This chilly Maine boy is headed west, my friends. To sunny southern California. The Mojave Desert. Yucca Valley. Joshua Tree National Park. For an extra long weekend of outdoor fun in the sun with my age old buddy and climbing and hiking pal Tim.

The climbing gear has been rummaged up and packed. A dozen golf balls, tees, glove and shoes. Pack and camping gear too. Shorts, cotton Ts, Tevas, the whole nine yards.

Tim's hilltop hovel is an awesome spot and lends itself well to relaxation and recreation and contemplation. And winter warmth.

To the west, you can look out to Mts. San Gorgonio and San Jacinto, both 10,000 desert peaks traversed by the Pacific Crest Trail. Looking east, you can see far down the valley and over into Joshua Tree.

Can't wait.

So don't look for me for the next few days... as I'll be off scaring myself half-silly on some rock climb, or sweating it up on a trans-desert mountain hike, or whacking the little white ball around the links, or hanging out on the hill with an Ed Abbey book in hand catching some rays.

Somebody's gotta do it.

Sunset in the high desert of Joshua Tree National Park, California.