California Uber Alles

Jill in the Cloud on Black Mountain

This weekend I finally went to visit Jill in her new (relatively new) home in California.  I've felt like a slacker friend, having never really been out to see her since she moved to be near her Swiss beau Beat (he grew up in Germany, and exhibits the occassional German tendency towards order and all that, hence the hilarity of the Dead Kennedys song title).

Jill showing me something?



I arrived on Friday afternoon and she showed me one of her local haunts, which is Black Mountain, the mountain for which "Mountain View" is evidently named.  Because you can see Black Mountain.  Very near to where Jill lives is a fairly extensive system of trails and fire roads that allow for endless trail stuff (walking, running, biking on the bike legal portions).  Very nice.

Pic by Jill - Pt. Reyes National Seashore

 On Saturday we picked up Jill's friend Leah and drove to the Pt. Reyes National Seashore where we did a half marathon distance hike.  We enjoyed spectacular views of the Pacific and I enjoyed the beautiful hilly California coastline.  There is no shortage of spectacular views out there.  Nor is there a shortage of delicious pastries -- I slowly devoured a bear claw as my trail food.

 On Sunday we ran the "Skyline to Sea" trail, which starts up in the Santa Cruz mountains and ends at the sea.  We didn't follow the formal trail precisely, but did go through an incredible Redwood forest.  I kept my eyes peeled for Ewoks.

 We met up with some other friends a little more than half way and it was sort of me and Jill keeping up with the exuberant boys.  I had a weird episode where I was telling Jill I was having trouble keeping up (I believe I was complaining that it wasn't a "fun pace," whatever that means) and my entire throat closed up for less than 20 seconds and I couldn't breathe or talk.  It wasn't asthma (which I have) and it wasn't like anything I've ever experienced.  Once I relaxed, aided by the realization that Jill was a tad concerned, I was totally fine.  Weird, huh?  I think it might have been triggered by the slow acid upheaval of my breakfast all morning?  Dunno.  Anyhow, I lived and it was good.  Or, I have some sort of psychiatric disorder triggered by unfun paces.

Pic by Jill

 When the week was all said and done, I'd run about 80 miles.  The last time I had an 80 mile week was the first time I trained for Western States, or really the last time I trained for anything.  That was several years ago.  I feels sort of good to get some miles in.  Of course, now I'm sore and tired... but really the best part is that I got to spend some quality Jill time and catch up a bit.

Pic by Beat

pic by Jill

Anyhow, it was a great weekend of sun, running and Jill and Beat.  Thanks Jill.  Thill.  I also had the chance to catch up briefly with my friend Rachel, who was my roomate in college for a year and Euro-travel-buddy when I studied in France.  It was so great to see her -- haven't had the opportunity for a couple years now.  I didn't get to do everything I'd like to do, which obviously means I will have to go back soon.