I left Fresno on Friday morning and headed to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. I found a trail there that looked particularly interesting because of the changing landscape and the proximity to a creek - Redwoods Reborn - Fall Creek. As I arrived at the trailhead, I found a sign that said there was a landslide, and the trail is impassable about 3.5 miles from the trailhead.
A bit disappointed, I decided to still hike the trail partially and see for myself whether the warning was worth complying with. On a Friday morning, I met only 5 people on this trail, peaceful and isolated. It loses elevation pretty quickly in the beginning (something that you have to suffer through later on) as you walk on a narrow trail on the side of the hill.
At the bottom of it, there is a beautiful creek with dozens of butterflies flying around in sunny areas. This is the second time I saw so many Monarchs in one place, the first time was in Big Basin a few months ago.
I couldn't stop admiring the landscape and surroundings. It reminded me of a fairy tale with witches and small huts, very mysterious and mesmerizing.
I approached the spot where the landslide happened, decided not to challenge my luck and turned around. The climb back was quite tough, but certainly doable. By then the air warmed up and thickened, and the thought of a possible mountain lion kept me moving swiftly up the hill. Tired of silence, I started listening to Animal Farm by George Orwell, quite a fascinating book and very insightful.
I finished the hike and decided to go for a walk on the beach in Wilder Ranch State Park. The Old Landing Cove trail was yet again recommended on AllTrails as a short and easy hike on the coast. You can park either on the main highway and walk to the entrance (saves $10), or just pay the fee and park in their parking lot, which is what I ended up doing. The hike was certainly picturesque.
I was even lucky to see a coyote!
A bit chilly from walking on the shore line, I wanted to stop at one of the Santa Cruz wineries to do wine tasting. I ended up stopping at MJA Vineyars where I met an amazing and fun couple and spent a couple of hours just chatting with them.
It was getting late. I was hungry, but the two places I wanted to try for dinner were full, so instead I decided to go straight to my AirBnb and check in. The house was located right across from Henry Cowell State Park and was really quiet at night, except the disturbing cicadas and crickets chirping their life away outside. This AirBnB ended up being such a pleasant and restful place.
The next day, I got a coffee and a croissant...
...and went to Butano State Park. I planned to hike Canyon, Goat Hill Trail Loop, but when I arrived there, the mobile connection was gone and the GPS directions were nowhere to be found (or downloaded, to be exact). Another disappointment, but in the past that did not discourage me from hiking. I tried to use the map, but was quite confused. I hiked about 2 miles on the trail, and then the trail disappeared. I had to turn around (strike two this weekend!) and head back. In the meantime, I got to enjoy peaceful and desolate hiking, but started to miss people (who knew this was even possible?!). I would like to come back here with a hiking partner to do this again, because the park is truly incredible, but I guess I didn't have the guts to continue.
Instead, I went back to the coast, stopped at a couple of vista points and drove to a small town, Pescadero, CA, where I found a unique grocery store that also bakes their own artichoke bread (I didn't know that even existed). I bought a fresh, still warm loaf of bread and enjoyed another not-gluten-free day.
Munching on artichoke bread, I drove to San Jose to check in in my AirBnB there and take a shower. I needed to get ready for the Jazz festival! As last year, it brings a lot of people to Plaza de Chavez. I met up with a few folks there, enjoyed some jazz and local art and finished the day at a whiskey bar, one of my favorites in San Jose. It is becoming a tradition, the second year in a row, that I go to Labyrinth at the Jazz Fest. They make AMAZING mules!
The night at the AirBnB was hot... Really hot! Somehow I did not notice that the place did not have air conditioning. Usually, it is not an issue in San Jose, unless it is 90 degrees outside. Luckily, it cooled down at night, so I was able to fall asleep.
In the morning, I got some coffee and was ready to head home. As always, I was really sad leaving San Jose, a town full of social life and nice and trendy places, something that I truly miss in Fresno. I need to move... Really do...
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