Best Views, No Bull

Toro County Park, dammit. It took two, seven-mile hikes to get it right. The first time I set out on foot at Toro County Park I parked right there at the front gate. I really should have driven up to the 3rd parking lot, which would have put me on the trail past all...

Just Add Water: San Luis NWR

Our stop here was really an afterthought. Susie and I were on our way to the Hite Cove Trail in the Sierra National Forest and decided to layover in Merced the evening before so we could get a fresh start in the morning.  Checking Google Maps for the best way to...

Arroyo Seco Gorge(ous)

This is about the fourth trip Susie and I have made to the trail along Arroyo Seco Gorge, which is about 45 minutes southeast of the ranch by Carmel Valley Road.  Each time I like how easily we get to the action:  This view is about 150 yards from where we parked the...

Garland Ranch: I Can See for Miles

  For the past few years I’ve been driving past Garland Ranch Regional Park a couple of times a week and have always wanted to hike up to the top just to see what it was like.  Not a big bucket list item, just a minor fitness challenge, sort of like hiking...