Venturing into the Wilderness

It's a beautiful day here, although a little windy, so I thought I'd go out this morning and walk someplace different. Little did I know that I was risking life and limb. I decided to go to the American River trail near the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. I felt I was quite prepared - I had my bottle of water and my trusty iPhone. A short distance into my stroll along the path what should I see but a sign about mountain lions. Unfortunately the sign was pretty worn, I assume from people clutching it to escape the mountain lions, so it wasn't clear whether it was meant to be educational or serve as a warning.

However, being a dauntless, brave explorer I continued along the trail. It's a lovely path and it was calm and quiet for a short ways. Then I heard some odd noises and, of course, fearing it was a mountain lion, quickly moved off the pathway. Worse than a pack of mountain lions, it turned out to be a pack of bicyclists I had narrowly avoided.

Never let it be said that threat of being run down by crazed bicyclists stopped me though. Seeing a path in the wilderness I decided to take it in hopes of finding the river (which had been one of my goals in walking). Pushing through brush and treading dangerous narrow pathways I came to the edge of a cliff. Fortunately my usual rapid walking pace was slowed due to the heavy brush I had to wend my way through, otherwise I might have tumbled off said cliff. Looking down, at least a 10-mile drop, I spied the river in the distance. By this point my spirit was low due to the many hazards I'd encountered so I elected not to venture down the cliff.

Wending my way back to civilization I decided what I really needed was another book to read (yeah like I need to meet a mountain lion), so I sought out a new library (Orangevale branch) and ended my adventure safe in its small, but welcoming embrace.
 

American River

Yesterday's walk was more of a stroll since it was part of a tour so I decided today that I'd just walk. I went to the American River Parkway and started walking. Fortunately or unfortunately I had my iphone with me and did take some pictures. It's really beautiful there! I got some great pictures of the river and trees and had a nice relaxing walk. I thought there would be a lot of people around but I only saw maybe 8 people altogether. It was very peaceful and quiet - it's hard to believe you are literally in the middle of a busy city.


This tree leans - a bunch of the trees there were leaning way over - I thought that was odd. . .

A view of the river.


This is the path I walked on down to the river - I was a little worried because it was narrow and meandered a bit - I didn't want to get lost!

This was another path I took down to the river. I was a little overwhelmed with choices!


Another view of the river.


After my walk I parked and sat and read for awhile. Then I noticed that I had a visitor. I don't know if this is a crow or raven but he worked very hard to get the garbage out of the can.


Apparently it didn't meet his standards. After a cursory pecking, he walked off, slightly disgruntled I thought.


This tree is almost falling into the water.


This is the walking/biking path. It's a nice place to walk and then you can take little side-trips down to the river edge!


I liked the ways the trees reflected in the water in this picture!