There are a great many outdoor places to invigorate a person by offering an opportunity to exercise in the beautiful setting that is Sonoma Valley and the surrounding Bay Area. This is a record of some of my excursions.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Semi-hidden hike




Standing atop a vine covered hill, looking out across a little valley, seeing San Pablo Bay and Mount Diablo in the distance, I can't believe that I've lived in Sonoma for close to twenty years and until recently didn't realize this trail existed.



The hiking area I've just discovered is one many Sonoma Valley residents are likely familiar with. Just off Gehricke road, about a mile past Ravenswood, a sign has been placed by the owners of a hillside vineyard, welcoming hikers to enjoy the property (horses, bicyclists, and motor vehicles are strictly prohibited).





As I started walking up the trail, I was amazed at how much space there was to explore. From the road it looked as if the property would take half an hour or so to circumnavigate, but after hiking around the first hill I was overwhelmed. The property extends farther up and back into the hills than I'd initially thought. Crisscrossed with utility roads, there are numerous routes that can be hiked ranging from moderate to difficult.

The quality of the trails was better than I had anticipated after the heavy rain last week; straw had been placed to dry up the road for service vehicles. Still, there were spots off the main access roads that were a bit soggy, but nothing that couldn't be traversed.




Like I said the trail is about a mile up the road from Ravenswood, which you will have to walk as the parking lot at the winery is the closest public parking available. This brings me to the downside of the hike, having to walk up Gehricke Road itself. It's a narrow one lane road rife with potholes and crumbling edges. Motorists are generally courteous to pedestrians, slowing down to pass safely, but sometimes big trucks or careless drivers added to the narrowness of the road make the walk a bit treacherous at times. However, myself and countless others have walked up the street without incident so as long as one is aware of their surroundings their isn't great cause form concern.


Monday, March 28, 2011

Birthday Surf

Heat escaped from my skin as steam as I changed from my clothes to my wet suit. Ice covered the windows of the cars parked overnight down the street from the beach. The tempature may have been just above freezing, but it was sunny, there were waves and I didn't have to be at work; I couldn't have picked a better way to start my birthday than a sunrise surf session at Bolinas Beach. 

Bolinas, probably better known for its eccentric residents than its waves with the general public, is the premier northern california long board spot north of Santa Cruz. With waves generally in the knee to chest-high range, three different spots to surf, and a surf shop just down the street, it is a great place for all ages and all experience levels.

 "Dig, dig, dig," I told myself as I tried to catch another wave. The surf was small, waist high at best; I had to work hard to catch anything. I made one last two-armed stroke and felt my board start to slide down the face of the wave. Putting my hands on top of the board I pushed up, brought my knees forward, set my feet shoulder width and then stood up. 

I've been surfing now for just a little over a year and a half, and the thrill of being able to stand atop an eight and a half foot epoxy board the is gliding atop the ocean hasn't worn off yet. I'm at a good spot on the board, too forward and the nose of the board would dip into the water and I'd lose my balance and too far back I'd stall, and was able to get a great view of the snow-covered ridge behind Stinson Beach. There aren't too many times where one gets to surf and see snow at the same time, at least in Northern California. 

Located northwest of Stinson Beach, and just south of Point Reyes National Seashore, Bolinas is an hour and fifteen minute drive from Sonoma. The trek out to west Marin, though, doesnt feel quite that long. From the mustard fields between Sonoma and Petaluma, to the fog draped nicasio valley, to Bolinas lagoon, it is one of the most beautiful drives in the Bay Area.