I'm Walkin', Yes Indeed....

With a schedule that is out of sorts, walking has gone the way of the slippery slope. I've slid downhill all the way to nearly stopped. Woke up to a cool, breezy morn and said to myself - "SELF you've gotta climb that mountain!"... and, so I did ~

What it really came down to is me thinking about my Dad. He's not walking right now. He's unable. The effort that he is putting forth every day must be incredibly tiring. Such an awful thought - to lose the ability to use one's legs! Well, I've got mine and I am able. So, with that, Dad I will walk for you. What a splendid walk it was too. Views, vistas, color, fog, breezes and sun all wrapped into one two hour, couple mile journey....

an eddy of crepe myrtle blossoms

The gutters were filled with bright colored spent blossoms, circling in the wind....
I played hide-n-seek with a turtle...

 Views of the heavens. I've missed this..

Meadows of wildflowers...

Bees humming....

and a strangely spiritual  end to the uphill climb....>

Look very closely. Do you see the two fairies on the main lower branch? There were others on the ground too. What a peculiar thing to find hiding along the trail amidst the manzanita.

An omen??  A blessing?

Hiking and Heels Don't Mix

Dusty trails and sunshine while traipsing for 4 hours...

We still weren't to the top when we spotted this marker. Eleven miles was the final count. Shortness of      

breath was a steady companion of mine on this trek. I hadn't joined my hiking group in many weeks.  It   

felt good to accomplish this journey.       

                                                                                               

.                                                                                                                           

And just where does the hiking and heels come in??? Later in the day, of course.... 

The perfect attire was                                                                                                                                

set out, waiting for me to get off the mountain and shower-up for the evening event. We  were meeting        friends and family to toast a 21 year old and congratulate a graduate.  A just right t-shirt dress and high      heeled sandals for an outdoor party. Somehow I'd forgot to consider the years old bunion and peds that     ached from a morning of strenuous exercise. Switcheroo on the shoe choice and I was good to go! Never mattered an inkling about the aches or the shoes... smiles, reminiscing and happiness filled each minute....  

     

                                                       

                                                                                                                     

Thought of the day : Just remember -

HIKES AND SPIKES DON'T MIX!

     

Move Mountains

Climb hills!! Trek paths! Chat up new friends! All in a days pleasure - or days work - however you may see it! BOY HOWDY!! It surely was work today... and yet still enjoyable! Another Saturday, another hike.....

small part of hiking group

All of our hikes are done very locally. The Bay Area has abundant resources for hiking and nature!





approx 1900 ft climb



Pretty view, huh? well, yes! UNTIL you've got to get to the top!! We had already been hiking approximately 3 hours! Up one side of a canyon, back down into the valley and then UP this side!

Guess what?... I'm here to tell the tale....

Beautifully long day ......

Off to bed early!!

Pie Slices

That slice of life which I speak of with frequency was one huge piece this weekend. A cherry pie slice thanks to a friend!!  wink, wink to her....

Up with the songbirds in order to drive to the mountains and meet my hiking group. The scenery was everything I've come to expect in this beautiful part of the world. We're somewhat coastal in the Bay Area. There was fog, a threat of rain, cool breezes and...... uh oh! - plenty of sloshing through mud! Word was the last hike I missed had the group slip-slidin' away! Pleased that I opted out of that outing!

Landscape views in the morning ~

Family images by eve ~

A big ol' slice of pie was savored! A picnic of sorts was shared with many......

      QUITE ABUNDANT, THIS LIFE!!

A Dose of Healthy

When the cool of the morning melted away and the sun sought to give radiant warmth, we began the single file march. There were  eleven. I was the curious newbie. I've found a group of fellow trail-hike-lovers to join on weekends. A good dose of healthy exercise was in store for me. The plan was to accomplish a 14 mile jaunt through the woods in approximately 4 hours. Was feelin' powerful and powerful nervous too!

Castle Rock State Park

spelunking, anyone?

Picture perfect day for hiking with a crisp bite to the air and sunshine atop your scalp. It was a pleasure to meet this tribe. We did manage the trek in the time allotted even with stopping to photograph and enjoy the the scenery. Amazing this place I live!

the ocean is far off in the distance

the crew

Time breezed by, but also couldn't have gone much longer - my knees said one hill too many!

A dinner menu purposely planned to continue HEALTHY was next up for the afternoon. Nothing so good as the smell of chicken soup roiling on the stove top!

Cue evening, cue movie - serve up the soup and be thankful for that beautiful day!