Perspective: Day 3

On Saturday J and I made our way to the top of Double Peak Park, something we have been “meaning” to do for years.

I have found that it is easy to get neglectful when it comes to exploring the bounty that exists right here in our own backyard. That is why I say making it to the top of Double Peak has been something we had been meaning to do for years.

The first time we spotted it we were driving over Twin Oaks Road, no doubt on our way to a sporting event of one kind or another, there on the side of the road as we zipped past we spotted the sign. Had I thought of it when Jimmy and I ventured up that way I’d have taken a picture–but I didn’t–I was happily in the moment and not thinking about perspective at all. For the sake of clarity so you can picture it, the sign is one of those green signs with an arrow, the kind that when you actually are looking for a place? It’s so small that your mind registers what it said just as soon as you travel past your turn off. For whatever reason every time we drove over Twin Oaks Road we would spy the green sign and one of us would say, “one of these days we really must go see what it looks like up there.”

And that is how we managed to land on the top of Double Peak with a glorious 360 degree view.

Although there are trails leading away from the view, rather than taking one we stood and contemplated all the places we have yet to explore. Below us we could see a couple of lakes, schools, houses and in the distance the mighty Pacific Ocean in all its splendor.

When our eyes alighted on a lake below that looked close by we decided to drive down and see if we could walk around it. Not long after we were parked in a neighborhood making our way onto a trail that led to the lake–or we thought we are on a trail–in fact we were on the wrong side of a fence, a fence with huge signs which read, “NO TRESPASSING!” We were in a quarry. Apparently a working quarry with notices about large equipment that could squash us like a bug. Happily we found a hole in the fence, climbed through and found the actual trail to the lake.

It was a small lake with lots of people out enjoying the beautiful day. A little boy greeted us exclaiming he was going fishing–we were both reminded of days gone by when each of our children looked forward to fishing with the same enthusiasm. It was truly wonderful to enjoy something new, much like our little fisherman friend, we both felt a sense of adventure.

The next day, which as it happens was yesterday, rather than head to the beach for our walk we decided once again to venture out and explore another trail not far from the house. This time we chose the Calavera Lake Trail, a spot that is only 12 miles north of us–again, neither of us had been.

It was a beautiful walk–a loop that is just under 2 miles and mostly runs adjacent to the water. There were a few spots that found us climbing over rocks but for the most part the trail was even and easy.

In one stretch the path took us through a small grove of trees where no doubt volunteers had built a sturdy bridge for hikers to cross over what would be muddy terrain were it not for the severe drought that California is suffering. It was heart warming to think that a group of people in our community came together to build the bridge, whether they were scouts, retirees, or an adventure club of sorts, it’s simply nice to be part of a community where people enrich what the land that they enjoy.

The effect that reaching one of the highest points near us had on us was wonderful. By getting a different perspective, one that happened to be high enough above sea level for us to see the area we live in below, led to our discovering a number of new places to walk. In fact we printed out the trail map and agreed we would set our sites on exploring as many trails as we can find time too this year.

As with most things getting to a different altitude–one where we can actually see more of what the world has to offer–has a way of renewing our sense of adventure–something that after 19 years of marriage I am grateful we both still share.