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