Hiking Hints (Learned the Hard Way)

*Always tell someone where you will be hiking, in case you don't come back!
*Always carry a cell phone. Most areas get cell coverage because many trails go along mountain tops.
*Always have a trail map of the hiking area. Many trails are very poorly marked.
*Don't wander off the trail. There is likely to be poison oak in the brush. Learn to recognize it, but remember it is still active in the winter when all it is a stick.
*Use a walking stick for steep trails. It saves strain on the knees and can double as a weapon if you encounter mountain lions or wild boar. (Which you most likely won't)
*Always take water with you.
*Use sunblock or you will end up looking like a piece of rawhide.
*Keep granola bars or other non-perishable snacks in your pocket or backpack.
*Have a jacket with you that can be tied around your waist in case of chilly weather.
*Ibuprofen is an essential item for your pocket also.
*In cold weather kleenex comes in handy for your nose. It's an essential for women too on long hikes with small bladders.
*A pedometer is a fun item to use so you can brag to your friends about how far you walked!
*Leave enough time so that you will not be caught with the sun setting and you're still out on the trail.
*Avoid walking through tall grass. Ticks love to wait on a stalk of grass and jump on your leg as you pass. Ticks infected with Lyme disease have been found in the Santa Cruz Mountains and other areas of California. Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. (A tick remover is a handy device for your backpack.)
*If you do encounter a Mountain Lion, calmly repeat "nice kitty, kitty" while backing away slowly.
*Be careful where you sit and put your hands, especially around sunny rocks. Rattlesnakes like to sunbathe there and will resent your intrusion. (A snake bite kit is another handy item to carry.) By the way, you probably won't die if you get bit by a rattlesnake.
*One of the most important items to carry is Chapstick. Huffing and puffing uphill can really dry out your lips.
*Sucking on hard candy can help with a dry mouth from all that huffing and puffing too.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Hiking to AT&T Park via the Omni Hotel

I have a small part time job in addition to my regular job. I am the business manager for the California Rheumatology Alliance. This last weekend was our annual conference at the Omni Hotel in San Francisco. Andrea was there to help me at the conference and Dan and Brad came to join us in a "hike" during our off time.


We found this french restaurant for a late dinner after finishing up at the hotel

Dan and Brad at dinner

The Omni Hotel used to be a bank. It is located in the middle of the financial district at 500 California Street. It is very luxurious (and expensive).


This was the luncheon room for the conference

The classroom for the scientific sessions.

The Board Room for meetings. Incentive to be the President.

Andrea and Janeen at their posts.

Now the hike. Saturday afternoon we walked from the hotel to the Ferry Building and along the
Embarcadero to AT&T Park.

We took the cable car for about 3 blocks, just to say we did it.


Leaving the hotel for the Park


The Bank of America is the tallest building in SF, directly across the street
from the Hotel.


The view across the street from our room.

It was a special day at the Park and the first 3000 people with cameras got to go on the field and
take pictures of the players. We were there about 2 1/2 hours early and got in.

Brad and Andrea in Center Field

Janeen and Dan in Center Field


The Rincon Tower, recently completed, on the way to the Park. It is still a
mystery to me how these pictures get ordered.

Also on the way to the Park. (It's the Bay Bridge, not the Golden Gate.)

Back to the Park: Aaron Rowand

Rich Aurilia

Too happy for words

This is the field. An incredibly manicured lawn.

Where Bonds used to hit home runs.

Benji Molina

Tim Lincecum

Ray Durham. I don't know this girl.

Dave Righetti

Omar Vizquel, my favorite


How many players have spit on this grass?
After the game, which they lost, and which started out at 75 degrees and ended up at 55 degrees, we "hiked" back to the hotel in the foggy and cold dark. A warm bed never
felt so good! Sunday we had morning meetings and came home at noon.
What a way to hike!


































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1 comment:

Terri said...

AWESOME pictures Jan!! You 4 looked like you had so much fun. Way to turn a work function, albeit a very nice one, into such a great social event. The baseball field pictures are so great. All the good players up close and personal. You got some great pictures and you guys laying on the field was so dang cute! Thanks for sharing those. What an awesome time you all had!! Your Sis

May 20, 2008 at 10:48 AM

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