Winter Beanie and Jacket-Kind-Of-Cold (An Afternoon in Wood Canyon)

Saturday, February 25, I got in a 7.12 mile out-and-back run in Wood Canyon (in Aliso Viejo, CA). Even though I got a late start (about 2:30PM), it was cold out – winter beanie and jacket-kind-of-cold, like it was winter (A winter in California! Why I never!  Can you imagine? ). Despite the so-called cold (probably about 50 degrees Fahrenheit), I’m still not running in pants (just capris, which are a little warmer than shorts or a skirt).

This run seems like ages ago now (though it’s only been two-ish days). I don’t recall much, which means I zoned out most of the run. I can tell you that it didn’t rain, and that I had my jacket tied around my waist by about mile one, and my beanie tucked into my pack at probably mile two. I recall that the skies were dreary, but the grass was green as ever and the yellow flowers were in mighty bloom. I saw a good amount of people – runners, bikers and hikers. But most of the time I was alone.

Alone. One of the reasons I love trails so much. Even when you go with someone else, you can still be alone.

Anyway, back to my not so eventful story . . . I listened to music, for sure. It’s a rarity that I hit the trails without music. I don’t listen the entire time, but much of the time, especially if it’s a route that I’ve travelled before. And I’ve travelled Wood Canyon many times before. At times, I grow so dang tired of the same old trails that I can’t even stomach travelling them again. The same old trails though, is better than no trails. And really the truth is, (and I know this deep down, but refuse to face it, because I’d rather sometimes do nothing) if I stay creative and alert, I can always find something new about the same old thing. Something new like this – look at what the rains have dug into Wood Canyon:

I do recall that the trip back was the loneliest. And that does not mean the worst, or bad in anyway. Lonely is good, as I think I’ve already mentioned. But with the gray skies and drippy weather, I couldn’t help but think of Hansel and Gretel as I wandered on through that last parts of Wood Canyon, through the woody areas like this:

Chiquito Falls Roars Again

I made it out to Chiquito Falls last Monday. Crossed San Juan Creek at knee-high depth, and trekked up to that spot that has been dry for so many years. It was a beautiful time, cloudy yes, and rather tiring. But what a sight – what a loud, roaring sight! I only ran some of the way up. Then I ran most of the way on the way back. And it was just when the trail flattened out some that I fell. I tripped and flew forward, hitting the ground quickly. Fortunately, the landing was soft, and I must have got in a slight roll there, because I wasn’t hurt at all. Anyway, this is gonna be mainly a picture post, mostly because I’m so behind, but also because the scenery was so picture worthy.

On the way to Chiquito Trail, looking over the edge of San Juan Loop:

Creek crossing at beginning of Chiquito Trail:

9.30 miles, 1,678 ‘ gained

Birthday Run Between Rains

I know we are making the news and all because of our storms. But seriously, how long have these reporters lived in Southern California anyway? Short memories is what I say. We had floods before, we had have downpours, sinkholes and slides before. It’s true like the song says, “It never rains in California, but girl don’t they warn ya . . . it pours . . . man it pours.”

Rain is nothing new for a fifty-two year old, born and raised in Southern California. I do not have a short memory. My memory is full of many droughts that last a few years, and many, many rains. I remember as a young girl sitting at the kitchen table and looking out onto the flooded cul-de-sac street wondering, “Is it ever gonna stop raining!!!” I remember traipsing around huge puddles at school, and creeks ploughing new routes. Gosh. Were where those news reporters then? It looks like right now, we are ending one of those droughts, finally getting us some rain. That’s all, simple as that.

In between it all, and on my 52nd birthday, I got in a “trail” after teaching one class, and on the way home to rest up before teaching another this past Thursday, on February 16. The place: Quail Hill in Irvine. The route: along the elliptical trail that over looks Interstate 405, and everything else lovely and not in The O.C. Got in a little over 5.5 miles, with only a little elevation gain. But it was good enough, as not soon after, the rain began to fall, and didn’t let up for nearly two days.

Thank you rains for all the green! The hills look so lush, I’m tempted to just drop to the ground and roll around in the grass (if it wasn’t for all those tics that might attach themselves to my flesh – eek!)

Not for Naught

Trails are far and few between lately, especially with all the rain, and all the hours at work. I won’t give up, and at even at the very least, if I can still get out there and hit the dirt here and again, I know that it’s “not for naught.”

I mean after all . . .

(2/5, 7 miles, Wood Canyon):(2/12, 12 miles, Arroyo Trabuco):