Hike Bike Kayak, Inc. was founded in 2000 by Amy Kangleon. The company offers multisports adventures and fitness classes for those visiting San Diego or for locals. Hike Bike Kayak (HBK) covers just about everything for those who want to get outdoors and check out natural sights or to experience a hardcore workout.

HBK offers surfing lessons, hikes, biking tours, rentals, beach workouts (such as Boot Camp), spinning classes, walking tours, team building events, and a Girls Scouts badge program.

My daughter Candy and I opt for all day package where we participate in hiking, biking, and kayaking. Nadine is Team Building Activities Leader who greets us with a big smile and an English accent. She was born and raised in England and has a degree in Travel and Tourism Management. She has traveled to New Zealand, China, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina. Nadine makes sure that all necessary forms are filled out, gathers proper equipment, and takes care of our lunches, showing us where snacks are and she takes care of our lunches.

Eli, a buff and totally California kind of guy, is our guide. He has also traveled to many exotic locations. As a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor, there aren't many people who can give me a good challenge, but Eli definitely exemplifies California lifestyle with his love of San Diego, knowledge of activities, and great character. Buff enough to challenge those who want a great adventure yet compassionate enough to check on "yours truly" to make sure I was keeping up on bike ride through streets of La Jolla. (Okay, so I'm not used to riding my bike in traffic. Even my daughter passed me on her bike!)

Why am I rock climbing?

I contemplate reasons in my head for hundredth time.

Rock climbing and sleeping in desert. Two things I would never consider doing, not in a million years. But then again, through years there were many things I’ve done in my quest for balance in life; accomplishments that I never saw myself doing, such as speaking in public, having a life outside of children and housework, and becoming an athlete. However, after careful consideration, I still didn’t know why I am venturing into climbing, but it is something I need to do for myself. (Photo left: A buddy system always works best — two are better than one.)

Marian Marbury of Adventures in Good Company prepares me by providing information about trip: what to expect, what to bring, contact info to reach others. Her website and letters offer links to wonderful photos and facts of Joshua Tree National Park, climbing, and car camping in desert. Marian has thirty years of experience in backpacking, hiking, and canoeing, and ten years of climbing experience — she definitely knew her stuff — That's why she started Adventures in Good Company in 1999.

Marian’s guides and staff are qualified and experienced. In fact, Kathy Cosley is quite a celebrity in field of mountaineering — she was first ever amongst men and women to be certified in mountaineering and rock climbing.

However, desert brings to mind desolation and death; images of blowing sand, cow skulls, and an occasional tumbleweed rolling. Oh, and eerie Western music from Clint Eastwood’s, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” plays along in my mind as I think of this Mojave Desert ecosystem. After my research I could not picture this “fascinating” world.

Joshua Tree National Park is a surreal world of geologic displays. I have fallen into a computer-created movie where mountains of rocks, enormous boulders of varying sizes defying gravity, sitting one on top of other, forming a mountain. They look as if a giant placed rocks in these arrangements, perhaps creating a booby trap tumbling down any second and crushing everything in their path.

There is no death and desolation here either. No cow skulls and occasional tumbleweeds; instead, life and an amazing story of survival! Desert plants and grasses with unbelievable blooms reveal their patience, waiting upon rain — for a long, long time, not giving up but holding on and finally getting water they need, blossoming in beautiful arrays, desert now looking more like a meadow. People tell me about beauty of springtime desert, now in a rainbow profuse wtih enthusiasm and passion. My overwhelming senses inhale sights.