The Giant Race 9.16.12

Thanks to Chris's sister Jennie, I got to spend a weekend in San Francisco with the Barcellos family (minus the papa Barcellos) to run in The Giant Race. This race benefits the Project Open Hands which provides meals to those in needs... Critically ill/homebounds, seniors, and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Jennie came up from San Diego and since Chris and I have been training for the Nike Women's Marathon, we decided to run with Jennie as a training run. The start line was in front of the AT&T park where the SF Giants play their games. The race didn't start until 8:30am which I thought was unusual but thankful at the same time so that I didn't have to get up at 5 in the morning on Sunday morning. I don't think I've ever seen so many people in orange and gray in one place! Definitely a lot of Giant's fans and love.  

There were couple of hills but the course was relatively flat. As you can see I'm wearing a tank top which means the temperature wasn't as cold as what San Francisco usually provides for us. We walked about a mile from our hotel to the start line which was a bit chilly but nevertheless it was a perfect morning for a long run. 

Where is the sun?  Our half way turn around point was at the famous Golden Gate Bridge. I was so glad the sun wasn't shining. 

The sun came up at the end. The finish line was in the park which was pretty awesome. I do have to say the AT&T park has the BEST feeling grass ever! Chris and I snuck into the field and got a dose of what it feels like to stand in the middle of a baseball field which was my first time. It was something else. 

McWay Falls 9.3.12

Before heading back to Santa Cruz, Chris and I decided to stop at the McWay Falls since I've never been there despite the fact that I go to Big Sur area once a year. It was exactly 9 miles to the waterfall from the camp site. You can park along the HWY 1 for free or you can go into the park and pay $10.

I think the total visit took about 15 minutes. It was so foggy that we could hardly see a thing.

It's always exciting to walk through a tunnel. 

Kirk Creek Campground 8.31.12-9.3.12

Labor day weekend trip to Kirk Creek Campground which is situated about 25miles south of Big Sur, Ca on Highway 1.

We left late at about 9:30pm from Santa Cruz and arrived at the campsite a little shy of midnight.  You can reserve a campsite or take a chance and hope to get a site on one of the first come first spots.  I'm a freak and I reserved a site 6 months prior. There is nothing wrong with early planning right?

Essentially every campsite has an ocean view which is amazing. We were at camp site 33. There are 2 bathrooms, no showers, no drinking water on the campground. However, there are 2 water stations available for use.  Each camp site is provided with a picnic table, fire pit and a grill. You can have total of 8 people and 2 cars on each site. There is free parking available right outside of the campground on HWY 1 if additional parking is needed.

This is a view from the inside of our tent. We woke up to a beautiful day. Everything was wet from the moisture so make sure you bring an extra towel to wipe things down.

The boys left to go surf and it was time for my friend Ida and I to sip on mimosas for catch-up time. Ida came up from Long Beach which was about 5 hour drive for her. After finishing few bottles of champagne, we were ready for a hike. The boys came back just in time for a hike so off we go...

We went up Nacimiento Fergusson road just out side of the campground to find a trail I once went about 4 years ago but failed to find it. And it's only because we didn't go far enough.

View from the above during our mission to find a hiking trail...

Instead, we walked down to a near by beach and found this...

After a quick nap, Ida and I left for a hike before the sunset. 

We only went up a mile and came back since I was scared of little creatures on the trail. This trail is 100% expose to the sun so I recommend a lot of sunscreen/hat if you go during the day. The sunset was stunning.

The next day was not as pretty but wasn't as hot either. The fog stayed around all day.

Ida and I decided once again to find the trail while the boys went surfing and we FOUND it!

It's about a mile hike from the camp ground and is 100% exposed on the Nacimiento Fergusson road.  However, once you are one the trail, you are not as exposed to the sun. There are few places where you can park your car near by the entrance as well.

The hike itself is mellow. We had to turn around couple of times because of fallen trees and such. But we still managed to explore a bit.

After our 5mile hike, Ida and I came back to the camps site and decided to get ready for the night early. I tried to cut one of the logs I found in Santa Cruz but failed miserably. I blame it on the ax. 

I probably had the healthiest camp meal ever thanks to Chris and Ida.

After our healthy dinner, we put 2 'failed' logs into the fire pit with some lighter fluid and called it a night.