Last day of the long weekend and I managed to get in a hike with my swim and trail buddy Tema and her wonder dog Lucy. For lack of time and a better idea, we did the Mulholland-Mandeville-Garden Land - San Vicente loop again. It's a perfect hike when you only have a couple of hours and want a cardio challenge without killing yourself: Close by, varied terrain, and dog friendly. Lucy is a recent rescue lab mix from Kern county, and is turning into a great hiking companion.
The marine layer never lifted, so our walk was cool and misty the whole way. Tema and I chatted throughout the 5+ mile loop, and were back at the car before we knew it. If we walked 5 miles, Lucy must have done 10, scaling steep cliffs in her non-stop traverses.
As we drove back, Tema and I agreed that we have to get in a hike every weekend between now and August 22nd, when we return to the Yosemite High Country for our 2nd annual Old Ladies Gone Wild week in the wilderness. Long story, but suffice it to day that it's a not-so-secret society in which Zoe is an honorary member.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Birthday Weekend
I celebrated a milestone birthday this Friday. I have always loved having my birthday 2 days before the USA's. I can count on lazy days with lots of casual parties complete with fireworks. This year being a round number, I had two parties: an intimate family backyard asado on Friday in Silverlake, and the full on princess treatment last night on our deck. My wonderful talented loving hubby cooked for 2 days straight, and my lucky friends gathered to enjoy a delicious summer feast.
The directive was no gifts, and thankfully most everybody respected the rule. But my bff Laurien found me really cool little hiking gift -- Chronicle Books "Hooked on Hiking" 50 Hiking Adventures in Southern California." It's a deck of sturdy cards with one hike detailed on each. There's a hole punched in the upper left hand corner of each card, and they're held by a caribener. So if you're going to Joshua Tree, where there are 3 or 4 hiking cards, you can just take those. Or just clip the card for a single hike onto your dayback.
I of course immediately read through the whole deck, and now more than ever want to go hiking/camping in Kings Canyon and Sequoia. Maybe not in the "cards" this year, as I seem to be employed full time through fall.
Parting thoughts on my birthday passage: If I've learned anything in the past 6 decades, it's that I don't know shit. But the one thing I do know is that I love my friends and family - Thank you one and all!
The directive was no gifts, and thankfully most everybody respected the rule. But my bff Laurien found me really cool little hiking gift -- Chronicle Books "Hooked on Hiking" 50 Hiking Adventures in Southern California." It's a deck of sturdy cards with one hike detailed on each. There's a hole punched in the upper left hand corner of each card, and they're held by a caribener. So if you're going to Joshua Tree, where there are 3 or 4 hiking cards, you can just take those. Or just clip the card for a single hike onto your dayback.
I of course immediately read through the whole deck, and now more than ever want to go hiking/camping in Kings Canyon and Sequoia. Maybe not in the "cards" this year, as I seem to be employed full time through fall.
Parting thoughts on my birthday passage: If I've learned anything in the past 6 decades, it's that I don't know shit. But the one thing I do know is that I love my friends and family - Thank you one and all!
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