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According to the infallible Wikipedia, "One of the most scenic historic spots in Southern California is nestled in the heart of Apple Country in Oak Glen where the summers are cooler and the winters dusted with snow." When downsizing into Four Seasons, most us yard-saled our snowshoes so we hiked this scenic spot in apple season. Original settlers to Oak Glen were Cahuilla and Serrano Indians. They harvested acorns for survival. The unique climate and elevation was perfect for growing large black acorns, a favorite among the locals. The evidence can still be found along the stream beds where the acorns were leached over 100 years ago. But there was no market for acorn pies so later occupants opted for a different tree crop. Though the main crop of Oak Glen has been apples since the 1940s, it hasn't always been Oak Glen's only crop. The potato, along with many other crops, were grown in Oak Glen since the 1890s. After several farms began to sell apples individually to visitors, along with homemade apple pies, fresh apple cider and delicious apple butter from roadside stands, Oak Glen became an apple boom town overnight. For hikers, a small pond and beaten path that is short but has a couple of steep climbs, gives a good morning workout to build an appetite for apple products. Early August gave hikers a chance to enjoy the solitude of this outdoor favorite before the onslaught of city folks start their annual invasion. Our group has laid out a schedule for the next 12 months to advise Mother Nature what we would like. Hopefully she will take it into consideration. We hike the second Wednesday of each month: • Oct.: Aspen Grove… Leaf turning at 7,000' • Nov.: Lytle Creek… Fall weather near Cajon Pass • Dec.: Xmas lights at Four Seasons • Jan.: Eisenhower Mountain… Hiking the San Andreas Fault • Feb.: Joshua Tree… Early spring in the desert • March: Indian Canyon… One of the many Palm Springs hiking trails into Cahuilla country • April: Etiwanda Falls… Great place if we have a wet winter • May.: Santa Rosa Plateau… Old adobe of Ranchero grandee • June: Big Morongo Basin… Bird watching at the oasis • July: Wrightwood… Standing tall on the Pacific Crest Trail • Aug.: Ernie Maxwell… Under the pines on Mt. San Jacinto • Sept.: Crystal Cove… Toes in the surf & sand in the shoes To find out where else we are hiking in 2014 call or email Lynette at (951) 377-0392 or lynette.simonson@gmail.com. ~ Leonard Tavernetti 42 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | OCTOBER 2014 | SPORTS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Hearty Hikers 3rd Generation Painter Contracting For Over 30 Years Minor Repairs: Exterior Wood & Stucco, Interior Drywall, Wood Trim thank you in advance for the opportunity to give you a free estimate! 909-208-6142 Lic. #423807 Bonded hiGh QuAlity hiGh stAnDArDs intErior & ExtErior FouR sEAsons suMMER spEciAl 10% OFF InterIOr PaIntIng ! Offer good with ad until Nov. 1, 2014 Lynette Simonson, David Kershaw and Susan Wilson get their bearings before starting out. Bob & Lana Gundermann flank Jim Seim while bemoaning their empty fishing poles.