So how did I spend the weekend of 28 to 30 March.
In a weak moment on Thursday evening (at dinner...I had one mojito so there was no excuse), I agreed to participate with the American Lung Association's Climb California on Saturday morning. Well it seemed like a good idea. I have been exercising. I am going on the Milford Trek in less than 2 weeks. It was a moment of weakness.
So Saturday morning I was dressed and out of the house before 730am. I picked up two coffees (mine was decaf) and drove over to pick Ana at her apartment (near Ghirardelli Square - It is all about chocolate) and headed over to the Bank of America building. I had decided to wear my hiking books (I do NOT recommend this to any future hikers). We parked (after the trunk (boot) of the car was searched) and headed up to the plaza to register and meet up with her team from work. I was participating as a friend of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District - a sponsor of the event.
Then at 915 we lined up for a team photo...after a few minutes of warmup the team headed over to start the climb. About 30 minutes later the hell began!
I am not sure why I thought climbing 1555 stairs would be a good idea. It was awful. After 2 stories I was ready to quit. The first water stop was not until the 11th floor. I stopped to catch my breath, reduce my heart rate and let my face not be quite so red... I then started up again. I told myself that I could quit at the next water stop (the 17th floor). It was only 6 floors. Well once I again I rested. My face was a fantastic shade of red. But I was a third of the way to the top. So I talked myself into the next 6 floors and so it went ...23rd floor (almost halfway)..29th floor (over halfway)...35 floor (almost 2/3rds done)..Why did I think this was a good idea?...41st floor (oohhh ooohhh now I am in the forties...52 must be just round the corner..plus those very fit good looking firemen would be there to help me) After the last water stop I started up those last flights. While I was taking a short breather on the 50th floor a volunteer came down the stairs to find me. Ana was worried I had died somewhere during the climb...Made it up the last two floors. The photo was taken at the top of climb. I looked thrilled don't I ....
I am not sure why I thought climbing 1555 stairs would be a good idea. It was awful. After 2 stories I was ready to quit. The first water stop was not until the 11th floor. I stopped to catch my breath, reduce my heart rate and let my face not be quite so red... I then started up again. I told myself that I could quit at the next water stop (the 17th floor). It was only 6 floors. Well once I again I rested. My face was a fantastic shade of red. But I was a third of the way to the top. So I talked myself into the next 6 floors and so it went ...23rd floor (almost halfway)..29th floor (over halfway)...35 floor (almost 2/3rds done)..Why did I think this was a good idea?...41st floor (oohhh ooohhh now I am in the forties...52 must be just round the corner..plus those very fit good looking firemen would be there to help me) After the last water stop I started up those last flights. While I was taking a short breather on the 50th floor a volunteer came down the stairs to find me. Ana was worried I had died somewhere during the climb...Made it up the last two floors. The photo was taken at the top of climb. I looked thrilled don't I ....
The view was fantastic. I could see across the bay to Berkeley. Alcatraz was just there. After rehydrating with some water, we went into the VIP room and sat drinking mimosas looking out over North Beach. It was a fantastic end. And although my face was cherry red, I felt okay.
Later that afternoon, after dropping Dad off at SFO for his flight to New Zealand, Mom, I and Allie (our family dog) headed down to Carmel and my parents' vacation home. The gardens at the home were stunning. (Photos to come..I forgot my camera so I purchased a film camera so it will take me a while to get photos up)
The next morning, I took Allie for a walk on Main Beach in Carmel... after I found a coffee on Ocean. Allie was able to walk of leash (lead) and frolic (as much as her gimpy arthritic leg allowed). She played with other dogs and chased a stick. Of course she insisted in going in the ocean just before we headed up to the car. After visiting several random people, and choosing her preferred car (convertible lexus) over the Honda CRV, we made it back to the car. Can't say I enjoyed lifting wet dog into the car....
After whipping by the house to drop the dog off (whose spent the whole time in Carmel smiling) and picking up a visitor;s pass, I headed over to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I wanted to see the otters. The sea otters were sleeping peacefully. I think Mom may need one for her bathtub..... Every child in Monterey County was at the aquarium, There were children every where.... The otters were awake, swimming and looking darn cute in the "Wild About Otters" exhibit. It was great to see other varieties of otters. I only spent an hour at the Aquarium. It was well worth it.
I then headed over to REI to purchase the last items I needed for the Milford Trek (hike). After 90 minutes of trying on hiking pants - an experience I never want to repeat- I purchased all the odds and ends needed. I then headed over to pick up a salad from the Fishwife Restaurant. I have been going to the Fishwife since my parents bought the house in Carmel. So is it pathetic to order the same dish for over 20 years? Unfortunately the Fishwife in Seaside was closed. On a positive note the Turtle Bay taqueria in downtown was opened. So I picked up burritos for Mom and I.
Over the next 24 hours, Mom and I visited consignment stores, had the car serviced, bought pillows, had lunch at the Wagon Wheel and generally ran around. We stopped at the Coach store in Carmel. I bought a fantastic handbag - cause I needed it and price was 25% of its original.
After whipping by the house to drop the dog off (whose spent the whole time in Carmel smiling) and picking up a visitor;s pass, I headed over to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I wanted to see the otters. The sea otters were sleeping peacefully. I think Mom may need one for her bathtub..... Every child in Monterey County was at the aquarium, There were children every where.... The otters were awake, swimming and looking darn cute in the "Wild About Otters" exhibit. It was great to see other varieties of otters. I only spent an hour at the Aquarium. It was well worth it.
I then headed over to REI to purchase the last items I needed for the Milford Trek (hike). After 90 minutes of trying on hiking pants - an experience I never want to repeat- I purchased all the odds and ends needed. I then headed over to pick up a salad from the Fishwife Restaurant. I have been going to the Fishwife since my parents bought the house in Carmel. So is it pathetic to order the same dish for over 20 years? Unfortunately the Fishwife in Seaside was closed. On a positive note the Turtle Bay taqueria in downtown was opened. So I picked up burritos for Mom and I.
Over the next 24 hours, Mom and I visited consignment stores, had the car serviced, bought pillows, had lunch at the Wagon Wheel and generally ran around. We stopped at the Coach store in Carmel. I bought a fantastic handbag - cause I needed it and price was 25% of its original.
nice handbag!
ReplyDeleteOh, and way to go climbing all those stairs! You must be mad! I can't imagine getting up that many stairs...
ReplyDelete