Pleasanton Ridge Hike

Team I will be at the Pleasanton Ridge Park every Saturday Morning at 7am to do a one hour hike up the ridge, rain or shine.  I invite everyone whom is a member of the team, (has been to a meeting), and your guests that you may want to have join the team..or enjoy a hike with us. This will start on Saturday January 8th 2011.  You don’t have to come every week, unless you want to!  This video link will give you more information…God Bless

Pleasanton Ridge Hike Video

Here is a new testimony of the hike:

February 12, 2011   Week 4
Hike:
The sun is getting up earlier now.  It was pitch black when I left Livermore 4 weeks ago. Now there is more light and today the air is brisk and slightly crisp.

Dave and I arrived at the parking lot early and then met Chris.  Off we started, I didn’t get far before I needed to stop, the heart was racing and the breath’s were rapid.  Again I am mentally chastising myself for being such a woose and holding Chris and Dave up.  They were kind and waited, so off again we went.  Stopping frequently.  Dave was really nice, (he didn’t want me to feel bad) he suggested frequent stops ( I was soooo grateful).

Suddenly (really longly) we were past the place I had turned around last week.  Each week I had gotten a little further and I must say I was really stubborn, I was going to get to the top of that hill no matter what!!!  It might take another couple of weeks but, by golly, I was going to do it.

The sun is up, the birds are singing.  New growth is all around, the air smells so good, a beautiful day and suddenly I am nearing the top and I can see the olive trees, picnic table and a water fountain and a water fountain.  We took a little leeway with our time and continued all the way up to the top, but we still did it in less than 1 hour, even in my shape. 

The views are beautiful!  We were joyous that we made it. The guys gave a collective sigh of relief that all their work and kindness had paid off.  I enjoyed a brief sit at the table, looking around at the beautiful scenery of the hills around us. The view coming down is great and even the animals said hello.

Now the next challenge is to see if I can do it in less time.  Cross your fingers.

Isn’t anyone else going to join us?  I would really like someone, who is a novice like me so I can quite brow-beating myself.  It is really quite pleasant (and strenuous) but a nice way to start the weekend.

If I survived so can you!!!

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Here is a testimonial from one of our team, Pat G

Hike: To go on an extended walk for pleasure or exercise. This is the definition in the dictionary.  So today I decided I would join Chris and others for this extended walk for pleasure or exercise. I don’t know if this should really be the correct definition. It was extended and it was exercise. 

It was easy to get up early on this Saturday, because I was going to have an adventure.  I have never been to Pleasanton Ridge before and so off I went, a city gal, who has never hiked before (and a more “mature” one at that).  It is a beautiful morning, sure to bring a beautiful day. 

I arrived at the Ridge parking lot and Chris was waiting on the top of a rock, getting a good view of the parking lot.  So a few minutes after 7AM off we went.

I was in for a big surprise, that’s a steep hill!  I didn’t get far before I needed to stop (how embarrassing, I was beginning to feel like a ditz for having to pause) I encouraged everyone to go on ahead of me, I was slow and really out of shape (aside from being a decade or two older).   But everyone waited (no complaints were heard)  Up and up, more rest stops taken until I finally had to give up and say I had reached my limit today. Alas, we didn’t make it to the top.  Going down was much easier, I didn’t have to stop at all (silent hurrahs were heard!). 

Back to the definition…It was an extended walk (up hill), it was exercise, and it was pleasurable (especially when I didn’t really die when I thought I would several times). 

What did I learn……

1) It was a gorgeous day and the landscape was pretty.

2) I am definitely out of shape!!

3) I learned the meaning of the Biblical saying “the spirit is willing but the flesh is

     weak”  Mentally I thought I could do it easier and go farther but I learned that’s

     not what my body thought at all.

4) I learned I am stubborn….I am going to do it again (don’t fret Chris) hopefully

     getting further each time until I get to the top, where I expect to have a

     spectacular view.  And yes, I am going to lug my camera along to prove I can

     do it!

 Moral:  Come on out and join me, it’s much more fun when I don’t have to be the only one taking a rest, besides it really was fun!