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A handful of Hearty Hikers escaped from the Beaumont winds in May to nearby Yucaipa's Wildwood Park. Here the air was still, yet not too hot for a morning hike. Along a dirt woodland trail hikers hopped from shadow to shadow of live oak trees like frogs on lily pads. The frequent rest stops were fully utilized by opinioned discussions on major controversies of the day, sips of cold water and examinations of tree bark. Since the foamy, dark brown cankers brought by the western oak bark beetles may be in the area, spotting this fungus is a necessity and delayed stepping out into the solar glare. Shortly after starting up the hillside the trail forks with our map displaying a circular route starting here. We selected the left trail intending to make a loop. The absence of spring rains was evident by the browning grasses of the valley. Only small animals and a few flowering plants could be seen as we walked. A boarded barn with wooden picnic tables offered an opportunity for a mid-morning snack stop after an hour's walk. An encounter with a local hiker proved fortuitous as he advised us that our map was in error and we could not make a loop. We then returned to the fork in the road and took the "road not taken." After crossing an open valley we entered a heavily shaded copse of trees. Our erstwhile British hiker informed us of the similarity to Sherwood Forest. Unfortunately, this darkened glen only extended a hundred yards before the trail opened up on a sunny ridge. 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 | JULY 2014 43 42 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JULY 2014 | SPORTS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Hearty Hikers It seemed like a good idea to Alan Chan to have the paddle tennis paddlers, the pickle ball paddlers and the ping pong paddlers all get together for a social event. He brought it up to the PT paddlers and we all agreed. The idea was then brought up to the PB paddlers and PP paddlers and they, too, thought it would be a fun time. So, on July 18, there will be a gigantic BBQ for all of the Four Seasons paddlers. 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. Its good clean fun and great exercise. Here is a list of some of the Four Seasons Paddle Tennis players: Alan Chan, Dan Anguiano, Diego Diaz, Gary Campanella, Garrett Warman, Jim Cochran, Mike Flower, Michael Rothberg, Niles Lindstrom, Paco Paez, Raul Bautista, Robert Norwood, Terry Miller, Phil Harris, Rick Loney, Richard Carusco, Rob Gardner, Syed Ali. If you recognize someone and would like to know more about the sport and our group, ask them. Come join us and give paddle tennis a try. We have extra loaner paddles. Everyone has a great time! Court times: Official - W/F/Sun – 7 to 9 pm; Unofficial - F/ 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 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! Men's and Ladies' Doubles Teams David Kershaw, Jerome Liebenberg, Richard Brown, Len Tavernetti, Charlie Ledger, Marty and Mary Martin prepare for a Big Boy repast. L-R: Mary Martin, Richard Brown, Charlie Ledger and David Kershaw stroll through "Sherwood Forest." A California Morning Glory alongside the trail. L-R: Jerome Liebenberg, Richard Brown, Charlie Ledger, Ruth Tavernetti and David Kershaw soak up shade from an oak tree.

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