~ by Margaret Wong ~
The hike at the Fall Creek section of Cowell Redwoods on Sunday, June 22 organized by Hoyt was even better than he had promised in the newsletter. I was apprehensive about going because I am only a wanna-be hiker and the 5 miles round trip was rather scary for me because I didn’t want to think that they might have to carry me back to the car. And then I did not know anybody, not even Hoyt.
But I was brave enough to sign up. I quickly got rewarded when I entered Hoyt’s house and was greeted by a group from Sacramento assuring me that Nisei hikes are just like walking and do not worry. Some local folks joined us too and it was like we had known each other forever. Hoyt did a great job transporting us south toward Santa Cruz to Felton Empire Road. There, at near the Bennett Creek trail head, we found another group waiting for Hoyt, this one from San Jose. In total, there were 14 of us with Sophia whose home (Shanghai, China) was the most far away.
By then, we were pretty anxious to start walking toward the Redwood, Douglas fir, coyote brush, California coffee-berry and manzanita on the trail. After a few steps, the chaparral faded and we entered a forest with lots of second growth redwoods. At 0.16 mile, Bennett Creek Trail met Fall Creek Trail where we heard the tiny roar of the creek waterfall. The trail kept a mostly level course, but there were a few short rolling bits.
Before long, we were at an area with 12 foot high abandoned lime kilns where we took our group photo. Soon Fall Creek Trail came to a stream crossing, the first of many employing simple planks. We continued straight on Fall Creek Trail. The grade picked up noticeably. At 2.26 mites, a sign on the left marked the Barrel Mill site. We continued a few feet down the trail and found our luncheon place. A sign explained how the downed redwoods were transformed into barrels at this spot, with water-driven staves cutting boards, and hazelnut hoops maintaining the shape of the barrel.
It was a wonderful place for lunch. We each found our own log. There was such a variety of food for sharing – homegrown tangerines, homemade cookies, Oreo cookies, farm grown apricots and assorted fruits. After lunch, Hoyt said we were ready for the return hike. Because I was so engrossed in conversation, I just kept walking and soon I saw the parking lot.
Since the nearest restroom was at the Hallcrest Vineyards & The Organic Wine Works in Felton, we just had to go there. We had a wonderful time chatting and tasting their different wines such as cabaret sauvignon, Merlot, zinfandel, and pinot noir.
The trip back to Hoyt’s place was rather fast as we continued chatting and learning more about one another.
Four of us got together for dinner at Shaburi Shabu Shabu in San Jose’s Japantown.
I had a great day. What a treat for all the senses – beautiful scenery for the eyes, delicious food and wines for our taste, hiking for our bodies, roaring creek water for our ears, and most of all, wonderful people for our hearts. It was so lovely meeting such wonderful people. Thank you Hoyt for organizing the hike.
