9/29/21
Another beautiful day here in California! Temps reached the low 80s, which felt just about right.
After a leisurely start to the day (including a “breakfast ride” to a nearby Chipotle) I had a wonderfully nourishing Zoom conversation with a Portland friend, and then met up with a local Pleasanton friend who I initially met, years ago, on Instagram, since we so enjoyed each other’s tree photography. She’s a fascinating and passionate person, and it was great to spend time together live, rather than just via text or phone.
We headed up to Las Trampas Regional Wilderness Park, about 17 miles north of where I’m staying. She does a lot of her tree and nature photography there.
I’ll let these photos speak for themselves, but suffice it to say that there was much beauty to be found in both the dry hills and the trees we walked among, along the dry creek bed. The sky was brilliant blue. Apparently in rainier seasons, these hills are much greener, but I found a powerful beauty in the seasonal dryness, too.
After the hike, my friend dropped me off at my local “home,” and soon afterward my host returned from work, and joined me for dinner at a nearby P.F. Chang’s, which is one chain restaurant I had long been curious to experience. I got a generous portion of the “Buddha’s feast,” so that I could take some home to have for breakfast tomorrow.
Then this evening, I got a phone call from another close friend in Oregon. One challenge I’ve been finding on this journey is how to stay meaningfully connected with close friends, since I have so little time for phone or video chats. But I’m finding that opportunities do present themselves, tucked in between all my outdoor, athletic, and local social activities.
It’s all working itself out.
This is my life now.
At this moment, it’s time to rest up for my ride to San Jose tomorrow!
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Hayward Japanese Garden is gorgeous! I had a photo shoot there once in college. Yeah the East Bay especially needs better bike infrastructure. And some rain.
Oooh, cool that you got a photo shoot there. Yes, I really liked it.
I was quite impressed by much of the bike infrastructure, though. Of course there is always room for improvement, everywhere (like Portland, of course) but overall I was pleased with what I experienced.