Perfect Weekend (3)

Sun, 2.29.2004


Since we didn't engage in any physically demanding activities yesterday, John wanted to go for a hike. Particularly, he hoped to spot snakes.

He had heard after spring rains, snakes were out and about. Old Mission Dam was one of the locations.

We found out Oak Canyon, a trail just off Old Mission Dam, was still closed. I was glad that we're off possible snake sightings.

We then headed over Kwaay Paay Summit Trail. It was our first time there. Most of the time we took the Grinding Rocks Trail, a one-mile loop rock climbers used to get to the "walls." It's a bit strenuous thus a fast workout route. (We don't do rock-climbing.) We wanted to try different trails but parts of the park were closed due to the horrendous forest fire last October. Finally, we could explore other parts of Mission Trails Regional Park.

The rolling green hills would definitely trick you into thinking you're somewhere else. Spring in San Diego is incredibly lovely. For a short 2 to 3 months, the nature smiles at us with golden poppies, lilacs, laurels, sage, sunflowers..., etc. You think only beaches worth visiting?

A life circle begins at the city of desert climate. I'm truly amazed by encounters with nature in this region -- it doesn't matter whether it's a prickly pear, a horned lizard, or an eroded canyon.

We took the steep trail as a pleasant surprise. John loves a demanding (and scenic) hike. The heavy rain had dug furrows on the loose soil. Fortunately, the ground was completely dry and firm, which didn't give us much trouble.

We heard birds chirping then saw plenty of good singers, a few American-Idol-reject crows, and hawks. Some of them may not be known as great singers but always crowd pleasers -- the hummers. Humming Birds can be seen almost anywhere in San Diego year around.

On our way to the summit, a few Anna's and Black-Chins danced freely with astonishing speed. Here, a flash of dazzling magenta (Anna's throat); there, a glimmer of teal (Anna's body). They zoomed across the hills right in front of our eyes. Although binoculars helped us observe with great clarity, they were simply too expeditious to follow. We enjoyed the surprises brought by these little creatures every few moments. A couple of Black-Chins rested on bare branches making calls and we were lucky enough to snap a few pictures to take home as souvenirs to remember this hike by.

As we headed upward, a field of blue bushes came in sight. John burst out a WOW. The sunrays had smuded the shades into fainted lavender. Yes, we recognized them but never learnt the name. They were bees' favorite.

We then had the bouquet of thousands of tiny blue flowers to company us to the top.

Actually, we didn't find the "summit." There weren't any signs. We walked around a web of trails at seemingly the highest part of the hill. Oh, why would it matter anyway?

Kumeyaay Lake and Grass Crossing first came into field of vision. Off distance, downtown skylines with surrounding silvery ocean waves beamed the charms of sunny San Diego at us and the mesas in Mexico stood serenely in the mist of a marine layer.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a picnic up there?

Yes, very much so.

Our energies perspired along with the sweat but no supplies to refill. It's 3 pm when we finally descended to the foothill (after a 3-hour hike).

Kumeyaay Lake was just across street (Father Juniper Trail). How could we miss that? So, I dragged my feet and empty stomach to go for another half-hour stroll. John seemed to be very good-spirited, without a sign of running out of gas. My knees started to hurt a bit. It occurs from time to time after descending steep hills, which is the "aftermath" of a successful climb to the Rim of Mt. St. Helens 2 and half years ago.

I couldn't shake the image of Grass Crossing off my mind and I knew we'd return when it's open. (Closed for raining season.)

For the moment, the calling of hamburgers was a lot more irresistible.

PS. We didn't go the museums after all.