Hiking Stats: A Walk in the Park (State Park!)

OK, so, I considered not mentioning my recent hikes because they have all been about 5 miles each, about 1500 feet elevation gain and no real progress towards my Twitter Team Mera goals (except I do think my fitness is increasing!) I have been carrying 20 plus pounds in my pack each time and it has been over 80F degrees , which greatly adds to the fatigue factor.  But todayyyy…there was something worth reporting and don’t even consider griping that my picture isn’t very close or sharp because it was a RATTLESNAKE! Actually, I’m not scared of them. I find them fascinating and beautiful, in fact.  But you learn to keep a respectful distance when you live in Southern California and you hear stories of how very excrUUtiatingly painful it is to experience a bite, even if you don’t end up dying from it. Ouchie!

Male Black Headed Grosbeak, Serenading

This guy was a wee one but he did rattle his little twizzler when he was gently nudged off the center of the narrow trail.  My hiking pal Kathy suggested we leave him there, but I expressed my concern that another hiker might step right on him and hurt him! haha No, really, it was a risk for both humans and the little legless creature if there were to be a bad encounter.  So we did our good deed and gawked at his magnificent patterning then encouraged him to be trail safe and avoid human type creatures.

Striking!...Patterns 🙂

Other than the excitement of the reptilian kind on these past hikes (one was with Gretchen!  Yes, she’s breathing again! 🙂 ), there was some lolling and sunning on some big boulders, some bird watching, talking, laughing, some close encounter hummingbird hoverings due to lovely pastel garments, some munching on some of the best sandwiches ever made (if I haven’t mentioned previously, all food, no matter how bland normally – even rice cakes, I imagine – tastes 1,328 % better after a long hike), splashing in spring mountain streams…did I mention talking?

Lizard Push-Ups - Please excuse the blur; it IS an action shot!

Oh yes, and lizard push-ups, which is more reptilian excitement. I love the boldness of lizards.  They hold their ground, I tell you! And what’s more, if you stare them down, they first cock their head sideways as if to say, “Hmmm, the force is strong with this one; I am left with no alternative but to escalate my offenses to push ups to show this giant that this here log/rock/square inch of dirt is my domain”, and then proceeds the show of fearsome up-down-up-down to truly intimidate you so you flee the area immediately-giggling.

Dusk view of Tahquitz or Lilly Rock (& my favorite snag)

Oh yes, and another thing. No post about hiking is entirely complete without sharing (and gloating about) my culinary indulgences after said hikes.  Here is a decadent dessert I enjoyed at Cafe Aroma: Lemon Panna Cotta with Berries and Rosemary Biscotti.

Lemon Panna Cotta a la the Dear Ketia, Cafe Aroma

I love hiking. Can you tell? Thanks for coming along the trails with me.  If you liked this post, click here for more hiking adventures.

(All photos by G. Stark unless of her! lol)