2009
February 2009
Friday 13 February 2009
Fri 13 Feb to Mon 16 Feb. Los Angeles. Ami Alon, 310-926-1344, jewishoutdoor@yahoo.com. Jewish Outdoor Adventures - [events]
Join us over Presidents Day weekend for another fabulous, fun-filled Jewish Outdoor Adventures’ camping/hiking/spa adventure in beautiful Joshua Tree. Located only 146 miles from L.A., just northeast of Palm Springs, Joshua Tree is the high desert and home of amazing rock formations, beautiful scenery and world famous Joshua trees. Its clean, dry air is invigorating; the night sky filled with countless bright stars and constellations are so beautiful and inspiring; and the hiking is awesome. Since it is so close to L.A. and easy to get around the park, it is an ideal trip for first-time campers and a great place to make new friends on a JOA trip.
We save perhaps the best for last: On the way home, we will get to soak our tired bodies in the warm, natural waters of Desert Hot Springs Spa, where for a small fee, you can immerse yourself in several outdoor hot spring spas, swim in a big pool, and shower. Be sure to bring along a swimsuit for the spa! And if that is not enough, you will have the chance to stop off on the way home, at your own financial risk, at the delightful Cabazon Shopping Outlet Mall right off the 10 Freeway. (FYI, your shopping spree is not included in the camping fee!)
See photos from last year’s Joshua Tree trip at:
www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=mx9egt0.29shaar0&Uy=v7avtt&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1
Key Details of This Adventure
Campsite Details: Indian Cove Campground. Located at 4,500 feet above sea level. Our group site comes with 6 parking spaces. There are picnic tables, chemical toilets and fire rings. There is no running water, but we will have ample water available in containers for washing and personal use (3 gallons to be brought per camper). Showers are available at the Coyote Corner Store at the park’s west entrance in the city of Joshua Tree, about 10 miles away ($3, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
Motel Option: For those people who love the outdoors but are not comfortable sleeping in a tent, this trip offers an option for you to stay at a motel in the town of Twentynine Palms just a few miles from our campground. Note that your motel stay would be an additional cost incurred by you. We cannot recommend any specific motel; the choice is entirely yours. To get a list of nearby motels, visit:
www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=motels+in+twenty-nine+palms%2C+california&aq=f&oq=
Cost: $90 early bird (postdated by 1/28/09), including campsite fees, camping gear, supplies, and all meals (kosher and delicious!); $110 thereafter (postdated from 1/29/09 and on). Not included: park entry fee of $15 per vehicle, cost of transportation via carpool, or Desert Hot Springs Spa.
Gear Details: Stoves and lanterns will be provided, as well as all cooking and eating utensils, paper goods, sumptuous food, etc. The key camping items you will need to bring are a tent, sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. They can be rented from either REI or A16 (see links below) or typically borrowed from friends. Note that Indian Cove Campground is close to the small town of Twentynine Palms, so if you forget something, you can get it in town.
Transportation: Via carpool. The list of participants will be shared with everyone periodically as it gets updated so you can coordinate carpooling. Cost will be shared among carpoolers. Carpooling is a must, as we have only 6 parking spots.
Weather: Will likely be warm during the day, and chilly at night. In February, temperatures normally range from 60’s and 70’s during the day and 40’s at night. We will be making roaring fires each night to warm our bodies and souls.
Tentative Scheduled Activities
Happy hour and sumptuous dinner by the campfire every night
Friday night mini-Shabbat service
Group hikes each day of various levels, including some bouldering
Stop on the way home at Desert Hot Springs Spa (modest fee) & Cabazon Outlets
RSVP Info
To join us, please email JOA promptly to let us know you are coming. Minimum age is 25. Spots will only be secured once a check is received. Make check payable to Ami Alon and mail to:
Ami Alon
9025 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 303
Beverly Hills, CA 90211-1827
Deadline:
Early-bird ($90) postmarked by 1/28/09.
From 1/29/09 and on, $110.
Note: Space is limited. Reserve your spot early!
Cancellation Policy:
· 50% refund for cancellation by 2/2/09.
· No refunds thereafter.
Note that we will proceed with the camping trip even if the weather reports indicate questionable weather. However, in the rare chance that the park closes due to weather conditions, we will obviously cancel the trip and refund all participants.
Logistics will be sent about 10 days prior to the trip date, to those who RSVP. Campers will be assigned to help out for dinner preparation and cleanup during the weekend.
Links
Joshua Tree National Park:
www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm (760) 367-5500
Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel:
www.dhsspa.com/ (800) 808-7727, (760) 329-6000
REI:
www.rei.com/index.jsp?stat=header_home Manhattan Beach (310) 727-0728, Northridge (818) 831-5555, Santa Monica (310) 458-4370
A16:
adventure16.com/ West LA (310) 473-4574, Tarzana (818) 345-4266
Cabazon Outlets:
www.cabazonoutlets.com/ (951) 922-3000 (located along the route)
Liability Release
Please be advised that Jewish Outdoor Adventures (JOA) is a Not-For-Profit organization. It operates without a budget and it has no profits. It does not carry any insurance. All funds collected are used for the benefit of participants. Any surpluses are used for future programs. You participate in this, or any other JOA activity, at your own risk. A liability release form must be signed once before participating in a JOA activity. If you have not signed one before, please ask for it and it will be emailed or faxed to you. You will need to sign it and return with your payment.
For more information contact:
Lewis Groner:
lgroner@jewishfoundationla.org, Office, (323) 761-8722
Ami Alon:
JewishOutdoor@Yahoo.com, Office (310) 858-6875