Hiking Las Trampas + Chow Danville
The whole day off in the middle of the week thing is really messing with me. I keep thinking it’s Monday but then I’m pleasantly reminded that it’s not and that there’s only two days left until the weekend. Whoop!
As far as New Years Eve goes, there’s not too much to share. We hung out at home and watched an awesome Aggie game; likely our last with Johnny Manziel…tear, sniffle. Then once 11pm hit, I was struggling to stay awake so we decided against popping the champagne and went to sleep. Par-taaaayy animals.
Luckily, we made up for it by taking Coco le chien {that’s her French nickname} for lunch and beautiful hike on New Years Day. The weather was in the high 60’s so we were able to enjoy lunch on the patio at Chow Restaurant in Danville.
I ordered the veggie burger with tzatziki and avocado, Brandon got the winter mushroom pizza, and Coco got organic peanut butter dog treats.
But of course, she still begged me for a few fries.
I originally wanted to do a hike in the South Bay Area to see some waterfalls but decided against it since we’ve had such a dry winter thus far.
Instead, we stuck to the East Bay and went to Las Trampas Regional Wilderness in San Ramon.
The hike we did starts out on Rocky Ridge View Trail which is on a steady incline for about the first mile or so.
There were tons of cows all along the trail, including a few cute fluffy babies.
Coco wanted so badly to run after them so we had to keep her on a leash the whole time.
As the hike continues upward, you start to get a view of Mount Diablo over the hills.
Once you reach the top, there are white patches of rock along the ridgeline that are actually clumps of shell fossils, proving that area was once below sea level {according to the guide I found online}.
The views along the ridgeline were so beautiful. It feels like you’re on top of the world up there.
Eventually Rocky Ridge reaches Elderberry Trail which takes you back down in the direction of the start.
There were about five or six cows right on the trail as well as a few babies perched on the side of the hill.
It was tricky getting Coco past them but we made it through without any trouble.
Then we took a quick break to pop a few almond butter energy balls in our mouths.
I’m working on getting them just right before I post the recipe.
As we made our way down the hills, there were plenty of green, shaded areas that would have been relieving on a hot summer day.
At one point we even spotted an olive tree.
By the end, we hiked a total of 4.5 miles so we were all tired and ready to go home,
Overall, it was a great way to start the new year!
What did you do on New Years Eve/Day?
sounds like a great time! I spent the majority of new years day on my butt since my cold wasn’t letting me go. I did manage to cook dinner though. one of my resolutions this year is to hike more. or trail run. haha. watched Pacific Rim (alien monsters versus giant robots) which was actually pretty entertaining and fun to watch. predictable, but great CGI and a fun spin on the alien/monster/robot genre.
Aw, hope you feel better soon! A good movie is always a nice choice when you’re not feeling so hot. Happy New Year Sonia! :)
Great pics, it’s evident Cali needs some rain though!
I know, I can’t believe how dry it’s been!
Looks like a great start to 2014. Your day looks similar to mine. We went on a very short hike and then came home and did a 3 mile jog/walk since the hike wasn’t enough. I also made your hoppin’ john recipe but I threw everything in the crockpot for it. It was delicious!
On Saturday David and I are planning on doing the Panoramic Hill hike you posted a while back. I’m so excited!
I’m so glad you liked the Hoppin’ John! :)
You will love Panoramic Hill. We didn’t do the full hike (about 6 miles) but you can find the info on everytrail.com if you haven’t already. Can’t wait to read your recap!
Looks glorious! Wish I could say I did something productive on New Years Day but sadly I was nursing a hangover. I put up a moderate fight against the tequila shots but eventually succumbed. I’m getting too old for this!
All I want is that veggie burger right now!
Those pictures are breathtaking! I’m so jealous that you have hiking weather! I’m about to have one of the coldest days of my life (-15 degrees) tomorrow! Enjoy what you’ve got, girl haha.
Looks like a gorgeous start to the year! I spent the first day of 2014 on my couch nursing a hangover…oops.
I know exactly how you feel! I’ve been thinking all day that it was Monday. I would get so happy every time that I re-realized it was actually Thursday.
Your pictures are beautiful. It looks like a very peaceful area.
Oh what a lovely hike! For new year’s i was driving to a cute little cabin and i passed several baby cows on the drive and i thought they were SO cute! I don’t know how my dog would behave around cows so GO COCO! :) I’m so jealous you saw an olive tree! I love olives!
And yes, the day off in the middle of the week was some malarky that has totally thrown a wrench in my schedule! :)
On the First day of the year I just got bored :). Not my favorite day ever.
The landscape here is really beautiful, great pics!
Such a beautiful hike and totally the perfect way to start the new year!
I was totally a party animal too… by 9:30, I was in bed ;)
That hike looks so beautiful!! I just love hikes, especially when accompanied by furry friends. :) I love the picture of the olive tree – it reminds me of Greece!
I hope you have a wonderful and blessed 2014 Sarah! <3
wonderful photos. Happy New Year!
I spent the day relaxing! Though I think your day looked like more fun! Your dog is beautiful. What a nice trip to start the new year. :)
I always love your hiking photos – this looks like the perfect way to kick of the New Year! We just went to a friend’s house for New Year’s Eve – which was nice : ) Low key but fun. Although now we’re both battling colds – which need to go away! haha
Aw man. I hope you feel better soon!
What a great start to 2014! That trail looks beautiful and with good food to fuel you to boot :D.
I love getting in more fun types of exercising and hiking is high up on my list of favorite activities :).
Have a great weekend!
I can imagine coco would have been going crazy trying to get to those cows! It looks like a beautiful trail to hike.
I totally need to hit you up for hike suggestions! What are your favorite ones (closer to SF)?
We have two Chows in San Francisco and I remember going there when I was younger all the time. I have a pasta dish that I get every time I wish I can recommend to you but it has sausage in it. :(
Cheers to 2014, the year we finally meet (hopefully!) :)
I long for long hiking trails in my city! Last year I had a stay-in New Year’s eve so this year we went to a dance with my parents. It was actually a blast and better than going stressing over plans with a big group of friends :)
I really should take up hiking soon. Those views, they’re wonderful! Just like the energy balls and the hamburger and pizza, yum!
I spent New Year’s day sleeping in because I had gone out the night before (which I regret, I would have rather having gone to bed like you hehe) xxx
Looks like you guys had a great day! I hope you guys had a great holiday.. and a great/exciting year ahead!
Can’t wait for that energy ball recipe!
Ahhh how fun and what beautiful views. I imagine when you look out you think to yourself, now THIS is why we live in Cali. I mean, that’s what I’d be thinking!
Looks like you had a great New Years! Happy 2014!
Reading this post, I still am thinking that it would have been so funny if you did go hiking in South Bay and we just ran into each other. I’d be all, “Sarah? Brandon? Coco? Is that you??” Ha! I really think that this year sometime us Bay Area bloggers should try and organize a meet up somewhere. Maybe we’ll wait until after your wedding being that you’re talking in this post about how insanely busy you’ve been! I also find it amusing that you also take lots of photos of cows. Do you also say things like, “Hey guys! I would never eat you!” when you pass them, or is that just me?!
I know, it would have hilarious if we ran into each other!
You read my mind about organizing a meet up and I like the idea of doing it after my wedding. I’m so overwhelmed right now! We’ll definitely plan something before the year is up.
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