More from the Googleplex

I had a super time checking out more of the Google campus with Kip.  Looks like a really great place to work!

Not to mention, they have a Google Gate Bridge:

Kip trounced me at ping pong, as usual (also Ms Pac Man in the "play everything for free!" arcade, although I held my own at foosball).  If only we had had a ping pong table in the dorm at RPI...

Kip's Android collection, adorable:

A flamingo-eating-T-Rex?

Someone has a bathroom sense of humor!

A random "What is this?" photo - let me know if you figure it out (I had the benefit of seeing one in use, so I can give you the answer if you want):

Heck of a herd of Google bikes!

Hey, it's the conference bike!  Too cool:

A fleet of electric cars:

Congrats on making it to "Googler", Kip!

California training

I set off to explore several parks in the Bay Area and beyond.  I spent a few hours on the trails at Wunderlich Park.  The greenery and shade were nice companions.

Next I drove partway up Mount Diablo and got out to finish the climb on foot.  Check out the giant pine cone!

The view from the trail:

Site of a previous mountain house:

Site of a previous fire:

And the top!  It was a good solid climb to break up a drive out to Auburn.

Lovely views from up high:

The Mount Diablo Beacon:

I spent the weekend in the Foresthill area, mostly running down into canyons to find rivers at the bottom and then speed-hiking back up.

Kids don't float!  Wait, they don't?

One of the steep roads up from a branch of the American River:

Another branch, another drop down:

I believe this is (or is close to) the site of the Western States 100 river crossing:

Fun exploring the Western States Trail:

Another day, another trail down to the river.  My biggest training day to date was repeats on the Mumford Bar Trail.  I finally located some winter snow.  I can't say I'm missing the current conditions in Albany...

This was mostly to show the large tree, but some vegetation got in the way.  Yes, I got closer to Barkley-specific training that day.

Looking toward the other side of the deep canyon:

Phew, that wore me out a little!  So far, so good.

Muir Woods and Mt Tam

Time to get to "work"...

Kip ran with me up a mountain at San Pedro park as a warm-up, then the next day I drove to Muir Woods (across the Golden Gate Bridge!).  There are many miles of trails leading out from there in various directions and it was fun exploring part of that network.

Love the big trees!

Muir Woods is an amazing place.

A boardwalk path into the forest:

An actual part of the trail:

After ooh-ing and ahh-ing my way through Muir Woods, I climbed up and over to a more open area:

Part of the Dipsea race course, neat!

And back down into the enchantment:

Breaking back out into the grasslands toward Stinson Beach:

The Pacific Ocean!

Beach shot:

Up another trail, more fantastic trees and moss:

Yay for a fun training day!

Up higher, looking over a big layer of clouds and some steep meadows for a bit of "climb straight up" training:

Site of the first mountain play:

For John  :)

Toward the top of Mt Tam:

Loved the views from up there:

And... back down toward Muir Woods:

A nice long day to start off a good week of California training!