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85. Vista Point (09/12/98)

Hikers (9): Eugene, Eula, Jamie, Jane M, Joey, Mary, Peter, Steve, Taylor
Distance: 8 miles
Rating: 3 difficulty, 8 beauty
Park info: Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve in Cupertino

Write-up by Peter

Just like last time, Rusty missed out on the Vista Point hike because he had to make another rare visit to LA. Last time, he missed out on meeting the great Mensa group. This time it was even worse as he missed out on meeting the beautiful Eula and the wacky Joey a.k.a. Ranzo (more on this later).

1, 2, 3, ... INCH!

After everyone had finally found a place to park (always an adventure at Rancho San Antonio), we hit the trail.

You always feel like a fool walking through this park with backpacks and hiking boots, being passed by little old ladies jogging along in their spandex outfits and kiddies riding along on their tricycles.

But after we passed the Deer Hollow Farm and finally began to go uphill, the crowds melted away. After this, we only came across an occasional fit jogger on the way up to Vista Point, including INCH's own Anthony who was out for a run -- sorry, no leaf!

On the way up, Ranzo told us how he got his unique name. It's made up of the first initials of all his uncles' names. How bizarre, how bizarre! Not to mention that he was hiking in long corduroy pants! If have a feeling he'll fit right in with this bunch.

At the top, we paused for a short while to admire the view. A thick, grimy, brown haze covered Silicon Valley. Mmmmm! We just couldn't wait to get back down and start breathing that stuff again! To make it even better, we had to walk along the PG&E Trail and get a nice dose of radiation from the power lines. What's that buzzing in my head???

Now ... back to my place for the annual fall BBQ. All the hot dogs you can eat! When The Man's away, the mice will play!

Milestones:
Eula's 1st leaf
Jane M's 10th leaf
Joey's 1st leaf
Steve's 50th leaf



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