19 August 2017 - Santiago Peak Hike Attempt

There is a mountain in the distance...I see it every day. For over half a decade I have had a desire to climb to the top. Santiago Peak, sometimes called Saddleback Mountain, has haunted me few a few years. It has a tough trailhead (have to drive on gravel roads for about 4 miles; sometimes the creek washes out these roads). The official trail is about 16 Miles round trip, with the first 8 miles climbing about 5500 feet of elevation gain.

I tried to visit once before(2013). I found the access road, but gave up after some really scary driving.

A few Saturdays ago I decided to see what I could now do. To solve the issue with the access road, I simply decided to hike the additional 8 miles.

The first 4 miles of gravel roads were peaceful (except for when cars went rushing by).

As I made it into the Cleveland National Forest the trees became more plentiful, providing nice shade. I was having fun. I finally found the Fire Station that marks the nearby trail head for the Holly Jim trail, named after a foul mouthed bee keeper. It was starting to get really hot (80-90 deg F) outside.

I walked up past some mountain cabins and found the Falls Trail. As the trail started to get steeper, I deployed my new trekking poles. Up I went, after about 18 switchbacks I started to wonder if I was actually making any progress. I did see quite a few people on the trail. Most looked like the heat was getting to them.

About 3.5 miles up the peak, I started running dangerously low on water. I know the risks of dehydration so I called the hike and turned back.

7 August 2017 - Car and Hair update...

So after all those months of car free living, I finally got a replacement.

Yep, I went with the RT Challenger. It is probably one of the dumbest (financially) and simultaneously enjoyable purchases I will ever make. It is an absolute relief to not have to walk, bus, bike, or uber everywhere. I've finally gotten back to the beach a few times for some surfing sessions.

Opportunity costs being what they are, I do have my doubts. Going from the 40mpg jetta to this 12mpg gas hog stings worse than I thought it would (I've only driven about 200 miles a month, however). I am experiencing cognitive dissonance between wanting to help the environment and destroying it with this machine. Having a car payment for the first time in 3 years is manageable, but I don't like it.

Of course these doubts evaporate every time I get behind the wheel and hit that gas peddle.

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Here is an update on growing out my hair. It is starting to get a little crazy. I's about 4-6" longer than a year ago.