While the Sun Shines

Make the most of a break in the weather.

A friend suggested an impromptu ride, and off we went!

The roadwork leading to Almaden Reservoir has finally been completed, no more one-lane traffic signal! [Guess I haven't been out there in a while.]

Along the way we merged with two other friends, ventured up alongside Herbert Creek until the pavement petered out, and rounded out the day with a lunch stop. Thirty-three miles, maybe 1,000 feet of climbing, a sandwich and a treat. Bike to eat ...

Triple Play

Normally I wouldn't plan to hike three days in a row ... it just worked out that way.

I wasn't sure I'd be up for a third day, and there was rain in the forecast. But ... why not? [Pack a rain jacket, just in case.]

What might I miss (besides the camaraderie)? Even in a familiar place, there is always something new to see. Especially in the rainy season.

The sky was brooding, but we stayed dry. Boots needed another hosing down at home, nonetheless.

We were motivated, as always, to enjoy another day on the trails—and completed our 5-mile loop well before the raindrops would begin to fall.

So glad I didn't stay home!

Hot Water?

With a trail named Agua Caliente, I was left wondering if there are hot springs somewhere in Ed Levin County Park. [Found no references.] Figuratively speaking, we were in hot water when we reached a very mucky stretch of the trail soon after starting out.

One person veered right, into the brush; another veered left, and slipped. I opted for the middle, more or less, and just muddied my boots before pausing to photograph the morass before moving on.

Waiting for the rest of our group to arrive, I had abundant avian company skittering about in the parking lot: noisy Red-winged Blackbirds, Great-tailed Grackles, and Brown-headed Cowbirds. What were they after?

I certainly didn't expect to find a Great Egret hunting along the trail, with long-lens photographers and casual gawkers mere feet away.

Climbing higher, we were afforded a quintessentially Bay Area view: rolling green hills and farm buildings in the foreground, stately homes transitioning to office/industrial sprawl and then marshland along San Francisco Bay, the Santa Cruz Mountains in the distance.

Cattle can be unpredictable, but this animal was more interested in grazing than messing with passing hikers.

I covered 3.6 miles with a few hundred feet of elevation gain, acquiring a new perspective on the region and a park I've biked past dozens of times.

Calero Calls

Joined some former colleagues for a modest hike with an occasional challenging grade (3.8 miles, some 500 feet of elevation gain) in a section of Calero County Park I had not visited before today.

Our trek afforded a clear view of the dam stretching across the reservoir, as well a clear view across the valley to Mount Hamilton and the Diablo Range.

Good timing; the hills were still green and the weather was just right. Our chosen trails traversed open grassland that would be baking hot in a couple of months. Too early for spring flowers, though.

Thanks to a few muddy sections, our charming four-legged companion (Charlie) was destined for a post-hike bath (as were my boots). I think he'd agree it was totally worth it!

Engineers ...

[Not] coming soon to a bike shop near you: An upright handcycle?

But, hang on ... the rider's legs were also spinning!

I'm sorry I didn't stop to chat with the fellow who rolled up on this curious machine, but it's a safe bet it was none other than Stanford's Richard Reis. (The “Full Body Bicycle” placard mounted on the front was my clue.)

A good 20 miles from the university, Dr. Reis clearly gets around. If our paths cross again, I'll ask why he didn't opt for belt-drive instead of chains. (Belts weigh less and need essentially no maintenance.)

In any case, I wouldn't want to cruise downhill on that thing ...

Bike More

Outlook for the week: Clear schedule. Clear weather.

Plan for the week: Ride bike.

The right moment, the right conditions, and even an ordinary place can suddenly be eye-catching.

I talked myself into another climb up Bernal. (Rainy days ahead!)

One of the advantages of solo riding is the freedom to take in the sights at a leisurely pace. To stop and admire things, like this engineering marvel. (Hard to judge the size from the photo—the nest is more than six inches long.) How did a bird build that?!

I appreciate camaraderie, too: Conversation and a reason to enjoy a luscious lemon meringue tart.

Plan for the week successfully executed: 110 miles, more than 3,000 feet of climbing, and plenty of fun with a bicycle.

Running Water

Oh so many years ago, when I was new to the Bay Area, a friend and I ventured to Uvas Canyon County Park in search of waterfalls. [We found none.]

That was likely due to clueless timing—we were probably there during the (dry) summer months. I think we turned back, disappointed, after finding a trail blocked by fallen trees.

Some trees adapt.

When our chief hiking instigator suggested the park for today's hike—for the waterfalls—I knew it was a brilliant idea. Surely they'd be flowing, and maybe the trails wouldn't be too muddy.

Indeed! We met a local who assured us our timing was spot-on: Too soon after a storm and the water would be muddy. Today? Splendid!

Our group has often biked into this park, for the challenge of the climb and to linger over our snacks in a such a lovely place. Parking is limited, so advance reservations are required . . . for those arriving in vehicles. [Today, we carpooled.]

Expecting to spend the day in the forest, I was surprised by the occasional view across the valley—even though we did not climb to the highest point in the park.

For a close-up of Upper Basin Falls, I found sure footing and extended my arm to get a clear shot around that boulder.

We spotted several clusters of Convergent Lady Beetles, an unusual (but natural) phenomenon that I'd not witnessed before. Our world is a wondrous place!

Even though this was prime time for waterfall viewing, we had the park nearly to ourselves—a big perk for weekday hiking. Our clockwise loop led us to the biggest waterfalls near the end, covering about five miles and crossing a wide, rocky stream with no mishaps. Hiking poles, for the win!

Oh, Snap!

Well, that's a problem.

I had regretted not riding on Saturday, when the rain arrived much later than expected. I was determined to ride today, but once I got a good look at the menacing clouds, I wondered if I'd chosen poorly. Clinging to the western hills, I hoped they were releasing moisture there (and only there).

Fortunately, I did stay dry. Whenever the sun broke through, I was too warm; but mostly the clouds kept me well-chilled.

Sunday's storm was characterized as a bomb cyclone; I stayed safely indoors. Prepared for the inevitable outage, I lucked out and only lost power for about five hours. Many of my neighbors did not fare so well—some were in the dark (and cold) until this afternoon.

Cruising around today, I was surprised not to see more damage along my 29-mile route: Two fallen trees on front lawns, mostly twigs and small bits of debris in the bike lanes. And then, well, that utility pole ...

More rain tomorrow.