An early morning enjoying the view of the river while journaling, thinking about the last day of the year and what I’m looking forward to in 2024. After we packed up, wishing we could stay longer, we headed up the Sonoma coast for a hike on the Jenner Headlands Preserve. A friendly volunteer gave us suggestions for how to deal with the very muddy trails. It was a perfect hiking day – cool weather, high clouds, no wind, beautiful views. We hiked together for the first 2 miles gaining 850 feet elevation. At one point Javi wanted to challenge a large brown cow near a gate, we talked him down and dragged him past. The cow was completely bored by Javi’s barking and its number tag was 666, so we didn’t want to take any chances that it might actually be a devil! Chrissy headed off on a longer 9 mile hike while I opted for the shorter 4.7 mile one since I had a 3+ hour drive ahead of me. The trail got very muddy as I got close to a creek crossing so I was very happy I had brought my hiking poles. This was a great hike to end the year.
After the hike I drove to my sister Michelle’s house in Placerville. I’m going to be house and pet sitting for them this week. After the dogs Strider and Amicus greeted me and help me settle in we had a delicious New Year’s Eve dinner- Tim barbecued prime rib and Michelle made asparagus with sesame seeds and garlic bread. Yummmm! We watched the Sacramento Kings beat the Memphis Grizzlies. Hoping this will be the Kings year, they came so close last year (I sound like I actually follow basketball!) I’m grateful to have ended the year in such a lovely way, contemplation time, being outdoors at both the coast and the mountains, listening to a great audiobook (A Man Called Ove) and spending time with 2 of my sisters (plus a brother-in-law) and their doggies. It doesn’t get much better than this.
July gratitude
- Turning 55 – celebrating with family over several days
- Hot hike with the trail goddesses, including Michele, getting ice water from water district staff
- Much cooler hikes later in the month on Mount Tam
- Family reunion tour of the Pacific Northwest with Lori – getting to catch up with aunts and cousins, seeing where grandma and grandpa are buried
- Seeing an incredible paper art exhibit
- Tears for Fears concert with my sisters
