for personal injury.

City trail owners have an ethical and legal responsibility to protect the visitors from hazards on their property. Getting injured because of the owner or employee's negligence will help you take legal action. An experienced personal injury advocate will assist you in legal procedures and documentation.
Property owners are held accountable for not keeping the hiking trail safe for the hikers. In that case, you have a valid legal claim against the trail owner. The lawyer will help you through the negotiation and settlement process.

Conclusion
Yes! You will get compensation for guided hiking on getting injured. If you think you are wounded because of a tour company or government, or city trail owner, you have the right to sue the parties. You need to hire a qualified lawyer who understands the situation and personal injury caused to you. It will guide you throughout the court trial.

Review: Fenix TK16 V.2.0 Flashlight

6/21/2021

Lights up the terrain like daylight from 50+ feet. Fenix TK16

This flashlight turns the darkness into daylight. I descended class 2 and 3 rock in the dark! Not only could I see terrain in front of me, I could see landmarks in the distance, which is very important for finding my way down. I was not descending a trail, but a route which is far more difficult to follow.

The flashlight also has lower intensity modes to use around the house or in the garage. The strobe feature can easily blind an intruder at night.

The flashlight features a tungsten steel alloy bezel that can be used in self defense situations and to break glass if you leave your keys in your car.

What's in the Box?
You get the TK 16 flashlight, a carry case with a loop so you can put it on your belt, a battery, a USB cord to charge the battery, a laggard, and instructions.

How to Use:
The main on/off switch is at the rear of the flashlight. Click it once. There's a smaller round button near the main on/off switch. Each time you press it the intensity of the light increases. By pressing and holding only the small button the strobe mode is activated.

Charging the battery

Charging the battery

How to charge:
Remove the battery by unscrewing the back end of the flashlight. Plug the supplied USB cord into the battery and the other end of the cord into an USB port on your computer. The tip of the battery will turn red. Once charged it will turn blue. It can take several hours to charge.

Specs:
Led Bulb lifespan 50,000 hours
5 Modes of Operation
Turbo: 3100 Lumens, 2 hr. 40 min., 380 meters
High: 1000 Lumens, 2 hr. 50 min., 220 meters
Mid: 350 Lumens, 8 hr. 20 min., 125 meters
Low: 150 Lumens, 19 hr. 10 min., 80 meters
Eco: 30 Lumens, 43 hr. 20 min., 40 meters
Strobe: 3100 Lumens
Length: 5.6 inches
Weight: 6.5 ounces (with battery)
Powersource: rechargeable Li-ion battery (included)
Anti roll slip body design
Comes with a 5 year warranty

Note: At max intensity the flashlight can get hot after a few minutes. Do not point the flashlight into someone's eyes, unless you want to disable them.

Conclusion:
This is an impressive flashlight. It's lightweight, easy to use, waterproof (up to 2 meters) and durable. The light is so bright it's like daylight. I will always have this in my daypack.
For more information and to buy

Info chart

The First Quin (5x) 53er: Bruce Small

6/15/2021

Bruce Small, a leader for the 52 Peak Club, is the first hiker in the history of the 52 Peak Club to become a Quin 53er.
I asked him questions about what motivates him and his background. Below are Bruce's answers.

When did you join the 52 Peak Club? 1st hike was April 15th, 2017 with James Fuentes to Oak Creek Overlook in Red Rock Canyon.

Your current age? 64

When did you become a 53er (first time)? March 25, 2018....delayed 5 weeks because of my heart attack on January 10th, 2018, while hiking for my 48th card.

When and why did you become a leader for the 52 Peak Club?
WHEN.... I remember September of 2017 but I didn't lead my first, solo leader hike, until February 20, 2018, the 2nd chance hike back to Fortification Hill after my heart attack. I hiked a lot with Branch, Oz and Rob to learn routes after I became a leader. So, actual leading my first hike was in February 2018.

WHY...I was asked by several members to approach Branch about becoming a leader. In my career of 25 years, I was a manager for most of those years. I have always been one to encourage and teach those that want to learn. It is a great feeling when you see the smiling faces of hikers after they accomplish something they thought they would never be able to do. With a little encouragement, guidance, confidence building and willingness to learn from the person, most everyone can get there.

What is your motivation to become the first 5x 53er? Motivation?....it's a lifestyle for me. While I am helping people to achieve their goal of becoming the next 53er, they are helping me to attain my goals too.....keep active and healthy while doing what I love and helping others to do the same. The cards and decks help me to organize my goals.

What advice for those hikers who want to become a double or more 53er?
The journey doesn't end at one deck. The mountains don't disappear after that prize. The routes are numerous...try them all. Use the cards as a measurement of how you are doing in staying active and healthy.

Why is climbing peaks so alluring to you? I'm realizing that no matter how you phrase a question about my hiking, it comes back to one common thing....health, happiness, fun, friendships...goals. The benefit of the peak being there....it gives me a goal. The difficulty of the route boosts the accomplishments of the journey to the peak.

What life lessons have you learned since being a member of the 52 Peak Club?
Being healthy is number one. I truly believe that if I was still the corporate, sedentary, behind the desk man and eating things that I couldn't pronounce when I had my heart attack, I probably would not have survived. We are only given so many years to enjoy ourselves and I am embarrassed at times that I spent too many of them thinking that when I retire, I will get out and do all the exciting, fun, outdoor, healthy things.

Well, like I said, if I would have followed that thought process, I may not be here today to experience the happiness, fun, friendships and goals that I have. The hiking community is nothing like any other kind of club that I have been associated with in the past. The common thing that I hear from so many hikers, is that when they are hiking there is not a worry in the world that they need to deal with. All the stresses of their everyday life disappear and there is a calmness that comes about them. The laughs, commonality and friendships create nirvana. Try it! You'll like it!

March 25, 2018

Review: Colorado Aromatics Springtime Gold Face Cream

5/13/2021

This is Kathy's review of Colorado Aromatics Springtime Gold face cream.
She liked that the cream is organic and has all natural ingredients.
Her face looked brighter and more radiant after the first time she applied the cream.
It also moisturized her skin. She lives in Las Vegas where the climate is very dry.
Kathy has sensitive skin. Colorado Aromatics Springtime Gold face cream did not aggravate her skin like other face creams.

The face cream last a long time. After using it for one month, Kathy still has 60% left in her jar. It's very economical.
Kathy recommends Springtime Gold face cream and will continue to use it.

Colorado Aromatics Springtime Gold face cream is made for people who like the outdoors; however, sun, wind and weather can make your skin look dry and damaged.
It's a natural face moisturizer, rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to restore skin that has been damaged from being outside. With peptides to support collagen production and reduce wrinkles.

To purchase Springtime Gold face cream go to this page: https://coloradoaromatics.com/product/face-care/springtide-gold/

Learn more about Colorado Aromatics Springtime Gold face cream and all their products at their website: https://coloradoaromatics.com/

A Gentle Race: In Defense of Competitive Hiking

3/24/2021

It’s hard to separate sport from competition yet some of the most popular activities in the United States continue to resist anything more structured than personal goal-setting. Hiking, as ancient a challenge as there can be, is perhaps the best example of these gentle sports. After all, why would you run anywhere when you can walk? Competitive hiking, then, sounds like a contradiction in terms.

The Middle Ground

Defining the sport of competitive hiking is tricky. Completing routes at pace is far more likely to fall under the trail-running, marathon or ‘fastpacking’ umbrellas, while race walking, in which one of the competitor’s feet must be in contact with the ground at all times, has been an Olympic staple for more than a century of Games. Competitive hiking would therefore have to occupy a nebulous middle ground between these offshoots.

Local challenges do serve as a form of competition within the hiking niche. The Las Vegas Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge takes hikers up Mount Charleston and Mummy Mountain, among others, while similar events include routes up five to 52 peaks in Nevada. Fun, almost definitely, but these self-paced events are perhaps not something that major sporting bodies or the bookmakers will ever take seriously.

Time Investment

Still, unlikely sports are as numerous as traditional ones. Many bookmaker comparison sites list eSports (video gaming) as an up-and-comer in sports betting and TV broadcasting, and Statista forecasts growth in the industry to £1.6bn by 2024. Gaming site Betway also offers markets on niche sports such as martial arts, futsal, Gaelic football and floorball, suggesting that hiking’s lack of prime-time TV slots isn’t necessarily a turn-off for fans.

The time investment required for hiking challenges is significant – yet easily overcome with a multi-day format that either challenges hikers to cover the most ground in a certain amount of time (like in the 24hrs of Le Mans vehicle race) or sets a target peak as a per-day destination. Self- and leisurely-pacing is possible in both scenarios but the elimination aspect in the latter example encourages participants to challenge themselves.

Career Hikers

Las Vegas is well placed to champion competitive hiking. There is a wealth of trails in the metro area, including Fire Wave and White Domes in the Valley of Fire, and Red Rock Canyon’s Calico Hills and Ice Box Canyon, and the city has already produced plenty of sporting icons, like Andre Agassi and NASCAR’s Bruton Smith. Vegas also hosts around 42.5m tourists per year, many of whom head into the hills and canyons of Nevada alongside the locals.

Of course, the question remains whether career hikers would have any interest in upping the pace or competing in a structured way. Regarded more as a vacation than a race to the finish, hiking can be a rare escape from work challenges and the day-to-day stress of living in Vegas. Even as a contradiction though, competitive hiking does present an opportunity both for the growth of the activity and for anybody who prefers a brisk pace.

Vapur Anti Bottle Water Bottle Review

3/18/2021

This anti-water bottle is really a cool, foldable and extremely light water bottle. You can freeze it, attach it to your daypack via a carabiner that comes with it, and it's reusable.
It holds 34 oz. of water. There is a large size that holds 50 oz. of water.

I used it when I hiked to the summit of Kraft Mtn in Red Rock Canyon. It kept my water cold during my hike. Even though this was my first time drinking from it, there was no bad or plastic taste. It appears well made and it did not leak.

It's very easy to fill; you just twist off the top cap to fill it with your favorite beverage. The bottle has a good grip and will not slip out of your hands. It is also dishwater safe.

You can also customize your bottle with an image and text.

My Verdict:
This is a no-brainer. If you need a water bottle this is one to get. It's so lightweight you will not notice the weight in your pack and it folds up to conserve space once it's empty.
It's only $11.99 and comes in different colors.
Get one here