So…what to do? It’s 11 am and already 85 degrees, not a cloud in sight and the only way up is pretty darn steep…and your navigation tool shows no way out. Well, not being of the males species, we asked for directions!  And in doing so, met our guardian Angel, Portuguese Bend resident Joan Kelly!

Joan was in her front yard gardening when we caught her attention and asked if she could recommend a “gentler” way up the hill. She instantly responded by telling us, there was no other way out and she absolutely discouraged us to attempt the climb in the heat. She and her dog make the hike several mornings a week, but always return by 8:30, the heat is too intense at this hour. But the thing is, Joan didn’t just tell us good luck, drink lots of water and have a good day.  Instead, she ran into the house, came back with her car keys and insisted in driving us back to our cars at Del Cerro park…just a short drive (not!).

Joan wouldn’t take no for an answer (not that we were going to tell her no) so we all piled into her Lexus that happened to have enough seats for the five of us. (Thanks Leanne for climbing into the back.) During our “short” ride to the top, which really was a 10 minute winding route through Palos Verdes, Joan explained that she was a member of the Portuguese Bend Conservancy and had worked to help save the land in this beautiful area for public use.  She also serves as a trail guide and, (she may have said this just to make us feel good) has often taken hikers just like us, back up the hill.

On Saturday, Joan truly was our guardian angel in her Lexus chariot. And we were eternally grateful. 🙂

Joan saved the day.

In the spirit of paying it forward, Joan asked that we visit her other passion –             Ten Thousand Villages at 1907 Catalina Avenue in Redondo Beach.  The organization’s mission is to provide fair wage income for people in the developing world by marketing their handcrafted products and sharing their artisan stories. The store has fair trade treasures from throughout the world, including gifts, home decor, personal accessories, jewelry, chocolate, coffee and more. In fact after taxiing us around, she was off to work there. So let’s all make sure to stop by and do some shopping to support the cause. (Maybe we can do so on one of our South Bay walks.) Visit their website for all the details.  It sounds like a wonderful place:  Ten Thousand Villages *

So Joan, here’s to you!  Thank you for reminding us why we walk and that the world is full of wonderful women who don’t hesitate a moment to help others, rescuing a car full of strangers or ensuring that women and girls around the globe have better lives.

Here’s to Joan and a wonderful, serendipitous day.

Ahh, the toast…well, after Joan dropped us at our cars, we did find out way to the Original Red Onion, just a few minutes away.  Ordered our drinks pronto and enjoyed an atmosphere that had a great 60s vibe.  Food was pretty good too.

*For more information on Ten Thousand Villages,

LIKE THEM ON FACEBOOK: Ten Thousand Villages Redondo Beach Facebook

Or call 310-465-1600 or email redondobeach@tenthousandvillages.com.