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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MARCH 2026 65 4x4 Seasons Traversing the Truck Trail Our group recently welcomed new members who joined us on our recent outing through the varied landscape of the Meccacopia Truck Trail in Mecca, CA. Rolling along the trail, we felt as if we had dropped into another era of California's desert. The route traced old paths once used by miners and prospectors, and every rutted section of road and off-camber turn demanded our attention, making the drive feel earned rather than casual. The scenery was the real payoff. Jagged badlands rose in layers, carved by wind and f loods. Ocotillo and creosote dotted the hillsides, and narrow canyons opened unexpectedly, their walls telling a story hundreds of years in the making. From higher points, the desert stretched out in big, empty silence that made our engine noise fade into the background. The trail felt less like a road and more like a conversation with the landscape. It's the kind of place where history, geology, and raw desert beauty collide, reminding you of why you bought your four-wheel drive in the first place. Rugged, and unforgettable, it left us dusty, tired, and already wanting to return. If you've been thinking about joining our group, now is the perfect time as we are planning an expedition to Death Valley this spring. Our meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm in the RCN Conference Room, and we usually schedule an outing for Thursday of the same week. We hope you can join us. ~ Scott D. Snyder, scottdonaldsnyder@gmail.com As I am writing this, we have experienced a lot of windy days this winter, but that does not stop us hardy shuff leboard players. As long as the shuff leboard courts are not wet, you can find us Monday and Saturday at 9 am at the courts (behind the swimming pool and next to the paddle tennis courts) at The Lodge. We enjoy our own quiet area for playing. A great way to start your day is to come out and join our group for some fresh air, exercise, and socialization. Shuff leboard is an easy game to learn and almost anyone can quickly become proficient. Our games usually last about an hour or so and we randomly select different teams each time that we play. This keeps the competition challenging and the games more interesting. We have no losers, only non-winners. We have a wonderful group of residents who play regularly but we are eager to welcome new players. If you are interested in joining a fun activity with friendly residents, please join us. We will introduce you to the game of shuff leboard in case you have never played. If you have played before and just need a review, we can give you a refresher. If you have any questions or concerns, contact me. Otherwise, I hope to see you at the shuff leboard courts. ~ Marty Rotman, (310) 948-1693, mrtmj@aol.com Shuffleboard eresa navigating the trail Lynette, eresa, Brian, and Paco with the Salton Sea in the background Josef Paez aka "Paco" loves adventuring in his Jeep.