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We accepted the challenge of a "Moderate Difficulty" trail in February at the California Parks Lake Perris. Terri Peak (2,569 feet) is considered a great workout and altitude training trail. The trail is incredibly steep in sections and most of the elevation gain occurs in a little over three-quarters of a mile. For the 55+ hikers, frequent pauses were necessary to enjoy spectacular views of the Moreno Valley. A dozen female cadets from an academy in Perris did speed by us oblivious to the surrounding scenery. At the western reach of the trail, March Air Reserve Base and the Riverside National Cemetery spread out in the foreground. This section of the trail is on the northern side of the mountain and seemed to promise the elusive peak at every turn or rise. After two exhausting hours, the peak was finally reached and overlooked the brilliant blue Lake Perris. This is the southernmost reservoir in the 701-mile California State Water Project. When 80 percent full, the lake's elevation is 1,560 feet above sea level but this day the impact of this year's drought was clearly evident. The downhill drop to the Regional Indian Museum proved even more difficult. Fortunately, all of the Fab Five hikers had walking sticks that were "White Knuckled" past the boulder strewn battlefield of seismic wars from eons past. The narrow trail disappeared frequently but hieroglyphic footprints from the Sketchers of the aforementioned cadets who had "anteloped" ahead of us marked the way. Once at the museum it was an easy walk on a paved road back to the vehicles. Making the round trip was six miles. A well-earned lunch at Portillo's Hot Dogs in Moreno Valley capped the day. Our hikes require us to drive to trail heads in nearby mountains where we often park in remote areas. Our vehicles have been secured by Jack Simonson who always posted himself "on duty" as a reliable sentry. On Feb. 15, Jack was recruited to the Heavenly Hikers and will be sorely missed by the Hearty Hikers. Happy trails, Jack. To find out where else we are hiking in 2014 call or e-mail Lynette Simonson. ~ Leonard Tavernetti SPORtS & OUtDOOR ACtIVItIES | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | APRIL 2014 43 42 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | APRIL 2014 | SPORtS & OUtDOOR ACtIVItIES Hearty Hikers Some of the very best paddle tennis was played during March! There were no challenges this month; just a lot of great games played by everyone who was on the courts. We are seeing more and more spectators, too, who want to see just what paddle tennis is all about. Paddle tennis is a faster game than regular tennis. The court is smaller, the ball is a little slower and the paddle is very different from a racquet. Players need to be able to move the short distances faster and return the ball more precisely than in tennis. Some of our players excel at the net (Gary Campanella and Jim Cochran. It is almost impossible to get a ball past them. Some players can zip all over the court, front to back, side to side, corner to corner, and return just about anything (Terry Miller and Phil Harris). Some players have tremendous control and can place the ball where no opponent can reach it (Robert Norwood). It is fortunate for the rest of us (Alan Chan, Garrett Warman, Mike Flower, Niles Lindstrom, Paco Paez, Raul Bautista, Rick Loney, Richard Carusco, Rob Gardner and Michael Rothberg) that these same players have their Achilles- heels (over-confidence usually) that we're all able to win points and games. In the process, every single one of the Four Seasons Paddle Tennis players has fun. Laughing is 50 percent of it. We recently invited a couple of guest players (below) to challenge some of our doubles teams. We didn't score one point! Court times: Official - Wed./Fri./Sun. – 2 to 4 pm; Unofficial - Fri./Sun. – 8:30 to 10:30 am. For more information, call Alan Chan at (951) 769-4202 or Jim Cochran at (951) 769-5525. ~ Michael Rothberg Paddle Tennis 5% Military Discount (former & current members) Ask for the Jarhead! 909-965-8404 Since 1985 Licensed & Insured DON'S TREE SERVICE • Ornamental Beautification of Trees • Preventative Maintenance from Wind Destruction • Correct Pruning, Trimming Skills • Tree Removals, Stump Grinding • Tree Planting/Transplanting L-R: Len Tavernetti, David Kershaw, Bill Struwe, Charlie Ledger and Lynette Simonson pause to overlook the western side of the mountain. At the top of the trail overlooking Lake Perris. Enjoying Four Seasons paddle tennis The three-legged descent down the rocky mountain.

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