Backroad Navigator

Despite the beastly 103ºF high temperature forecast, my regular hiking gang and I decided to go ahead with our planned Uvas Canyon hike anyway.

We did switch from the relentlessly-steep (and exposed) Knibb’s Knob trail to an easier route though. We took the Waterfall Loop to the Contour Trail, then up the Alec Canyon trail, then up the side trail to Triple Falls and back, then Alec Canyon to where it ends at the old logging camp. We then reversed Alec Canyon trail back to the parking lot.

This is only about a 5.5-mile hike, and it’s a great option when it’s too hot most everywhere else in the south bay. I think this is the third time we’ve done this route in the last 5 years or so. When we were done, we cranked up the AC in Mike’s car as high as it would go and made our way into Morgan Hill for the traditional post-hike meal, at El Toro Brewing.

While hiking, we passed right by a couple of new geocaches, and close to another one or two, but I didn’t see the point in looking for them since I was already well familiar with all of the trails and landmarks here in the park. I guess I’ve also been feeling a bit pessimistic lately about these new caches that seem to exist only to fill up the trails, because pretty much 100% of them turn out to be unremarkable, with no effort or thought put into them. I don’t see the point to it, so I didn’t pull up the descriptions or even wonder where they were, I just kept going.

The only cache I actually saw was one corner of an ammo can cache I had adopted long ago, just to confirm it was still there. It was actually the first cache I ever found.

Despite Uvas Canyon being cooler than many other local parks, it was still hot. After 16oz of coffee, 32oz of beer, and 70oz of water, after six hours I’d still only used the restroom once. Later that afternoon, both legs were feeling tight, and the tendons on the top of my right foot really cramped up badly. It was probably due to dehydration.

After the pain finally subsided, I kept drinking water regularly and made judicious use of the heating pad set on high, and my legs were OK for the rest of the day. They’re a little sore today from the cramping, but nothing serious. Despite the heat and leg cramps, it felt great to be out hiking for the first time in weeks!

Photos from the hike.

Donations to get a picnic table placed in memory of local geocacher Bud Gawlik (”50sumtin”) are being taken at several local events, or via Paypal using the button below. The location in Wilder Ranch Stare Park has been secured, and we’re on our way to raising the required $1700.

Last month I received a very nice email out of the blue, from a guy in Chile. I thought it was cool enough that I should share it. The subject was “Your jeep inspired me!”

“This may sound weird to you, but a picture I saw on your webpage inspired me to buy a green TJ just like yours. My name is Thomas, and I am from Santiago, Chile. A few years ago I was involved in a serious car wreck and pulverized my right leg. While I was at home recovering from surgery I was surfing google images when I saw the picture “58960*” (http://www.broadsword.com/jeep/58960*.jpg). I was amazed at how badass that lifted TJ looked with the doors fully opened. At that moment that picture became my wallpaper for the next 6 months. The minute i got paid from the insurance company i started looking for a green TJ, since Wrangler’s are not that demanded here in Chile i had to wait a few months until the perfect one surfaced a low mile 1999 Green Wrangler.

Thanks for indirectly helping me make the best decision in my life :D!

Best regards!

Thomas S.”

That email made my day. And not just because someone thought my Jeep looks cool, although I did appreciate that as well.

Someone once said “It’s hard to share one’s enthusiasms,” and I’ve found that to be true. No matter how psyched I was about finding the Mauna Kea peak benchmark (almost off the charts), it’s not something most people understand. My wife recognized my enthusiasm, but she certainly didn’t share it. When Formula 1 cars race through the streets of Monaco, it strikes a chord deep within me that most people just don’t appreciate the same way. And that’s OK, it’s totally normal.

We all have things that capture our imagination or kindle a particular passion. The thing in the email from Thomas that I liked best was the mutual enthusiasm. He’d seen my Jeep and thought, “Yes, that’s exactly what I want,” while I’d read his email and thought “Yes, I totally, completely understand that feeling and enthusiasm.” Instant connection with a total stranger, several thousand miles away. I think that’s a pretty cool thing.

I’d like to thank Thomas for making the effort to send a me that email, which as I said totally made my day. I hope his leg heals up fully, and that he and his new Jeep can avoid any more accidents. Most of all, I wish his enthusiasm a long and robust life, and hope it will in turn spark similar passions in others.