LAKE NATOMA LOOP 14X February 17, 2007

Again seeking to enjoy the temperate weather, today, I rode light rail again out to Folsom, CA, and had a light lunch. Starting my hike at 12:35 p.m., I took the bike trail over the old truss bridge, and saw a few boaters out, as in many places today.

Hundreds of users were biking, running, skating, and hiking, like me. It was a bit hazy, but I was having a nice walk and shooting plenty of photos. I need some further proficiency and use of the many features on my camera, trying to get the best photo quality.

Ducks and geese were floating on the lake about the bluffs, and cyclists were zooming by. I made a side trip to the top of the cone shaped hill, with close-ups done (below) of the tiny "red maid" flowers. Due to the thick haze, the Sierra wasn't visible, as neither Lassen Peak, but I could see so many cyclists speeding along.

More boaters and anglers used the area above and below the dam. Then, what would you know but an old peak section acquaintance stopped for a brief chat! Saying we were doing well, I invited a visit to my website.

Crossing the river, I took a short rest on a bench further past the footbridge on the southeast side of the lake. Green grasses made a nice photo, and I wondered why I really do this, rather than say, a drive out to Yosemite or some place much nicer.

I looked forward to getting back to the light rail station and completing this loop. I seem to have some wishful thinking about how fast I walk. Taking the side trails, they were all damp but dry enough, with no muddy parts that couldn't be easily avoided. I kept snapping photos, as I wish to give a longer term test to my new high speed memory card. You sometimes never know when they will fail!

Looking at my watch to see how I was doing, I then came to the station just after the train had left. I walked over to find the public restroom was closed, but I got a lemonade at a coffeehouse, and used the facility there. The train came by, and I was on my way home at 5 p.m.

My walk was the usual 11 miles, with only enough gain to have some cyclists walking their bikes up slight hills on the paved trail. I shot 130 images, and spent almost $20 for food, drink, and the ride.

There were a few poppies near the dam, and more flowers along the grassy stretch near Folsom Boulevard. I saw a few regular birds, and imagined how it must have been with thousands of ducks and geese, in past times.

I started with a shell parka over my vest and light T, with light pants, too. I knew it was to get warm, this day, and carried my light pack to stash my stripped off clothing. Many people were wearing shorts. I hiked with my T-shirt, shortly in the day, wishing to wear shorts, too, at times.

My new, main camera has lowered in price so much, I began to wish to use it on all my walks, and never having bought any back-up camera. But, I plan that the DSLRs will come down in price, even more, and gain so many more cool features. Maybe a future 10 or 20 MP one will have my name on it!

Some rain is due for the next day, and I presume I'll rest well, and try to enjoy the holiday. Maybe someone will wish to team up and hike Monday. I check my e-mail often, then. Recalling a hiker contacting me by e-mail at about noon, we were having dinner together that evening, then meeting for the climb the next morning. Sure beats the hassle of a chapter activity, now!

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