Day 4: The Thrill of Hills

The cool, gray day launched with our duo of past days growing to a chatty quintet. Joined by two Napa friends (Cari & Michelle) and my college roommate, Naomi, we left on time to navigate San Rafael's eastern warehouse area. The ease of wide, flat sidewalks quickly gave way to climbing the hills of steep Marin neighborhoods---oooh baby, the calves where suddenly wide awake!

Passing Sunday morning crew practice on the waterfront and a string of eccentric waterfront artists studios, (all the while our San Rafael representative registering amazement that we had discovered a route to traverse her neck of the woods that she was totally unaware of), morning break was spent in the Corte Madera Town Center Mall where dad made a quick dash into the REI to see if he could root up a deal on the bargain gear rack. Another blast of hill climbing and a stretch on the Bay Trail through Mill Valley found us on time to our lunch stop and another round of fresh faces---four more amazing Napa friends joined the jamboree.

With Carolyn, Shanna, Annie & Seana on board, the wide-brimmed hat parade moved on to climbing Tennessee Valley Road, heading for the Old Springs Trail head and a monster hill. Hillsides seeded with Cow Parsnip, lupines, poppies and a host of other lovely vegetation kept my mind busy while my hips and quads voiced their desire to hit the flats. Half way up the hill climb a familiar face appeared once more as we were joined by Sandee, a longtime friend from Los Osos. Ocean and bay views were the top of the hill reward as we picked up the Miwok Trail and began our descent into the Marin Headlands with the parade again swelling as another college friend Susan and her husband Mike appeared.

After sixteen miles and plenty of hills, we were all glad to see the hillside perched hostel appear in the distance. An amazing afternoon gradually unfolded---a patchwork of picnic blankets with 20+ families scattered on them, kids running free for hours and yes, plenty of tasty eats (I see no reason to not enjoy the down time on this adventure!). What a wonderful afternoon.

As I write, the hostel is finally quiet as the ZZZZZZzs take over; it was a chaotic hostel arrival as seven kids investigated all bunks, closets and stairwells. It is so hard for me to believe that this is it, another countdown, this one to the end of the adventure. With 60 + miles logged, we are almost there and tomorrow promises to be a big day. The anticipation of my first ever walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, with my family and friends at my side will dance through my mind as I steal a few hours of sleep.