Yesterday my Friday walking group went off in search of new adventures.
Specifically, we made the 45 minutes drive up to San Marcelino. Ignore that thick yellow line, we went the other way.
Scott drove and notwithstanding his long-term residency here, he’d never ventured out to the area we had planned to hike. He still hasn’t. We weren’t exactly sure of the best driving route to take and we ended up on a road that was essentially impassable in less than a four-wheel-drive vehicle. So we just parked on the side of the road and hoofed it from there. Six kilometers later we arrived at the location we had intended to start from. Seeing as we still had 6K ahead of us to get back to the car we decided to save the planned trail for another day. We did at least find a different route back, so there was that.
Actually, the hike we did was pretty nice regardless. The first half was along a dike that holds back the floodwaters when the Santo Tomas river has had too much to drink. The only downside was a lot of dump truck traffic kicking up dust on the road. But it was really nice to be out exploring new vistas. I commented to the group that I couldn’t remember the last time we did a hike and didn’t have an ocean view. I haven’t walked that much river since my hiking days in Korea. Good times!
Credit to Scott for most of these photos:
Our path in the river basin. (that purple line on the left bank) This shot also gives you a sense of just what this river becomes when it is in flood stage.Scott getting ready to get started.An example of why we parked the car and walked.An example of me walking.You needed this kind of vehicle to drive the road that stymied us.It dawned on me that here in the Philippines rice-growing season is year-round. Duh!The first of several water crossings. Oh well, once your feet are wet you are free to enjoy whatever the trail has in store for you!What, you thought bananas grew on trees?Hello, children……do you like cookies?We made it to the river!This river basin was buried in volcanic ash after the explosion of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. Those Andisols are still being harvested today, apparently for use in mixing cement. That peak in the center of this shot is Mount Pinatubo today. Well, yesterday. But you know what I meant.The water level was so low that I watched folks walking and riding motorbikes to get to the other side. There is a village called Santa Fe on the opposite bank. We’ll save that visit for another day.Digging it out and loading it up.We were rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river…Look at that water. You need water to make beer. Ah, beer. I miss you. I need you. I want you…On our alternative path coming back. Passed through several small villages full of friendly folks.But we still had to walk through some water…You coming, Scott?Um, no thanks! We like coming here.Even if it is kind of a hole in the wall place.A field of flowers is always nice to see.And here’s my tree shot from the hike.Um, Jim. The correct bridge is over here!We stopped in a small bar/restaurant out in the middle of nowhere on the way back. Very friendly staff and decent food at reasonable prices. I’d go back if I’m ever in the area. Despite the good meal and cold beers, this is the only thing that caught my imagination enough to pull out the phone for a picture. I’m not sure why.Our hike came in right at 13K. I added some more to that throughout the day. Speaking of Fitbit, it monitors my sleep patterns as well. Today it told me: “Night owls go to bed late and wake up late, while larks do both earlier. Based on your trends, you’re more of a lark.” Well, if Fitbit says it, it must be true!
I did make it out to Mango’s to watch the sunset.
Some sexy gals were playing volleyball (without a net) on the beach as well.
And like the lark that I am, I was home and in bed before 9:00 p.m. and up at 0500 to start my day.
These posts don’t write themselves you know!
And there you have another day in the life here at Long Time Gone.
2 thoughts on “On a lark”
Trivia: “Santa Fe,” in French, is “Sainte Foi,” i.e., “Holy Faith.”
“It dawned on me that[,] here in the Philippines[,] rice-growing season is year-round. Duh!”
Maybe this is why Koreans love telling foreigners that “We have four seasons in Korea!” In other words, “We’re not Southeast Asia!”
Interesting trivia on the origins of Santa Fe. I really do hope to get back and cross the river to that village. It has no access except through the river. So trikes are parked on either side. People get out and wade across carrying their newly purchased supplies. To clarify, I would like to VISIT but I wouldn’t want to live there. Rumor has it there is a church buried up to its steeple in volcanic ash.
Yeah, I used to laugh at that “four seasons” quip, thinking so do most places I’ve ever been. I do miss autumn and spring though.
Sorry about the lack of commas in your quoted text. Ouch!
Trivia: “Santa Fe,” in French, is “Sainte Foi,” i.e., “Holy Faith.”
“It dawned on me that[,] here in the Philippines[,] rice-growing season is year-round. Duh!”
Maybe this is why Koreans love telling foreigners that “We have four seasons in Korea!” In other words, “We’re not Southeast Asia!”
Interesting trivia on the origins of Santa Fe. I really do hope to get back and cross the river to that village. It has no access except through the river. So trikes are parked on either side. People get out and wade across carrying their newly purchased supplies. To clarify, I would like to VISIT but I wouldn’t want to live there. Rumor has it there is a church buried up to its steeple in volcanic ash.
Yeah, I used to laugh at that “four seasons” quip, thinking so do most places I’ve ever been. I do miss autumn and spring though.
Sorry about the lack of commas in your quoted text. Ouch!