San Francisco has always been on my bucket list of places to visit, and the time has finally arrived. After a week of work in the city Mountain View, near San Francisco, I have the entire weekend off for sightseeing. I intend to make the most of it. Mountain View is a beautiful residential area with large houses and big gardens. What I like most about this city is that it is very green and has lots of biodiversity with many different trees and all kinds of colorful flowers. It is also one of the most expensive areas in the US to live. As it turns out there are many big (tech) companies located here, including Google and many others. I could see myself living in a place like this, because of the clean, green and diverse gardens and parks alone. And not to forget, it’s close to the mountains.

Speaking of mountains, I wouldn’t be my true self if I don’t climb any when I am near. So that is exactly what I did on a Saturday. The day started gloomy with chances of showers in the morning. I didn’t bring my raincoat, hiking shoes or any other hiking gear, but that wasn’t going to stop me. A quick online search provides me with plenty of trails to choose from and I decide to stay in the state of California and go to the top of the Black Mountain. The only preparations I made for this trip is some water and a stop at the bakery to buy lunch.

I start the hike at 9 AM and despite a few drops, it stayed surprisingly dry throughout the day. The mountain lies in a national park and I am surprised to see a sign that warns for Mountain Lions. I didn’t know they would be here but how cool would it be to see one! The signs also says that if a mountain lion would attack, it’s best to make yourself big, loud and fight back. OK… that might be less fun and cool.

He never showed himself, I guess he was just scared of me 😀

It is a beautiful and challenging hike. The route is well maintained and is mostly a single track to the top so it is easy to find your way. The fresh air of the mountains feels so good after being in the city for a long time. I feel strong, motivated and alive when hiking mountains. There is just something very relaxing about putting one foot in front of the other when walking up a steep hill or mountain. The bigger the challenge the better the reward. The route is mostly through woody areas, with an occasional view on the bay area, also known as Silicon Valley.

As I am getting closer to the top, the hike gets progressively steeper. But I like it that way, it couldn’t be steep enough.

Surprisingly it took me only 2,5 hours to reach the top. Every time I reach the top, the rewards are the views and the sudden renewal burst of energy it gives. The top is more of a gentle sloping area with grasslands and not rocky at all. I would normally take a moment to chill, enjoy the view and soak up the mountain’s energy. But strong and cold winds were rolling up from the other side, with dark clouds closing in. I did not stay long and went back down a bit, where it is warmer and where I am sheltered from the wind.

Walking back down the same way, I had better views on the bay (I was facing the bay this time and having my back on it while I was going to the top). This side of the mountain is a bit sunnier than the top and after fifteen minutes I found a good spot for nice food. I brought hot coffee, a bagel with cream cheese and a fresh croissant with Gouda cheese, what more could I wish for. I thoroughly enjoyed this delicious lunch after that steep hike.

Obviously going down is so much easier and faster than going up. As a confident and sure-footed hiker, I use gravity to my advantage, and let my feet follow my body (so I am not breaking or slowing down for safety). This means when the descent is steep, I will jog or go down in a high pace.

Around 13.30 I was back down at the car. It was a very rewarding hike where I covered 14 kilometers and about 700 elevation meters and all of that within 4,5 hours. 1,5 Hour faster than the online guide.

After such an achievement, I can only think of one thing to have the ultimate relaxation, one of my most favorite things to receive… a massage! Not a sixty-minute treatment as I normally do, but a ninety minute one, in one of the best spas in town. Nothing beats a petite Asian woman walking over your back… haha😀.

Stay tuned for next time where I will share a story about visiting San Francisco the city!

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