At Drew and Carmen's

Spending the night at Drew and Carmen's house, we had a leisurely breakfast of scrambled eggs and pastries. After breakfast, we headed to Redwood Regional Park. Sharon and I have hiked this park twice in the past [January 2019 and May 2015.].


Carmen, Drew, Sharon and I ended up hiking 5.6 miles in just under three hours. The route included over a 1,000 feet of elevation gain! Sharon and I hadn't hiked the Madrone Trail or the switchbacks up the Chrown Trail before. It was a nice work out.

We stopped and got some Vietnamese Sandwiches for lunch at kibi's cafe in Orinda. After lunch, we explored their property.

While Carmen and Sharon went into Orinda to do some shopping, Drew and I watched the end of the Florida versus Texas Tech NCAA basketball game. Florida was down by nine points and came roaring back to win. We watched the first half of the Duke versus Alabama game. I was surprised that the game wasn't closer... I was interested in seeing Cooper Flagg play; he is projected as the first pick in the NBA draft.

Carmen made a nice dinner of pulled pork shoulder sandwiches, corn on the cob and coleslaw. We finished the night playing seven rounds of Mexican Train. Sharon was the big winner. We crashed after 10:30 pm.

Cronan Ranch

On Saturday, Sharon and I went to Cronan Ranch. We have hiked here several times before [2024 with Larkins, 2021 with Larkins, and 2020 with Tiber].

We ended up hiking 6.3 miles in two hours and fifty-two minutes. The hike included over 900 feet of elevation gain. There were some great views of the American River and the Sierras. We stopped and had lunch along the West Ridge Trail.

Lynch Canyon Open Space Park

On Saturday morning, Sharon and I went to the Lynch Canyon Open Space Park in Solano County. We tried to hike here in November but it was closed.

We ended up hiking 5.2 miles in about two hours and twenty minutes. The hike included a 663 foot elevation gain. There were some great views of the Napa River and San Pablo Bay from the North Ridge Trail. We stopped and had lunch along the Middle Valley Trail.

There a number of other trails and a connector trail to the Newell Open Space Preserve. We will probably come back in the future for another hike.

Nakasendo Trail Training Hike

Wednesday morning, Sharon and I hiked from Bannister Park to the Sunflower Drive-in and back. We had nut burgers for lunch at the Sunflower.

We covered 4.5 miles in an hour and forty-four minutes. The average pace was 23:07 minutes per mile.

Nakasendo Trail Training Hike

Sunday morning, Sharon and I hiked at Banister Park. We covered 4.8 miles in two hours. The average pace was 23:13 per mile.

We are starting to train for our hike in April. We are taking a guided 11-day, 10-night walking tour of the Nakasendo Trail with Walk Japan.

The Nakasendo Trail, also known as the Road Through the Central Mountains, is a historic trail in Japan that connected Edo (present-day Tokyo) with Kyoto during the Edo period. Many of the post towns along the trail, such as Magome and Tsumago, have been well-preserved, offering a glimpse into traditional Japanese architecture and lifestyle. Walking through the preserved post towns provides a unique cultural experience. The trail also offers stunning views of mountains, forests, and rivers.

New Year's Day 2025

Sharon and I hiked with the Larkins and the Holbrooks in the Auburn State Recreation Area. It was a state park ranger led group hike starting from the Oregon Hill Parking Lot. The hike included two out and backs: Access Road to Damsite out and-back; and Cardiac Trail to Oregon Bar and Oregon Bar Road Loop.

It was a leisurely pace. We covered four miles in three hours and thirty-five minutes.

Napa River & Bay Trail Hike

On the way to pick up Jack in San Francisco, Sharon and I planned a hike at Lynch Canyon Open Space. Unfortunately, it is only open Friday through Monday! Casting around on Alltrails, we tried to find the Hiddenbrook Trailhead, but couldn't figure out where to park. From there, we went to the Newell Open Space Preserve; it was closed due to fire danger. We finally ended up at the Napa River & Bay Trail.


We hiked 2.60 miles in just over an hour. We stopped and had lunch at Glass Beach. We liked the area enough that we might come back and do a longer hike in the future.


After the hike, we picked Jack up in the city. With one stop in Vacaville, it was a three hour slog home.

Jack, Sharon and I finished the day watching Conclave at the Cinemark Cinema Greenback.

Cascade Canal Hike

Starting to train for the Nakasendo Trail, Sharon and I hiked the Cascade Canal. We covered 6.1 miles in just over two and a half hours.

We both really enjoyed the trail. We will probably go back in the next couple of months for a ten mile hike, including exploring the Orene Wetherall trail and the Woodpecker Wildlife Preserve.

The Cascade Canal in Placer County, California, is a historic water conveyance system that has played a significant role in the region's history and continues to be an important part of its infrastructure.

Historical Significance:

Gold Rush Era: The canal was originally built during the California Gold Rush to transport water for mining operations.

Modern Irrigation: It has since been adapted for modern irrigation purposes, providing water to agricultural lands in the area.

Key Features:

Length: The canal stretches for approximately 19 miles.

Water Source: It diverts water from Deer Creek, a tributary of the Yuba River.

Infrastructure: The canal system includes a mix of open ditches, flumes, and pipelines.

Magnolia Ranch Hike

Sharon and I met the Larkins at the Magnolia Ranch Trailhead. We hiked the River Trail and then the Connector Trail into Cronan Ranch. The four of us made a lunch stop where the Up & Down Trail connects with the Skyridge Trail. In total, we covered 6.4 miles in just over three hours.

2024 California Road Trip - Day #3 - Santa Cruz

Up and moving early, Sharon and I drove to Starbucks for breakfast; I had oatmeal for the second day in a row. Afterwards, I did a 10 minute Peloton core workout.

The plan for the day was hiking with Laura. With rain forecast for the afternoon, we started early. Laura took us to The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. We hiked the Aptos Creek Fire Road to the Loma Prieta Grade Trail. We looped back to the Fire Road on the Mill Pond Trail. We ended up hiking just over five miles in two hours and ten minutes.

The three of us had a late lunch at Erik's DeliCafe. I had a Sea Dog [tuna salad with cheddar cheese, avocado, tomato, onions], while Sharon had a Baja Fiesta Salad [Grilled chicken breast over romaine, baja bean salad, cheddar, avocado, red bell pepper, tomato, with jalapeño r@nch dressing and tri-color tortilla strips].

After lunch, Laura gave us a quick tour of Capitola. We stopped at a viewpoint to watch the repair work on the damaged Capitola Wharf.

Sharon and I spent a lazy afternoon doing some additional planning for the trip. We were trying to figure out a winery stop between Carmel and Cambria. Unfortunately, it is Saturday of a three day weekend and many places don't have any available reservations...

Sharon and I finished the day celebrating Valentine's Day at Alderwood. The meal and the service was very good. The waiters name was Brian. Although it is early in the trip, this is the best meal of the trip. Sharon's superpower is finding great restaurants!

We split Parmesan Popovers [house-made finocchiona • mango jam • smoked butter]. For entrees, I had Grilled Scallops [mushroom fumet • portuguese kale • king trumpet • nori oil], while Sharon had Filet Mignon [beet jus • smoked carrots • shiitake • sweet potato puree • fennel].

For Valentine's Day gifts, Sharon got me a bottle of Harris Gin. I got her a Garmin golf watch, some golf markers and heart socks.

Celebrating Sharon's Birthday

We started the day with a hike exploring the old Sunset Whitney Golf course and the Johnson Springview Park. We hiked the Sunset Whitney Recreation Area last January. In total, we covered 4.1 miles in just over an hour and a half.



We finished the day with dinner at Mulvaney's B&L. We split Winter Beets with Hummus [Radicchio Rosa & Spinach ~ Cumin ~ Hazelnuts]. For small plates, I had B&L Ramen in Miso Broth with Homemade Alkaline Noodles [Pasture 42 Soft Boiled Egg ~ Turmeric Pickles ~ Soy Braised Spring Onion], while Sharon had Dungeness Crab Linguine [Bell Pepper Confetti ~ Meyer Lemon ~ Tomato Sofrito]. We split a large plate of Bledsoe Farms Double Cut Pork Chop with Polenta [Tuscan Salsa Verde ~ Full Belly Farms Broccolini].

For presents, I got Sharon a Bluevua Reverse Osmosis System Countertop Water Filter. She had used one at Drew and Carmen's house when we housesat in November. I also got her a pair of 10 pound dumbbells.

The day ended on an odd note.

American River Hike

Sharon and I hiked from Bannister Park to the Sunflower Drive-in in Old Fair Oaks and back. We covered 5.6 miles in about two hours and twelve minutes. We had nutburgers [nutmeat patty served on a whole wheat bun with sauce, onions, pickles, tomatoes, romaine, and sprouts] and chips and salsa for lunch.

Tilden Regional Park Hike plus dinner

After spending a second night housesitting for Drew and Carmen, our plan for the day was a hike. Using Alltrails, I picked out a loop in Tilden Regional Park. We ended up hiking more than 4.8 miles in just over two and a half hours.



We stopped lunch along the Seaview Trail with a view of the bay. We had hiked the Seaview Trail last year with Drew as an out and back.

We finished the day with dinner at Casa Orinda. This restaurant has been on this spot for almost 70 years; it is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Contra Costa County. Sharon liked the restaurant more than I did.

We both had green salads. For entrees, I had rack of lamb, while Sharon had Veal Piccata. I was not impressed with the food...

Hiking Bidwell Park

After breakfast at the Residence Inn, Sharon and I headed to Bidwell Park. Parking at Hooker Oak Park, we did a short hike in Lower Bidwell Park. We covered 2.25 miles in just over fifty minutes.


Back at the hotel, Sharon got ready to go to Carmen's bridal shower, while I watched the first half of the 49er game. I dropped Sharon off at the bridal shower at 11:30 am and headed back to Hooker Oak Park.

I hiked into Upper Bidwell Park. I covered 7.2 miles in about two hours and fifteen miles. I made a tactical error. I probably should have parked further up near Horseshoe Lake and hiked from there. I ended up hiking only a mile and a half on the Yahi Trail; I would like to come back and hike just that trail with Sharon.

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I picked up Sharon at the bridal shower at 2:45 pm and started for home. We were back in Carmicheal about 4:40 pm.

Jenkinson Lake Loop plus Lunch and Dinner

An ambitious day...

Up and moving early, we drove to Sly Park. The plan for the morning was to hike a loop around Jenkinson Lake. We were hiking by about 8:40 am. With stops, it took us just under four hours to cover 8.8 miles. Alltrails said that our moving time was three hours and thirty-six minutes.

Hiking up the south shore, we stopped at a waterfall about mile three. The waterfall is a man-made waterfall created from a diversion tunnel on Camp Creek. It drops 33 feet into Sly Park Creek. Even though it is man-made, it is a pretty waterfall and drops into a nice pool.


I was surprised by the number of campgrounds and people on the northern shore during the second half of the hike. The last mile and a half was a little bit of a grind. We had to hike across two short dams along the road.



After the hike, we met Morgan, Daniel and Lee for a late lunch at Cascada in Plaerville. I had Basa Tacos. It is very nice to have them close by!

After getting cleaned up, we finished the day having dinner with the Maynards at Zinfandel Grille. Sharon and I spilt a BRUSCHETTA starter [Heirloom Tomatoes, Roasted Marinated Local Eggplant, Fresh Mozzarella, Smoked Sea Salt, Basil, Aged Balsamic]. For entrees, I had TORTELLINI FORMAGGIO [English Pea, Roasted Corn, Heirloom Cherry Tomato & Lemon Cream], while Sharon had PAPPARDELLE [Prawns, Bay Scallops, Saffron Lemongrass Broth, Savoy Spinach, Citrus Gremolata]. We brought a bottle of Donum 2020 Carneros Estate Pinot Noir to share.

Another Hadrian's Wall Training Hike

With our trip to England and Scotland looming in a week and a half, Sharon and I did a long training hike for Hadrian's Wall with the Larkins and the Gainsleys. The Gainsleys came to our house and the four of us traveled to Hidden Falls Regional Park. We met the Larkins there.

We ended up covering almost nine miles in three hours and fifty minutes of moving time. Trying to get an early start, it was still 2 pm by the time we finished. With temperatures rising in the high 80s, it got warm.



After the hike, we took a dip in our community pool with the Gainsleys. The four of us finished the day with dinner at Rey Azteca.

Training for Hadrian's Wall

With the hike along Hadrian's Wall looming in June, we are starting to do training hikes on the weekend. I am hoping to work Sharon up to a hike of 12 or more miles.

Sunday morning, we hiked towards Granite Bay from Rattlesnake Bar on the Pioneer Express Trail. We hiked the other direction from Rattlesnake Bar with the Gainsleys on Valentine's Day two years ago. I ran this section of the trail during the American River 50.

We covered about 6.4 miles in three hours and sixteen minoutes.

Sunset Whitney Recreation Area Hike

Taking advantage of the Martin Luther King Holiday, Sharon and I hiked in the Sunset Whitney Recreation Area. We covered 5 miles in just under two hours. The recreation area was previously a golf course.

Designed by Billy Bell, the Sunset Whitney golf course opened in June 1963. The course hosted its first and only PGA Sunset Camellia Open in October 1964. National Golf Courses Corporation bought Sunset Oaks in 1966 and changed the name to Sunset Whitney Ranch. A later owner changed the name to Sunset Whitney Country Club.

The course became a public course in 2011, but closed in August 2015 due to financial troubles. The city of Rocklin bought the property in 2018.

Effie Yeaw Nature Center and Ancil Hoffman Park

Sharon and Holly spent the morning hiking 3.4 miles around Effie Yeaw Nature Center and Ancil Hoffman Park.

Hidden Falls Regional Park

Sharon and Holly hiked almost eight miles in the Hidden Falls Regional Park.