A good group hike with the Wednesday Walkers and a good dinner out with my sweetheart made for a good day.
The walk was especially nice because it was something we hadn’t done for quite some time. The reason for that is the logistics–we need transport out to Tibag for the start, and since it is a one-way hike, it has to be a drop-off. Last time we did this route, there were only two of us, so we had a trike take us for 200 pesos. We used my driver this time, and we all kicked in a hundred pesos each for the ride. So, we started out Tibag way and hoofed it through the foothills to Waltermart on the far side of Subic-town, then caught a Jeepney back to Barretto.
The big surprise for me was Swan came along for her first-ever group hike. And she brought my part-time helper, Inday, with her. When I asked her later why she decided to come, she told me it was because I hadn’t been feeling well the night before, and she wanted to be there to help if I needed it. Ain’t she sweet? And she asked Inday to come along because she wanted to make sure she knew someone there besides me. Whatever works. They both seemed to enjoy themselves.
Seven kilometers from beginning to end. Most of it was quite pleasant, and I look forward to passing this way again someday.
Swan had afternoon business in Subic, so while she did that, I paid a visit to Cheap Charlies.
When Swan got back into town, I took her to dinner at Sit-n-Bull.
So, I’ve switched from feeding the Hideaway crew on Wednesdays to feeding my girl. It must be love.
We were back home by seven, and I enjoyed a couple of more “Shameless” episodes. My lifestyle seems to be transitioning to something more domestic, don’t you think? I had a much better night’s sleep (no oxygen issues) and woke up at my usual early hour of four a.m.
Okay, that’s all for now.
My lifestyle seems to be transitioning to something more domestic, don’t you think?
Yeah! I’ve noticed that 6:30 a.m. comments on my blog are now rare. You’re switching to a later schedule.
I’m a big fan of Linda Ronstadt.
Her name is a clue to her history.
Linda = Spanish for “beautiful”
Ronstadt = German for “(something) city”—not sure about “Ron”; some info here
Wikipedia says this about her family history:
Ronstadt’s father came from a pioneering Arizona ranching family and was of Mexican descent with a German male ancestor. The family’s influence on and contributions to Arizona’s history, including wagon making, commerce, pharmacies, and music, are documented in the library of the University of Arizona. Her great-grandfather, the engineer Friedrich August Ronstadt (who went by Federico Augusto Ronstadt), immigrated first to Sonora, Mexico, and later to the Southwest (then a part of Mexico) in the 1840s from Hanover, Germany. He married a Mexican citizen and eventually settled in Tucson. In 1991, the City of Tucson opened its central transit terminal on March 16 and dedicated it to Linda’s grandfather, Federico José María Ronstadt, a local pioneer businessman; he was a wagon maker whose early contribution to the city’s mobility included six mule-drawn streetcars, delivered in 1903–04.
Ronstadt’s mother Ruth Mary, of German, English, and Dutch ancestry, was raised in Flint, Michigan. Ruth Mary’s father, Lloyd Groff Copeman, a prolific inventor and holder of nearly 700 patents, invented an early form of the electric toaster, many refrigerator devices, the grease gun, the first electric stove, and an early form of the microwave oven. His flexible rubber ice cube tray earned him millions of dollars in royalties.
What a family, eh? Damn. Buncha’ taco-eatin’ Germans! And Linda herself, back in her heyday, looked fetchingly Black Irish. She’s 77 now.
Another day in paradise.
(Hopefully, the burning season will not exacerbate any lung issue. I dont think you have mentioned any issues in the past, so hopefully none this season either.)
No, I’m usually able to avoid the smoke from these fires. I’ve been lucky that the burns typically do not occur while I’m hiking.
Kev, actually, my later comments are because I have to wait for Swan to awaken before viewing your videos. I guess that technically is another form of domestication, though.
Thanks for the Ronstadt family history. Fascinating. She was an amazing performer. (I say was because I understand she is suffering from late-stage Parkinson’s)
“Climbed up this hill only to find we had taken the wrong path”. I can hear Homer Simpson now, “D’Oh!”
“Just the way I like it.” You and me both!
“I found this pretty irrigating.” I see what ya did their McCrarey. Quick-witted.
Ya can’t go wrong with Fish n Chips. Always my go-to when I can’t decide. Remember Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips from back in the day?
It wasn’t that long ago you were singing Linda Ronstadt’s song, “When Will I Be Loved”. Look at ya now McCrarey. Good things come to those who wait.
Beer is the glue that holds my life together.
Peace Out!
Soju, as usual, we see eye-to-eye on just about everything. Thanks for your support!