18 Miles of Hiking in San Bernardino County
Hi Guys!
A few posts back I wrote about how to make friends on Steemit through meet-ups. Wellllll, @nutinbutdatruth and I had our first outing with friends met here!
@creationofcare and @mattlovell were kind enough to open their home to us and the super talented Love,Cat shared a few of her favorite hiking spots in the area. Not only were we treated to some breathtaking scenery and views, we also had delicious homemade chili and pancakes with the famous lemon curd on top. It was really inspiring to spend a few days with a family so passionate about creating in their own different ways and mediums.
Our first hike was at Bear Paw Reserve, Forest Falls, CA. 9 miles round trip with a lot of ups and a few really skinny paths with a sharp drop off to your death made for a pretty challenging hike.
Check out some of my favorite photos - mostly from the beginning of the first day; I was spent by the end!
Group Shot!
I love looking for strange patterns in nature. At first I thought this was just what a leaf miner left behind, but if you look close, you can see he's still in there!
I grew up in Massachusetts - the pinecones look nothing like this! I got a little obsessed with the different types out here.
Ahh, Brisket. Best Trail Dog, ever!
Look at this sucker. Love,Cat informed me they're nicknamed the widow makers. After picking one up, I can see why! ITS HEAVY. She's an encyclopedia of knowledge and I really enjoyed learning little tidbits here and there along the trail.
I love Bob Ross. I think this is one of his paintings.
So, after tearing through Bear Paw and making really good time we decided to hit up a second mini-hike to see a waterfall. It was the perfect way to end the day - hanging out by the water's edge, listening to the falls and relaxing with some snacks.
@nutinbutdatruth rolling up the snacks :P
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After chili by the fire, get-to-know-you-better conversation and story-telling, we got to bed later than intended but man, I slept like a log! Well. An old-ass log with pain in her hips, but a log nonetheless. Next morning we enjoyed coffee and breakfast before slowing getting ready for Hike #2. Quick stop at the bodega for more snacks, and we were off!
Here we are at the beginning of the Exploration Trail, Running Springs, CA. Just the three of us today. 9 Miles total.
HEHEHE.
@creationofcare and a heart rock I tripped over. XO.
OMG SNOW! I thought I came to SoCal to get away from this shit, but on our way back we saw a girl hanging out in a bikini. With snow on the ground. I love California :D
Just some cool looking green stuff growing.
MORE snow! Far away, but it still counts. LOL.
And thats where my photo roll ended. My thighs were burning and it was all I could do to keep my eye on the prize - the summit! This trail had a ton of switchbacks and interesting paths to take but my little legs are not used to two days in a row, lol. But this is the best part about hiking with people who are in better shape than you - a challenge! After finally making it to what seemed like the 55th summit (thank you, again, California for having such great views from every elevation, but you tricked me more than once) we found a nice spot in the parking lot and rested. And ate. And rested. And then it was time for the trek back through the same route we came. Surprisingly, it went by fast and before I knew it we were within a few hundred feet of the car and I didn't want it to end! I saw a family down by the stream exploring and I wanted to pretend like we had just gotten there and start all over. My body, on the other hand, had other ideas. It beelined it to the car while my head was still swiveled to the back watching the others play in the water to trade out sneakers for flip flops and sit down in the comfy leather seats.
It's now two days later and I'm still feeling the hikes in my muscles, but I love it and cant wait to do it again <3
A very gigantic thank you @creationofcare and @mattlovell for all the love and hospitality.
Hope you're all enjoying the beauty nature has to offer!
~ Christie
#SoCalSteemit is building and supporting the Steemit community of Southern California. If you are from SoCal and are into creating quality content here on Steemit, we'd love for you to follow us @SoCalSteemit and join our group on Discord
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Awesome! Those look like some great hikes. Some beautiful views there. Sounds like you guys had lots of fun. I'm so stoked about these hiking meetups!
they were really great trails, and very challenging. I cant wait for the next one - hopefully see you there!
Loved the fotos of the So Cal mountain hike. You guys are getting to know your new area the old-fashioned way - walking thru it! :-)) I really enjoyed your hike. Thanks.
best way to do it! taking recommendations if youve got any in your area :D
I am still tongue tied a week later, I had such a fantastic time! I appreciate you both so much. What a gorgeous pair. Of people, AND hikes!
Much love
I found it hard to take our really fun experience and put it on paper. My memories are much better than my blog post about it but I dont care bc thats whats important here! Time spent together, not the blog about it later :D Looking forward to more outings with you ASAP! XOXOXO
Puahaha I like how your pictures of pinecones just kept getting bigger and bigger. I legit laughed out loud when i saw that picture of the huge one. Seems like you guys had fun!
hahaha! thanks for reading! I giggled at the computer when I was creating the post, too. Im so adult sometimes. :P hopefully you'll be able to join us (or vice versa for some good eating) next time!
Great shots!! glad you all had fun!
it was really awesome, hope to see you on the next one!
Before I go hiking with you guys, I have to get back in shape!!
Hope to see you Sunday!! The pics are beautiful!!!
https://steemit.com/meetup/@mariannewest/let-s-meet-up-san-diego-4-8-2018
all shapes are welcome to come hiking with us! i was huffing and puffing on all the uphills and switch backs, LOL. @nutinbutdatruth and I are planning on coming. see you there!!
Yay!!!