On my birthday, I tackle Mt. Diablo 2x

The Wind Caves

June 28, 2007 Thursday
Greg gave me a a couple boxes of Scharffen Berger chocolates from a factory in Berkeley. Great chocolates! But what was really great, was that he purchased a ticket for Kai and me to fly out for a week to Chicago to see my family and my niece Hope's baptismal. YEAH! I am excited!!!

But for the moment, I wanted to do something to very much remember my 39th birthday. (That's still young!) I refused to go shopping or to be around a lot of people...so I chose to go to Mt. Diablo and to immerse myself in nature. Plus Kai is such an outdoors kid- he's at his best when outdoors. Greg left for work.

We visited Rock City and I had Kai clambor in some wind caves. Not really an environment condusive to children his age, we stayed just a short while for pictures and then headed for the summit.



At the summit, it was so windy I had to hold unto my hat and bundle Kai up. Even Kai was a bit disturbed by the winds. So we headed indoors.



We stepped into the observation tower to get out of the wind. I saw the pole there and began to pole dance, twirling my body around it- Kai got such a kick out of it, he tried also. Not bad for an amateur. (psst...no one else was there to watch me)


Video: Kai pole-dancing.



Underneath the observation deck we stood on the actual Mt. Diablo summit, ironically under cover.

Afterwards, Kai and I got geared up and hiked the Mary Bowerman trail around the summit.

Mary Bowerman Trail- The city of Danville side.

Kai was captivated by these fat lizards that were almost too slow to keep ahead of us on the trail. Obviously life has been good to them as their tails were extremely long, which indicated they had not been chased by predators.

New view decks as part of the trail.

I had not remembered this part of the trail from 10 years ago when I first hiked it. Everything was paved, well marked, and there was this deck. Huh?

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I then realized I was on the wrong trail when I popped out from the trees to see my car in the distance. I had finished this trail in 20-minutes! Oh shoot! Now I have to find where the other trail I ventured on years ago.

So I took a picture of a posted map. The red trail is the Mary Bowerman trail. This trail is great for anyone who could walk some minor inclines, declines, and dirt and rocky trails. Great panoramic views in the 15-20 minute tour.

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The yellow trail was what I had done a decade ago that took me 5 hours to complete back then. I confirmed this with a ranger who thought I could possibly complete it in 3 hours with baby on my back. The yellow trail was what I set foot on.

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Heavily covered in sunscreen with extra clothing and food in the backpack; cell phone, wallet, and knife in my pocket- we hit the trail. We hiked through many changes in the climate and terrain. It would swing from hot to cool, from windy to no wind, fire roads to narrow passes, bare areas to ground covered by poison oak.

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Kai stands near a ledge with a drop-off. Even he would not get that close to the edge!

We would have great panoramic views to that obscured by trees, rocks, and overgrown bush- or simply with a mountain in your way. We would go downhill for several minutes, that my quads became so fatigued. I feared I would not be able to prevent myself from accelerating downhill to quickly- so I would walk backwards for a bit until the fatigue passed. Other times the ground was so loose it required my full concentration so that Kai and I wouldn't go tumbling into rocks or into a ravine. (How exciting! sarcastic tone)

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Video: West side of Mt. Diablo.

By the time we were 1- hour into our hike my feet were aching as were my back. 23-pounds of baby on my back with food, water, clothing, and pack, makes about 30-pounds- I was hurting when 2.5 hours had passed. I was afraid to sit and rest- but I had to feed Kai and check his diaper, which by the way was quite heavy. That break made me hurt more.

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Video: South side of Mt. Diablo

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When 3 hours had passed, my feet were killing me and my bum right ankle was beginning to make me limp. I had slipped earlier on loose rock and turned my ankle a bit despite the metal plate and screws still in there. You'd think I'd have more support.

After 3.5 hours I kept looking for the observation deck (on the summit) calculating how much closer I was- and cursing while going downhill on the trail when I thought we should be going uphill instead. This was work!

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(That darn tower always seemed so far away- taunting me...)

300 feet from the last trail marker, only one person passed me going in the opposite direction. I was excited to make the finish, I couldn't wait to pull these boots off. I kept telling Kai to hang on.

To my pleasant surprise, Kai was a trooper. He did not cry or complain or fight to get out of the backpack. He didn't even complain of his soiled diaper. He fell asleep in the backpack once but when awake would point at birds, planes, lizards, and indicate when he was hungry or needed a drink. So for almost 4.5 hours he was happy checking things out!

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Greg was waiting for us at home to take me out for dinner. I asked for a raincheck. It was already 7pm and my body hurt- my pelvis felt like it was splitting in two (feels exactly as if I was in my 3rd trimester), my right ankle needed ice, and I smelled like I really, really, needed a shower. I stunk!

Blackmailed on our Birthdays!

My sister Cheri has decided to blackmail me with a photo of my wearing a blonde wig and terrible make-up. This photo was taken at a halloween party when I dressed up as Godiva- but get this, 6-months pregnant with Kai! I bore a sign that read, "This is what happens when you run around naked!" (with an arrow pointing at my prenant belly).

So now the endless blackmails...

Since I am 39-years old now, I figured I'd try my God-given talent and take a shot at singing.


To my dismay, I didn't realize Simon would be there to complain.



But my sister was there to save me from the hounds...



...and I received a standing ovation!

To hear my Whitney Houston song...click here. Happy Bday Arleen!


Greg and Godiva eat a turkey dinner on Greg's birthday... (turkey will get you pregnant...oh wait, or does it make you sleepy? then pregnant???)


Greg loves corn! Those Canadian-Brits just love to eat and make food fly!


I apparantly am wishing for a baby...Greg is wishing for new kitesurfing gear...




Geez...Greg is just too competitive! But little does he know I stole his wish!



To see us in action: Click here Happy Birthday Greg!

Thanks to all my brothers and sister for sending me cards, and making phone calls to wish me a happy birthday.

• Eric, you called me when it was way too late- you are 2-hours ahead and should be in bed!
• Derek, you are a hoot! You get your co-worker fireman buddies to sing me a song? By the way, fly out here, we had trouble in Tahoe.
• Fredi, let's see what you have up your sleeve when I see you next week!
• Cheri, your bath salts arrived in time to help this old body. haha.

As for in-laws and parents.

• Andrew and Antoinette- we got your "recording" card- but it just played back truck sounds. I think the post office may have piled to many parcels on top of it. So what was your message? But thanks anyway!
• Mum, thanks for the phone message. Yup, I will not call you back- you're 3 hours ahead.
• Mom, I know you think I'm nuts for doing Mt. D with Kai- but I refuse to admit I am getting way out there in years. tee hee.

Fairyland fun in Oakland

Kai is one of the kids who live in that shoe...but he got booted out- he was too big!

June 27, 2007 Wednesday





I should be drinking from this fountain, not him!

Video: Running after the rabbit through the tunnels in Alice in Wonderland.

Momma Christy with Sierra and Dylan.

Kai has a few prayers to say.

Kai says "Repent your sins!"--Sierra says "Yes, repent your sins!"...Dylan? well, he's not quite ready to do that just yet...

Dylan tangled in the ropes. Kai wants to check out this hotel!

Arleen and Kai

Momma Christy chasing after Sierra.

A couple of bookworms.

Christy... Sierra...

...and of course, Dylan- the real fairy here!

Traffic on our way home. If it's not the Bay area traffic- it's the birds!

Kai learns about boobs...Dr. Bob and Kitty bring dinner.

June 25, 2007 Monday

There's a reason why Kai is smiling so big. He got a hold of the book on "Breasts" by Genichiro Yagyu. I thought I'd save up on these funny books until he was a bit older but somehow he fished this one off the higher shelves. He has another one called "The Holes in Your Nose", which is just as funny and informative. I think I will buy the "The Gas We Pass" next.


Kai has a long drool hanging off his chic- must be the subject?

Dr. Bob and Kitty bring over a pizza dinner to celebrate Greg's birthday. This Thursday Kitty leaves for her big bicycle race from Portland, Oregon to Glacier Lake in Montana. This woman is amazing! She already finished and placed in several bicycle races which qualified her for her Tour 'd France this year! Kitty may be a small package in size but don't let that fool you- she will cycle Mt. Diablo 2x just for fun! (and that a 3,849 ft. summit!)

Video: Kai learns how to blow bubbles!


Kai gets serenaded by Dr. Bob and then gets on his ATV.

As for Dr. Bob, we discover her has a new talent other than playing piano, flying his own airplane, paragliding, cycling... he can play the guitar and sing! Wow!

Video: Bob and Kai