It's been awhile

Ok, so it's been quite awhile since I posted. That was one of my hesitations for having a blog. Oh well....

As Bekah has shown, we've done several hikes in our neighboring areas. Ya know those pictures from Arroyo Trabuco? Well, that was only one part of a much longer hike. Now, the book says the total hike is 12 miles round trip. Bekah and I decided we could do that. So, September 1st we parked at one end and left the vehicle at 7:20 am. I knew that half way through we'd be hungry, so I'd packed homemade granola for the hiking part and bean/cheese burritos for the 1/2 point. Both were greatly appreciated. We hiked the first 1/2 with overcast skies and a cool breeze. When we stopped for "lunch" (it was 9:30) the skies started clearing and things started warming up. Good thing I'd brought an extra bottle of water. That got us through. You see, while the book said it was 12 miles, my pedometer said it was 16. It took a total of 4 hours and 24 minutes, not counting the lunch break. Boy, were we tired puppies. (That's why we planned it on a holiday.) Bekah wound up with a blister on the side of her foot. I had blisters on the last two toes on both feet. And that from well worn hiking boots. That was definitely the longest hike I've ever been on - but you know what? I loved it! I have really started enjoying being out in God's creation and hiking.

Today we did the Tijeras Creek Trail again, just the B. girl, me, and Casey, our dog. Bekah is taking pictures of fences for a photography class she has and wanted a fence that was basically at the 1/2 way point of this hike. So, today logged another 4 miles. Nice hike.

I don't know if we told you, but one of the ways we're staying motivated for our hikes is by choosing a destination and then "hiking" there. We keep track of our mileage and trace the way to the destination. We just recently hiked to Oceanside Beach, which is approximately 50 miles. Now we get to go have a little celebration from the "healthy" menu at an El Pollo Loco. From Oceanside, we plan to hike to Tom's Farm in Corona, then probably up to the high desert (at least it'll be cooler there this way than in person). :) It's fun.

Ok, that's enough blabbing for now. Hope all is well with you and yours.
Kim