There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more
― George Gordon Byron
Company: Matt
Distance: 11.5 miles (18.5 kilometers)
Elevation Gain: 1265 feet (385.6 meters)
Time: 4 hours, 40 minutes.
Weather: High 60s (F) to low 70s (F)
Weather: High 60s (F) to low 70s (F)
Shoes: Brooks Cascadia 9, size 11 (The “Right” Shoe)
Socks: New WrightSock Coolmesh II size medium, short crew X 2.
Notes: Sore left instep, hallux pain in both toes, right hip pain. Basically more pain than I’ve had in a long while. Need gel inserts.
Getting to Annadel Park in Sonoma…
We stopped at one of my favorite bakeries, Basque Café on the square in Sonoma…
At the pastry shop, we chatted with this couple who live in Sonoma nine months a year and spend the other three on a boat in Burgundy, France. Of course, this brought to mind my dream of spending three months every year living in Spain. 55 days per year will have to suffice until I retire 😉
Morning light…
Of course we stopped on the way to the trailhead to take pictures of the morning sun and the vineyards.
It was impossible to capture the beauty of the millions of drops of dew covering the grass and fence.
The hills in the Sonoma Valley are beautiful in the autumn.
On the trail…
Silliness on the Lawndale Trail.
I’ve loved looking at Manzanita and/or Madrone since I was a child.
I just hope he doesn’t get crushed by one of the many cyclists on the trails in Annadel Park (whom, I must say, were the most courteous and thoughtful mountain bikers I have ever encountered.)
A new friend!
My photos never do these beautiful trees justice..
As with most hikes in the Bay Area, the flora changes dramatically from mile-to-mile.
We saw two of the most beautiful gray squirrels I’ve ever encountered.
Some pretty views…
One of only a couple vistas on this hike. I kept wishing we had more views of the beautiful vineyards of the Sonoma Valley.
Honestly, my Pro HDR app makes this look lovelier than it actually was, which is what I love about seeing things through a photographer’s eyes. I have the opportunity to see what appears to be a drab landscape as it will appear via the app, which provides me with a completely different perspective.
Glad you had a great walk Elissa, no matter how difficult it must have been (as you mentioned).
Wonderful photos!
Nev
Thanks Nev! It wasn’t all that difficult, just more painful than I am accustomed to.