Crystal Cove Coastal Run January 20, 2011

This was my fourth sunshine-filled scamper

along the beautiful coast of Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach, CA

this time, I brought the camera

: ) 

Once again

I attempted to Hit the Trails of Crystal Cove/Moro Ridge

This was my 6th attempt

since the trails took a beating from the winter storms

The Moro Ridge/Pacific Ridge Trail Head was still closed

I'm really missing my trails and hills

With all the trail options

it's hard to believe that they're all pretty much closed

I was on the trails just after the rains

and it was obvious why they were closed.

Lots of land slides, huge holes...an overall big mess

: (

See pics of trail damage here

I "had to" head to the coast again to get some mileage

So I headed back to scamper along the coast of Crystal Cove State Park

for the 4th day this week

: )

I parked a mile north

of the "you are here" sign

and ran the coast to the end, by Abalone Point and back

 

Hmmm...

decisions, decisions...
; )

I love this little boardwalk

I've seen tons of bunnies, lizards, caterpillars, lady bugs, chubby squirrels,

and beautiful birds.

I have also heard froggy sounds

but not sure who was making them

There is so much wonderful information along the boardwalk

it's worth taking the time to read before heading down to the beach

This is the turn to head down to the beach

: )

If  you stay on the boardwalk

there is a wonderful overlook of the Coastal Bluffs.

I had to get a closer look of the info

before heading to the overlook
So cool

I love seeing the little Garibaldi fish in the kelp beds

when I'm kayaking along this coast

I asked a random fella to take this dorky picture of me

before I headed to the beach for my coastal scamper.

The dude was fully camped out to enjoy the day.

Notice his chair, hiking pole, binoculars, paper...

Golly, I love this view

All that wonderfully packed sand makes running feel good.

I also LOVE

my PCTR shirt

from my favorite organized trail runs

I can't wait till Montana De Oro again!
Join us! Feb 13th!

 

Take the time to read these tidbits of info

It really helps one appreciate the beauty even more.

: )

Yipee!

The beach!

The wonderful sand!

I love the way this sand feels underfoot.

Just enough cushion, just enough of a challenge.

Perfect.

: )

For a gal who would rather be in her kayak

being so close to the ocean makes running enjoyable

Golly, I love it here!

Wouldn't you?

It was about 74 degrees today!: )

I could go on forever out here

I love the sound of the waves.
I can't get enough of the fresh air.

The end is near!

But I'm not in any hurry today

: )

I've paddled down to that point from the Coast Guard Beach

and had always wondered what the beach was like.
Now I know and I'm in love.
: )

I kick up my heels for running along the coast!

I bothered a sweet sunbathing couple to take this picture.
They laughed.
They smiled and waved at me as I ran by on my way back
: )

You know I'm happy when I'm kicking up my heels!

: )

At the end!

Yes, I had to kick up my heels again before heading back.

I bothered two young men who were watching their friends paddling out there.
They must have thought I was some loony tourist.

Lemme tell you one more thing

it's not easy picking up that big leg after running

and holding it up long enough for someone to take a pic...BUT CRAMP!
; D

Looking back...

: )

...before heading back.
: )

Ooops, almost forgot to get a shot of the cliff

It has given me relief from the sun each day that I have been here

It is so much cooler by this cliff

it feels so good after 4 miles to hang out here for a bit before heading back.

It almost feels as if it has it's own micro-climate

It is also were I have seen tons of dolphins.

: )

Time to take a break

This was my fourth time doing this coastal run

but the first time I decided to bring a camera, and relax.
: )

Taking a sun bathing break at Reef Point

Eeek!

Sweaty, happy gal trying to get rid of some tan lines

while taking a terrible self-pic.
; )

Ahhh!

Airing out the tootsies!

Uh oh

those ankle tan lines need some help!

Hot Diggity Damn!

This is the way to enjoy a January Day!
: )

It's January days like this that makes living in Southern California

SO GOOD!

Yes, Life is Good

: )

 

Rainy Day/Winter Fun

Are you allergic to water?

Are you allergic to snow?

I didn't think so.

I love getting outside no matter what the weather has in store for me

Wind, Rain, Snow, Excessive Heat

as long as you're prepared, you can have a great time out there!

Here I am on December 18th, 2010

taking a break from kayaking in Newport Bay, CA

between the Coast Guard Beach and the Jetty

enjoying a little rain after playing in the wind and waves by the jetty

Don't let a little rain, wind, or snow stop you

from enjoying The Great Outdoors

Here are some more of my favorite pics

from cold/stormy/wet/snowy adventures

This is me enjoying my first real winter

(far from the warm winters of Los Angeles, CA)
on lake Taneycomo in Branson, Mo

I love warm and fuzzy hats
especially when they cover my ears!
: )

One thing I don't enjoy is being cold

but that can easily can be taken care of with the right clothing

Once I get moving
the kayak gets pretty toasty.

But be warned
if you decide to go kayaking in super-cold weather
wear Gortex/something waterproof
It's not the threat of falling in or getting rained on
that you need to be worried about
It's the possibility of sitting in soggy pants
because the condensation that collects on the inside of the kayak from your body heat mixing with the kayak sitting in cold water can create some really drippy-drawers.
Eeeew!
: /

This is me one NYE on Santa Cruz Island
enjoying some bubbly and treats after hiking all day in the rain

It cleared up just long enough to snack for about an hour
Enough time to take some silly pictures, and laugh at a huge crow
that flew off with a WHOLE wedge of triple cream brie
which weighed about a 1/2lb

I figured it would be a good thing to pass the time by taking silly pictures

I was in good company
20 year Tawny and some Bubbly

2nd night

still raining

What the heck

more snacks and more bubbly

Cheers!

Here I am on San Miguel Island

enjoying a super drizzly, super windy, ranger-lead hike to see the Elephant Seals

 

I'm right here, in the back

wearing the super-sexy outfit with the backpack, high socks and the skirt

; )

This is one of my all time favorite pictures

because it was taken on one of my all-time favorite adventures

backpacking the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast in Kauai, Hawaii

I look very happy here

because I was lucky enough to be able to pitch my tent

before the next really bad storm hit.

This was my first backpacking trip ever!
Here's an incredible quick google aerial video of the trail

: )

However

it turns out that I was there during the worst storm

Kauai had experienced since Hurricane Iniki.

This trip is responsible for changing my perspective
on my personal expectations, acceptance, pride, ability, and respect.

I encourage you to get outside
Embrace a little discomfort.
Face a fear.
Live.
Enjoy!
: )

Destinations are Only as Delicious as the Journey. This is the story of our first adventure together and how we returned to the scene of the crime 6 months later.

On February 14th, 2010, Andrew and I woke up at Montana De Oro State Park.

It was to be the first of many adventures together that would include running, water, wine, great people and wonderful food.

We had wanted to get out of town at the last minute and Andrew wanted me to pick the destination.

I gave him two choices:

Joshua Tree or Morro Bay.

I was thrilled that he chose Morro Bay!

There is no better place for a quick getaway that has the best of both worlds for each of us.

I crave the ocean, he craves trails, and Montana De Oro has it all!

Not to mention, just a 20 minute drive to Paso Wine Country!

Since we were still a new couple and I love to sleep under the stars, I slept outside and he slept in the car.

I couldn't wait till the morning so I could show Andrew the beautiful coastal trail.

A few moments after the above photo was taken we spotted the first of many runners wearing racing bibs.

Huh? I was totally confused. It turns out, it was the Montaña de Oro Ultra Marathon.

Now I really knew for sure that we had picked the perfect place to be.

We even tried to see if we could do a last minute registration but it was too late.

The race director was great, she told us about all the trail markings and said

 "...feel free to run it, and be sure to register for the next one in August..."

We ran part of the coastal trail before heading to Paso Robles for some Wine Tasting at Lone Madrone.

We decided that we'd definitely be back in August to run the Ultra!

Breakfast of Champions?

Quiche, Oatmeal Bars with Calvados Soaked Cherries, Brownies, Hard Cider, and Pork Rinds!

What more could a weekend ask for when you've got the water, trails, and wine?

How about a little bit of tap dancing?

I guess you can call teaching some basic tap dancing steps to some fellow trail hikers while holding a full glass

a great example of

"Disciplined Indulgence"

***********************************

Fast forward 6 months

***********************************

Saturday August 14th, 2010 

We set off on our 2nd Morro Bay and Montana De Oro Adventure.

We got the Truck packed with all the necessities, even a foam roller! : )

And Perrier!

After several hours of scenic driving it was time for lunch! 

Just before stopping for lunch,  I made a call to Silverlake Wine and asked George if he had any suggestions for places we had to visit while in Paso. 

He suggested Hug Cellars.

George couldn't have picked a better place to send us!

Hanging with my Ham, Cheese, and Chive Quiche; Quinoa Salad; and Raw Shredded Carrots and Beets; and a wonderful Hug Cellar Red.

Notice my cute top?

Andrew bought it for me in June at the Grandma's Marathon Expo.

Andrew enjoying his lunch and wine. 

We shared some of our lunch over great conversation with the "Hostess with the Most-est",  Raquel Hug, one of the dynamic duo behind these wonderful wines.

The wines that we tasted at Hug Cellars were all beautifully balanced, amazing "Food Wines" that were obviously crafted with love.

We cannot wait to visit again.

Check out their website, visit their tasting room, and hook up with them on Facebook.

Our Paso Trips always include a visit to Lone Madrone to sip some more amazing "food wines" and to pick up some more of their delicious Hard Cider.

 One this day, the charming Art Kishiyama, of Olio Nuevo, was sampling his delicious artisan crafted extra virgin olive oils and balsamics.

I had to get a bottle of the "Premium Aged Balsamic of Modena"

Estate Blended in Paso Robles.

My salads are loving it!

 Mister Andrew Calasanz, giving the grapes some love before we headed off to get some sleep.

Good Morning! Ready for the Ultra!

One last pic in the Spooner Cove parking lot, ready to head to the start.

 Would one of my adventures be complete without one of these poses?

Let's go!

 Since I only did the 8k (with all that elevation, if felt like the LA Marathon all over again), I had time to kill while Andrew finished his 25k. What better way to celebrate an early morning trail run then with some Lone Madrone Hard Cider with a yellow jacket chaser?

Poor little fella was loaded by the time I got him out of the glass.

The neatest thing about Ultras is that they have TREATS at the aid stations.

I had to take a picture of the "PUDDING" for my friend Gavril

  It was interesting to see what each runner chose to eat for "re-fuel-ing."

Golly, those trails sure got me dirty!

: )

 Andrew was even dirtier!

Big thanks to our friend Kristine!

 She let us crash at her beautiful home that was only 4 miles from the starting line. 

We're hoping she'll want to run it with us in February.

On Sunday, August 15th, 6 months to the day of our first adventure, we returned to Morro Bay, Spooner Cove, and Montana De Oro, and this visit was just as wonderful as our first.

On our first visit, I already knew that Mister Andrew Calasanz was "THE Man".
The only man.
I look forward to all the adventures our future together holds.
Thank you for sharing in our journey.
: )