Hiking

Armstrong Redwoods State Recreation Area
and
Austin Creek State Recreation Area

My friend Whitney and I spent Saturday night in the Manning's Flat I campground about 4 miles from Bullfrog pond. We felt lucky to have the opportunity to hike into our campsite and leave the normal hustle and bustle of the family campground behind.

The Gilliam trail along the creekside was my favorite part of the trip. It reminded me of hiking trails in Kuna Yala, where I spent two years in Peace Corps, as the trail criss-crossed the creek a number of times.

I haven't hiked or camped since last September and I felt re-energized by the experience. The details of daily life that one is confronted by when hiking really does take ones mind off the minutia of daily life. I was happy to have my monkey brain quieted for awhile.

We didn't spend too much time in Armstrong Redwoods SR but during my short time there I came to love redwood groves more than I ever have before. Even two trips to Muir Woods didn't inspire me as much as twenty minutes in the Armstrong grove.

Thanks, Whitney for a great weekend. Being as unprepared as we were for hiking made it that much better.