Monthly Archive: May 2010
Creek Trail Diary
All in all it was a very good weekend. Started off with nice bike ride on Saturday morning. Just John Downing and I. Little bit of a wind as we made our way out the Alameda Creek Trail. As we ride out past Coyote Hills, on the last two miles of trail before it ends where the creeks flows into San Francisco Bay, we take a detour onto one of the seldom used trails that skirt in between two of the old salt ponds.
The Wildflowers, bursting with yellows, are head high and all around us as we make our way out to where this part of the trail ends. People hardly ever come out this way, and thats why a pink flamingo has decided to make this his home. This guy has been here off and on for the last few years! Amazing! Who knows where it came from or where it goes the other few months of the year, but for the most part, this flamingo has been here 24/7, rain or shine, in his little corner of the old salt reclamation pond. I don’t think too many people even know about it. But we do!
So we always joke on our rides that we “see something new” every time we ride, and its really true. In addition to the flamingo, we also saw a raven flying away with a live mouse in his mouth! NATURE BABY!!! Also found a rusty old sledge hammer out in no mans land.
After our ride we always head to Starbucks for a cool down and coffee, but darn it if I didn’t remember my wallet. I told John that sooner or later someone would come by that I knew who I could get to buy me a coffee. So John and I are just chillin, enjoying the morning and *SMOOCH* I get a kiss on the neck and, ITS BARB!!! And shes got money for coffee! All is well in the world. Kelly even showed up at Starbucks on her way to work!
Memorial Weekend
Memorial weekend, the traditional start of SUMMER!!! We finally got some decent weather around these parts and we were able to get out and take advantage. Saturday morning bike ride with the boys was a great way to kick start the weekend. Mission Peak hike yesterday, and it about kicked our ass! Sometimes its harder than others, and this time was hard. But as hard as it was, we still made it to the top. There was a guy up top who had tied an American flag to the pole that marks the “unofficial” top of Mission Peak. People were having their pictures taken. Very good and very cool.
His plan was to leave the flag up there for a couple of days, then come back and get it. But for now, he was just enjoying the morning on the peak taking pictures for all kinds of people who wanted a cool remembrance of their hike to the top of Mission Peak.. When I asked him to take our picture, he asked me if I was in the Marines ( I was wearing my USMC t-shirt), I told him that my daughter was a Marine. OOO-RAH!!
I\’m the Lucky One
Twenty- Five years ago Tuesday, Barb married me. The luckiest day of my life. In the 9125 days between then and now, nothing has changed and everything has changed. Time has flown by and time has stood still. Sometimes at full charge and sometimes on auto-pilot. And through it all, we had love.
Kids. Friends. Birthdays. Little league. Holidays. Girl Scouts. Soccer. Dogs. Cats. Sickness. Health. Happy. Sad. Life. Death. Faith. Hope. LOVE!
We experienced it all together.
I love you babe.
High Mass on Mission Peak
Barb and I hiked Mission Peak this morning. First time in a while. The reason we were hiking today was because Father Mat was having mass on the peak. He announced it a month ago and we were looking forward to it. Although the group was starting from Stanford Ave, we decided to go our normal Ohlone trail head, and meet them up top. We picked a great morning for a hike. We hit the trail a little before 8am, made our way up chalk hill, passed the FD415 sign, and paid homage to Al Shull there. Then it was on to the seasonal pond. Still some water in there but not for long I figure.
The shady single track that skirts Mill Creek road is always a favorite of mine. As we popped out of the shade and made our way up the fire road towards the peak, we saw wild turkeys, and even 4 deer grazing up on the hill in the distance. As we were nearing the peanut tree, Barb and I were wondering if we were going to beat Father Mat to the top. Of course not! As we trudged up the last few steps, we saw Father and a small group over near the rocks that surround the peak. About 14 people there for a very special mass. Father started by having everyone introduce themselves AND say how many time they had been to the top of Mission Peak. There was a couple who were there for the first time. Some had made it the top a handful of times. When it was Barb’s turn she very proudly said that we had hiked Mission Peak around 100 times. YEAH BABY!! WOOHOO!!!!!
It was windy on the peak, and a little chilly too. Father had already set the altar up so we were ready to go. It was a nice mass. Short, sweet, and in the most beautiful surroundings that we could ask for. We were set up so that we were facing Father Mat and looking out over the Sunol Regional Wilderness. Rolling green hills and cotton candy clouds against the blue. It was special.
After mass it was time for visiting and a short snack before everyone said goodbye and parted ways. We made our way back down the Ohlone side, said hello to a couple horses hanging out near the trail head and we were done. Home and into the hot tub and all is well in the world.
Thanks to Father Mat for making this Mission Peak hike one to remember.
Cold Canyon Hike
Took Wednesday off this week and headed up to Winters to go hiking with Matt Flaherty. Matt had said there is a real nice hike up Lake Berryessa way, so we decided to check it out. Barb and I arrived at the ranch around 11:30 , hooked up with Matt and his girlfriend Deb and headed over to Cold Canyon.
We lucked out and picked a beautiful day to hike. Matt and Deb led the way up the shady single track trail that skirted both sides of the creek. Even had to rock hop across the creek at one point. It was a gradual climb up into the canyon. Matt mentioned that the creek was totally seasonal and that in a few weeks it would be bone dry. But today it was flowing good. After awhile we came upon what Matt called “the foundation”. It was the foundation of the first house in the area. Long since torn down, all that remained
was low rock walls and, well, the foundation! This is where we took a break and turned around. The original plan was to do the 5-mile loop, but from this point on it would be a steeeeeeep climb up up up to the top of the mountain to where you could see Lake Berryessa.
We decided to save that for next time. But today we just enjoyed a nice easy hike and each other’s company. I’m glad to be able to spend time with young Matt Flaherty. He is a great guy, has grown into an outstanding young adult, and has a smoking hot girlfriend to boot. HAHA!! We’ve got to know Deb these last few visits to the ranch, and we like her a lot.
