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.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Carmel Walking Tour

Saturday, July 5, 2008: We went on a walking tour of Carmel with a bunch of other "mature" people. (and dogs). Carmel is very dog-friendly and are allowed in many restaurants and hotels. We went through several hidden courtyards downtown (there are 60) and through restaurants and art galleries. Afterwards we drove to the Carmel Mission and then out to dinner at the Mission Ranch, a dairy farm which has been restored by Clint Eastwood. As usual, the pictures are somewhat out of order.

An outdoor hallway at the Carmel Mission
One of the outbuildings at the Mission.


The Mission Bell
This is a genuine thatched roof, the only one in Carmel.

Trumpet vines in the foreground of the Mission

Carmel Mission, Father Serra's favorite.

I
I love this picture. It looks like a watercolor.

The Mission Courtyard.

A very old lintel above the door. (Probably not redwood!)

Stained glass window, not at the Mission, but at the Methodist Church, which of course, allows dogs in its service.

Jeanette and Janeen in the Mission Courtyard.

Father Serra's sarcophagus

Door to one of the smaller chapels

Mass was being held in the Mission Chapel


The original home of the architect who popularized this style of house in Carmel.

Casanova Restaurant.

In one of the courtyards.

Doris Day's Dog Hotel. It's called the Cypress Inn, I think.

This is Van Gogh's table where he ate in Paris. One can dine at this table for a price.



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2 comments:

Gail said...

wow, Ive been to Carmel a couple of times but never to the mission. Darn, it looks incredible.

Great photos!

July 16, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Unknown said...

Thanks for the great courtyard picture!

March 18, 2010 at 9:35 AM

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