6.09 Carson Falls, Tamalpais State Park-Friday;
and various trails in both parks.
Maude and Theo Alge of Boston, whom we have known for more than fifty years, asked us a question the day prior to hike 6.09 about following trails and getting lost. We gave our answer and on the hike following the question, we lost ourselves. Actually, that’s not true. We were never lost—the trail, we think, was lost to us. The last time we were in a similar position, an angel arrived ‘out of the blue’ and gave us a ride to our car parked some twenty miles away. We never forget the kindness shown to us by David of Durango, Colorado. He was the first person we’d come across in six hours on that mountain. The kindness of strangers is awesome and most humbling—people helping people without any thought or expectation of reciprocation.
Today’s circumstances were a little different but they had an extra complication being pre-Shabbos, something that worries us enormously. We are currently moving about San Raphael and the neighboring towns. Yesterday, we had a lengthy hike up, down and around China Camp State Park (11 miles) situate alongside San Pedro Bay with views of various bridges of the greater San Francisco region. Today, we set out for a seven-mile hike, which ended (fortunately), at over ten and ‘change’. We tried to put on a brave face for our dear editor so she would not be concerned. After all, we must always act as the big, brave and of course, humble spouse. We are most grateful though that she brought extra tissues to dry our wet eyes and wipe our ‘runny’ nose every few minutes. She really helps us in achieving our courage.
The initial part of the hike took us to the peak of the first mountain and thereafter, down to the waterfall. We forgot to ask if they turn on the ‘falls’ at the end of summer. Just like Mother Hubbard’s dilemma, the falls were fine but there was an absence of water. We continued through the forest and spotted some Redwoods. Well, it hardly takes a genius to notice a giant tree that looks like it reaches to the sky. On and on we trudged while carefully following the trail and our editor’s notes. We were due to make a left turn after two miles from the falls but apparently, between the two of us, we had difficulty deciding our right from left and so went straight instead.
After a quick hour’s walk along the ‘fire road’, we got our always-welcome pre-Shabbos call from Gavin. Having telephone reception out in the wild is quite unusual. “Send the helicopter for us”, our editor requested. Gav, of course, of logical mind wanted to know when the family had purchased a ‘whirly bird’. Maybe if we spent less time in the wilds we could afford one. Then again, we wouldn’t get lost in the city so who needs a helicopter. After nearly four hours on the trail, we had not seen another human. “Hashem, we need David again.”
We tend to resist turning around because the solution might be looming just beyond the next bend so we continued. Some of the things we were seeing made sense—the sun, the sky, the trees, water—these were all familiar to us. About three miles from where the ‘Old Vee Road’ should have been, we came across a “V” in the road and took the left fork. We strode up the short, sharp incline and found ourselves on a damn…um… a dam wall, next to Alpine Lake but still not a soul about. The problem was that once we had missed our reference point, we were unsure of where this road or any other would lead. Besides, according to our ‘accurate notes’, a lake should not have been in this position.
‘What’s that sound?’ We turned to see Ranger Barry in his pick-up truck careening down the hill. After indicating to him to stop, we explained our difficulty which of course was that someone had signposted the trail incorrectly or hidden the “V”. Barry, without hesitation, dropped us at our car, which was only five miles away. However, having no idea of our position made the situation difficult.
After offering our gratitude and feeling somewhat embarrassed, we decided to complete a hike to Bon Tempe Lake if only to see whether we could still do it. Guess what. On our return, we lost the trail again.
Maude and Theo: Please. No more difficult questions.
We remember the days when we feared our parents would find out that we had got ourselves into trouble. These days we don't want our children to know. Finally, we always like to learn from our mistakes. Today's lesson: Ensure that we carry extra tissues.
Cheers,
Mutt and Jen
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