Dipsea Trail (Mt. Tamalpais) - CA

It was a very cool and misty midday hike on the Tuesday before Memorial Day (USA).   The starting point was Stinson beach and the beach was empty and the town was very quiet.   Upon arrival, there were no fellow hikers and the large parking lot was occupied by only a handful of cars and a group of surfers coming in from the beach.

Then it is just a short trek to the Dipsea Trail Head to Steep Ravine and you loop around and take the Matt Davis trail back.  If you plan to hike it this way, plan for over three and a half miles of incline and then over four miles down...and I mean down down down, back to sea level and a lot of steps.  You will most likely feel this in your knees and hips as the steps are tall steps, perhaps a foot and a half high or more.

This place is green exquisite wonder. I can't say it is one of those trails that is untouched or uncrafted by humans, as there is extensive stone and wooden steps, bridges and obviously under the care of of stellar rangers.   But I can say that the nature is so truly strong and resilient that it seems to over power the man made changes and the Redwood trees, ferns, stone, mountains, and all the wildflowers, berries, ivy etc can not be tamed and the complete balance of the trail is definitely over powered by thriving nature not humans.

I remain forever indebted the those humans  (rangers, tax payers, and yes those stinking bureaucrats) that take care of the planet even though some believe it is encroaching upon our rights and that laws are rotten.   Humans continually show their impact and careless way of maintaining the planet by complete exploitation, litter, and pillage.  (Enough said).  Anyway there is no fee to park or enter this beautiful place. (And if you drive a little Fiat, it cost about 8 bucks in gas...oh yeah)

I did not encounter one piece of litter, cigarette butt etc...thank you trail users!!!!!

It is a wonder, the cycle of life and death, rebirth and growth, the light and dark, and all the elements of the seasons all enclosed and cozy on the side of a coastal mountain trail.  One of many trails in this region.  This trail seems like a play ground, if time were no issue I would suggest going in and spending the whole day inside.  Let yourself be in wonder, I was so completely overtaken, I expected to see fairies, trolls and all things enchanted.

Although at times I was moving very quickly due to time and travel, the point of the trip was to restore and photo hike.   It was all the things I wanted and more.  It was breath taking, and I say that it took my breath in many ways because the few thousand feet of elevation gain did leave me heavy on the breathing side on the way up and the way down.

When you get almost to the top there is a ranger station, bathrooms,  and a place to eat.  On this day the picnic tables were empty and there was only one other set of humans sighted.

Here are some pictures.

















When you climb up with the trees and you are level with the branches you can have a different conversation with the trees.  You get to look them in the eye so to speak, you get to see them as more than just tall.


This picture... seeing the light...even foggy light.... Light is Light... it represents pretty much everything.





Beautiful and life giving in a different form than usually admired.  Imagine that...wise and wonderful trees.

Mostly uncensored and unsolicted thoughts

....And furthermore these thoughts will probably be vague in nature.  Comments and questions are welcome.

My community is up in arms about a homeless shelter being built that will have 400 beds.  I am more afraid of my community that is afraid to help and shelter humans than I am of the shelter.   I hope to find time to volunteer and help feed humans.

I watched a show on Armenia last night.  All the things that I don't know.  It truly keeps me up at night and down the rabbit hole for more Information.

I am surprised with how sheltered I am from  generations of world disasters AKA GENOCIDE when there is not a foothold or oil etc. or any reason for humanitarian assistance.

 I am at a place in my head where I am a bit "grumpy" about being spoon fed "what is important in the world."   Now and in the past.  

I heard a quote (that I only wrote part of)  from an Armenian person on the show.  It had to do with more pride in surviving, than in victim.   That was how they survived, got better, stronger and kept dignity.

I am adding that to my immediate thoughts.  There is a lot spoken there.  So much to chew on.  

I am upset at how long anyone even cares about what is happening in schools.   (Myrdering if children). And how everyone is fighting over it and not looking into the mirror at decades and decades of disconnection and violence.  They say to turn your broken heart into art, but what do you do with the rage born of deception, deceit, and control?

Mountain Lion attacks.... that is on my mind.  You are not supposed to run from them but if you are a trail runner...you are already running. I have to think of this more. Carrying a handgun is not an option for me as I am trigger happy, I know this much is true. 

Part II - Well part two needs to come with clarification from coffee.  Have a great Monday, be spunky - Let's talk.

Edited because my iPad and direct blogger do not get along!!!! 

Filterless Friday - Succulent babies and Flowers

Hold on to the light

The sun was a bit past setting, but I feel as though the rose held onto the sunset just a bit longer. The beautiful light. What a good lesson from the roses to us. Hold onto the light.

Filter-Y Friday - Colors!!!!

Just do it.  Bring on the photo filters and fun art pictures.  Color it up and have fun!!!  This is me, helping ME be more creative.  Show me your fun and juicy filters.

Have a great weekend.

Little places

Little Places
We have them in our hearts.
We have them on our planet.
Be kind and beautiful to both and the world becomes very, truly beautiful.
And for the record my day did not begin with this great attitude or health. But it is how I think to wake up tomorrow.
Fresh and Green....emotions flowing, crisp and natural.  Standing firm with rocks of strength to represent boundaries and integrity.  And little beautiful places ... in all things, great and small. And always in nature’s gifts reflecting God’s love.   **edited because I fell asleep posting and forgot the pictures.

Oatmeal scrubs....

Roasted raw honey and oatmeal with a light blueberry scent.

Race Day - Folsom Lake Trail Run 1/2 marathon

So yea... another day and about the zillionth time someone has written about a half marathon.  This was not my first and guaranteed not to be my last, but it was only my second half marathon and it was my VERY first Trail Marathon.  I will keep it brief.




I had anxiety on being on the trails alone, not due to the isolation, but I knew from mile 3.2 to 6 to 9 there would be a lot of time on my feet and not a lot of familiar faces.

I was pretty serious at the start.



The race began with the long mile levee.  I didn't mind it so much, it is just all those in my group were soon gone and off the levee and I had a pretty good idea of how slow I was going.  So what right?  Nice day... beautiful lake and I did train for this.

The anxiety ended up being for nothing...(as sometimes worry is like that) The runners cheered for me like they knew me  forever and I felt all the love.   There is a great sense of community out there, I get chocked up thinking about it.   I saw a friend on the trail as I was approaching mile 6 and her high five on her way back was MEDICINE - Thank you Karen.





Spring was everywhere.



My daughter came trekking towards me from the mile  3 aid station and she was a happy energizer bunny and a bright ray of sunshine. "how are you doing momma?"  "I am weepy" She said, "your allergies?"  I said, "no allergies are great."  She said, "in your soul?"  I said, "yeah." 

Being a great athlete and person, she knows this is not the time to let the emotional over take your race.  She stayed up beat and very cheerful. So we just went into the aid station.
I felt pretty good -  I drank tailwind and a little cup of coke.

The ascent from the mile three aid station is a bit on the cruel side, ha ha, but it was not the most cruel section of the trail that I would encounter. And I have to say I attacked EVERY DAMN hill, that is in the way that I attack hills.....(see chart below).

I felt pretty good from 3 -6 and back to mile 9.  Hanging out at the aid station with family, made
me want to be done and stay with them. It was with a heavy heart that I left the mile10 aid station.  And by mile 11 I was sending whining posts to my daughter... who offered to run  it in with me.  And told me that the end was 30-40 minutes away and to concentrate on the beauty around me.  I was GROUCHY at this point. 

The picture guy caught me off guard, but I found a smile for him as he has a pretty great smile and attitude.

The beginning of Mile 13 looks like this.  They called it the "levee of doom"  My thoughts. "hello flat land..!!!! "  Levee's are my jam!    I put on some Downton Abby music and then Depeche mode and I chugajogged in!               I LOVE THAT LEVEE!!!!


I got a medal, a great shirt and the trophy for Dead Last Finish in the 1/2 marathon. IT is a
Finisher trophy.  And that's all I am saying about that.



Endorphins, a bit of sunshine and an accomplishment.  I feel on my
way to being a real "ultra" runner.



I like to look at the journey where my feet took me.


I love to see the ups and downs of the course..there were some tough stuff  from miles three to 9.  I grew strong,  I hurt and I completed that course. What is next?


Thanks for reading.   The insight to this race is that I have to have fuel to jog 13 miles on the trails. (nuff said about that).    I have another trail story to share next week that is not my story...and it is EPIC.

Cheers Friends.

That girl....

That girl... the one that has dinner at five ... but at 10 pm wants a "snack"... and she says... "oh 0% Greek yogurt with no sugar and some berries will be perfect ." (what???). Who is she??? Not me ever.

Is she a  MYTH... or  some health nut? .. what?  no Cheetos?  Cheese-its or Doritos?  Because even movie butter microwave  popcorn is the fatty salty crunch of the night, right? But no fat? No Sugar?   #dreamkiller #bitch

I swear ... yes... on this night of May 4, 2018  that woman was me.   I swear.

But seriously,  I truly craved it more than any salty, fatty, sugary snack.  (My only defense  or reasoning is that I was watching a live fashion show and wanting to "own" a pencil skirt..)

So I made it.
.
I tasted it..

The bitterish greek yogurt... and I think "...um ...I will add a packet of blue sugar"... Blue SUGAR Pack???? ( I usually deplore and preach mean things about it from my soap box and furthermore I did not EVEN  bring this little packet into my own household).
That was a  decent addition... but I needed CORRUPTION.




Oh so yeah I added the  "Granola...."






















Aka...granola = oatmeal cookies gone flat.

This is a true story... that turned out beautiful #godblessthecookies

*(1, 2 and 3 (Nikon).. photo 4 is iPhone).