Hiking Fall Creek

Today I left my camera behind for a change and Jason and I hiked about 9 miles into Henry Cowell State Park in the Fall Creek Unit. We started at the parking lot on Felton Empire Rd. and went straight up Fall Creek trail. We turned left at Big Ben trail, then descended right down Lost Empire Trail and met back up with Fall Creek/Bennett Creek.

This was by far the most challenging hike I've done in years and I was amazed at how much all my time at the gym has paid off this summer. My foot is almost totally rehabbed, although my ankle is still relatively weaker on the right side and was sore by the end of the trip. My foot didn't hurt but it was relatively swollen. Speaking of swollen, I did get stung by a freak forest bee! Good thing I'm not allergic. I'm stoked to have completed such a (for me) long hike.

I have taken pictures at Fall Creek before, though I'm glad I wasn't lugging my camera this time. It's a gorgeous part of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Spring Cleaning

Golden Gate Park, originally uploaded by sgrace.

This time of the year always gives me the urge to simplify.

A Special Place In My Heart For BS

A Special Place In My Heart For BS, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Banana slugs, that is.

Cloudy Daydream

Cloudy Daydream, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Happy Easter!

Happy Spring!, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Princess Buttercup

Princess Buttercup, originally uploaded by sgrace.

That's one of my nicknames for Tiki. This is what I come home to if I don't make the bed in the morning: a princess pitbull with her head on MY pillow. Sheesh.

Tiki Loves Tue

Tiki viciously licks Tue's ear.  I laugh ridiculously at the end because Tiki sneezes.  My morning coffee makes a silent, stoic cameo.

Like a Good Girl

I went to class today, even though I really didn't want to, seeing as I'm on vacation.  But I'm thankful I did because there was an in-class assignment that I forgot about.  Fortunately I had a good group.  Sigh.  I am SO TIRED of being a student.  That's a negative thing to say, but I think it is more the berocracy of the teacher credentialing system than the actual act of learning that is exhausting. 

I Found a Pair

I finally found a pair of shoes that fit my stupid orthodic inserts. Actually they're not stupid, they're awesome and my feet don't hurt anymore, but they are really hard to fit into anything but running shoes.  These are Softspots and I found them for under $40 on clearance at DSW in Santa Clara.  Comfortable heels; I don't believe it!  Next mountain to die on: black knee-high boots.

Deeper and Deeper

Today we're braving the rain and going over the hill so I can try and find some shoes.  I still have only two pairs that are really work appropriate, and I'm desperate to find a pair of boots.

I'm thankful, though, that I'm on vacation for a week.