Fairy Falls Trail

First things first: this hike requires a little clarification of the driving directions provided in the book.   Drivers are instructed that "staying to the left" on Smartville road will lead to the turn at Waldo.  However, instead of remaining Smartville Road, bearing left will turn into Chuck Yeager Road.  This must have been a very recent development, because at the time of this post Google's street view still shows a sign that says Smartsville Road.  Take my word for it, if you miss the turn you will wind up going five miles waaay out of your way and have to backtrack when you realize you are in an area with no waterfalls whatsoever.  

 

Now.  On to the good stuff. 



Our trail began at the end of Spenceville Road.  Since the day was looking like it would be pretty warm, we got started early, about mid-morning.  We crossed an old concrete bridge to reach an old jeep trail.  Our journey consisted of about 6 miles of deep red dirt trail through golden knee-high grasses, craggy rocks, and scattered oak trees.  The entire area is pretty dry despite the creek, and the trail wound gently up and down rolling hills, with the occasional steep ascent.  In addition to the landscape, part of the environment included the nearby Beale Air Force Base and consequently, the sounds of aircraft could be heard in the background every once in a while.  

For the most part, the trail was a 4-wheel drive road wide enough for as many as four or five people to walk comfortably side by side.  We found that this fact, combined with easy inclines, mild descents and a bit of shade here and there made for a good time walking and talking.  Other sections of the trail were narrower and better traversed in single file.  These sections tended to be steeper, and more overgrown as well.  However, the heavier shade we found while walking on the narrower trails was more than welcomed.  There wasn't a cloud in the sky the entire time we were out and only a slight breeze (also welcomed).  

One of the steeper hillsides

At one point we had a choice of staying on the road or taking a shortcut across a field via one of the aforementioned narrow paths.  Wishing to take the road less traveled, we chose the small path.  We also quickly learned that along with the grass comes grasshoppers.  Lots. Of. Them.  Like a swarm of locust, they bounded around us and as we rejoined the larger trail we swore that we'd take the main road on our return trip.  Sometimes the road is less traveled for a reason.  

Dirt can be pretty; different shades swirl
around one another on the wider jeep trails

Shortly after our battle of the bugs, we reached a narrow stretch that lasted about a half mile or so.  During this stretch we found our fair share of solitude (a welcome change from last week's much more populous location).  The only people we saw during that time were each other.  Truth be told, we didn't see much in the way of anybody for most of our walk.  A few fishermen were seen near the creek and we passed a handful of groups as we finished our hike, but that was it.  

As we neared the falls we came upon some rocky terrain.  Large boulders took the place of the trail as we descended toward the pool below the falls and climbing was involved.  It is worth noting that while not extremely strenuous, sure-footedness is definitely needed for this part of the hike.  One misstep could have disastrous results, as the frequently klutz that is me almost learned first hand.  



OhCrapOhCrapOhCrapcrapcrap!  Oh...Well done.
-My body



Having arrived at a little past noon, we enjoyed the opportunity to rest and relax near the water.  The shoes came off and feet were cooled in the creek.  We both regretted not bringing our swim suits.  The pool seemed pretty deep and would have been perfect for a swim before heading back up the trail.  Instead, we dipped shirts and hats in the water before heading back after our thirty minute rest.  The day was getting warmer the longer we sat there and neither of us enjoyed the prospect of trekking throughout the hottest part of the day.  

I see it! It's just over there.

Getting closer....

And we made it!





Hoo hoo!



We climbed back out of the pool and retraced our steps.  Back up the narrow trail, under the fallen tree, down the tie-dyed dirt road.  We remembered the swarm of grasshoppers and though we marveled at their jumping ability we decided to forgo round two of animal versus human and walked along the road and across the cattle guard.  Soon enough we were back at our vehicle and on the road to home.  Just as we were climbing in the truck two jets from the base flew overhead, like one last show before our day was over.  





To see a map of this hike, click here

Capitol Park Loop

My first hike wasn't really hike...ey? hikish?  I am used to thinking of hikes as mountainous or at the very least, involving some sort of elevation change.  And not involving black top.  This hike is in the book, however, and therefore it is goin' in the blog. 

My group and I were going to Downtown Sacramento for a birthday lunch (my birthday and someone else's, so I - yay! - wasn't on the spot by myself).  Since we were so close, I decided to take the opportunity to trek over to Capitol Park and explore since I had noticed it in the book.  **full disclosure: I'd been there before.  But hey, who says you can't re-live experiences, right?**

The hike wound up turning into an entire days outing.  We parked in a public parking lot (since street parking is never a sure thing, and usually only available for a couple hours at a time at best) a few blocks up from where we planned to eat, paid, and started walking.  If you go anywhere in downtown, be ready to walk, even if a hike isn't  in your plans.  

We ate at a great Greek place called Petra, which is on 16th between K and L Streets.  Revealing itself like a mirage out of the desert sands, the restaurant was practically invisible until we arrived at the front doors.  And with the heat of the day, it was tempting to believe we had discovered an oasis of sorts.  As we breathed in a sigh of relief (and an air conditioned lungful), we grabbed one of the menus and stood to place our orders with the somewhat severe-looking man behind the counter.  

After getting our fountain drinks (they have diet Dr. Pepper, and that's definitely no mirage - I checked) we took over one of the several tables as our own.  Our food soon arrived and we all dug in to our gyros - beef/lamb combo for me - and daily specials (chicken and pita with fries).  Their gyros are the best I have ever had.  By putting fries in the sandwich, Petra has executed an act of genius.  

As we were finishing up our meal our friend, the man at the counter, brought out a plate of two (TWO!) baklava desserts (and one even had chocolate!!).  "I heard it was someone's birthday, and so this is for you," he said in his thick Greek accent.  Where the stern look had been there was now a smile, and where before had stood a man with little more to say than "What would you like?" was a man who opened up his life story to us.  

Before we left, we had learned that the man was born and raised in Crete (he told us as he pointed to a Crete-shaped metal plaque hung on the wall) where his extended family still lives, and that he is headed back for a month's stay in July.  Our conversation was punctuated by new customers and requests for help from the kitchen, but wove in and out for a quarter of an hour.  Then, with plates clean and a new appetite for hiking, we bid our new friend goodbye and left for the park.  

One block south and another block west, we arrived at our destination (and thankfully, the trees).  The first area we chose to explore was the rose garden, which can be found on the eastern side of the park, and is often the site of small (and beautiful) weddings.  Our favorite part of the garden that day however, was the fountain.  With its cool water splashing out, it helped to cool us just a bit.  Then we were promptly chased away by bees.  

They're very territorial about their flowers.

It was then on to the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  The memorial is enclosed by four rounded walls making an incomplete circle with reliefs on the inside of each one.  Each scene depicts a different part of war, including prisoners of war and medics.  

When we could no longer stand the heat radiating off of the dark metal of the monument, we moved along through the trees westward toward the Capitol building.  We studied the many different trees along the way.  Virtually no two were alike and almost all were labeled with their common and scientific names.  Upon closer inspection we noticed another line on the tree labels: Tree Tour and a number.  Turns out, there is an organization that offers these tree tours in different locations around the city, including several neighborhoods and parks, as well as CSU Sacramento.  

Finally, we arrived at the Capitol Building.  Again needing fresh air conditioning, we entered the building, maneuvering through the security guards and metal detectors with ease and pleasant conversation (yeah, really!).  Walking down a corridor toward the rotunda, we saw displays for each county in the state along the walls.  Finally, we arrived in the rotunda and quickly decided it was too crowded and shuffled off into one of the halls.  Instead of taking one of the many, many guided tours, we set out on our own to explore.  We spent a good hour meandering around, taking old elevators to the top floor and walking down the stairs, peering into nooks here and there.  

Staring up at the ceiling

A mosaic in a hallway echoes the state seal

Filled with art, interesting Greek and Roman style architecture and flourishes from many eras since the building's construction, the Capitol building is just plain beautiful at every turn.  There is a statue of Columbus appealing to Queen Isabella in the rotunda (not sure of the connection to California, but it is beautiful) and many details tucked away that you can find if you pay attention.  

A Tiffany's style stained glass covers a light in a hallway...somewhere

Eventually we found our way into the gallery overlooking the state senate.  We sat and listened in on one of the tours we had forgone for a little while.  We continued on our way and a few minutes later we were out in the sunshine again.  

Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom, looks down on the state senate floor

State senate floor

This time, we walked around the building, staying on the southern side.  We walked up the sidewalk and once on the other side, we rested in the last bit of shade before leaving the park.  We watched birds (and squirrels from a distance) as they picked at some old birdseed someone had left for them.  

Finally we trekked up the main walkway, navigated around the rose garden (the bees were still there), and crossed the street to walk up Capitol Avenue.  There we found an interesting - and large - sculpture.  Over six feet tall on both sides, it consisted of two concrete walls that had what looked like blue and gray paint splattered all over it.  An opening in the side of the sculpture allows a person to walk inside, between the two walls.  Once inside, a person is confronted on their right by a giant gold ball on a pedestal and a concrete hallway to the left.  

Just...what the huh?

Try as I might, I couldn't make sense of the paint splatters and resigned myself to the idea that it was simply Pollock-esque chaos.  As my group began walking off without me, I quickly snapped a photo and caught up.  It was just too hot to keep puzzling any longer.  I found later, though, there was something to see after all.  

Oh! I see....something.



As we reached our car, we decided that some frozen yogurt would finish the day off nicely.  On the way out of town, we stopped at Big Spoon and grabbed a delicious frozen treat and headed for home.  

To see a map of this hike, click here

The First Chapter

Today is my birthday, and one of the gifts I received was a book titled 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles; Sacramento.  A good friend asked me what I wanted and I gave the lame answer of "I dunno, maybe a gift card?" After her well-deserved response of "Boring!" I gave it some more thought and reflected that I had been thinking about doing more camping and backpacking this year, so camping/hiking stuff was what I wanted. 

Then I realized that I would have to tell that to my friend, whose idea of roughing it is a hotel with no pool. 

She likes nature as a concept but not in practice, and was therefore completely baffled by my request: "I have no idea...like a water bottle or a bottle of beer???" As much as I loved that answer, that wasn't exactly what I'd had in mind.  But she said she'd figure it out and figure it out she did (with the help of her boyfriend, bless his heart).  And so all day today, I have been studying the trails, trying to decide which place I'll be going first. 

As visions of hiking boots danced in my head, I entertained the idea of sharing my hikes with everyone I know.  Too bad that's only a good idea in my head.  Most of my friends are not of the trail-traveling variety.  Besides, part of what I love about the great outdoors is the solitude, either complete or relative.  I enjoy hiking companions, just not too many.  Its a hike not a party.  Groups of eight or so are about my limit most times. 

So I kept daydreaming about the impossible scenario of bringing all my friends along to the uncrowded trails, and an idea occured to me.  I could take them with me, in a way.  Or rather, I could bring it to them.  Through photos, stories and maybe a video or two, I could bring back the way nature makes me feel.  Descriptions of beautiful vistas, breathtaking heights, and dizzying drop-offs have sounded lovely even to my staunchest anti-nature friends.  Even if they only enjoy hearing about it, I can still share the feeling. 

And that brought me here.  I've decided that I will work my way through my new birthday book, and when I am done with that, I'll work through another and another, with the goal being to expand my travels a little at a time.  Each of my posts will include maps of my expedition, photos galore, and my thoughts on my experiences.  They may also include goodies like short videos, area histories and info on local eats.

So enjoy and I hope this inspires you to get out and enjoy nature! (just not while I'm out there, kay?)