Sunday is a great meeting. We have a delightful leader who is sweet, encouraging and dedicated. Last week she invited all of us to take a hike at the Santa Rose Plateau which is a beautiful group of trails set in an Ecological Reserve in Southern California. I could not make the 1:30 pm group time, but instead brought my family about an hour later...we were to hike the Hidden Valley Road Trail on the Abode Loop...
The trails are framed by beautiful meadows and towering oak trees. The critters that scour the area are coyotes, bob cats, deer, bunnies and various reptiles I don't want to think about...(I hate snakes...I know we need them, but I really hate them...). The view was breath taking....we recently had some rain so everything was green and glowing...the wild flowers are out...California is gorgeous this time of year...
The trail said the loop was about 2.2 miles. I thought well, I am out of shape, but I love hiking, love being with my family, and I can do this...its only two miles right?
Well what my beloved leader did NOT tell me is that it is 2.2 miles to the adobes, and ANOTHER 2.2 miles back...which we did not find out until we were AT the adobes...I mean I saw both trails and thought...its a loop right??? WRONG.
Like a misguided fool I did not get a map. I just started to hike...well after 2.2 miles we arrived at the historical adobes, just to be told by some nice people (who must have laughed with glee)
"Oh you have to walk ANOTHER 2 miles back through the trail to get back..."
My worn out legs and feet screamed in protest. But I knew I had no option but to hike it back. My sweet man decided that there had to be a better way back than using the same trail...so we went back on the coyote trail, which we discovered was closed once we got half way down the trail...I was about to cry...I did not sign-up for this!
My trailblazing man then saw a road...the Hidden Valley Road (revealed thank GOD). We hiked off the trail through the meadow (don't tell anyone ok? you are not suppose to get off the trail...well screw that I was tried!). The road lead to the highway and we walked about 1/2 mile back to our parking lot....
My pedometer said 5 miles total I walked, but I think it lied to me! It felt more like 10.
Here is the thing....I MADE IT. I proved to myself I can hike at a reasonable pace for 5 miles...
What did I do as soon as I got home? Logged my 10 activity points with pride...and read about the Vernal Pools Trail which is another 5 mile hike...which I am going to try next weekend ;)
I am a glutton for punishment...and a stubborn woman...I want to see the pools before they dry...LOL
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