Hiking with the Camera--Finally!

Dana and I had a great Labor Day weekend together. Dana had been out of town on Thursday and Friday, and I was bartending Friday night, so by the time Saturday came around, we were so excited to spend the day together. We've been talking about buying hiking stuff (shoes, backpack, etc.) before we left for Hawaii, so we decided to take a trip to REI and then go out to grab some dinner afterwards. We both found a pair of hiking shoes, we got a backpack for our camera, a waterproof protector to take pics under water with our digital camera, and a book on hiking in the San Diego County (this isn't something we plan on giving up once we get back from Hawaii). The book we got is: "Afoot & Afield: San Diego County" by Jerry Schad, which came highly recommended by all the REI employees (who, by the way, all seem to really love their job--they are all sooooo very helpful, and don't make you feel stupid if you are a beginner).

Anyway, after shopping, we got so excited to use our new book and find a place to hike the following day, when we realized it was the first Sunday of the month! Its the day we spend with Jen and Carlos...I was hoping they would be up for a good hike on our day together. And, they were!

We chose the Los Penasquitos Canyon--approaching from the East Side. I had hiked the same trail a while back with a friend of mine and remembered really enjoying it. So we all met at the beginning and took off on our 6.4 mile trek. The first half of the trek, we seperated by the sexes. Jen and I scooted ahead of the guys to catch up on girl talk, while the guys did their own thing a few yards behind us.

Our halfway point, was a small waterfall.  Here, we rested a bit, took some pictures, walked around in the crystal clear water and then carried on our way.  The first pic below is Jen and I on one side of the waterfall taking a pic of Dana while Dana takes a pic from the other side.  The second pic, is obviously, the newlyweds hanging out under the big shady rock.  And the third pic is Los, Jen, and I getting ready to start hiking the second half.

Overall, we had a great hike, and ended it with a picnic lunch at the end of the final trail.  What we learned from the picnic is that Carlos loves Ranch Dressing, and Dana is pretty funny (even when he laughs at his own jokes first).

The hike was beautiful, the weather was perfect.  I wouldn't suggest doing it if the temp is over 80 degrees.  It is very easy, and would be a great hike for beginners, or people looking for something that isn't too difficult of terrain, for it is mostly flat the whole way.  You can bring dogs with you, you can mountain bike the same trails, and you can also take your horses there to ride.  If you live in SD and want to try something new, hike these trails!