Pescadero State Beach and Marsh Hike

Today was hot again, so Tristyn and I made a trip to the ocean. We took #84 west, through Woodside, La Honda and into Pescadero - a small town with the same name as the condo we live in!

We went to Pescadero first so we could go to Arcangeli Grocery Company - which bakes fresh artichoke bread in store all day. We got a loaf, and it was still warm!

We then drove south a couple miles and parked at the State Beach. Pescadero is both a beach and park, with trails that run back into the inland salt water marsh.

Tristyn wanted more bread before we left. He loved it.

I loaded him up

And off we went!

The path lead back inland over various sand dunes and scrub brush. It was extremely difficult to walk in loose sand with a 40 pound backpack on.

We spotted a lizard. Can you see him?

The path cut across the river on a nice bridge 

 The path got narrow at times as we go inland, out of the marsh and into the forest

There was quite a bit of Poison Oak on the sides of the path. It was nice to have the signs to warn you of it. We stayed well clear.

There were very nice views looking back west to the Pacific

We stopped after a few miles for our snack (the usual Apple Juice, Fruit and Crackers), and a picture on a bench (the trail is well maintained with multiple benches, bridges and boardwalks)

Across from the bench was a huge tree. Tristyn climbed it, then posed for some pictures.

We were about at the halfway point, and turned back. This portion of the patch was nicely shaded

We took an alternate route back, ending up on the beach. There were all kinds of drift wood houses.

At the ocean we stopped, Tristyn came out and he played in the sand

Tristyn enjoying the Pacific view

 To no surprise, he had a great time, rolling in the sand.

He ate alot of sand too

It was a perfect day - blue sky and hot

We packed up and headed back to the parking lot. Tristyn put up a huge fight, He did not want to go.

During the entire walk back, I could hear him crunching sand in this mouth. He got a fair bit of it down my back too.

The parking lot is on a cliff overlooking the beach and rocks below. We explored there a bit:

The we made our way down to the beach

We found a weird rock hanging from a piece of wood. Neither of us could figure out what it was!

We finished with one more picture on the rocks and then drove back to Pescadero for supper. 

Tristyn had the orange from my beer. He ate the skin as well.

We had fish and chips (hes blowing on it to cool it down)

Ice cream for dessert (salted caramel with chocolate chips)

And I had a bottle of mexican coke for the ride home

The End

El Corte Madre: Tristyn's First Redwoods Hike

Tristyn and I hiked in El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve in the Mid Peninsula today, Saturday June 20th, 2015. It's about a 30 minute ride from our house in Redwood Shores.

It was his first hike using the Wolfskin Child Carrier Maria (Tristyn) got me (him) for Fathers Day.

We arrived around 11AM. It was already hot, about 75 degrees. 

He walked with me for the first 5 minutes (since his test run in the carrier didn't go so well, alot of crying)

As expected, he put up a fight going into it - crying and resisting with his legs rigid. I stuffed him in anyway, and calmed him with a banana.

After a few minutes of walking, he was fine, enjoying the scenery and chirping. I could feel the weight for sure. He weights about 30 pounds, the pack is 7 pounds and then we had some water, snacks, etc - meaning it was close to 40 pounds. I usually wear my backpack with about 20 pounds in it on longer hikes for training - I could certainly feel the extra weight.

El Corte has a mix of Redwoods and evergreens, but isnt an old growth forest. I chose it because it was well shaded. The trees are only about 100 feet tall! :)

After about a mile he seemed to be getting restless, so I turned around. On the way back we almost walked into a decent sized Mule Deer. She wasn't nervous of us at all - I was able to stop and take some pictures and we watched her eat.

We got back to the start and he was doing fine, so I decided to take a side trail that descended 300 feet while following the creek. As you get closer to the creek, things get greener.

We stopped for a picture at the base of a large Redwood, which showed forest fire damage (most large ones do)

After about 10 minutes, Tristyn was asleep. He slept for about 50 minutes, snoring in my ear.

We turned around at the halfway point, a Maple Leaf :)

Tristyn saying "Da-Dad" (Daddie)

We got back to the park entrance after 4.1 miles, which took about 1 3/4 hours. Our average pace was 23 minutes/mile. By myself, when pushing, I can average 15 minute miles. On long (15+ mile hikes over difficult terrain), it's typically 20 minute miles. So 23 minutes seemed acceptable,  given the various stops to let him see leafs, moss, etc, plus the weight of 40 pounds on my back :)

We parked at a Vista Site, overlooking Silicon Valley. I got him off my back (sore not just because of the extra weight, but the pack didn't distribute the weight well - he rode on my shoulders as opposed to hips).

And had our snacks at a picnic table. He really liked the apple juice, peanut butter crackers and fish :)

We packed up and headed back down Skyline (Highway 35), through Woodside and went south on Highway 84 into Redwood City, and stopped at my favorite Mexican restaurant - Karlita's Tacos.

Lunch:

• Chips with Salsa Verde (green) and Mild Sauce
• 3 Tacos: Carnitas (Fried Pork), Chili Verde (Chicken/Pollo), and Al Pastor (Mexican pork of a spit, meaning In The Style Of The Shepherd)
• Hard Taco with Carnitas and Guacamole 
• Pupusa (corn tortilla stuffed with seasoned pork and cheese, then fried)
• Horchata (Mexican rice drink)

Tristyn loved the Horchata, but found the (mild) salsa much to spicy :)

We headed home and took a quick swim in the pool and hot tub, and has supper (which I had cooking all day: Pinto beans, pork, Poblano peppers and Tomatillo's)

Stats:

• Distance: 4.10 Miles ( 6.6 Kilometers)
• Time: 1 hour 46 minutes
• Elevation: 400 feet
• Calories Burned: 967 (likely not accurate, since my GPS/Hiking app dosent take into account the weight of Tristyn on the back :) )

You can find the GPS route here.

The End!