Time keeps marching on. And it always seems a little faster every day. Working lots of hours, some of them online, though I did need to take a few days off for a Texas trip in September. Not my first time to Texas, but I saw Austin for the first time and went to the Wendish Fest in Serbin. It was quite an adventure that I told already family and friends all about, not to mention hand wrote a journal version on acid free paper. So, I’ll be marching right on past that, onward to more relevant items, mainly the Saddleback Mountains, my giant secret place.

First: I finally got back to see my great love Old Saddleback, as they used to call it. My Covid hike was the last time I step foot in my mountains, which is likely my longest absence in many years (about 6 months!). This trip was short, and LONG overdue and also apropos (more on how a little lower). The occasion was Madame Helena Modjeska’s birthday. This October 12, she would have been 182 years old. Many people don’t know of her, but we know of Madame Modjeska in The OC. Helena was the Shakespearean actress from Poland who built a home out here in Old  Saddleback during the late 1800s. We have a canyon and a major peak named after her now. Both are lovely places to visit. I’ve scrambled up Modjeska peak many times to sit in solitude above The OC, and I’ve driven through her canyon countless times, as it is the road to many wonderful trails and secret places.

Madame Modjeska’s Home:

So, why is my return to Old Saddleback so apropos? Well, this year, the Saddleback Marathon has returned. Registration has been open since September and I’m busy trying to get the word out. We’re super excited about the race this year. Same start / same finish, lower Blue Jay campgrounds. We’ve got a great team putting this together. Check us out and help us spread the word!

otrraces.com