Angel Island State Park June 27, 2009

What a great day! Nikki, Davide, Rob, Kathleen, Jacob and I hiked to the top of Mt. Livermore on Angel Island (Kathleen actually took the perimeter road and toured the newly renovated Immigration Station). It was beautiful!! I sure hope they don't close this park.

Mt. Tam to Stinson Beach June 13th 2009

Today Rob, Jacob, Laura and I hiked what (in my opinion) is the most beautiful and ecologically diverse hike in the Bay Area. Where else can you get coastal woods, a rain forest, coastal scrub, and a beautiful beach, all in the same hike? Well - probably a lot of Northern California hikes... we're just lucky that way! We thought it was supposed to foggy and cool, maybe even some drizzle. But instead, we had a beautiful day - partly cloudy and warm, turning into sunny and warmer! I can do this hike again and again!

Sycamore Grove Park bike ride, May 17, 2009

Well - we have no pictures to prove it, but we biked the 5 mile out and back in scorching heat this Sunday! It was the hottest day of the year so far (maybe 100 +), but we left at 10:30 and made it back within an hour or so, avoiding the hottest part of the day. Me, Rob, Jacob, Jeff, Christa, Lisa, Hannah and Jonathan made the bike ride, joined by Laura and Jordan later for the bbq. Nice time on the back patio with the misters on, good food, great company (and lot's and lot's of cold beverages!). The kids all went over to the pool for a couple of hours to cool off. My camera is being repaired, as well as my ankle injury, and I hope to be on the hiking trail again soon.......(the short bike ride is about all I can do at this point!)

Morrison Canyon Road 4/22/2009

Ok - so it wasn't an official hike, and it was just Kristin and I, and there are no (incriminating)pictures since we were hiking during work hours, but it was 4 miles - 2 miles up and 2 miles down, then I dropped Rob's car off at Big O Tires in Pleasanton and walked 2 miles home in 84 degree heat....so I am counting this as a 6 mile hike! Felt good!!! I'll be sore tomorrow.

Redwood Regional Park 3/29/09

Today our group hiked a nice 3.7 mile loop through the North end of Redwoods Regional Park in the Oakland hills. We started at the Skyline Gate entrance and took the East Ridge Trail to Tres Sendes, down into a beautiful canyon with a stop for lunch (see picture). Then we made our way out and up along the Stream Trail to Prince Trail and then back to the trailhead along the West Ridge trail. It was a beautiful day for this hike! We're camping next weekend, and the weekend after that is Easter - so the next official hike will be the weekend of April 18th/19th....stay tuned!!

Black Diamond Mines rained out! 3/22/09

We postponed the Black Diamond Mines hike until next week because the weather was too "iffy", but Kristin and I decided on an impromptu hike up the Pleasanton Ridge. A grueling (I don't care what anyone else says!!) 5 miles or so STRAIGHT up (o.k....they may call it a 10% grade and there are some rolling hills at the top...but it feels like it was pretty much straight up to me) to about 1400 feet. It was absolutely beautiful! Green rolling hills, various oak species, cute cows grazing, wild turkeys trying to fly and crashing into trees, Turtle Pond, etc. It was an awesome kick butt hike, thanks Kristin!

For next week, 3/19 - we are meeting at 10 am on Sunday, at the Black Diamond Mines Regional Park at the end of the parking lot near the gate.

Coyote Hills Regional Park 3/15/09

Today Kathleen led us on a scenic 3.5 mile walk through Coyote Hills Regional Park. Lot's of birds - heron, ducks, nesting swallows, even a couple of hawks. Laura, myself, Rob, Sharon and her two kids, and Kathleen enjoyed a couple of hours of fresh air and bay area marshland wildlife. Good time!

Thanks Kathleen!!

March 8th Hike - Los Gatos Creek Trail

Hello hikers and bikers! Our next hike isn’t really a “hike”…Since the rain has made for muddy trails, we will be walking the path that runs along Los Gatos Creek. This is a paved path that allows bikes, scooters, skates, etc. Dogs are allowed on leash. We will meet at Campbell Park at 4 PM, Sunday. Campbell park is located on Campbell Ave. near HWY 17. Since daylight hours will be extended, we should be able to get a 4 mile loop in before it gets dark. After the long walk (because that’s really what it is) we will head over to downtown Campbell for a bite to eat! See you Sunday!

Lake Del Valle, February 28, 2009

Jeff, Rob, Christa and I decided to brave the "hill from hell" hike for one of our first this season. The weather was perfect for this type of hike - overcast and cool! I was afraid it would be much harder, having missed this hike last year, but it turned out to be "not too terribly bad".....albeit a great workout!

We're Back in Action!!

Wow - has it really been since May of 2008 that we hiked our last "organized" hike as a group?? I guess summer vacations and heat got in the way. Not this time! We are all taking turns planning hikes and maybe we go, maybe we don't. It's all good! Personally - I am committed to hiking the ridge once or twice a week, plus doing whatever weekend hike we have planned. Take this weekend for example - Jeff, Christa, Rob and I are going to tackle the horrendous hill at Del Valle on the Arroyo Road side. Just past Wente Winery (I'll be looking back longingly as we drive by.....). Wish us well!!