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Bloated Chipmunk Cock Rock Searcher
Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 2993 | TRs | Pics Location: Margaritaville |
I say "Oh my!" cuz it was a super hot wknd. in SoCal, & the start of the Valley Fire not far from where I live. Kinda unsettling to be out of town for the wknd & then hear that a big, rapidly spreading fire has broke out near home. I read updates throughout the trip but thankfully it never reached the point where my area had to evac (but a couple of my friends had to).
DAY 1: San Diego to Ojai, Cozy Dell Trail, B-day Dinner
I left town & drove up the 5, encountering marine layer by the rest area.
Foggy coast
But of course that cleared up & I arrived in Ojai, going straight to my first little hike. I wanted something short & near town as I'd need to leave enough time to check into the hotel, shower, & meet my friend/SA Rafael for dinner. After a little confusion of the TH location, I found it & reluctantly started up. I say reluctantly cuz it was probably around 100 degrees & uncomfortable. However, after driving a few hrs. I needed a leg stretcher & this fit the bill.
Ojai below Pano shot over Ojai Stats
Tired & dehydrated I checked into the hotel, speaking to the front desk person through the window from outside due to Covid concerns. I started schlepping my stuff upstairs, encountering an older shirtless guy on the balcony next to my room. As I went in & out of my room, he talked about "just needing to get out of L.A. for awhile" and before I knew it he was offering me hard liquor but TBH @ that point I was beat from the heat & just wanted to shower & rest in the A/C before dinner so I declined. A few minutes later I heard a knock on my door & it was him w/a big jug of water. I accepted it but didn't wind up using it as I'd brought plenty of my own (so left it @ his door a few days later when I checked out).
Hotel rm
Thankfully I had enough time to rest/recover before Rafael showed up. We went to a nearby Mexican place, Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill, where he bought me dinner & margaritas for my b-day as we sat on the back patio in the shade. Later @ the hotel rm I had him take a pic of me w/the back massager my sis gave me. I now take it on most of my trips.
Dinner New back massager
DAY 2: B'fast @ Ojai Cafe & Reyes Pk.
In the morning, we went to b'fast @ Ojai Cafe (highly recommended!) before we said our goodbyes for awhile.
B'fast B'fast
I then did another short hike w/the time remaining, to Reyes Pk. It was a relief to get up into the pine trees & away from the heat.
TH sign Woodsy trail Left by someone else Reyes Pk. Short hike
DAY 3: Sespe River Trail, Agave Maria's Restaurant & Cantina
Yet another hot day, so I limited my hiking mileage. Walked a ways along the Sespe River Trail until I reached an area that was ez to find a nice little shady spot along the creek.
Sespe River Sespe River Sespe River Sespe River Sespe River Stats
I attempted to do some shopping, but wasn't very successful cuz many of the shops were closed due to the heat. I did find a few places but overall it wasn't quite the experience I was hoping for. Maybe I'll try again on a cooler wknd.!
I stopped @ Agave Maria's Restaurant & Cantina, & sat there on the patio (interior closed) under an umbrella & w/inadequate misters nearby & wondered why I still felt so miserable. Finally I checked the weather on my phone & it proclaimed that the current temp in Ojai was 115 degrees. Dafuq?
Marg to cool off Enjoying marg in 115 degrees
DAY 4: Pete's Breakfast House, Grant Park
I check out of the motel, then started the drive home. I stopped @ Pete's B'fast House in Ventura, then checked out the smokey views from Grant Park, a hilltop park sporting views of the ocean. Kinda crappy views on this day tho.
Smoky haze over Ventura Pano shot over Ventura Ventura Ventura Smoky haze
I continued the drive home, then walked around the 'hood a bit, capturing a smokey sunset.
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
Olympic Hiker, John Mac, kite
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
Olympic Hiker, John Mac, kite
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Olympic Hiker Member
Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 389 | TRs | Pics
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Can't beat birthday margaritas!
If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem. - Lincoln
Bloated Chipmunk
If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem. - Lincoln
Bloated Chipmunk
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