As is the custom, I led the Hangover Hike this morning, commencing at 0745 (that was the nominal meeting time; after waiting for stragglers, carpooling up to Skyline Ridge, and waiting for everybody to decide how many layers to wear, we actually hit the trail about 0845).
I had a dozen takers this year. The weather in the flatlands was clear and cold (34°F; cold for this area). Given the wind we'd had yesterday, I was expecting fiercely cold and windy conditions up on the ridge.
In fact, by the time we got there, the temperature was up to 55, with practically no wind. After a bit of hiking, I was regretting my long pants and long-sleeved shirt (and long hair, for that matter).
A bright, clear morning! (As usual, click images to embiggen.)
Views all the way out to the ocean!
Ocean, Pacific, 1 ea.
New year's resolution: do not meddle in the affairs of witches, lest you end up like this tree.
Coots on Alpine Pond.
That puddle has boats* on it!
Silicon Valley in the new year, slightly obscured by haze. Stanford is left of center (with the possible exception of the Hoover Institution).
My house isn't quite in this picture, unless you have very good X-ray vision.
The view towards the ocean is so much clearer....
A potato bug, also known as a Jerusalem cricket, or "sunket."
And, as we pass the hobbit-hill, we know we're almost back to the cars.
Camera notes: (1) the pocket camera doesn't fall back automatically, so the EXIF data is an hour fast; (2) the lens needed cleaning.
*In SVR-speak, anything on top of the water is a "boat." This covers anything from ducklings to aircraft carriers.
Comments