Are you looking for a great way to start your new year? What about hiking or tandem biking? I've always wanted to tandem bike. I’d want to be the peddler in the back because I think all you have to do is kick out your legs to each side and have the person in front pedal their darndest! Right? ;) I can see it now, saying, “weeeeee” with my picnic basket on the back.
Side note about picnics (again!). I love going on them, love preparing them, and especially love eating them! I remember my grandmother preparing fried chicken drumsticks, big dill pickles, her favorite lemon squares and egg salad sandwiches wrapped in wax paper. Those were the days. Now, my picnics consist of Veuve Clicquot, goat cheese, toasted baguette slices, corniçhon pickles, olives, paté, my homemade oatmeal raisin cookies and maybe some homemade caramels. I’d love to pack a gourmet picnic basket for you to enjoy with your family and friends – just ask!
Ok, back to hiking and biking…I love to hike. And I know one of the best trainers who can take you on a seaside hike in Big Sür or anywhere in the Bay Area that would put anyone to shame. There’s also a great book called, "Peninsula Trails" which is a guide book of trails for both hiking and biking on the San Francisco Peninsula. Hiking is energizing for the soul. There’s nothing like an amazing, strenuous hike out in the fresh air. But you need to have the right shoes!
On my last major hike (to Machu Picchu!) I wore my 10-year-old hiking boots that were worn (from way back when!) on the 4th grade Yosemite trips with my kids. I did not want to buy new ones for this Peru trip, as my archaic boots were already well fitted to my feet and I had a fear of risking major blisters. But you should have seen how I had to bind my toes with mole skin, blister pads and toe pads before the major trek! My roommate thought all the bandages I had on my feet were hysterical before our 104km hike. For my next "feat" - Half Dome!
In addition to other strenuous hikes in San Francisco, I highly recommend a yoga hike, which is a combination of, yes, yoga poses interspersed with hiking in the hills of SF. On a beautiful crisp day, this 90-minute hike is exhilarating and breathtaking. And for a "butt-kicking" hard-core class in SF, try climbing the Lyon Street Steps! Whew! If you’d like me to put together a fun hiking/biking adventure for you, just ask!
Namaste!
