Tuesday, July 21, 2009

A much needed change of scenery

A few days ago, I had to miss out on all the fun at PCTR's Sequoia Trail Run. This morning, I decided I really miss that park! I printed out the 10K course directions, loaded up the car with Jana, Spike, Izzy, & Boomer and headed up to Oakland. We were shocked to find the fog when we got to the top of the hill, but it sure made for some beautiful pictures. The first one is the meadow, minus all the PCTR stuff and people. Enjoy!










Our plan was to hike/walk the 10K loop. I figured this would take roughly two hours, with my slow pace right now. It was very beautiful and peaceful there. It was a perfect hiking day and the dogs had a BLAST! They love it when it's cool and the ground is wet.
Oh, I said "our plan" was to hike the 10K loop, right? Well, we missed a turn off of French Trail, onto West Ridge Trail. This took us waaaaaay down French Trail, to Chown. On a weekday, there's not a lot of people out there. Finally, a trail runner comes by and we get our directions back to where we need to be. He tells us to go back to Fern Trail, take that up to West Ridge Trail and head back, zig zagging this way and that way, through this parking lot and that one. Lord. What should have taken two hours, took 4.5 hours!!! Thank goodness I had one bag of Gu Chomps that I could share with Jana and all three doggies. Oh well. We had a lot of catching (chatting) up to do anyway.
Until later.............

16 comments:

Marci said...

Wow, that scenery is stunning!! Glad you are getting out to hike. This will really help when you are able to run again!

RunningLaur said...

Those are some great photos!

It sounds like the woods has missed you, and tricked you into spending more time together. heehee.

Drs. Cynthia and David said...

Nice hike and gorgeous pics! (and happy dogs)

I was going to suggest that you take a look at Steve Ansel's post from last Jan 6 (Mountain Man Steve). He discovered (via his physical therapist) that his calf pain was due to scarring, and the scar tissue needed to be broken up some before his injured muscle could function normally even though it had healed. I suspect you have similar scarring problems. Even my tiny knee puncture still hurts, and I'm sure it's scarring- I am having to ignore the pain knowing that it is no longer meaningful (not injuring anything), and luckily it is steadily getting better. So have fun with all those fun exercises! It sounds like you are well on your way to recovery now! Just be careful please!

Cynthia

sneakersister said...

Great shots!!!

Looney said...

Now that is making me jealous. It looks sooo cool. Running here means 90+ degrees, 90% humidity, and 90 mosquitoes per mile.

Lily on the Road said...

So glad you were able to catch up on "a much needed chat" and so glad that Boomer and his friends had a blast.

Your photo's are stunning, you live in a fantastic location...glad you were able to wander around for 4.5 hours, it must feel GREAT!

chris mcpeake said...

Great pics. What a wonderful place for a hike (or better yet a run)

Unknown said...

so pretty. my gosh, the trees are soooooo tall.

That must have been fun. :-)

Kathleen said...

Wow, you got to run in such georgeous scenery. Great pics!

Dave - Atlanta Trails said...

you went on the 20/30/50 course :)

your subconscious is trying to tell you something...

Mark said...

Looks like a beautiful place...ankle isn't going to stop you! Be careful:)

Suzanne Halekas said...

The intersection of French and Chown is where I always see people with their maps out! You can take it up to the ridge too -- it's more gradual than Fern.

I'm glad you had a lovely day but please be careful and don't overdo it!

Aron said...

BEAUTIFUL pics!!!!! glad you got to get outside with the doggies :)

TonyP said...

Gorgeous, just gorgeous.

JenZen said...

OMG that is soo gorgeous!!! And I Love how you took your babies along. What a great trek!

RBR said...

I love the first picture of Boomer. It is the very definition of a happy dog!

Glad you got some new scenery as long as you are still babying that ankle. We want that sucker healed! ;o)