Was on a three day backpacking trip in Yosemite this weekend. Carrying insane weight on my back; wheezing uphill at high altitudes; acting all cool like I've done this so many times before; packing food with an eye to the weight it would add; leaving behind the sunscreen tube only to regret it when the sun beat down even the weathered Indian skin. Learnt what terms like scree, talus and something-else-I-forget-now mean. Took many bold steps and some not so steady. Saw some really beautiful landscapes. Went on one of the hardest uphills in my life yet - Salkantay was hard; but this just beats it with the backpack and the pace these guys were setting! Saw a beautiful beautiful natural infinity pool. Skipped stones. Made a snowman. Turned a few shades darker. Had an awesome time in general.
But the most fascinating thing yet about wilderness backpacking/hiking - when the path goes missing, just follow the wildflowers. They lead you to it. No kidding.
Showing posts with label weekends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weekends. Show all posts
Monday, July 9, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Sundays Again
Now that I'm back to jogging, I've decided to jog Sundays at different locations in the city. Ending with brunch. Back to my Sunday Brunches. And so to keep the trend going I've picked the Golden Gate Park for this Sundays jog with brunch at the Japanese Tea Garden within the park. Lets see how that goes. Shall review the place in Sunday at Brunch.
Oh and this is if I don't go off on some trip for the long weekend. Which reminds me, I should evaluate my resolution last year to travel to twelve new places. Not sure if I did. Lets see... There is Grand Canyon, preceded by Alaska, Seattle, San Luis Obispo, Arches in Utah, Yosemite half dome (not sure this counts as I've been to Yosemite before even if not on the half dome hike), hmm.. thats it! Half the number aimed for... not bad considering.. Hopefully will finally get that VISA and go visit outside of US this year. Should work on a new list. Coming soon.
PS: Doing great on the vegetarianism these past 2 and half months! Proud of me-self :)
Oh and this is if I don't go off on some trip for the long weekend. Which reminds me, I should evaluate my resolution last year to travel to twelve new places. Not sure if I did. Lets see... There is Grand Canyon, preceded by Alaska, Seattle, San Luis Obispo, Arches in Utah, Yosemite half dome (not sure this counts as I've been to Yosemite before even if not on the half dome hike), hmm.. thats it! Half the number aimed for... not bad considering.. Hopefully will finally get that VISA and go visit outside of US this year. Should work on a new list. Coming soon.
PS: Doing great on the vegetarianism these past 2 and half months! Proud of me-self :)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Boston
I was there for this long weekend and before I forget, I thought I should record my impressions.
People who know me, know how I'm always in a sweater/jacket. Can hardly tolerate a light breeze. The first thing I did on getting to Boston, at the airport, was to take off my sweater. And this was at 6am! The sweater stayed inside for most of the trip. It was divine weather.
As it was so early, I didn't want to wake up my hosts right away, so ended up leaving my stroller at the apartment's unmanned lobby (! not something I would do here in the bay area, and it was there waiting for me when I got back!) and took off on a stroll. Seeing as how the river was so close by, I walked towards it. The place had a very suburban feel to it. Empty streets at that time of the day. Greenery all around. The one resident waving his arm in greeting when I passed by. Very laid back and idyllic. And the brick houses just made it all look so much more romantic.
There were people already rowing on the river when I got there. Probably practicing for the regatta? A few geese (the geese! will never forget them from my time at Rutgers :) ) waddling by. The stray runner jogging along. If I had this weather here in CA, I might be running every so often too! It was peaceful. And ever so pleasant.
Was sad come Monday evening when I had to fly back to CA. For many reasons. One of which was the sweater I had to don right after I landed at SJC.
People who know me, know how I'm always in a sweater/jacket. Can hardly tolerate a light breeze. The first thing I did on getting to Boston, at the airport, was to take off my sweater. And this was at 6am! The sweater stayed inside for most of the trip. It was divine weather.
As it was so early, I didn't want to wake up my hosts right away, so ended up leaving my stroller at the apartment's unmanned lobby (! not something I would do here in the bay area, and it was there waiting for me when I got back!) and took off on a stroll. Seeing as how the river was so close by, I walked towards it. The place had a very suburban feel to it. Empty streets at that time of the day. Greenery all around. The one resident waving his arm in greeting when I passed by. Very laid back and idyllic. And the brick houses just made it all look so much more romantic.
There were people already rowing on the river when I got there. Probably practicing for the regatta? A few geese (the geese! will never forget them from my time at Rutgers :) ) waddling by. The stray runner jogging along. If I had this weather here in CA, I might be running every so often too! It was peaceful. And ever so pleasant.
Was sad come Monday evening when I had to fly back to CA. For many reasons. One of which was the sweater I had to don right after I landed at SJC.
Monday, December 13, 2010
A Weekend of Feasting
Thats what this one turned out to be. Started with dosas, dahi vada, pongal and yummy carrot custard a friends Mom dished out for a bunch of us. And then in the evening a get together at another friends place where I met S's wife for the first time and A is back from her India trip. S and his wife are headed out on that Amazon trip we were all hoping to go on! I guess he got fed up with waiting on us to give him company! :). More yummy food followed by amazing kesar halwa.
Sunday was a day at the city with a beach trip thrown in and some shopping. The beach was surprisingly warm, not the water mind you, which I didn't dare touch, the air was warm and I sat down and watched the surfers for a bit, concluding that they must be manics to be swimming in those cold cold waters. But it looked oh so fun floating on the waves. Went to the shops near Union Square for the first time. Love the daunting man made buildings and bridge. And deals how I hate you - making me buy stuff I never intended to!
Ended up at a friends place for dinner. Another get together. Met everyone after real long. A month (these are people I used to meet every weekend, so a month felt like a loong time). Had more yummy food and ended with the most devine semi-liquid pala kova. Was telling my friend how I always remember what she made for us that very first time she called us over for dinner on her birthday. Its not a trivial thing - me remembering stuff. Her cooking left a mark.
Beyond the feasting it was a great weekend. Got to meet a ton of friends. Walked down the downtown area close to home and saw the holiday lights for the first time. Where have I been these days? Missed out on quite a few of the regular stuff. Oh and talked with another good friend after a long long time. Donno why it took so long there again.
A good weekend.
Sunday was a day at the city with a beach trip thrown in and some shopping. The beach was surprisingly warm, not the water mind you, which I didn't dare touch, the air was warm and I sat down and watched the surfers for a bit, concluding that they must be manics to be swimming in those cold cold waters. But it looked oh so fun floating on the waves. Went to the shops near Union Square for the first time. Love the daunting man made buildings and bridge. And deals how I hate you - making me buy stuff I never intended to!
Ended up at a friends place for dinner. Another get together. Met everyone after real long. A month (these are people I used to meet every weekend, so a month felt like a loong time). Had more yummy food and ended with the most devine semi-liquid pala kova. Was telling my friend how I always remember what she made for us that very first time she called us over for dinner on her birthday. Its not a trivial thing - me remembering stuff. Her cooking left a mark.
Beyond the feasting it was a great weekend. Got to meet a ton of friends. Walked down the downtown area close to home and saw the holiday lights for the first time. Where have I been these days? Missed out on quite a few of the regular stuff. Oh and talked with another good friend after a long long time. Donno why it took so long there again.
A good weekend.
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