Mt Diablo is one of our favorite places to hike and home of the infamous pig incident I refer to from time to time. It is an easy drive and has several trails to chose from.  We come here several times each the Spring while the mountain is covered with wild flowers. Mt Diablo is a friendly mountain. I know it may sound strange, but as you drive away, you can almost here it beckoning you to return.




Polly and Bart were here the previous week doing this exact hike. She looked forward to this steep incline all week. Is that sick or what?









I was going for the Rocky Balboa look here, but ended up with the hallelujah praise the lord, I made it look, which was exactly how I felt.














When Polly and I finally reached the top, Bart was sitting there well rested and saving us a lunch spot with a view.









And this of course, was the best day ever.

Donna and the snow hike 1/1/09

We have another sister who lives in Texas. Every time she comes for a visit, we drag her out on a hike. Actually, she loves it as much as we do, but I don't see another snow hike in her future anytime soon.








If I had known entertainment was going to be provided, i never would have missed this hike.










Donna, you had better keep moving. I think that is where the Donnor Party gave up too.











Dana, is either saying "I love it this much" or "I am the king of the world." Either way, it translates to "this is the best day ever."

BRIONES REGIONAL PARK 1/25/2009

We arrived at the trailhead around 11:00 which is much later than we normally like to begin a hike. However, a couple of years ago we skipped church to go on a hike and had a run in with a wild pig that was guarding her babies. It was a Moses and the burning bush kind of moment. We figured it was God letting us know we should not have skipped out on him to go hiking. Probably just our imaginations, but decided not to risk it. If we have to hike on Sundays, we do after church. The drive to Briones was a very easy and short one, which added points to the hike before we even saw the trail.

After several trips back to the car, we began our hike.

We ran into the locals who seemed thrilled that we were enjoying the mountain as much as they were.

Polly made friends along the way.










Did that nice doggie just give Polly a kiss"




















We came upon a steep hill just begging to be climbed, but unfortunately, that didn't happen. It was so muddy that I kept slipping and sliding. I knew once I fell I that I would never be able to get up again There was a creek below that I had visions of tumbling into. Now it is my belief that if you think you are going to fall anyway, it is best to just sit and slide down the hill. So that is exactly what I did.

Dana often accuses Polly and I of being competitive, which is normally not true. However, today I would have had to agree with her. After watching me slide down the hill on my bottom, Polly decided that I had just attempted to climb up the wrong side and she proceeded to show me where I went wrong. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, there is no need for me to say anything else on the subject.





We couldn't think of a single negative thing to say about this hike. Yes, I took this picture of the two of us to show our smiling faces so you could see that this was indeed the best day ever.

BALD MOUNTAIN 1/17/2009

We arrived at Bald Mountain ready for the "kick-butt-hike" Polly had warned us about only to discover I forgot the salami.  Panic ensued and we were forced to decide if we could survive on 1 loaf of bread, 2 types of cheese, pringles, balance bars and trail mix.  After taking inventory of our food supply, we decided to throw caution to the wind and headed up the mountain with our limited food supply.

Dana showed up for the hike sporting the same stylish outfit I was wearing.  Coincidental, you be the judge.  How many people do you know that wear a green shirt and orange hiking pants.

Shade was very scarce (Note to self, do not do this hike in the summer)

Dana made it to the top of the mountain in lightening speed.

Which left her plenty of time for nap when she reached the top.

The elevation gain was 1,524 feet over three miles.  Not a beautiful hike, but a great workout. A person couldn't help but feel victorious  as they reached the top.

The view from the top was spectacular.

It was a little cold and windy at the top for lunch. Luckily, as Dana was running up the mountain she slowed down long enough to find the perfect lunch spot.

Instead of the 8 mile killer hike Polly had promised, it was only 6 miles.  We had started at the wrong trail head and ended up doing an up and back instead of the 8 mile loop.  While not a killer hike, it was a worthy adversary.  Polly was disappointed that we could still walk when we got back to the car.  The rest of us were not so disappointed.  We all agreed that it was the best day ever.