Mr. Bill's Hike

Today, I met up with Mr. Bill along with three of his friends to do a hike in Big Basin Redwoods State Park.  I snapped a thousand photos but capturing the beauty of this park is best left for the memories in the mind.  Haven't been here since The BF and I did it back 2003.  We began the climb to Buzzard's Roost.  My body was a river of sweat. 

We had a wonderful adventure and much of the conversation can not be repeated.  Save of course for my ramblings about the aliens  in the forest ....  yeah, sure those are "restoration" projects.  We all know that's where they live... and the cobwebs in the redwoods are really pods for the baby aliens.

8 miles later and one last hurdle to surmount, we returned to the parking lot.  We escaped the aliens.  This time....

It's All About the Scenery

Today's ACTC club ride included one of my favorite roads to bike -- Lobitos Creek.  But first, we climbed Kings Mtn and then descended Tunitas Creek to The Bike Hut.  I shivered going down Tunitas.

Flowers on the start of Lobitos Creek.  Very pretty biking.

These orange flowers shone brightly, a nice contrast with the trees and gray sky.

Lobitos Creek, with its coastal hills and rural look is simply lovely.  We came across goats who entertained us by frolicking with one another.  As I left, they stopped.  I returned.  They started up again.  Adorable. 

Back on Tunitas Creek to climb we went and this tree caught my attention.  The weather was ideal today not too hot, not too cold (save for the freeze my tushy off Tunitas Creek descent) .  We encountered lots of other cyclists as well as runners doing a Trail Run in Huddart Park.  Another memorable ride with friends.

Summits and Plummets

Lookey, lookey, lookey what Miss P. gave me!  A velcro gadget thing to clip route sheets.  Oh, I do so love gifts.  Note to The Boyfriend:  Oh, I do so love gifts....

Miss P led a club ride today taking me to places I've not been before.  Oh, I do so love being taken to places I've never been before.  Note to The BF:  Oh, I do so love being taken.  Oh wait, to places I've never been before.

First, we climbed Kings Mountain in Woodside.  Done that but not in a long time.  I steamed up it, well, for the most part, racing (sort of) with this guy I did not know.

We went along Star Hill (up and down) and Native Sons (up and down) as well as tackling Swett and returning to Kings Mtn via Skyline and back to the start at the Pioneer Hotel.  I've never done Star Hill all the way nor Native Sons.  I lagged behind the group, having stopped to take photos and such, so, I was alone as I got to the bottom of Native Sons.

Let's set the scene, shall we.  We're in the middle of nowhere, deep in the woods.  I had just finished watching True Detective, a series about devil worshipers and killers in Louisiana.  I get to the bottom of Native Sons, a road that seems to get narrower and narrower.  Room for only one car for sure.

Remember I'm all alone.  I'm in the wrong gear and trying to figure out how to climb out of Native Sons.  Suddenly, a bitch and her dog, or should I say a bitch and her owner appear in a big pick up.  She starts saying blah blah blah to me.  I'm thinking to myself, "Hmm, I don't think my Tom Cruise grin is going to work with this woman."  I'm also wondering if she has a shotgun on the seat.  So I hightail it out of there.

I actually had to walk my bike since I was in the wrong gear.  I was looking for a flat enough place to get back on the bike and go.  When, this geezer of a guy appears in a pick up truck.  He starts saying blah blah blah to me and I'm thinking one word, mind you after the previous encounter, one word, wait, wait for it, Deliverance. 

Lordy, seriously, look at me, like I'm a threat, and the amount of time you wasted with your blah blah blah when I had every intent of leaving.  Sigh.

I loved this ride.  It was beautiful.  Thanks Miss P.  Oh yeah, for The BF, unable to join us -- this is for you.