Santa Margherita Ligure

Bishop Peak, hiked 4/23/11 and 4/30/11

 This is Bishop Peak, an ancient volcanic mountain, the signature backdrop for San Luis Obispo.  The peak stands at 1,559 feet has 3 distinctive peaks and is the highest in the chain of 9 morros.  From the peak is a panoramic 360-degree aerial view and includes San Luis Obispo, Los Osos Valley El Chorro Valley and the entire chain of morros from Morro Rock to Islay Hill.  Note the rock formation at the very top in this first and second photo.  Kathy & I made it to the top as you can see by the photos below.  I hiked Bishop Peak twice last week.  It's becoming my second favorite around here.

Narrow hiking trail visible in this photo

Spectacular view.

YEAHHHHH   We made it!!!!!

 Sitting on top of the world.

Ridge Hike...my very favorite

 This is my most favorite hike partially because the trailhead is about a block from my home but also because it's just a great hike with great elevation, a great workout with fantastic views.  We call it the "Ridge" as it trails up the mountain and extends the ridge overlooking the housing development, Avila Beach Golf Course, the Bob Jones Hiking Trail and the ocean.   I believe it's 3.3 miles.  You can also barely see in this photo Pismo Beach and Point Sal (far background...just to the right of the mountain sort of lost in the distant fog layer)   This day was shared with another fun hiking buddy, Kathy.

My neighborhood visible from the first portion of this hike

Spotted a Blue Heron

Point Sal

Linda & I decided to pack a picnic lunch and have a nice leisure hike up Point Sal.  I believe the hike was supposed to be 9 miles.   Nothing really turned out as planned but we still had our fun day.  About 1/2 mile into the hike two guys passed us coming down the hill and asked if we saw the bull next to the hiking path.  We did not.  However, after walking another mile or so up the switch backs, we looked back down and sure enough.....there was a big ole bull grazing behind some bushes right next to where we had just walked.  (see last photo)  Linda was not frightened but I freaked out and immediately needed to know exactly what to do should we encounter the big guy coming back down the hill.  I pulled out my trusty Iphone and proceeded to google "Bull behavior".  We learned not to put your head down, not to run, not to turn your back, etc. but mainly just how vicious they could be.   This helped calm me a bit, sort of knowing what to do but made things worse for Linda who insisted I quit reading.  :):):)  She had on a light colored jacket.  Mine was bright purple.  I didn't have the courage to ask her if she wanted to trade.   We made our way through fog that quickly rolled in and hiked through a few of the sand dunes.  This area is the site for many films including the original "Ten Commandments" filmed in 1928.

 Fog rolling in.  Frizzy hair rolling out. (Thank you fog).  We made it to the top look out point but fog blocked ocean view.   We enjoyed our picnic lunch.  Then after Linda picked the tick off her shoe we made our way down the hill on "BULL WATCH" the entire way.  We later found out this ole bull has been there for years.  According to another guy we ran into on the trail, he is not a threat.  Yeah, sure!!!  Had us fooled.....

Cerro San Luis Obispo Maino Open Space

Amazing beauty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prickly Pear Cactus

Laguna Lake

Hike overlooking Shell Beach & Pirates Cove with Linda March 2011

Montana de Oro with gal pals 2/11/11

What an incredible day today, experiencing this beauty with friends.   Then, out of nowhere, a rainbow appeared as you will see in the last photo below. 

RAINBOW confirmed the day was special

Cinque Terrie in training for Cinque Terre (and more)

I'm celebrating the year of my 65th birthday by hiking 7 days in Cinque Terre Italy with REI.  I will then spend time in Florence.  REI recommends being able to hike 10 miles per day with sustained 45 min. of stair steps.  What better way to train then to explore one of the most beautiful areas in USA, the central coast of Calif.....my back yard.  I've recruited some great gal pals, guy pals and anyone else who wants to join in on my training experience.  I'm up to approximately 6 miles, every other day.   I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoy the hiking.

Hiking Johnson Trail, San Luis Obispo, April 2011.  (above)

 Shell Beach mountain hike looking down over Avila Beach  4/8/11.  Oh, this was an adventure with my friend Linda.  Three quarters of the way up she decided (or freaked out I should say)  the steep, rocky terrain was not where she wanted to be.  I knew we'd be fine so I talked her through it.  Yippeeee

4/9/11 Reservoir Canyon Trail, San Luis Obispo.  Half way up the trail we came upon a meadow with metal sculptures scattered about.  Almost 6 miles of rugged trails.  Once at the top, spectacular view of Cuesta Grade (101 Freeway) and in the opposite direction, City of San Luis Obispo.

Cuesta Grade in the distance