California Hiking

I've got in a couple of hikes already in California. On Wednesday after work, I drove to Joseph D Grant, CA and did a little 5 mile loop from Grant Lake. The trail up was quite nice, although a little steep.

Today I woke up early and drove out to Henry W. Coe State Park, CA. The morning temperature of around 50-55 degrees chilled me a little bit. Fortunately, I immediately started out with a long, steep climb up a ridge. The climb brought me quickly into a low cloud/fog that covered the upper elevations. The wet and overgrown grass along the trail soaked my pants and made me wonder if the weather would prevent my full hike. My start time was about 8:30am, and the sun started to come out around 10:15am. By probably 11am most of the clouds were gone along with the wet grass. My pants dried quickly. The rest of the hike presented no major challenges, other than typically California rolling hills. I completed the entire hike in about 7 hours, which is pretty good time for me. I find it interesting that I don't think too much about a 15 mile hike after all my Grand Canyon training hikes.

So far I am really enjoying the change of scenery from the desert. I contemplated that I could wander around like this on a more frequent basis even before I "retire".

The board gaming scene in the Bay Area seems quite good so far. I think that on Monday I will attend a group that meets at Yahoo weekly. It would be nice to have a weekly meetup in Phoenix. I have some ideas on getting people together once a week, but I will need to try and find a place that we could actually meet at.

California and Kublacon

Back in California now. Dion and I made the drive out on Thursday and Friday. We played a good number of games at Kublacon, the first real gaming convention for each of us. Overall it was a good time, Dion got in 11 games in one day. There were a ton of historical miniature games setup and I got into one that was the battle of the Alamo. The detail of the terrain was quite impressive. Jon made it up for just sunday afternoon and evening. We all played a number of games together and had a great time. Dion and I were considering going to BGG con, if possible, after enjoying this trip so much.

I am still in the process of trying to nail down a place to stay while I'm out here. I have one that looks decent, except it is a bit of a drive. Each day I wait is more money to the hotels, though. If I don't hear back from some other contacts I sent off yesterday, I will just go with the farther drive to have a place.

Exercise and eating held strong over my con time, Wed:P90, Thu:Tennis, Fri:nothing, Sat:Elliptical, Sun:Elliptical, Mon:Elliptical, Tue:P90

Grand Canyon 2009

Yesterday Dan and I completed the north rim to south rim hike in 12 hours and 50 minutes. Total hiking distance, 23.3 miles and 4500 elevation gain. By far, this trip proved my most successful attempt. Throughout I felt good and never reached the complete fatigue of the previous 2 trips. This morning I got up and did some cardio exercise. I feel a bit sore and stiff today, but nothing too extreme. I met a number of interesting people and chatted with them over the hike as well. We also ran into 2 people who needed emergency assistance that we had to call in at the next phone. Both were overheated and throwing up. At this point, another trip to Mt Whitney seems more likely, as I think I am in much better condition to do it this year. Great trip, very memorable and satisfying. We also got lucky in that we were able to catch an earlier shuttle and left at about 5am, instead of the normal 6am. I arrived home about 11pm. Oh and the Pioneer cabin was awesome, it has 2 separate rooms and is stand alone.

Oh yeah and my exercise is going well. Tue:Tennis, Wed:Tennis, Thu:P90, Fri:Bike, Sat:rest, Sun:rest, Mon:Hike, Tue:P90

Last hike before Grand Canyon

I went to Angel Basin yesterday with Jade. Its about an 8 mile round trip hike. The weather was warm, but tolerable. I am continuing on my exercise routine. Sat:Tennis, Sun:Hike, Mon:Bike. This morning I road out to the park by me and back, about 9 miles. I am feeling a little fatigued overall and I need to probably not do any exercise for a few days before the Grand Canyon hike. I did get in that Power 90 workout program and I will take a look at it soon.

90 Days Later

So I think I've decided to try and exercise on a regular (6 days a week) basis for the next 90 days. This goes along with the Power 90 workout system idea I guess somewhat. I started on about May 1st, although it wasn't really an official start, but now seems like as good a day as any to remember by. I played Tennis in the morning that day. Rest of the days: Sat:nothing, Sun:17 mile hike, Mon:Bike, Tue:Can't Remember, Wed:Bike, Thu: Bike, Fri:Hike. I kind of feel like I've been a bit of a sloth for too long now. My diet I started to clean up a few weeks or so ago, so that is already back on track. I also should be receiving the Power 90 system in the mail today. Those routines should help fill in nicely days that I can't get outside to exercise. People seem to recommend it.

On my hike today, I thought on the Grand Canyon hike and why I do it. The challenge of doing something difficult would be the easiest reason. Along with that reason, of course, comes the sense of accomplishment from it. Those reasons may be enough for me to do it, but I think generally other reasons also drive me. One other is a revalidation of my self. The hike represents something that is purely me. I do this for myself and no one else. Its a very inner and personal thing to do. The hike and journey also serves as an anchor in my life. I view the time between hikes and reflect on my state of existence between those two points. And finally, a lesser reason, would be to reaffirm that I am still in good shape and able to do those things I did in years past just as well, if not better. I am looking forward to my hike.

Long hike in Superstitions

Dan and I did a nice hard hike yesterday in the Superstitions. The route was Campaign Trail to Reavis Gap Trail to Reavis Ranch Trail to Fire Line Trail to Campaign Trail and out. The trail guide said it was 15.3 miles total, but the GPS route says about 17 miles. I'm inclined to believe the GPS route, since it tends to be shorter than the actual distance. We got an early start (6am drive start, 8:15 trail head time) and were back at the car at 5:07pm. I feel pretty good about the hike afterwards and am looking forward to the Grand Canyon hike. We were getting tired at the end of the hike, and both of us running out of water for about the last 2 miles did not help. This morning I feel surprisingly good. I even went on a bike ride with Paul.

A Journey Begins

The weather today was perfect in every way. So, earlier I spent some hours at a local park and had these few thoughts.

Tomorrow I will rise early to take on my last large hike before the grand canyon trip. Today brings hope of a life to follow that will be exciting. Under sky and tree now, I remember sitting as I did years ago when I was a child in my yard. The breeze takes away my heat and any ill feeling. I am reminded, too, of beginnings. How to me the best part of any journey shines through at it's start. When all the possibilities swirl around in your mind. You feel and even believe that nothing limits where you might go. If one were inclined, and one should be, each day could be viewed in this same way. Each moment you could feel that anything is possible. I think this is the excitement of life. May I learn to understand and always embrace this.