It’s September 8th. I hiked about 5 miles today to the State Beach to the lifeguard tower and along the beach path in San Clemente. This is one of the peaceful ways I love to enjoy summer. It still feels very much like summer this week, with the beach cities in the 90’s, and inland rising to triple digits.
I am grateful I was able to walk without extreme pain today. I have been working on strengthening my core since being struck with sciatica back in July. It’s been about 8 weeks since I first experienced shooting pains, and numbness in my leg. I am happy to report that today, it feels like things are less inflamed and maybe stabilizing.
Two days ago I did my longest hike, in Wood Canyon, starting at Canyon View Park. It was 6.4 miles with 500 feet of gain. This would have been too easy for me, in my past, when I always went extreme. If I could make it, I was going for it, be it up Car Wreck, Sheep Run, or Mathis Canyon, all which lead into Aliso and Wood Canyons. I always was going for at least 1000 or 1500 feet of gain on my regular training hikes. Not in training today, just in recovery mode.
I love this canyon, and its woodsy vibe. I wound my way along Wood Creek Trail and onto Coyote Run. Along the way I had a run in with a large Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, which coiled as I passed it, causing me to jump out of the way. It was maybe 4 feet from the trail, under a tree branch. It had a humongous girth, for a juvenile, evidenced by the rattles in their tails.
I also got a close up of one of my favorite moths, the Skipper. In spite of the dryness, and it being the end of summer, there was still a scattering of delicate purple flowers in bloom. The sycamores with their large green leaves, made it still feel like it could be spring, with their bright green leaves. Yet at my feet, were piles of dry leaves, a sign that fall is truly on its way, and winter will be here soon.
After making my way to Dripping Cave, we took a breather, checking out the peg holes in the rocks. Stagecoach robbing thieves would hide out here, hanging their sacks of gold on pegs, during the times of the Gold Rush. This massive cave is one of the main attractions in the canyon, along with some famous car wreckage nearby.
The sun came out strong, and as I walked back along the much wider path, of Wood Canyon Trail, it started to get hot I passed over several small bridges, crossing the running creek, looking out over sunny meadows, and enjoying moments of coolness under shady tree canopies while making my way back to Canyon View Park.
With a lingering heat wave, I wanted to take care, not to be out in the sun too long, or too late in the day. It was set to climb to 95 degrees on this particular day, and it would be even hotter during subsequent days.
My goal is to continue to strengthen myself, and maintain good posture. Hiking does strengthen your core, but I must still take it easy. My goal is to be able to hike 10 miles again and possibly to hike up a mountain again by the end of October (my yearly birthday tradition). It’s ok to have goals, but only time will tell what I will be capable of. For now I will gradually work up to things, and each hike in nature feels like so much of a greater gift than ever before.
I hope you get outside and go explore too today.
About me
I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
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Disclaimer: The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2024 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.
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