Image Up Advertising & Design

If a Four Seasons homeowner wearies of being surrounded by seniors, a trip to the Living Desert Museum offers instant relief. At our April "hike" there, the average visitor age had to be in the single digits. The Hearty Hikers were quickly encircled by brigands of scrambling Lilliputians hopelessly lead by would- be Gullivers from venue to venue. These Munchkin speed bumps caused aging orbs to watch carefully when moving but the payoff of seeing elfin eyes glow when touching, stroking or cuddling foreign critters made it well worthwhile. These Dr. Doolittle disciples often proved more entertaining than their museum hosts. Early April is not supposed to be a scorcher, but this year has been different. A high thin cloud cover offered some relief as the mercury climbed toward three-digit territory. Our ever- present Beaumont breeze was apparently on spring break and windmills in the pass feathered in the still air. Antelopes and Jaguars huddled in shady enclaves. Caged migratory birds seem to be singing, "North to Alaska, the Rush is on." Still, the Museum was a perfect site where level paved roads with numerous water and facility stations were available. The "Must See" star of the Museum was the three-month old, six-foot tall baby giraffe. Feeding time was 10 am and "Opening Night" lines of eager chefs awaited the opportunity to serve these savannah giants. No one was disappointed even when these magnificent mammals disdained lunch for playground frolicking. And, speaking of lunch, ours was at Babes in Palm Desert. Our May hike was to Etiwanda Falls. To find out where else we are hiking in 2014 call or e-mail Lynette at (951) 377-0392 or lynette.simonson@gmail.com. ~ Leonard Tavernetti SpORTS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JUNE 2014 43 42 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JUNE 2014 | SpORTS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Hearty Hikers Paddle Tennis at Four Seasons Beaumont began about four years. Several of the table tennis players thought it would be a good idea to try out paddle tennis: you would be outdoors, run around a little more, exercise a little more… why not? Alan Chan, Gary Campanella, Niles Sundstrom, and Barry Pope bought some paddles and balls and started what is now the Four Seasons Paddle Tennis Group. The group has grown continuously as more and more Four Seasons residents became interested, tried it out, and got hooked. Today, there are close to thirty players, men and women, all levels of play, who, for the most part, are out there at least once a week. About every other month we have a singles and/or doubles tournament. We recently added a ball machine which really helps to improve a player's game. You don't have to be a super athlete to play and enjoy this sport. We paddlers don't take ourselves too seriously; we've even been known to clown around on the courts. It's good clean fun and great exercise. Come join us and give paddle tennis a try. We have extra loaner paddles. Court times: Official - W/F/Sun – 2 to 4 pm, unofficial - F/Sun – 8:30 am to 10:30 am. For more information, call Alan Chan, (951) 769-4202 or Jim Cochran, (951) 769-5525. ~ Michael Rothberg Paddle Tennis History L-R: Martha Franck, Fred and Frieda Hofer at the giraffe venue. Past Paddle Tennis Standouts L-R: Robert Gundermans, Lynette Simonson, Lana Gundermans, Frieda and Fred Hofer and Charlie Ledger watch the museum veterinarian's tutorial to curious school children on a cuddly African marsupial. L-R: Fred Hofer, Lynette Simonson, Jerome Liebenberg, Mary Martin, Frieda Hofer, Martha Franck, Marty Martin, Len Tavernetti, Lana and Robert Gundermans, Mary Liebenberg, Jim Sein and Charlie Ledger with Lily at Babes restaurant. Service • Repair • Installation Or Just Call for a Second Opinion! 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! 951 849-4938 Licensed • Bonded • Insured • Lic. #957503 Pacific Heating & air conditioning Heating or a/C tune-uP Call for 4 SeaSonS SPeCial!

• Cover