madbaker | I could get used to this.

I need to be independently wealthy. (Damn, gotta go buy another math-tax ticket.)

I took this week off from work; I accomplished a few things, but mostly I relaxed. Today I drove over to Muir Woods for some hiking.

I arrived slightly before 9 AM, and parked right in front; the place was mostly deserted. This meant that, among other things, when I got out of the main loop I could stop anywhere and not hear any sounds of humanity.
This meant a great deal to me.

I startled a doe and her fawn; was upbraided by several squirrels; and watched another deer watch me for five minutes. As I hiked up through the redwoods, a light rain started to fall. I was happy I had my wool cap, but didn't feel much rain - the canopy is thick enough that little got through. Just enough to lift my spirits. (I like fog and light drizzle.)

After a few miles of slowish hiking (man, gotta do more exercise!) I crested the ridge and exited out of the forest. The smells of wet California hills surrounded me, although the rain had stopped. I wished I had a camera as I looked out past the forest and grass to the ocean. It was staggeringly beautiful, if marred slightly by the realization that I was humming "the Catheter song" from A Mighty Wind.

By the time the rain re-started in earnest, I was ensconced at the Pelican Inn with a pint and a book. All in all, a very good day.

back to the real world of the workplace next week...

Current Book: James Schmitz, Telzey Amberdon