mt. diablo: map in hand

October 28, 2012
Contra Costa County
Hikers: Cathy, Laura
Distance: 6 miles

How cool is this!

:(

Shhh.. we only trespassed a few feet.

Just wanted to sit for a snack.

Just beyond the log there were picnic

tables and a bathroom!

Not sure what this is.

Thinking maybe a huge barbecue pit.

Laura checking for trolls!

Trails:

Back Creek Road/Trail, Tick Wood, Cardinet Oaks Rd.,

Wasserman, Donner, Heatherington and Donner Canyon Rd.

hulet hornbeck trail

October 21, 2012
Martinez, CA
Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline to
John Muir Historic Site
Hikers: Cathy, Laura, Noreen
Distance: 6.34 miles

Notice only the wings are left.

This beauty was sticking to the trails.

And he/she left us a marker saying this

is my territory!

Hard to see the crow..

Lucky ladybug!

Yellow aphids.

This tree looks like a good spot for snack time!

Little did we know..

..there would be an actual chair to sit in!

Known as the Franklin Hills Throne.

Though we like the name "Muir's Throne" better

 as referenced in this article.

Bird nest.

The train tracks and tunnel seen across the street

go through Mt. Wanda, named after John Muir's eldest

daughter.

Almost there - John Muir's house.

Only to find you cannot access the grounds

from the trail.

California Buckeye Butterfly

We have an old truck, train car, and yes, even a pirate ship!

Trails:

Rankin Park, Hulet Hornbeck, California Riding