Spring is a really good time to do some of these long hikes, as the
temperature is perfect and it is beautiful outside. We were scheduled to assemble at LifeScan parking lot at 6 AM. I was the last one to reach, as I was asking Promila to make tea little more special as my manager was going to join this hike. Well, it seemed to work as she asked for refill. Who knows, little buttering up might help, though we would never know the exact impact. Thanks to Paul for planning this hike and agreeing to drive. He knew the trails very well, and even knew the hidden mines and equipment which were off the trail. We went from Hacienda Parking lot
till the other end of the park as per map, and did the loop. Paul and I were using hiking poles, when we ran into a group of senior citizens who commented, “Look at the gal, she is keeping up with the boys without any help from the poles” (Note to myself: missed opportunity to praise here). Well, I had to agree here, this was Liz’s first big hike and she was able to keep up pace with me and Paul. Though the elevation gain was not that much, it was lot of ups and down. I asked Liz about her new Wii, as I knew that she could play a mean game of boxing. She told me that since
Sean went to college, she did not see the use of it and sold it. Paul and Liz, both shared success stories about online dating. I did not know that there were three times more women than men who are subscribed to these sites. Is it because women are more adventurous or courageous or hopeful or plain romantic, may be all of the above ? I was surprised to know that Liz’s 87 years young mother is still reading smuts (new word for me – meaning quick-read-romantic-novels-with-steamy-scenes) , almost every day. Just like men are still attached to video games and sports, looks like girls never grow up either, and fantasize about romance throughout life. Therapeutic part, and probably the best part of the hike, was once again venting off sessions. Liz sighed deeply, when Paul asked about her son. He was graduating this year from George Town University, with double major in finance and business; and minor in theater. This minor is creating
major drama in Liz’s life (though he is now legally drinking age). What we heard then, was related to girlfriend’s monopoly over the son, when they visited Liz recently in spring break for a week. Liz complained that they were hardly at home, even in a get together Sean was around his girlfriend and did not mingle. They preferred Jamba Juice instead of Liz’s cooking. Most of us in office knew about Liz’s Death-by-Chocolate cookies and her rum cakes, and how she loved to open her beautiful home for parties. It was good to know that mom-showing-luv-via-cooking-overfeeding-grown-kids and control issues were universal. I think they are more acute in Indian culture. Come to think of it, Liz could have used that Wii boxing after all, it might be worth it to have a match with Hanna. After reaching the end of the park, we took Guadalupe Creek trail and sat on reservoir to eat snacks. We saw a lot of California poppy, and they opened up as day wore on. I talked about ‘Bleed’ investment strategy described in ‘Black Swan’. However, t
he fund which is using it, is no longer open for new investors. Though it was over 16 mile hike, as it had happened many times earlier, time passed quickly and it did not feel like a long hike. Of course, since it was Liz first long hike, she felt it afterwards. On Monday, she told me about pain all over shins and thighs and blisters on feet. However, it was a good pain, fully recovered by Wednesday; and asked if Paul and I could take her on another hike. Paul had a severe backache just 10 days before the hike, he was taking prescription painkillers. As long as he was moving, he had no issues. This was first time he did the whole park in one stretch. He is hiking Half Dome with me in June. So he wanted to do at least one more big hike before Half Dome. He is proposing Nisene Marks hike (begins from Aptos); sometime in May. If anybody else is interested, let me know. However, let me warn you here, whenever we come across a steep hill, he would pick up speed, muttering under his breath, ‘Go ahead, make my day’. He is a big Clint Eastwood fan !Logistics: Park opens up at 8 AM, so if you want to start early, you have to park on the street across the park. We started the hike from Hacienda gate. Directions Video
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