Almaden Quicksilver

I've been wanting to do a hike in Almaden Quicksilver for awhile now.   You've probably biked past this park's entrance on Almaden Road on your way to do Hicks.  I planned to do a 7.6 mile hike but I got lost (probably on account of the shirtless runner who was quite the distraction), so, I think I did 4 miles.

Way off in the distance is downtown San Jose,  I also caught glimpses of Mt. Hamilton.

I like to listen to classical music when I'm hiking.  I don't want to hear the sounds in the woods.  You know, like what was that sound!  What's waiting around the bend?  Some hairy thing with fangs and drool?  Kind of like things that go bump in the night when you're a little kid and you're scared of what might be under the bed.  Then again, being a menopausal woman, I'd now tell the "thing" under the bed that if it knows what's good for it, it better stay under the bed.

I only encountered butterflies and wildflowers on this hike ... oh and the shirtless runner.

I like hiking.  I like using the whole body.  Wait, wait for it, you know, just like sex.  Oh oh, I'm being naughty.  Again.  Blame it on the shirtless runner. 

I didn't realize that mountain bikers use this park as well.  It doesn't seem particularly technical - wide fire access roads without much rock or gravel  with steady uphill climbs.  A good place for me to start if I ever get a mountain bike. 

I plan to return -- there are a lot of junctions in which to select a trail.  It is pretty much exposed so a hat and water are a must.  Next time, I might try to not get lost.  Who am I kidding.  Besides, it's fun to lose oneself in beautiful surroundings.

Bundled Up Like a Babe

Who would know that Spring has sprung given today's chilly temperature and icy wind.  Miss P and I opted to shorten the club ride to Half Moon Bay.  Considerably.  As in, we did 18.70 miles total. 

We got a good workout anyway, starting in Woodside, climbing Old La Honda, descending West La Honda and back up it, and then over to Hwy 84 for a nice descent back to the start.  Naturally, I encountered many a male cyclist climbing OLH.  They kept me entertained with their remarks of which the only one remotely related to biking was, "You rock."  Yes, I know.

C'mon baby, let's do the twist, c'mon on baby, it goes like this.  Atop Old La Honda, dressed in wool.  On the descents, I wore more wool, my favorite ski mask, and a jacket.  When we returned to Woodside, we considered doing Canada Road, but, the wind, while warmer, was really blowing.  So, we called it a day.  A fun day, short and sweet.

The Tortoise and the Hare

The Boyfriend's in town.  I told him he could ride me, oops, I mean, he could come on a ride with me.

Boy, he was on fire, shot off and left me in the dust.  But, really, that was okay because there were lots of cyclists and motorcyclists out and about to keep me entertained.  One motorcyclist tooted at me.  Tooted.  It's Easter weekend. I sure hope The BF has a chocolate bunny for me when I catch up to him in Sunol.

Turkeys!  The way I like my men.  Oops, no, not like a turkey.  Wild!  Happy.  Carefree.

Speaking of wild, lots of wild flowers everywhere, though that yellow thing may be a weed.  Heck if I know. 

Poppies were everywhere as well. 

Super ride for both of us.  Even though I didn't get a chocolate bunny. Speaking of Easter, I sure miss Easter egg hunts, chocolate bunnies and dyeing eggs.  Why must we grow up!  But I make do with Jelly Belly jelly beans.  But, good God no, no Peeps.  Well, I make an exception for the peeps in the library.

Everything's Coming Up Roses

Yesterday was spent hiking in Huddart Part with my budettes.  We like to get lost.  Gives us an excuse to ask for directions, from men ....  Oh alrighty, so one of us had a smart phone and we had a map but we like to pretend we need help ....  Guess who we saw!  Our man Dan C. doing the Woodside Ramble, a trail event for runners.  It was neato peato seeing female and male runners dashing past us.  We saluted them. 

The day before I volunteered to play traffic cop for our annual wonderful Tierra Bella bike ride.  Naturally, my intersection requires the assistance of a CHP, male of course.  He was fabulous, in more ways than ... oh really I simply must behave.  I salute the cyclists for biking single file and the cars for being patient.

The week before,  I along with Miss P. and Mr. G, did the TB 100K route, inspecting for any possible problems.  Well, let's talk about the nasty pit bull thingy.  Okay, this monster (and I love dogs), chased Miss P.  Next, he came after me.  Well, when I saw his fangs and the drool, I said to myself, "Really?  Do I need this?"  I was not about to go down because some yapping off a leash pest wanted to chew at my lovely legs.  So, I yelled at the little sucker and he or she sulked away.  Don't, and I repeat, don't mess with a menopausal woman.  You will lose.

After the lovely hike in Huddart, we visited the Heritage Rose Garden to see my Mom's rosebush, the Donna Faye.  The smells and blooms were exquisite.