Recruitment Night - Brewbaker's
June 2004

Over 45 Trailblazer's and potential new members whooped it up at Brewbaker's in HB. We filled our bellies with homemade root beer and hand-rolled Pretzels. Speaking of rolling, Dennis the owner, walked a keg out to the side walk where the kids hopped on, one at a time, to practice their balance with some fancy footwork and body twists. Everyone enjoyed themselves at our end-of-the -school year event-even if the Lakers lost! 

Magic Castle
May 2004

Almost fifty Trailblazers marched into the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood.  The turn-of-the century building looks like a haunted house with it's dark narrow passageways and rooms hidden behind sliding bookcases.  The three magic shows bewitched and bedazzled everyone.  Did they read Bob Kreidel's mind?  How did Master Lonski's head disappear then reappear in the magical box unscathed, despite being skewered with eight sharp arrows?  Between shows we feasted on an expansive selection of delicious breakfast and luncheon foods followed by a desert or two.  Poor Irma, she died and her spirit now haunts the Parlor Piano.  How does she play every tune that anyone requests?

ATV Trip
April 2004

The weather was great with none of the usual wind!  We had a delicious barbecue and had lots of fun exploring the trails with our dads and friends on the ATVs.
Sarah & Christine McIsaac

Best trip of the year!  Sunny and warm as opposed to the usual cold and windy.  I think the date change had something to do with that!  The Dodd Saturday night bbq was delicious and did you catch the special Dodd lunch too?  Food was great!

Can't forget the fireworks too!  Always fun to watch!

The ATV riding was fun too.  Our Trail Boss included some special riding tips of what not to do, or was that how to react!  Thanks, Dan!
Libby, Evan and John Archer

Whale Watching
March 2004

Have you ever gone whale watching?   I had the experience to go whale watching in Dana Point with my family.   Although we were unfortunate about seeing a whale, we saw sea lions in the harbor.   The boat was slightly crowded, but it was an enjoyable experience.   After we had gotten off of the boat some/most people from Trailblazers went to El Torito.   My dad had a balloon hat made for my friend and I, It was really cool! I would like to go whale watching next year too.

Snow Skiing & Snow Boarding
February 2004

The Trailblazers descended on Big Bear for a winter weekend of snowboarding, skiing and overall fun!  Our side-by side-lodges were comfortable and clean and the pool table was in constant use.  Y program director, Stacy Mungo, led us in playing several exciting games, especially a Charade-type game that revealed some hilarious acting by many of our members. The snow conditions were superb and everyone enjoyed the trip!

Bike Ride
January 2004

Today was the annual Bike Ride to Breakfast Family event which drew almost 50 people.  The weather was sunny but brisk as we pedaled out of the beach parking lot at Brookhurst and PCH.  We followed the bike path to Newport Beach to gather at Mutt Lynch's for food, fun, games like pool and pin-ball, and comradery!  After breakfast, we took a group picture on the beach!  Some of us went on the the Wedge while others pedaled back to Huntington Beach!
Brit and Dan Hazard

Christmas Walk report (word document)
December 16, 2003
by Ian Smith
 

November Event
Mystery Trip

Colorado River Trip Report
Oct 2003

Little Harbor, Catalina
August 2003

If you didn’t know where you were you’d swear you were on a South Sea Island in Paradise. This gorgeous cove, known as Little Harbor, sits on the “backside” of Catalina. It is an idyllic setting torn from the pages of Michener’s classic novel “South Pacific”. 

The Trailblazers spent two days having their own adventure in paradise. On uncrowded beaches, we swam and snorkeled, exploring the shallows and the reef at the mouth of the harbor. Many families took turns to paddle the two-person kayaks across the silver wavelets of the large cove and gaze down into the kelp forest to spot fish, like the numerous Orange Garibaldi. 

After Saturday’s breakfast, everyone took their turn to introduce themselves and describe their favorite activities. Then Ranger Rick, from the Catalina Conservancy, gave us a presentation on the history of the site, dating back 10,000 years describing how it was used by the “Tongva” Indians. 

At dusk, a small herd of buffalo ambled down the mountain to drink from the brackish water of a small marsh, just yards from the wide sandy beach where the Tongva kept their canoes many ‘moons ago’.   Buffalo trails traverse the wide-open hillsides, making for nice hiking paths that some of us walked. The reward was panoramic views of the island and the blue Pacific Ocean. 

Our two campsites covered about a half an acre; more than enough room for our group of thirty to spread out their tents. The picnic areas each had three large tables under a sunshade and the fireplaces crackled with hardwood and palm frons for our nightly campfire. The bright half moon illuminated the site as the kids scurried around laughing and playing. In the east, Mars, in an unusually close orbit to earth, appeared to be a plane light at first, until we realized it was stationary. The dads commented on how well all the kids behaved and interacted which is no small feat with a mix of boys and girls from 10 to mid teens! 

Time passed too quickly. Sunday morning, the safari bus gathered us up and returned us to Two Harbors, where we lunched and idled on the beach, waiting for the ferry and our return trip to the mainland - and reality.  It was a good trip, a very good trip, and a new adventure for many of our members!

Type up your favorite Trail Blazers memory and e-mail it to John Archer at then it will posted