61-Week Hiking Challenge (Week 3)

Week 3: James Way Oak Habitat and Wildlife Preserve Hike

It’s right before Thanksgiving and this past week was jammed packed.  There wasn’t one night that we got to stay home and relax.  It’s during these times when it’s easy to brush off going to the gym or finding the time to go on a hike, but that’s when it is so important to take “me time.”  You need to invest in your health (mental and physical).

This is what I woke up to.  I called the water department the day before to tell them that the concrete box where the water meter is was overflowing and pouring water out onto the street.  It took them a full 24 hours before they came out to fix it.  So much for the state of water conservation.  Luckily the leak was on their side; thank God we would not be billed for the water loss or repairs!

I really wanted to take this new class at the gym and only had a short amount of time to fit in my hike.  So I parked at the gym and remembered there was a short loop about a half a mile from the gym.  The James Way Oak and Wildlife Preserve is 1.3 miles of walking paths and trails with some flat and some hills.

I went around the loop and then saw a tiny trail headed up the hill.   I know it’s nothing like the East coast, but I love the changing leaves on the trees. I love an adventure and had some time so I ventured up.  The trail dumped me out into a residential area with beautiful homes right above a Walmart and Trader Joes shopping center.   I love the Central Coast; even from the Walmart parking lot you have beautiful views of the ocean.

I wonder what these people do for a living? Too funny to see a guitar rock garden!

Just being outside my attitude changes and I feel strong and healthy and happy.  Even though this hike was rather short, it helps give me a different perspective on my day.

 I downloaded the MapMyHike app for my phone, and unfortunately it didn’t transfer the data to their website so I had to take a screen shot of my trip.

My thoughts:

Difficulty:  1 (out of 10)

Beauty: 5 (out of 10)

Distance:  3.27 Miles

Pace:  13:49 min/mi

Gain:  78.74’

Time: 45.15

Burned:  320 calories

Worth It?  For a really short trail it’s nice. Will I do it again? Maybe, I’d rather do this again then run on the treadmill.

Rating: 2 Stars (out of 5)

The James Way Oak Habitat and Wildlife Preserve is located on James Way between Rancho Parkway and Meadow Way. 

I’m really looking forward to this week’s hike.  My girlfriend and I will be taking the kids on a nice hilly loop. It’s time to get the kids involved in this challenge.  

The best way to help digest Thanksgiving dinner is a nice stroll outside.  Do you take walks after you eat?