2011 Trip out West PART 3

As the pancakes were being digested, we traveled to the Monterey Peninsula and visited Pebble Beach. We were able to check out the Pebble Beach golf links, which is held as one of the most pristine golf courses in the world. I was also able to get in some sea level training to the tune of 10.65 miles in about 6 minute mile pace. We concluded our trip to Pebble Beach with a walk along the coast and one last dip in the Pacific Ocean. Our hosts in Novato were kind enough to allow us to stay with them two more nights as we finished up our trip, so we headed back toward the city by the bay. Upon arrival, we headed out to eat and as Bowers so eloquently stated, our ears were delighted by some live music. We were able to get a table right next to the band (the basest sat his drink on our table). The band was Fat Opie and they put on a great show with some excellent original songs.

August 16^th marked the last day of our trip out west, we awoke to clean out two weeks of debris from our rental car. The compact Nissan Versa became our home for the trip, we slept in it, ate in it, and pushed it to the limit, covering over 3900 miles. After the car looked like new, Craig took it back to the rental place at the airport while Bowers and I strolled the Presidio to the point one last time. We all walked to Fort Mason and I ran another 10.25 miles trying to explore as much of the city as I could. On our way to the Bay Area Rapid Transit we walked to Pioneer Park (Coit Tower), China Town, Triangle Tower, and Lombard Street. We hopped on the red-eye flight back to Cleveland and reflected on our amazing journey. It was difficult for me to come down from such a high point in my life, something that I had wanted to experience for so many years. However, cross country camp started a few days later and helped me readjust my mind state quickly.

RUNNING & HIKING STATISTICS

August 2^nd 1.5 13:34 in San Francisco (Up Hyde Street and around Golden Gate Park) 8.05 1:00:00 in Novato 9.55 miles

August 3^rd 4.78 44:25 around Muir Woods 5.69 46:35 out and back on Golden Gate Bridge 7.70 1:04:47 up Mount Tamaulipas 18.17 miles

August 4^th 7.01 56:39 along the coast of Pacific Ocean near Glass Beach 7.01 miles

August 5^th 7.50 Redwood NP (Trillium Falls, Redwood Creek, Tall Trees Grove and Fern Canyon) 5.50 44:07 in Cresant City beach 13.00 miles

August 6^th 3.00 up and down Upper Table Rock 7.60 1:03:37 in Crater Lake NP (up and down Garfield Peak) 10.60 miles

August 7^th 5.00 up and down Mount Scott 2.00 out and back to Plainki Falls 2.20 out and back to Cleetwood Cove 1.00 in Burns 1.20 in Meredian 5.02 38:15 in Boise (along Boise River Green Belt) 16.42 miles

August 8^th 10.85 1:22:46 out and back to Heavens Gate Lookout in Hells Canyon 10.85 miles

August 9^th 10.20 1:30:06 out and back up Millcreek Canyon near Salt Lake City 10.20 miles

August 10^th 11.21 1:31:06 out and back up Millcreek Canyon near Salt Lake City 1.40 out and back up Rattle Snake Gulch 12.61 miles

August 11^th 18.23 2:31:44 along the south shore of Lake Tahoe 3.18 26:39 near Truckee Marsh 21.41 miles

August 12^th 10.01 1:21:46 from Emerald Bay to Rubicon Bay and back 2.00 hiking near Emerald Bay 12.01 miles

August 13^th 15.80 Yosemite NP (from Glacier Point to valley, Lower Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, valley to Glacier Point) 15.80 miles

August 14^th 5.01 38:59 in Mammoth Lakes 7.60 up and down Upper Yosemite Falls 3.56 28:11 in Yosemite Valley 3.00 hike Mariposa Grove 3.01 24:56 Mariposa Grove 22.18 miles

August 15^th 10.65 1:04:47 in Pebble Beach 10.65 miles

August 16^th 10.25 1:22:27 in San Francisco 10.25 miles

August 17^th 8.74 56:04 back in Tiffin 8.74 miles

TRIP RUNNING / HIKING MILEAGE = 209.45 miles

2011 Trip out West PART 2

After some debate over the destination of the next leg of our journey we landed on Hells Canyon in the northern panhandle on August 8^th. Hells Canyon is actually the deepest canyon in North America at an impressive 2.4 kilometers deep. This was a surprising fact we learned upon arrival. Due to time constraints we had to prioritize our activities so decided to run up Squaw Creek Road to the Heavens Gate Overlook. We parked the car at the bottom and trudged our way up the mountain side, after arriving at the top Craig, Bowers and I agreed that I should run back down and drive the car to the top. This added a solid six more miles to my day and gave them a breather. The views from the top were breathtaking, including the winding Snake River, the pervasive Seven Devels Mountain Range to the east, three states and about five national forests. The lookout also serves as a wildfire lookout spot and due to its elevation (8429 feet) is prone to frequent lightning storms. After a long day of driving and running we took some time to walk around downtown Boise and of course much to Craig’s delight check out the famous blue turf football field.

We changed states once again on August 9^th as we entered northern Utah. Isolation was the theme of this morning drive, surrounded by an all-encompassing desert. In the middle of nothingness, however, we paid homage to a large piece of American history in the form of a railroad. It was quite an experience to set foot on the very spot where the gold spike was hammered uniting the Union and Central Pacific Railroads on May 10^th 1869. After the history lesson, we made our way down to Salt Lake City to meet up with our next couch surfing family. They gave us suggestions on where to go for a run; Millcreek Canyon where we put in a quick ten in the Wasatch Range. Then we enjoyed a great dinner, great conversation and reflection on where our trip had taken us thus far.

August 10^th included another eleven-mile run up Millcreek Canyon, but also a hike up Rattle Snake Gulch where we were rewarded with a panoramic view of the city and lake below. In the afternoon we wandered around the city and of course stopped to observe the Mormon Temple. On our way out of the city we were distracted by several side attractions, one of which included wading out into the Great Salt Lake which was pleasantly warm but teaming with Brine Flies and Shrimp. The other was Antelope Island, which was quite a sidetrack but worth it after Bowers and I spotted our purpose for going to the island, a bison.

Once again we stopped into Dennis’s for all you can eat pancakes in which Craig, Bowers and I each consumed eight. Then we hit the road to traverse the Utah and Nevada deserts on our way to Lake Tahoe. All the while, we attempted to “dance off our pancakes” in the car. We arrived in Carson City Nevada very early the next morning much to the dismay of our couch surfing host. As a result of our late night of driving we slept in on August 11^th, before traveling to Lake Tahoe. Upon arrival we avoided all the cheap attractions and visited a history museum to get our chronological bearings of the area. Then Bowers took off on a 77 mile ride around the lake, while Craig and I began a long run. We started in Emerald Bay and after some miles on the road I veered off onto a trail that took me to Cascade Falls and Lake. I headed back to Baldwin Beach and Craig and I went for about a 500 meter swim in the mild Tahoe waters. Then while Bowers and Craig enjoyed some all you can eat Chinese food I went for a three mile run around the Upper Truckee Marsh, giving me a solid 21 miles on the day in my attempt to compete with Bowers’ impressive ride.

On August 12^th, we arrived early and Bowers and Craig did some hiking while I ran a quick ten-mile out and back from Emerald Bay to Rubicon Bay. After the run I attempted to catch up with Bowers and Craig by hiking down next to a waterfall to the castle near Emerald Bay. After refueling we headed toward the Sierra Nevada’s and Yosemite National Park. We stopped at several roadside vistas, most notably the Lake Mono overlook. Then we went up Tioga Pass into the National Park, and did a sunset hike through the Tuolumne Meadows. Just off the beaten path this was an amazing wilderness with countless Mule Deer and upland meadow flora. It would have been a miserable and sleepless night in the car but Craig manned up and drove through the night to Glacier Point where we caught the sunrise over Half Dome on August 13^th.

After catching a glimpse of the first Black Bear I had ever seen we descended the 4.6 mile trail down into Yosemite Valley. Then we explored in the valley, Lower Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Bridelveil Falls. Then we made the hike back to the top of Glacier Point. A 27 kilometer hike may not seem like it would be too difficult but our lack of any water or food for the day made the final ascent miserable. After we were satisfied with our days adventures we made the decision to get a hotel in Mammoth Lakes. We stayed at the Sierra Nevada Lodge and aided muscle recovery in the hot tub. After a restful nights sleep I awoke and ran a quick 5 miles with the snowcapped peaks as my back drop. After the run we indulged in a significant amount of food at the continental breakfast which had a spectacular patio view of the mountains.

August 14^th marked our third day in Yosemite, and to celebrate the start of another day we took an ice cold plunge in the waters of Lake Tenaya. After the exhilarating swim in the mountain lake we headed back to the valley and made the 6.4 mile round trip hike to Upper Yosemite Falls, which we completed in about 2 hours 5 minutes. It was one of the more challenging ascents of my life, which included over 120 switchbacks. Once we were back in the valley my compulsive mind was convinced to run another four miles in the valley while Craig and Bowers checked out the famous Ahwahnee Lodge. After I too made a quick walk through of the lodge we headed to Mariposa Grove. I did not think I could be again impressed by trees after our exploration of the Redwood National Park, but the Giant Sequoias proved me wrong. It is impossible to capture in words how impressive these organisms are, so instead I will describe our adventure in the grove. I am a stubborn person and when I set out to complete something, I intend to finish it, which is probably why the three of us had to sprint clumsily through the grove in the pitch black without a light. We managed to visit each named tree before the sun went down, as a result we were three miles from the car as the sun set. After we made it out of the grove safely relief washed over us and we made our exodus from the park to the town of Merced where we stayed the night in a dive motel.

August 15^th marked the fourth and final installment of the Dennis’s all you can eat pancake challenge. This was a momentous occasion that resulted in both triumph and misery blended to yeild 100 total pancakes between the three of us in four trips to Dennys. Craig poured his heart and soul onto the breakfast table and devoured ten pancakes, while Bowers finished with nine and I fizzled out at seven. Nonetheless, the trip total was 31 pancakes for both Bowers and myself and an impressive 38 for Craig. This was arguable the telling statistic of the trip, and that statistic is we exercised excessively and did not eat nutritiously enough to compensate for it. Either way it was an extremely memorable and entertaining part of our journey!

2011 Trip out West PART 1

Craig, Ezekiel, Myself in Tiffin

Craig & Myself in Pacific Ocean

Our 2011 trip out west was first planned back in grade school in 2002, when we wanted to take an extended road trip across country. However, the trip never came into fruition in high school like we intended. But at the start of summer 2011, the idea reemerged in the minds of Ezekiel Bowers, Craig Genet and myself and we solidified the commitment by purchasing round trip tickets to San Francisco. After this, we began planning the specifics of the trip, which included the traverse of five states over the course of two weeks.

San Francisco

San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge

So on August 1^st we headed to my house in Berea, Ohio and the next morning, August 2^nd, we boarded a plane at Hopkins International Airport. As soon as we arrived in San Francisco our first stop was fisherman’s Warf where we took a plunge in the bay. To dry off we sprinted to the top of Hyde Street, hopped back in the rental and wandered around Golden Gate Park. For the evening we crossed over the Golden Gate Bridge into Novato to stay with our hosts.

Waking up on August 3^rd we drove to Mount Tamalpais and dropped off Bowers and watched him as he disappeared into the foggy switchbacks. Then Craig and I ran some miles around Muir Woods on the lower slopes of Mount Tam and then ran out and back over the Golden Gate Bridge. Finally, after Bowers finished his second summit of Tam, I decided to run to the summit, for a total of about 18 miles on the day. After an extensive day of running and biking we wandered around San Francisco and took a plunge in the Pacific Ocean at Muir Beach.

Sea Lion

Myself & Bowers at Bodega Bay

Muir Beach

August 4^th began with our departure from Novato and a meandering drive up highway 1 to the iconic Bodega Bay. Bodega Bay was the setting for the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock film, The Birds. Our next stop was Fort Bragg, where we began our quest for the all-you-can-eat pancake record at Denny’s. Craig mowed down nine pancakes to add to his two from Stinson Beach from the previous day, while Bowers and I both grinded out seven. Following our binge we went for a seven-mile run along the pacific front and coastal bluffs near Glass Beach. We took some time for wildlife viewing at MacKerricher State Park, and spotted several sea lions. The remainder of our voyage up highway 1 was engulfed with the sound of Pink Floyd’s The Wall. We finally called it a night and slept at a rest stop near Trinidad Beach.

Fording Redwood Creek

Myself, Craig, Ezekiel in Grizzly Creek

Trillium Falls

Gray Whale in Klamath River

 

After a painful night of car sleeping, August 5^th was a new day in a new location. After waking we made the drive to Redwood National Park and upon arriving hiked the 2.5-mile Trillium Falls trail. The lush forest, massive redwoods and banana slugs made this one of my favorite hikes I had completed to date. After our warm up we obtained our Tall Trees permit and made the painstaking drive down the dirt road. Upon arrival, we hiked along Redwood Creek and took a quick dip in the clear waters. Then we began a series of painful fords over jagged rocks until we reached the Tall Trees Loop. After staring at the sky in awe we traveled to Elk Meadow where we caught our first glimpse of the Roosevelt Elk. Then we finished our adventure in Redwood with a trip to the impressive Fern Canyon. As I attempted to jog back to the car I was chased by a few elk and thus took a ride back to our car. While riding along with the couple we were informed that there was a Gray Whale in the Klamath River just to the north. Naturally we made our way to the bridge and took advantage of the unorthodox opportunity to see a whale in the river. We decided to get a motel in Cresant City and I went for a 5.5 mile run along the beach while Craig and Bowers grocery shopped. The night ended while we watched the sun set on the Pacific Ocean.

Bowers in Fern Canyon

Myself & Craig at Jacksonville

Oregon State Line

Sunset on the Pacific Ocean

August 6^th began with a much more restful night sleep behind us and we finally made our way out of California and into Oregon. However, before we began the long drive we made our second stop at Denny’s and Criag and I consumed nine pancakes while Bowers powered through seven. En route to Crater Lake we hiked to the top of the Upper Table Rock and enjoyed beautiful views of the Rouge River Valley. Additionally, we would have been remiss to not stop at Jacksonville, a destination of the Oregon Trail. We reached our destination of Crater Lake and it remains to be the most breathtaking view I have ever witnessed. After taking in the scenery I ran 7.5 miles up and down Garfield Peak and we camped in the backcountry of the mosquito infested Cascades.

Craig & Ezekiel at Plainki Falls

On top of Mount Scott

In Crater Lake

Lower Table Rock

Plainki Falls

We awoke early on August 7^th, and started the hike up Mount Scott, where we had a panoramic view of Crater Lake. After the climb we jogged the two-mile loop around Plainki Falls and then finished our 33-mile drive around the lake. We concluded our trip with a hike down Cleetwood Trail and took the plunge into Crater Lake off of the 17-foot jumping rock. After jumping into the water twice, I swam a ways out into the lake and reflected on the fact that I was swimming in the second deepest lake in North America. We hopped back in the versa and made the trek across the eastern Oregon sagebrush. After running a mile in each small town we stopped in along the way I ran five more miles along the Boise River greenbelt in Boise Idaho.

Crater Lake

Jumping in Crater Lake