From info list Marian sent me I had noticed that Shiela is also from Missouri , just three hours away, so we communicate via e-mail before trip. So when finally camping in the desert it was like meeting a friend.

“Don’t ask if you can help with cooking and cleaning unless you absolutely want to.” Jan, Business Manager, cook, former emergency room nurse, and a great climber (as we soon discover) informs us. “This is YOUR vacation,” she said. “If you want to help, great, otherwise your only responsibility is to pack gear you need for each day and to have a great time.”

Wow! No cooking, no cleaning, no responsibilities but to have a good time? I can get used to this! I think that this climbing trip in desert isn’t such a bad idea even if boulders still look intimidating

Each morning starts with a delicious, nutritious breakfast. Snacks and plenty of fresh water are brought to our climbing sites. Lunch and dinner are even better, if that is possible. My idea of camp food is changed forever! Hot dogs, burgers, and chips? — NO! — these are not on menu, which could have appeared on a gourmet cooking show or perhaps some fine dining magazine. African Ground Nut Soup, Wild Rice Asparagus with Vinaigrette, Tortilla Rollups with Cream Cheese hors d’oeurves, fresh fruit and vegetables with hummus spread, Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges, and Slivered Almonds, Lemon Cake, chocolate!, and vintage South Australian wine. For vegetarians and for those who still want true camping experience with hot chocolate and such, trust me, there is quite a variety to choose from and EVERYONE is happy.

From all walks of life we arrive to rock climb. Among us is a geology professor, massage therapist, veterinarian, a mother of five, librarian, a student, an accountant, and a toy store owner. The ages range from 33-63; some are first time climbers, others are intermediate, and a few are advanced.

Each day starts with usefully and necessary technical lessons, such as a fist jam, hand jam, foot jam, chimneying, and smearing. We practice bouldering and climbing on a short rock. No matter experience level, everyone gets a chance to try out new techniques or practice what they already knew before climbing; it is an adventure for everyone at any level.

Read this entire feature FREE with photos at: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/sports02/climb/joshua/joshua.html

By Lena Hunt Mabra, Cozumel Correspondent, Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com

I've joined up with a company called White Water Voyages, of which owner, Bill McGinnis, was named one of top paddlers of century by Paddler Magazine. Aside from being an excellent paddler and obtaining a Master's degree in English Literature, McGinnis pioneered White Water Voyages to be one that focuses on having an unmatched quality of service; and unmatched it was.

While stopping for lunch, I began to realize that our guides were not just professional paddlers, but also excellent chefs. Now I tend to eat a lot, especially if I don't have to pay extra for it. Try as I did, I simply could not put a dent in cornucopia they had arranged at each meal. I'm talking sandwiches, cookies, crackers, lemonade, boat-shaped watermelon and pineapple, vegetables platters, and salad; this wasn't just average river food. Each and every item was extremely fresh and tasty.

I don't mean to make you hungry, but if you don't mind, I'd like to take a little more time talking about this incredible fare because it was excellent, and I'm hungry. At camp site (which I'll get to in a minute), I had smoked salmon for dinner, corn on cob, fresh salad and beans, and a brownie soufflé that was ridiculously rich in chocolate. Then we woke up to eggs, sausage, bacon, omelets, and giant fluffy pancakes with real maple syrup. Cereal with milk, coffee and orange juice — I don't eat this well at home and here I was in middle of wilderness, eating like a king. Now If you'll excuse me for a moment, I need to take a break from article — I need to make a sandwich.

Ok, I'm back.

So food is incredible and service is definitely unmatched. Let me tell you about a few of guides. First there's Neal, a burly-bearded surfer dude whose reputation as a skilled paddler is closely challenged by his uncanny ability to make world's best pineapple boat. There's Darlene, an account executive from L.A. that drives up to Kern County every weekend to be a river guide. Then there's Felipe, a scrawny little Costa Rican boy with skills of a river god. All throughout trip, guides Ooohed and aaaahed at his tenacity to "surf hole" (a concept in which raft actually "surfs" upstream in a U-Shaped portion of water, stalling raft mid-rapid). Lastly, there was Bruce, AKA "Curly from 'City Slickers'." Curly piloted food and first aid kits down rapids, leaving an offering of river rocks to river gods for safe passage at each stop. But he didn't just put them in piles, he would deftly balance one upon another, creating graceful, eccentric cairns.

Read this entire feature FREE with photos at: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/sports02/raft/kern/kern.html

By Josh Edelson, Southern California Correspondent, Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com