Fall creek state park

The plan for the long weekend was rest rest and more rest, with some yoga thrown in. However, the hiking group decided that the best recovery is to just get back on the trail when I have been declared to be able to breathe again normally.

If the wife says I am hike worthy.. then guess I am..

We left at 7AM to drive to Scotts valley / Felton area to Henry Cowell state park area. There is a Fall creek state park as part of this elaborate complex of parks.

We hiked the big ben tree trail, the lost empire trail and a few other trails. It was interesting. Four plus miles of downhill and an almost non stop climb back up. Not exactly a starter hike for a guy who has been wondering where all oxygen was going after it passed through his nose.

There were Zero benches on this trail. So no bench photos.. I did stop a lot to take pictures..

There was plenty of water in the creek and the waterfalls were amazing!

The trees, the berries, the banana slugs, it was an interesting hike.. and the mosquitos..

standing inside the hollow of a burnt out tree that still stands is an amazing experience. These trees are hundreds of years old!

After the hike we stopped on the way in Felton at Ambrosia to get some Indian buffet.. have not had a buffet lunch in a long time. There was a lot of stuff for non-veg folks. I did not get my money’s worth, but the food was great! The daal and naan were fantastic.

Here is a video highlights reel..

A few things about this hike. It is not 8 miles. It is closer to 10. So don’t believe the comments on websites. The hike is moderately hard at places. It was pleasant and a better me would have had a lot more fun. Finally, there is plenty to see on this trail and it is mostly shaded. No benches but plenty of amazing views and the creeks full of water added vibrant views.

We might visit other trails in this state park area soon!

A day in Monterey

In what seems to be ages ago, San and me did a day trip to Monterey earlier this year.. this was between the India trip and our anniversary trip! 

It was a trip to go hiking with our jigiri dost's from morning to evening. Given our kids were not home, we drove early in the morning to meet them and started hiking.

It was cold and foggy as we made our way along the trail to see the coast line. 

Amazing views, lot of birds, deer, (some insects buzzing about) and seals in a cove with their little ones! Lot of work wtih the macro option as well ..

slide show of landscape photos..

and the rest of the highlight photos

 

We then went back to their place to have lunch. Had chai and then went back for another hike down to the beach! 

It was almost a private beach that day. Enjoyed that walk long the beach and drove back to bay area. 

It was a ton of fun and there were 200 photos and many video clips from that day..

Here is a video highlight

It deserved a blog post! 

We really enjoyed that day and still remember it! it was San's way of prepping me for traveling alone with her again and still have fun. 

It was a long drive in bad traffic on the way back. We realized there was no way we will make it home by dinner time.. so we stopped on the way at an Indian restaurant (my first time there). The food was good! 

Still have 2000+ pictures from that anniversary trip to Europe. It will take 2 years to write blog posts on that.. if my memory doesn't fade..

A change in perspective

Post Half dome, things seem to be different. Mentally.. those jitters of making it through 3-4 hour hikes in local parks seem to be gone. Granted it is the first and only data point, but it counts for something. 

It is rare for me to walk alone with San. Today we decided to just go and enjoy some together time and went to Wunderlich's Bear Gulch and Meadow trails. I was really not sure of being able to walk with the pace of a group and stress myself out. The last three miles of the half dome trip were still on my mind. After coming out of yoga class yesterday, thought my hamstrings were not up to it, but surprise surprise!! We did 7 miles in 2 hours 10 minutes including a Chai break and a few photo breaks. The photo setup times were a longer than usual. We were doing a steady pace and went up 1400+ feet and came down. Was able to walk as usual after the first 15 minutes..something loosened up somewhere and things turned out okay!

We got to see the sun rise over the bay area on what was a beautiful morning!

Not a bad start to a long weekend!

Here are some more pictures..

This place is just beautiful.. the sunlight streaming through the trees was like watching a dance!

Wasn't sure of the first one.. so took another one. Running from an iPhone placed delicately over a tree stump with a few other twigs to create a makeshift tripod has its challenges.. 

Went and got this trail special UV protect long sleeve hoodie from REI after a friend got it on the Half dome hike. It is very convenient and light and it is also thermal wear. Only thing is I should have worn my BYSJ shirt on the outside instead of on the inside. My usual T-shirt was soaked! 

That was an accidental click with the selfie being in portrait mode. It blurred the background, but turned out to be an interesting photo..so keeping it!

By the time the sun comes up the grass fields start looking like lava beds!

While making tea at 5:15 AM to get ready might not be appealing, drinking it after reaching the top of the trail, definitely makes up for it!

and finally a photo of me up inside a hollow tree..

This park is lovely and you get parking if you go early enough. Let's hope the rest of the long weekend goes smoothly!

I am starting to like walking alone with San as she is taking better photos every day! This is a good sign, given we will be empty nesters next year.