March 26, 2006
Most of the higher quality shots are from Brian and Lis' cameras
Brian and Lis take me along for a hike, starting out from the top of Mt Diablo.
Up where we are, it's a clear day. For the folks in the interior valley, it's a different story however.
We get an unusual clear view of San Francisco.
It's still morning, and the haze hasn't built up quite yet.
Actually, if you look real well...
...you can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped sierras.
Anyway, it's gettin' chilly up here - let's all get started.
[a love for pine nuts]
Brian and Lis are carrying their 25 lbs packs, training for the Pacific Crest Trail in '07.
The only way from the summit is down, so we head on....down.
Spring as it is, there are lots of little waterfalls everywhere.
Near the Frog Pond, we find remains of an old swimming pool, a tennis court, and some buildings...must have been quite a resort back in the day.
Getting further and further away from our starting point...
me
Suddenly, there's a locked gate across the road.
Since it's less than a mile over to the next road, we start bushwacking our way across the hills...
|
It gets thicker and thicker...
...and increasingly spectacular.
There's also imminent danger lurking inbetween...
Gotta keep a better eye out for that poison oak.
Washing some of it off...
Up and down, down and up....one hill after the other.
a pebble in my shoe
It eventually becomes completely impenetrable, and our "loop" hike becomes an "in 'n out".
turning back
Finding our our way back is also not trivial, as there are many options....
Not to forget those extra 25 pounds...!
In any event - a gorgeous hike, on a gorgeous day.
That's a good day.