Miya
Because I am able.
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2017
- Messages
- 1,404
Hello All!
Went hiking today. The plan was to do Murietta Falls Trail, Livermore California. It is just over 6 miles one way with an accumulative elevation gain of 4,000 ft. I am constantly looking for new challenges and I had heard that this was a toughie.
I normally start hiking anywhere from 04:30 - 6:00, in hopes of seeing wildlife, cooler temperatures, and I don't like large crowds. However, this recreation area doesn't open till 7:00! I don't think we even started hiking until 7:45, maybe 8. Unfortunately, the 12 mile plan was doomed from the start. As soon as I got out of my friend's truck, I realized that I didn't have my knee brace. But I was determined to at least get in a few miles (we ended up just doing 6.2).
So after I attempted to chase around these Turkeys (they were everywhere, upwards of 30 or 40) for one decent shot, and failed, we decided it was time to get going.
"Dear heavens and universe, please let me reach the top of this hill."
We hadn't even hit two miles and we were struggling. I tend to do pretty well with steep inclines now, so my friend trailed pretty far behind. However, it always works out because my knee reaches excruciating levels of pain on the way DOWN, so we even out.
Moon, still high in the sky (well sorta).
Potty! *Runs excitedly and opens door*. Turned back around and peed behind a tree instead.
This tree was so beautiful. Of course, we have both seen much larger trees, living near Giant Sequoias and Redwoods, but there was something wonderful about this tree. It was fantastically decrepit, such character and anguish.
By mile three, we were going down a steep incline and I had to tie my sweat/snot rag tightly around my knee. It helped, but I knew we still had the entire way back to the truck which would be much steeper. We found a perfect little sit spot and settled down for snacks and photo time! I let my friend Bobbi know that I had to call it quits after our break, but she was more than willing to go back.
Teeny Tiny Trickling.
Moss and itsy bitsy flowers are a personal fave of mine. I cannot wait till I can afford a better Macro lens!
This is my Lego persona. I have started taking her hiking with me (when I remember), and take photos of her once I make it to the destination. You can't see it, but she has a unicorn tail.
Bobbi was very thrilled by this large leaf.
Then it was selfie time and snacks!
Bobbi was amazing enough to see this little guy from 15 feet away while we ate and it crawled through the water and leaves. Even with my prescription sunglasses, I am blind haha.
I feel like...I am attaching too many pictures. Almost done, bear with me! So we ate and headed back. We were very luckily, because lately it has been horrifically sunny running near the 80s (I like the cold), but today, we had a nice overcast. I like this bird, thinking he is so cool, chillin' sideways.
I was truly struggling to make it back to the truck. Pretty much walking sideways and biting my lip the whole time. Every person we passed had trekking poles and I thought, "well this definitely would have been a good time for me to try them for the first time!"
I let Bobbi know I NEEDED a stick, or else we were going to have to stop every 10 - 15ft. She did her best to find one and even offered to strip a fallen branch, but I told her no. If mother nature wanted me to have one, she was going to have to present it to me and have it be ready for my use! Hah! And...holy crap, not 20ft after that, we found me the PERFECT stick. It was even shaped like a cane! I don't think I have ever had anything ever work out that nicely for me before. I was so grateful and we made it back to the truck pretty quickly after that. As much as I wanted to keep the cane, I left it behind to be a miracle for someone else.
Alright, thanks for sticking to the end! Long, wonderful day! Time to rest this knee. I haven't been sore from a hike in a long time, but I have a feeling I am going to be rolling out of bed tomorrow.
Went hiking today. The plan was to do Murietta Falls Trail, Livermore California. It is just over 6 miles one way with an accumulative elevation gain of 4,000 ft. I am constantly looking for new challenges and I had heard that this was a toughie.
I normally start hiking anywhere from 04:30 - 6:00, in hopes of seeing wildlife, cooler temperatures, and I don't like large crowds. However, this recreation area doesn't open till 7:00! I don't think we even started hiking until 7:45, maybe 8. Unfortunately, the 12 mile plan was doomed from the start. As soon as I got out of my friend's truck, I realized that I didn't have my knee brace. But I was determined to at least get in a few miles (we ended up just doing 6.2).
So after I attempted to chase around these Turkeys (they were everywhere, upwards of 30 or 40) for one decent shot, and failed, we decided it was time to get going.
"Dear heavens and universe, please let me reach the top of this hill."
We hadn't even hit two miles and we were struggling. I tend to do pretty well with steep inclines now, so my friend trailed pretty far behind. However, it always works out because my knee reaches excruciating levels of pain on the way DOWN, so we even out.
Moon, still high in the sky (well sorta).
Potty! *Runs excitedly and opens door*. Turned back around and peed behind a tree instead.
This tree was so beautiful. Of course, we have both seen much larger trees, living near Giant Sequoias and Redwoods, but there was something wonderful about this tree. It was fantastically decrepit, such character and anguish.
By mile three, we were going down a steep incline and I had to tie my sweat/snot rag tightly around my knee. It helped, but I knew we still had the entire way back to the truck which would be much steeper. We found a perfect little sit spot and settled down for snacks and photo time! I let my friend Bobbi know that I had to call it quits after our break, but she was more than willing to go back.
Teeny Tiny Trickling.
Moss and itsy bitsy flowers are a personal fave of mine. I cannot wait till I can afford a better Macro lens!
This is my Lego persona. I have started taking her hiking with me (when I remember), and take photos of her once I make it to the destination. You can't see it, but she has a unicorn tail.
Bobbi was very thrilled by this large leaf.
Then it was selfie time and snacks!
Bobbi was amazing enough to see this little guy from 15 feet away while we ate and it crawled through the water and leaves. Even with my prescription sunglasses, I am blind haha.
I feel like...I am attaching too many pictures. Almost done, bear with me! So we ate and headed back. We were very luckily, because lately it has been horrifically sunny running near the 80s (I like the cold), but today, we had a nice overcast. I like this bird, thinking he is so cool, chillin' sideways.
I was truly struggling to make it back to the truck. Pretty much walking sideways and biting my lip the whole time. Every person we passed had trekking poles and I thought, "well this definitely would have been a good time for me to try them for the first time!"
I let Bobbi know I NEEDED a stick, or else we were going to have to stop every 10 - 15ft. She did her best to find one and even offered to strip a fallen branch, but I told her no. If mother nature wanted me to have one, she was going to have to present it to me and have it be ready for my use! Hah! And...holy crap, not 20ft after that, we found me the PERFECT stick. It was even shaped like a cane! I don't think I have ever had anything ever work out that nicely for me before. I was so grateful and we made it back to the truck pretty quickly after that. As much as I wanted to keep the cane, I left it behind to be a miracle for someone else.
Alright, thanks for sticking to the end! Long, wonderful day! Time to rest this knee. I haven't been sore from a hike in a long time, but I have a feeling I am going to be rolling out of bed tomorrow.
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