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Thirsty Thursday: A Day in Carmel

Thirsty Thursday: Garland

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: 2009 Paraiso "Faite" Pinot Noir Clone 115 Santa Lucia Highlands
Background Tunes: Counting Crows - Mrs. Potter's Lullaby

Typically, when we go to Garland Park, we run to the top. It's grueling for about 30 minutes on the way up (it's pretty steep) and terrifying for about 15 minutes on the way back down (again, it's pretty steep). But this day we didn't make it to the top...we just hiked around somewhere in the middle. Garland is obviously one of Massey's favorite places (and yes she willingly models for us). I think looking at all this pics in order is kind of cool (even the accidental one of the blue sky before we got in the car). Perhaps this weekend or next we'll opt for the run.

Thirsty Thursday: Past Waterfalls

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: 2010 Ancient Peaks Petite Sirah

Perusing through the archives a bit tonight and I stumbled across a couple of decent waterfall shots from an Oregon hike in the fall of 2012 that I never posted.  As I recall, the best part about this hike (besides the waterfalls) was when my Uncle and I finally reached these falls and stopped to rest. I went to take a couple of shots while he decided to rest his eyes. We had the Mas with us and, in addition to securing the ever dangerous perimeter, she noticed that my Uncle was laying on the ground and not moving. Being the astute pup she is, she felt it was her duty to ensure that he was still alive....so, she trotted over and proceeded to lick his face a few times....just to make sure he was okay. So much for my Uncle resting his eyes. #diligentdog #goodgirl #safetyfirst

For good measure, I'm throwing in another waterfall from the same hike but near Punchbowl Falls (previous posted on a Two Word Tuesday) and a shot of Massey leading my Uncle to the next waterfall.

Thirsty Thursday: Sobranes Canyon

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: 2013 Chamisal Edna Valley Rosé Wine

The Sobranes Canyon Trail to the Rocky Ridge Trail is always one of our favorite short hikes. We typically go through the canyon first because we like to work for our view. Besides, I think it's better to see the ocean on the way down. It makes the hike a little more relaxing. My favorite part may be watching Massey ping-pong between me and Beth as we stop to take pictures of things. Mas does a pretty decent job of keeping us together (of course, that's until we reach the open spaces at the top). Or, it could be the variety of the terrain that the trail takes you through in a short distance. All in all, the view at the top is worth the hike. See you all out on the trails!

Thirsty Thursday: Random Weekend

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: 2012 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas

Okay, a quick note about this wine. It's a Rhône. The color is awesome. A good nose with a smooth taste with a hint of spice at the end. Very nice for the price. Here's an excerpt from the Tablas website:

"The Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas is a blend of four red Rhône varietals: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Counoise. The wine incorporates fruit from several of the top Rhône vineyards in Paso Robles, each vineyard selected for its quality. Like many red wines from the Rhône Valley, it is based on the dark fruit, mineral and spice of Syrah, with the brightness and fresh acidity of Grenache, the structure and meatiness of Mourvèdre and a small addition of Counoise for complexity."

This is a bit of a random post, but last weekend itself was a bit random. We randomly decided on Friday to head to Solvang, CA. Of course, being the planners that we are, we booked a hotel room the night before in Lompoc, CA. It was the only place available that would let Massey stay the night. If only the other hotels could meet Massey, they'd understand. Anyways, we didn't have much of a plan other than exploring Solvang (which is a cute little town), hiking or running somewhere, and drinking some wine. Of course, we had our cameras, but I think we were both just wanting to chill a bit with out it. Solvang was definitely cool and we had some decent tastings and an awesome meal. Check out our recent Instagram activity for pictures of that.

On Sunday, we decided to summit a tall hill. The peak we climbed to the top was Gaviota Peak. It's somewhere just off the 101 between Solvang and Santa Barbara, CA, but closer to the later. I think Strava thought the hike was somewhere between 6.8 and 7.1 miles (depends on your GPS device. . . I had an iPhone and Beth had her Garmin). It was a descent hike. Not my favorite, but he view was cool from the top. I know that Massey had a good time. She's such a good travel dog. So here's a few pics from that hike.

On Monday, we headed back home but stopped at Tablas Creek Vineyard outside of Paso Robles. We are now members there as their wine is fantastic. A couple of our other wine memberships are now in jeopardy of being cut (yes, they will be cut soon). Unfortunately, we can't be members everywhere. I'm sure we'll be posting more pics from our future Tablas Creek adventures. For now, here's a couple.

Thirsty Thursday: Hot

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: 2011 Ventana Pinot Noir

This is a continuation of this week's Massey Monday and Two Word Tuesday. All the photos posted this week are from our first hike in Chico. If you read MM (and you should) then you know that it was crazy hot. Massey and I had no business hiking in those temperatures.  That may explain why the Strava GPS track clocked me in at about 2.9 miles. I think the Mas only clocked in at around 3.5 miles (she needs a GPS collar...where's the Kickstarter for that!). We were both tired and just looking for shade. With today's set of shots, I tried to capture the heat and the stillness of the area. Nobody was crazy like us and thus it was very quiet and still. Fortunately, I was able to get one of my favorite shots of the year at sunset here (if you didn't see TWT, you should go check it out)!

 It was a great way to start our random weekend!

Start of the trail...

Our first shade tree

so hot

fenced

Finding my tree

waiting for the sunset

fleeting moments

Massey Monday: Just a Short Run

Most times we (sometimes this is me and Massey or me, the Mas, and Beth) go for fairly long runs...somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-miles-ish.  But, not this time.  Massey and I had no time for a standard run.  Instead, I somehow found time to sneak away from work with some sunlight left.  Beth had left her in the backyard for the afternoon and I rushed home, came in through the front door, grabbed a camera, and the Mas.  Off to the Fort Ord trails.  She knew that time was fleeting and "awwowoww'd" the entire 5 minute drive to the trailhead.  Once there, off she went.  I think we only went (I walked, she sprinted) about a mile or so up the trail (about 20 min).  These are all the shots from the short hike.  Who could not go out with the Mas and just be happy.  I think she's smiling in every shot!  

Oh, and PS, the text somewhere in the middle from Beth claiming I stole her dog and that I "owe her a dog" are completely false.

Thirsty Thursday: On the Trail

Rambler: Beth
Drink at Hand: Yogi Ginger Tea...wine taper for a little race I'm running this weekend.

Thirsty Thursday here again. Time to pour something yummy and make those weekend plans! A few weeks back we went backpacking in the Desolation Wilderness. It was a tough journey as we decided to do roughly 2 miles of cross country travel to reach our final destination. I'll put it this way...hiking on established trails in the Sierra is fairly straightforward; backpacking over granite slabs with 42 lbs on my back, not so easy.

On the second day of our trip, we found our way back to some trails. I think I have a thing for singletrack. I spend more time hiking on singletrack these days than swooping along on a mountain bike, but I still love a tidy little dirt line cut neatly through a wildflower-choked meadow, snaking lazily through a deep forest, meandering around an alpine lake.

Get out there and find your own singletrack this weekend!