We
spent a few minutes resting there, just breathing in the quite. Then a boy scout
troop ruined our little moment.Berry Creek Falls
Finally, we came to the last falls: Berry Creek Falls. I gracefully conceded defeat to Naoto, but I didn't mind too much. The falls were absolutely beautiful. There was fresh mountiain water, a twisty turny stone face, and forest-green moss; what more could you want in a waterfall?
We
spent a few minutes resting there, just breathing in the quite. Then a boy scout
troop ruined our little moment.
Oh well. Time to start back on the loop. We had three mor hours to go just to get back to the parking lot!
Along about the fourth hour of the hike, I suddenly realized I should have bought new hiking boots for this trip. I was still wearing the boots I bought five or more years ago when I worked at the YMCA of the rockies.
Anyway, this is why I think my marriage works. Without me, Naoto would never get up in time and drive all the way out to a park to go hiking. Without Naoto, I would never make it the last few hours of our hikes!!!
He's my hero.
After the hike, we drove into Los Gatos, a cute little town on the outskirst of San Jose. I decided we should spend the night there instead of tyring to drive back to the Bay Area because I thought we would be tired. Boy am I glad I have foresight!
Los Gatos is a rich little town where Marilyn Monroe and Joe Dimaggio had their honeymoon. Naoto and I had dinner at the California Cafe, where President Reagan ate when he visited San Jose. I felt a little traitorous to my flaming liberal upbringing, but managed to swallow the filet mignon, champage, and coconut prawns nevertheless.
Then I limped back to our hotel and laid down. I did not get up again until the next morning! When we awoke, we decided to take a walk through the town to get some coffee. As we walked, I felt a little out of place in my sweats and uncoiffed hair. It was so strange there, I kept expecting to see Rod Serling leap out of one of the cute boutiques and begin his Twilight Zone speel.
Every person we saw that morning was white, dressed in bike shorts, and was part of a couple. Now mind you, at least some of the couples were heterosexual and some were homosexual, but both kinds of couples either had two dogs or a baby in a sporty stroller. I felt quite naked with just my purse. All of them were blonde and smiling, one hand on the leash/stroller handle and one hand filled with a steaming hot latte made from organic coffee beans. (I know that last part because the cafe in town only sells coffee made from organic coffee beans) I didn't know there were whole towns of people like that!
Anyway, on the whole it was a great trip. I definitely recommend it for anybody visiting the bay area: just don't forget to bring salt for the yellow slugs, comfortable hiking boots, and a dog/baby to walk with in town after the hike!