Strong Arm Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by hiking and good beer! They may not go together so well, but separate they are great things. The good beer was enjoyed at the Pyramid Ale Brewery...a fun California find for us. And the hiking was done in the Marin Headlands State Park just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. A wonderful relaxing weekend filled with all things California.

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

Slot Canyon Hiking, Palm Springs

Last week I wrote about our trip to Palm Springs. I mentioned that we had gone slot canyon hiking and I am finally posting about it.

What an adventure we had! Before going to Palm Springs Andy mentioned that he wanted to do some slot canyon hiking. Once we got there, we acquired a lot of information on trails through the visitors center and hotel. After sifting through a lot of information we ended up settling on a trail that Andy picked. Andy had found a rough map along with some written directions for a trail into a slot canyon that we would be hiking. (I honestly don't know where he found the trail information, but I don't think it was from the visitors center or the hotel.)

The next morning we woke up at the crack of dawn and left for our slot canyon hiking adventure. We found our way to a dirt road that said 4 wheel drive cars only...oops, we weren't driving a 4wd but took the road anyway. Luckily it wasn't too bad. At the end of the dirt road were huge rocks and boulders, that was where the hike was to begin...according to the random directions that Andy had.

After glancing at the rough trail directions, Andy took us into the first rock entrance that he found. (Sure he was following directions...) We quickly found ourselves in a very tight slot canyon. In some places we were en-caved by the rocks and had to get on all fours to crawl along the trail. Other places we had to climb 20 feet of rock and disintegrating rope to get to the next part of the so-called trail. It was definitely an adventure, but all the while I kept thinking of the movie 127 Hours and how he was trapped in a slot canyon until he sawed off his own arm to get out. Yikes, maybe I was a little paranoid.

We climbed the last and longest rope up the rock to get out of the slot canyon and were in the middle of the desert. We chose a direction to go (based on Andy's version of the directions) and over an hour later we quickly realized that we were lost. Great, lost in the desert with only 1 water bottle for two people and a dog! Andy and I fought over the directions for a while before deciding to back-track to the slot canyons and find our way back via the way that we had come. Luckily, we were able to find the same slot canyon and retraced our steps back. I have to say, climbing down the 20 foot ropes was a LOT harder and scarier than climbing up them. I never want to do that again!

All in all, we got out safe and were not trapped for 127 hours, phew! It was a fun adventure, but next time we will be sure to pack more water and leave our dog at home. I would also prefer to take a legitimate trail, rather than one that someone half ass created and then put out there on the internet for Andy to find.

This was the way we transported our dog up (and down) the ropes and rocks. He was a trooper of a pup!

A self-timer family picture in the desert before we got lost and cranky.

Big Sur post two, Highway One Beaches

A few days ago I posted about our backpacking trip to Big Sur. We took one day to backpack and camp, and one day to explore the area and Highway One. We have heard from countless people that Big Sur is the outdoorsy place to be around here. Well, other than Napa, Lake Tahoe, Muir Woods...oh wait, this whole area is scenic and beautiful!

Big Sur is about 2.5-3 hours south of the Bay Area, but totally worth the drive. A lot of the drive was boring highway, but once we hit Highway One the scenery started. We drove up and down Highway One stopping every few miles to get out and enjoy the coastal beauty. Some places the water was transparent blue, and other places we saw huge seals. There were cresting waves, miles of rocky shoreline, pristine white beaches, fog, sun, waterfalls, pine trees. Oh beauty!

It was an incredible day exploring Highway One in the Big Sur area. We did a few hikes right off the highway, and enjoyed the abandoned rugged beaches. We also stopped for lunch at a beautiful rooftop gallery restaurant that had some of the best bacon mac and cheese we've ever tasted. There are no words for that kind of delicious! We enjoyed lunch and beer in the blazing February sun with a view of Highway One and the Pacific Ocean. Does it get much better than that? I know I say that every time we get out and explore the area, but really, California has so much to offer.

 Check out the waterfall on the left side of this picture. Andy wanted to go bathe in it, but the trail didn't have beach access.

Big Sur post one: Backpacking

Over the last few weeks Andy has been lusting after Big Sur. He has been watching youtube videos of the area, talking to co-workers, looking it up on maps etc. Finally we decided to go this weekend, rain or shine. (Our day started overcast and I was afraid it would rain. Luckily, it cleared up.)

Big Sur is an area along Highway 1 filled with national parks, beautiful scenery, and tons of hiking. We decided to drive down Saturday morning and backpack into the mountains to find a camping spot. It took us a few hours just to drive to Big Sur, but once we were in the area our eyes were wide and we couldn't stop ohh'ing and ahh'ing at the beauty.

We decided on a trail off the road, got our packs ready, and headed out. The hike was along the mountains lining the coast and went up, up away. The sun started to set and we got a little worried about finding a camping spot. Not too worried though, that we couldn't enjoy the blaring golden setting sun. It was beautiful! Luckily, right as the sun set we found a perfect place to set up camp. We put our tent up quickly and grabbed some fire wood right as it got dark. Talk about good timing!

Unfortunately, our solar lantern hadn't been charged (oops), so it didn't work. Andy also forgot to put batteries in his head lamp. So we were a little short on light, but once we got the fire going it provided the light we needed for making dinner, hanging out, and roasting the necessary marshmallows (we ate the whole bag!). Once the stars came out we couldn't help but let the fire die down and lay back to adore the sparkling heavens.

It was a beautiful evening of bright stars and the sound of waves crashing against the distant shore. The next morning we enjoyed a relaxed breakfast before heading back down the mountain for some more exploring. It was incredible to say the least! We are so lucky to be able to enjoy this beautiful nature and go camping in February. More of the trip and Highway 1 to come in a few days.

 Hanging out in the morning.

 Andy made us coffee and breakfast on our trusty little camping stove.

Yep, that's my man. He enjoys nature to its fullest!

Marin Headlands & The Golden Gate Bridge

Last weekend Andy and I set out to explore the area near the Golden Gate Bridge. We first crossed the bridge in all its red beauty and grandeur. I walked across the bridge when I was younger, but hardly remembered it, so the drive was very cool. I was like a kid in a candy shop ohhh'ing and ahh'ing with my camera erect and my head hanging out the window. I applaud Andy for putting up with my silly needs to snap pictures of everything while barking orders at him to get us in the right position for the picture that I am looking for. What else are husbands for right? :)

After crossing the bridge we wound around all sorts of curvy roads, passing fancy houses, and wondering when we might catch another view of the bridge. Finally, we found our way to the Marin Headlands State Park. It took us up a long road that offered many perfect views of the bridge, the bay, and San Francisco in all of its glory. Really, what a place!

After stopping about 3-4 times to admire the view and you guessed it- take more pictures, we found a parking spot at the bottom of the hills. From there, we found some hiking paths and set out. Mr. Buckles was all too excited to finally get out of the car and explore the area. We headed up, up, up the hillside. Farther from the bridge, but higher with beautiful views of the bay and its many little islands.

We discovered a real gem in the Marin Headlands State Park. But of course, what isn't a gem in this area?? Next time I think we'll go back and hike out to some of the beaches. The other side of the Golden Gate Bridge has a lot to offer and we will definitely have fun exploring it!