Hike # 14: Another Urban Hike - Fullerton, CA

On thing about hiking is that people often distinguish a real "hike" from a "walk". I, on the other hand, don't! To me, if you walked it, you hiked it. There shouldn't be any difference. Case in point... Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, CA.

Located in the city where I grew up, Craig Park is a pretty remarkable place for being in Northern Orange County. It is surrounded by Highways, Freeways, malls and subdivisions - lots and lots of houses! 45 years ago, I remember it as an open grass/marshland, where I rescued a Morning Dove with a broken wing (before it was an official park). Returning today, I barely recognized the place. Tucked off the 57 Fwy, with the Brea Mall to the north, you might never know this priceless treasure exists. After flying down from Idaho to come home for a visit, I thought it was a great first place to " hike" (my word, not my sister's). You can read more about it at  http://ocparks.com/parks/ted/history

I met up with my youngest sister at her house and we "hiked" to the park. I have two sisters and they are both younger than me, but Julie is the youngest of group. She was a great walking partner - encouraging, knowledgeable, a good conversationalist, friendly as all get-out to the people we passed, cute, thin, physically fit, aging nicely, has the "hiking" speed of a cheetah ... ok, so I'm a little jealous! She invited me to take a "walk". I called it a "hike". I earned it as a "hike". Yes... it was definitely a "hike" in my book!

This park had it all - walking paths, changes in elevations (that just about put me in the dirt), nature, and on a Monday morning at 8:30 AM - relatively few people. Once around the park and my sister asked me if I wanted "walk"  it again... I was out of breath, exhausted, and ready to head home. "Maybe next year, when I'm in better shape"... we shall see. "And for the record... that WAS a "hike!"

Endomodo Stats
Duration: 1 hr 24 min
Distance: 4.74 miles
Avg Pace: 17 min/ mile
Avg Speed: 3.38 mph

Hike # 13: Bogus Basin, Deer Point Trail

What a great day for a hike! 70 something degrees, clear skies, slight breeze...

Ridge to Rivers trail # 91 at the base of Bogus Basin Ski Area. Accompanied by Syndey (behind the sign)...

my daughter (who had just ran 6 miles that day) and my son-in-law (who biked 30 miles the day before).

It doesn't get any better than this! So glad we live in Boise, ID!  All this great hiking area, within 20 miles.

Too bad it took me 20 years to discover. Oh well, better late than never! Hike # 13 was very lucky for me!

Hike # 12: My Sister's Birthday

Today was my sister's birthday. Happy Birthday Georgie!! In your honor, I walked with a friend. It was a very unexpected experience. The location was hidden in a suburban area and newly developed into a refuge. I think you would have really liked it. Lots of mallard ducks, coots, red and yellow winged blackbirds. The area was reclaimed. It was once a dumping ground and now it is a spectacular refuge for birds and wildlife. Reclamation at it's best! Rebirth... Happy Birthday!

Hike # 11: Red Tail Trail 71

There is nothing more fun than when a friend calls you and asks "Are we still on for that hike today?"

Wow- Saturday, Sunday, and now it's Monday! 3 hikes in 3 days - guess I'm not as sedentary as I used to be a few short weeks ago...

Hike # 11 started at Red Tail Trail, just north of the Hidden Springs subdivision. In fact, it is part of the Hidden Springs property, on some 12,000 acres. Hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, and running trails. (I'll have to double check that stat  - but it is a lot!) The trails are kept up by a non-profit group called Ridge to Rivers. It is a massive undertaking, but so worth it to all who enjoy hiking in the Boise Foothills. Here is a link to their web site... http://www.ridgetorivers.org/ I am definitely going to spend time on this site locating new hikes to take!

We began at my friend's house, hiking through Hidden Springs, past the school, crossed Dry Creek, and then we crossed the road. I looked up in horror. She assured me that I could do it and that we would take it slow...

And we did take it slow... so slow in fact, that she had time to take a phone call and still outpace me...

The best part of this hike was the companionship in the shared experience of doing something I wasn't sure I could do, and sharing that with the very same person who took me on my first of 60 hikes. The view from the top of this hill was spectacular. The conversation was great. The companionship was bonding.

And... Hike # 11 was a great success!

Endomondo Stats:
Duration: 1 hr 37 min
Distance: 4.58 miles
Avg Speed: 2.83 mph
Avg Pace: 21 min/mile (after all it was uphill!!)

Hike # 10: Payette River Subdivision

This is my little piece of heaven... our cabin in McCall. It is actually located in a subdivision  - the location of Hike #10. Motivated by my Saturday Hike #9 and the great weather, I chose to hike every street in our subdivision. With Ninny in tow, we traveled up and down hills, past meadows, followed a creek that feeds into the Payette River, and gazed over vistas where you can stare Bald Eagles in the eye as they float on the air currents above the river.

Endomondo Stats:
Duration: 1 hr 27 min
Distance: 4.54 miles
Avg Speed: 3.11 mph
Avg Pace: 19.17 min/mile (this seems to be my preferred pace)

Hike # 9: Completing Hike #5

This past weekend, my husband and I headed back to McCall.  Saturday was fabulous weather - sunshine, blue skies, big puffy white clouds, and a cool breeze. It was perfect weather to complete the hike I started last month.So off I went - back to Crown Point Trail! This time I even registered - just to make it official and to claim my intent to finish the 2.5 (one way) hike.

This hike also signaled my new awareness of Hiking Etiquette Rule # 6 - Don't hike alone. As I planned the hike, I knew that the trail was well traveled, bordered a lake filled with boats, was about 5 feet wide, was open, and on a Saturday afternoon would probably be packed. Even though it was a low-risk hike, I decided to take along one of my best friends, Ninny.

Hiking with Ninny is a real joy. She is steady and strong. She hikes at my pace. And, she gives me a great sense of security. One time, when Ninny and I walked together in our McCall neighborhood, my dog Charlie was attacked by a very aggressive dog who charged us out of nowhere. That dog had Charlie on his back by the throat in 2 seconds flat. Acting out of instinct, Ninny beat the living daylights out of that aggressive dog. She sent him squealing back to his house and saved Charlie. Now that is a sign of a great hiking buddy!

Ninny and I walked past the .5 mile marker where I had originally had to turn back on Hike # 6. With great joy and determination, we walked to the end of the 2.5 mile trail (which was actually longer) and back to the car for a grand total of 5.70 miles!

I have to say that because I was determined to finish the hike, the walk to the end of the trail was more about speed and accomplishment. Consequently, I missed a lot of interesting sights. On the return trip, I noticed things that I blindly walked by earlier. I saw an occupied Osprey nest, white sandy beaches, a Great Blue Heron fishing along the shore, insect bundles with emerging worms who were working hard to break out of their enclosure, animal tracks, and even a sign that explained the tracks I would notice (if I had paid attention the first part of the hike).

And the butterflies! I loved how they danced around my head and seemed to enjoy my company as much as I enjoyed them. As I made the return trip, I noticed that my pace slowed - which was fine. Hiking is not a race - it is about the journey.

Endomondo Stats:
Duration: 1 hr 52 min
Distance: 5.72 miles
Avg Speed: 3.06 mph
Avg Pace: 19.36 min/mile

5 Hiking Etiquette Rules

There comes a time with every activity that you embrace, when you must also embrace the rules - spoken and unspoken. So after a few searches, I synthesized five rules that apply to my situation. I am only a local day hiker, don't own a dog, and don't backpack. However, if I want to be an example to other day hikers, I'd better follow my version of "Miss Manners 5 Hiking Etiquette Rules" for novices.

1. When taking a break, step to right the side of the trail to allow others to pass by unobstructed. (But don't go too far. You don't want to widen the trail.)
2. Hikers going downhill yield to those hiking uphill. ( I never knew that).
3. Stay on the trail and avoid widening. (I was a wanderer... so now I'm better.)
4. When hiking in a group, hike single file and allow others to pass. (This makes sense.)
5. When passing, pass on the left and announce yourself "Passing on your left." (For someone who is directionally challenged, I invariably move to the left and cause massive confusion. I think I'll get better with practice.)

Backyard Iris - Lovely!

My family added another rule for me:

6. Don't hike alone. (Good advice!)