Unknown Trail Hike on Tam 7/60

I started later than I had planned, the weather was unseasonably warm, and the winding road up Mt. Tam was clogged with others out to enjoy the beautiful day. I knew before I got to the Pantoll Station parking lot that I wouldn’t be able to park and my hike was probably not going to happen as planned.

In fact, I was feeling a little lost and it had nothing to do with the hike. My younger brother, Beau, died less than two weeks ago, after a long illness. His health has beeen compromised,  but his death was still unexpected.

I needed get moving to help me process my feelings. I’ve found myself cranky, tired, and struggling with simple decisions. And now I couldn’t take the trail I wanted to try and I didn’t have a plan B. I was at a loss.

Continuing up the mountain I found a small lot that had space available. I pulled in and got out, needing to get on the trail, any trial.

This was the sign I found on the trailhead across from the parking lot and where I set out.

Before too long, the exceptional views started to bring me a sense of calm. I crisscrossed up the hillside, stopping at this swing, but it proved too high for me to clamber on for a ride.

A memorial plaque on a stone bench had this quote that touched me:

” Give me these hills and the friends I love. I ask no other heaven.”

It was still early for wildflowers, though the balmy weather made it feel like spring. A large patch of calla lilies was a good spot to leave a rock I had painted.

I finished the hike with a sense restored equilibrium, at least for now.

Thank you for the visit.

Quarryhill Botanical Garden Walk 6/60

There is something particularly sweet about doing something on a week day that isn’t going to work. A friend invited me to join her on a Lunar New Year Celebration guided walk at Quarryhill Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen. I hesitated because it would mean taking a day off. But I have the vacation time available, and Fridays are fairly quiet, and it would be something new, so I agreed. She suggested taking the SMART train from San Rafael to Santa Rosa and a third friend joined us, getting on the train in Petaluma.

Taking the train added to the adventure. It was pretty riding through wetlands and pastures, and much more relaxing than driving would have been.

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After lunch we drove to Quarryhill and had time to visit the gift shop before the walk started. To quote their website, Quarryhill “is home to one of the largest collections of scientifically documented, wild-source Asian plants in North America and Europe.” The Asian influence is seen in the gift shop, which was also decorated and arranged for the walk we had come for.

Although the docent was  funny and knowledgeable, the crowd was much larger than expected. After slogging slowly along the narrow paths with about 60 other people, the three of us decided to ditch the organized walk and do our own garden tour, meandering up and down the hills.  There was very little in bloom, but it is still a beautiful and serene space.

Tibetan prayer flags are at the top of one hill, and just passed the fence we could see burned trees from the Santa Rosa fires in 2017.

 

There was also a “Wishing Tree” and we were able to add our own wishes on paper tags.

Though there wasn’t much blooming, there was plenty to see and enjoy, and the garden held the promise of bursting into blossom in the upcoming weeks.

Ponds with arched bridges and stepping stones, a fierce lion, plenty of benches including this inscription on one, and a pagoda were some of the highlights of our self-guided garden tour.

A relaxing train ride home book-ended a lovely day, and another successful new thing, number of 6 of 60.

Thank you for the visit.

Photos: Shook Chung and Dianne O’Donnelley

 

 

 

 

Stitch Fix 5/60

Clothes shopping has always been a mixed bag for me. I’ve been overweight most of my life, so the choices were limited. I tended to buy things based on the simple criteria that if it fit more or less ok, I would get it. There’s a LOT of stuff that doesn’t fit if you are plus size.

Now that I can shop in regular stores (having lost 60+ lbs in the last 2.5 years), shopping is more of a pleasure But it can still be time consuming and sometimes frustrating. The idea of having someone else pick out some items based on style and size questions I answered and sending them to me, sounded easy and fun. I decided to give Stitch Fix, a subscription box shopping service, a try. Getting the box in the mail WAS fun, and having the items at home with my own clothes to try on with the stuff that they sent me was great.

I realized some of the answers I provided needed to be edited to be more specific about what I wanted. In my first box, I got two pair of pants: both ankle length and skinny cut. The first, by Level 99, were my size but much too snug and made my legs look like sausages. Return.

Embellished jeans by Driftwood were next, not quite as tight but still, not keepers for me. The ankle length and decoration at the end of the pants leg made my short legs look even shorter. I can’t decide if I liked the zippered pockets but it was a moot point.

A soft cardigan by Mix by 41 Hawthorne (I couldn’t find a direct link to them) was snug in the arms, had too much polyester (which makes me itch), and I didn’t like the color.  So another return.

I was tempted by this Kate Spade silver bangle. But what I took to be a little heart was really a spade (doh!) and I decided it was a little pricey. You can see from the photo, I hadn’t yet figured out it was a spade.

But wait, there is still one more item! A pretty flowered navy skirt with a scalloped hem by Skies Are Blue.

I enjoyed the whole experience and I’ve gone online to provide feedback on the items I returned. I’m looking forward to my box in February and I’m very happy with my new skirt! In the process of trying on the items I received, I ended up going through my closet and trying on things I haven’t worn for awhile.  I weeded out items that may look good on the hanger or be a fantastic color, but I’m just not wearing them. I also figured out pieces that I’ll be looking for to fill some gaps. A satisfying project all around.

(Apologies for the less than stellar photos. It was evening by lamp light).

Thank you for the visit.

 

Bear Valley Trail 4/60

Want to know something cool about getting older? I get to do things over that I forgot doing before, so they are NEW again! A friend and I walked part of the way to the coast on this beautiful trail on Saturday. I wasn’t planning on counting this as a new thing for my 60 New Things Project because I knew I’d taken this trail in the past. But it was completely unfamiliar to me.

I left two painted rocks for others to find.

Thanks for stopping by.

All photos except rocks: Shook Chung

 

Lantern Light Festival 3/60

3/60 Visit a Lantern Light Festival

I heard about this festival last year but didn’t attend.  This year, after starting my 60 New Things Project, I decided to go and brought my husband, Rem, and sister, Kathleen along for the fun.

We didn’t get off to a great start, but once we got through heavy traffic, found the fairgrounds, bundled up, and got some dinner, we started to enjoy the beautiful spectacle. The festival is located at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo, next door to Six Flags.

I’m working on a list of possible new things, and I will be inviting friends to participate. I would love to hear your ideas for things to add to my list. So far I have:

• Trampoline
• Cooking Class
• Various walks and hikes
• Tattoo (maybe)
• Foot massage
• Kabuki Japanese Spa
• French Laundry

Thanks for the visit.

 

 

 

The 60 New Things Project

Hello, Friends. Happy 2020! This is the year I turn 60 and I’ve created a project for myself to celebrate this milestone. I want to experience sixty new things. They may be new tastes, new views, new creations, or anything else I see as new. And, because it is my project, I get to set the parameters.

• I’m giving myself from January 1, 2020, to March 2, 2021 (my birthday) to complete the 60 New Things, which comes out to about 1 per week.
• I can do a bunch at once or spread them out.
• To count as new, it could be something I haven’t done in a very long time (like jump on a trampoline), or something I’ve never done (get a tattoo – I don’t know if this will happen), or maybe something I’m doing in a new way.
• The 60 New Things Project (60NTP) will be tracked on this blog. Blog posts may include more than one new thing per post, and posts may be as simple as a photo and caption.

I’ve started the project and here are my first two things:

1/60 Hike a new trail in the Gary Giacomini Open Space Preserve.

My friend and colleague j. and I completed a vigorous hike in  Forest Knolls, hiking up to and along the San Geronimo Ridge Fire Road.

2/60 Eat Haitian food at Caribbean Spices Restaurant in San Rafael.

I had delicious Creole Jerk Chicken and shared sides of rice, plantains, green salad and a spicy cabbage salad. I meant to take a picture of the food.  Next time!

Catching Up…

Briefly – since I last posted two years ago, I wanted to give you a little update on what I’ve been doing: painting rocks and losing weight! I love creating painted rocks that I release for others to find. You can see them on Facebook at the Marin Rocks page.  In June of 2017 I started Weight Watchers, now WW, and I’ve lots 60+ lbs.  I have given myself a bracelet for every 10 lbs. I’ve lost.

Thanks for the visit. It’s great to be posting again! See you soon.

Opening photo: Shook Chung