This is what I get for writing about writing about hiking the other day. Now I can’t think of anything to blog about. Part of the problem will only make you chuckle if you’ve been in the waiting-for-the-shoe-to-drop world of working in high-tech. This week I learned that one of the three things will happen to me in the next three months:
- Best case scenario: 12 percent pay cut but I get to keep my job.
- Next-best-case scenario: I get to have a similar job with the same company at a 30 percent pay cut requiring a 60-mile commute (each way) and double the workload.
- Worst case scenario: Pink slip and whatever severance they can scrape together.
I know some of you have been through this a dozen times so I won’t ask for your pity (a little would be OK though.) I’m a little preoccupied with how I’m going to maintain my lavish Silicon Valley lifestyle minus those paychecks from the paper mill.
What’s been demotivating me the past couple days is a nagging suspicion that the time I should’ve spent finding a way to make a living when the paper mill millions (of pennies) vanish was consumed maintaining a hiking blog. The other side of the coin is that blogging helped me avoid panic while the ship was sinking.
The water’s coming over the rail now; the fact that some might make it to safety years hence is little consolation to those of us about to be swimming among icebergs.
Five summers ago I was out of shape and 35 pounds overweight. Hiking got me out of that rut, and blogging about hiking has pretty much kept me there (I did gain 10 of those pounds back, but if you ever sample my wife’s chocolate chip cookies you will understand how amazing it is that I don’t weigh 475 pounds).
I realize you’re probably getting fed up with my whining about the demise of paper mills in general and angst over my paper-mill job in particular. Sorry. I feel like I need to have a hiking blog because it gives me an excuse to keep taking walks that ease economy-induced dread.
So, in taking the longest time ever to get to the point: how about some suggestions on where I should hike this weekend?
(UPDATE: Winehike Russ leaped at the opportunity and now we’re planning a Henry Coe hike Sunday morning. How’s that for service?)
Tom, let’s you and me do Mt. Sizer early Sunday. That oughtta burn the dread out.
I could be up for something a little less beastly. I haven’t been getting my midweek workouts in over the past few months so I’m pretty out of shape. Nine miles and 2000 feet last week was pretty close to my current limit.
You up for something else at Coe?
I have been meaning to get out to Coe, to tell the truth.
I work till midnight Saturday night so a crack-of-dawn takeoff is a tad too early, but I can be up and around by 9 or so.
Works for me, Tom. Want to pick me up (at 9?), or shall I swing by your place?
OK, the drive is my treat. I’ll swing by your place around nine-ish.
I’m inspired! And you’re on! See you Sunday.
If you can stand another lost soul, I can be at the TJ’s parking lot off East Dunn at 9:30.
What the heck, we can manage that.
You’re talking the trader joe’s right?
Yep, get off the freeway and take the first right. I will be the idiot waving at your Element.
That sounds really bad.
alas, phallic implications for the name of my humble Honda!
I’d love to join in, guys! Just in case I can make it – where is your launching off point and what time?
Ranger station, main entrance or Hunting Hollow?
9:30 or 10?
Tom, keep the faith! And definitely keep blogging!
Let’s plan on the main HQ (red ranch house)… should be there between 10 and 10;30.
Good to see more inspiration here, and of course it would be awesome to kick up some dust with you guys again – it’s been way too long!
But darn, I was hoping to influence Mr., uh, “Element” to do an 8.3-mile loop out of the Coyote Creek entrance, seeing as how that loop might be new territory for some or all of us. Perhaps a nice bottle o’ red will sweeten the deal.
Comments?
Russ: My concern about the Coyote Creek entrance is there never seems to be any parking down there. We could park at hunting hollow but it adds a mile of road walking.
Having said that, I picked the main HQ mostly because i needed to pick something … it’s likely to be fairly crowded there, too, though Sunday morning might be quieter than, say, a Saturday because of the churchgoers.
I can go either way, we just need to let Gambolin Man know where we’re gonna be in case he wants to track us down.
Agreed, with all you said. Hopefully we could all arrive in one car. I’ll send Gambolin Man an email, alert him to return to this thread.
Guys, alas, I won’t be making it – I threw my back out yesterday and I’m laid up. Dang-nation! Have a great time at Coe! Can’t wait to read all about it and see photos!
Damn, of all the luck. I really had my heart set on a Three Toms of Doom photo.
How was it boys? I’m still – not quite bedridden – but in a world of hurt!
T’was a truly splendid outing, Gambolin Man; Coe Park was definitely the place to be yesterday. The Jackson and Elderberry Spring trails, out of the Coyote Creek trailhead, were simply crazy with wildflowers, many having taken over large areas. The Chinese Houses were particularly impressive. And around every bend or over every new hill, there seemed to be something wonderful to ooh and aah at. Heck, just the wrens, woodpeckers and meadowlarks had me spellbound. At 9 miles and 2000′, with gradual climbing going out and some steep downhilling on the return, this hike set us up just right for enjoying some chilled post-hike Valdiguié from Cinnabar Winery, sitting there on Mangan’s tailgate.
It was good to get outside again with the Toms. Here’s hoping you’ll heal up quickly so there’ll once again be three Toms on the trail! The season, it is young – so there’s hope.
And Mangan? I believe he’s inspired.
Hang in there, Tom!