49.26 Montana de Oro State Park: Hazard Peak and beyond, near Morro Bay.

The views generally in this region are lovely. However, when combined with the pattern of weather experienced, particularly the thick, low clouds, the atmosphere proved to be quite spectacular, without exaggeration. The pictures below tell their own story which we believe is aided by one's imagination and perspective. We'll leave it to you, the viewer to decide and leave off our usual captions, comments and headers.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

49.10: California: Eagle Peak, Mount Diablo plus 49.20 Diablo Peak itself.

After twenty minutes, we reach this point with a view of the mountain being strip-mined and enjoy the grass, once again.
A different view of the mountain from below Eagle Peak.
Found a longer but more exciting way up...for a short-while.
Jenni finds her own way around.
Another opportunity to get off the trail.
Understandably breathless after a very steep climb.
Closing in at the top.
Finally, reach the peak after some fun diversions.
Peak Mount Diablo.
View from the top.
Jen reaches the non-operable beacon. Was shut-down after Pearl Harbor attack in case it provided a beacon for the Japanese fighter-jets. Now lit up once a year. Guess the date in early December?

The leader approached us indicating he wanted to 'make something of our presence'. At least the cows have been welcoming. 

 Cheers, 

 Jenni and Jeffrey

49.24 Bay Area Ridge Trail: Mission Peak Regional Preserve and Ed R. Levin County Park. 49.25 San Ramon: Rock Ridge Trail.

These two hikes took place a few weeks ago. We spent longer than expected in the Bay area, hence more hikes from the region. The logic is flawless, says the man, who appears quite desperate. 

It is clear to us that there are so many hidden and unknown gems throughout the world. A contrarian approach allows a person to see more than the popular and invariably, fantastic locations. However, they come at a price, particularly when the weather turns against one and the main holiday season begins. It's best, we believe, to head for the hills...(that does not work)...to head for places as yet undiscovered. Fortunately, we have visited quite a few of those which result in reward and more tranquility. 

Ed Levin Regional Park. 

Chance of rain: Zero. Clouds are purely for show.
Marshlands of the bay.
Tiny boxes, extremely expensive, tiny boxes.

Notice one of the bridges across the water. When humans complement nature, the result is startling.

Las Trampas Regional Park 

City by the Bay: San Francisco from a 'safe' distance. More than an hour by car.
See picture below for perspective.
Jen sits below the hilltop where we ate brunch. In the picture above, taken from the hilltop, you can see her perch, a pile of rocks at bottom of screen.
Returning from rocky top after an unsuccessful attempt to capture an eagle...on camera.
After viewing the caves and searching for raptors and settling for ravens.
'Rare Eagle' taken in Montana de Oro which proves the point. Should a person want to see an eagle (and your name is not Gavin Laz), by looking at that bird long enough, it will become an eagle. Try it, it's remarkable. (By the way, Gavin photographs these majestic birds regularly...Mom and dad, annually in a good year.)
Outside a busy port viewed from the the ridge.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Montana de Oro: Contrast of similar views before and after a breakthrough of the sun.

No scene is ever repeated exactly by nature.

Thick cloud cover. 

 Mid-morning break in clouds.
Thrilled by the scenes and dynamism as we return from Hazard Peak.
Morro Bay ahead.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

49.23 California: Berryessa Lake, free hiking along another ridge. Loved it.

It's exciting not being aware of a lake within sight and then reaching a certain height and lo and behold, the lake comes into view. This is just not any lake...it seems to encompass the best in color and shape. A wonderful view!

We startled the hawks. Jenni can be quite scary at times.
Never thought it would get better after the initial hike in Berryessa. Well, it did and we are fortunate for it. Admittedly, we took an unofficial path which was not a trail. In fact, it consisted of various fire roads and paths commencing on Highway 128 and proceeding mostly upwards until we reached the ridge. On the day, we did not climb less than about 2,800 feet. It was exciting as we explored various 'routes', connecting from one trail/path to another until we could see the final road headed toward the ridge. This occurred less than 40 minutes from the end. Until that moment, we could not be sure we'd reach the ridge. We can’t think of a time when we had more fun and enjoyment while sweating, tinged with the unknown, hoping that our car would not be towed and that we would find our way back to where we left it. (Probably, last week). I’m not going to mention that I expected the odd whine from Jenni, but I was wrong. She proved to be her usual stellar self. 

The views of the lakes were nothing short of spectacular. We were in a completely different region from the hike 2-days prior and so the sights were unique. Our thinking on the initial hike, was an intention to attempt on another day to reach the ridge we viewed and envied from the first summit. The blackened trees with green growth on the surface, including flowering plants, made for attractive sights, too. While the destruction of many trees caused by fire is sad, nature provides other forms of beauty. Sometimes haunting and bewitching but nevertheless, easy on the eye and other senses. Renewal is occurring and it seems, paraphrasing the words of General MacArthur, 'Nature will be back'. 

Should I have any attributes (controversial subject), I suppose it could be said: A willingness to believe that no mountain is too steep, no climb too long and most challenges can be accomplished in the wilderness. Weaknesses I have many but relating to hiking it is thus: I underestimate the steepness of mountains, underestimate the length of mountain trails, and always think reaching a destination spotted from the road is attainable. Jen could express it better than me. Clearly, my weakness and strength are but one, just opposite sides of a hiking pole. Jen certainly has had to cope with my optimistic outlook toward mountain hikes and she has dealt with it admirably.

  The beginning of summer...after the heat of the season, the future of this grass is bleak. One of us enjoys the sight though.

The final stretch as we head for the ridge, the feeling was high, the summit not as high.

Part of the trail we found.
Prior to the fire, I would not have been able to catch this glimpse of Jenni.
A path which appears to lead to the water but doesn't.
Slightly haunting, the burnt trees give off the feeling.
The coloring differs depending from what angle one observes the lake. All good.
A beautiful section tucked away 'in a corner'.
My favorite!
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey