Archives for posts with tag: Hiking
« Older Entries

Postcard from: Muir Woods National Monument

January 13, 2026 //
1

Before we decided on a destination for a quick winter weekend, we considered our parameters. We agreed that we wanted to go somewhere that had the feel of a cosmopolitan city with a world-class food scene.

We wanted to “eat our faces off” in the city and also immerse ourselves in nature. We wanted a dedicated afternoon of movement and awe. But nature couldn’t be more than a couple hours away.

Coming from San Diego County, Los Angeles felt too close. And as a city, LA feels more urban sprawl than what I typically think of when I think of a city. I’ve always wanted to visit the redwoods in Redwoods National and State Parks.

But it’s a six-hour drive from a major city. Enter San Francisco, and Muir Woods National Monument. 

Read the rest of this entry »
Tags , , , , , , , ,
Categories California, Passing Through, Travel, Wellness

Saturated Saturday: South Fortuna Summit, San Diego

April 30, 2016 //
2

IMG_2962

#Triumphant after reaching South Fortuna Summit

San Diego, much like my other favorite cities (Denver, D.C.) is an outdoor mecca. My home base in particular plays host to boundless recreational opportunities from the shore, to the desert and peaks.

Speaking of peaks, thanks to Mission Trails Regional Park’s Five Peak Challenge I’m on track to complete two more of the five needed to round out the challenge. In the process, I’m discovering views of San Diego I haven’t seen yet and reorganizing my list of favorite trails.

So far, I’ve completed Cowles from the Big Rock Trail on one day, and South and North Fortuna summits on another. I’ll wait till I complete the challenge to share with you how I’ve ranked the park’s trails, so for now here’s a photo from the top of the South Fortuna Summit.

This was attempt number two; we ended up on a completely different trail the first go around and ran out of sunlight and energy to hit South Fortuna properly by the time we found the trailhead (it was mere steps away from the Tierrasanta entrance, where we parked our cars!).

 * * *

Saturated Saturday is a new photo series highlighting some of my favorite images, with enhanced vibrant colors courtesy of the photo editing apps I like at the moment. These include: VSCO, Instagram, A Color Story. Most photos taken with iPhone 5C.

Tags , , ,
Categories California, Outside, Saturated Saturday

Saturated Saturday: Big Rock Trail, San Diego

April 16, 2016 //
0

Processed with VSCO with c1 preset

Big Rock Trail, San Diego

Part of my preparation for my month-long trip to Europe next month includes making sure I’m in tip top shape. I’m not trekking the Camino de Santiago, as I mentioned in my last post but refusing a car rental (too cumbersome) for public transport and my own two feet inevitably mean hoofing it with everything I’ll need to work remotely, live decently and dress comfortably (and most of all cutely – duh) for the weeks I’ll be abroad.

To aid in some of that stamina building, some friends and I have our goals on Mission Trails Regional Park’s Five Peak Challenge, or #fivepeakchallenge on Insta.  To complete the challenge, summit to the top of the park’s five peaks, take a photo and force yourself to do some good foam rolling afterward. I added that last part only because the hurts so good part is worth it.

Pictured above is a view from the beginning of Big Rock Trail to the top of Cowles Mountain earlier this week, our first of five peaks. Hike two is scheduled for Tuesday; see you on the trail, or wish us luck!

* * *

Saturated Saturday is a new photo series highlighting some of my favorite images, with enhanced vibrant colors courtesy of the photo editing apps I like at the moment. These include: VSCO, Instagram, A Color Story. Most photos taken with iPhone 5C.

Tags , , , ,
Categories California, San Diego, Saturated Saturday
« Older Entries