Scenes from a Romp
This past Saturday was a rollicking blast. There’s something about a group of family and friends that not only want to go winehiking, but want to celebrate a birthday, too. Add a couple of girlfriends who just want to have fun, and, well, who am I to forsake a celebration? I decided that the Birthday Boy among us, an enterprising fellow named Lee, should not only enjoy a fun Romp in the Redwoods, but a post-hike bottle of Mumm’s and a chocolate ganache birthday cake, too.
But wouldn’t you know: everyone had a good romp!
On the bridge adjacent to the confluence of the north and south forks of Fall Creek, a group pose. From left to right are Fred, Helen, Stacey, Lee, Jenny, Bob, and myself. Not pictured: Deirdre and Erica.
One of the myriad downed trees that make hiking at Fall Creek such a neat adventure.
There are so many crossings along the South Fork of Fall Creek that it’s easy to lose count of them.
Jenny looks, to me, like a natural-born hiker. I think she’s ready to visit Fall Creek again.
Here come the rest of the troops, tripping merrily along the woodsy morning.
Sylvan Oasis Moment #214.
On one tiny spot along the creekbank: Did these happily fecund ladybugs all meet on ladybug.ning.com? Like that old hoofer Jimmy Durante might say, Fall Creek’s “got a million of ’em”.
The Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz says: When it rains, it spores. It’s not clear which species of fungus this specimen is, but it’s a mighty bright and colorful variety of tree fungus.
That’s Birthday Boy Lee discovering an alternate way to cross Fall Creek.
One of my guests inquired about this snazzy little creekside plant; its bright-orange fruit had caught her eye. It’s called a Watermelon Berry (Streptopus amplexifolius).
Hallcrest Vineyards & Winery, in all its radiant late-summer splendor. Shortly after I snapped this photo, the Hallcrest production crew delivered a few bins of cold-stored pinot grapes, which were compact yet quite flavorful.
In the Hallcrest tasting room. From right to left, that’s Jenny, husband Bob talking to son Lee, Helen and Fred (behind Lee), Brittany (a.k.a. @WineQT), and Deirdre (a.k.a. Dee Dee). That’s Amy behind the bar.
Ours was a lively and fun group of hikers who not only enjoyed the hike but loved to eat, too. It was immensely gratifying to me to see nearly all of them go back for seconds on lunch—before even tasting any wine!
Next up: an easy 4-mile out-n’-back hike along the Zinfandel Trail, with a winery at both ends! Just wait’ll you see what I’m fixin’ for lunch.
Ready for a winehike? You know who to call on.
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