Sunset, Kailua-Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii, March 11, 2024

Sunset, Kailua-Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii, March 11, 2024
Sunset, Kailua-Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii, March 11, 2024

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Friedrich Wilderness Park with Friends -- Sun., Mar. 10

Today Evelyn and Kevin of RV Khronicles of Kevelyn came over for brunch. Our plans after brunch were written in Jello; we could, if the weather was bad, stay in and play Sequence or, if the weather was good, go for a 10K (6.2 mile) walk in Friedrich Wilderness Park northwest of San Antonio. We warned Kevin and Evelyn that if we opted to hike, they should bring hiking boots and poles.

The weather was absolutely lovely today. After pancakes, fried eggs and banana streusel muffins (muffins provided by Kevin & Evelyen), we chose to hike the park. 


The first 3.2 miles of the hike was easy, on good paved or relatively flat, low incline trails. The last 3.2 miles increased in difficulty to steep inclines, and rocky trails with roots thrown in for good measure.

The last time Bob and I hiked this in July 2012, we got lost a couple of times, so today I tried to follow the directions more closely. We still messed up on one part toward the end. Oh, well. It was a great bit of exercise and we got to know Kevin and Evelyn as we walked and talked.

Kevin thought I was leading them around in circles, which I was. In order to make a full 10K, we went on certain parts of the trail three or four times to get from one place to another. Here are photos of Friedrich Wilderness Park (some from our Volksmarch on July 15, 2012).

Windmill. The tank at the bottom had koi in it!
Vista Loop--the hardest trail in the park.
Vista Loop Trail...up and up, or down and down.
Bob was down the hill a little.
We had a passing hiker take the following photo. I think we could have used some help in composition. Kevin and Evelyn were too far back in the photo and I was too far forward. The perspective is off. Bob and I look like giants.
Evelyn, Kevin, Susan, and Bob--just climbed a big hill!
Vista Loop Trail

A partial map of trails in the park.
So after lots of round and round and up and down, we finished the 10K in 2 hours and 40 minutes. We didn't get too hot because we were in the trees most of the time, plus there was nice, cool breeze blowing. I think the temperature hovered around 75 degrees.

Then it was back to the 5er where Kevin and Evelyn had left their truck. They headed off to do errands and we ate chili and salad here at home, watched 60 Minutes and The Amazing Race.

Kevin and Evelyn are off to Texas Hill Country Monday. We want to meet them there and do another Volksmarch or hike Sunday the 17th, before they continue their journey, eventually making their way back to Wisconsin.

One more photo from our hike today...

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Mountain Laurel.
A totally awesome day!

Travel Bug out.



18 comments:

  1. I think your group photo was very nice. I watched 60 minutes too, isn't that scary, that mold. And what is even scarier is I had an epidural in my back at the same time all these other people were getting the tainted batch. Wow I am so lucky, that the clinic I went to didn't get it from that same company.

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    Replies
    1. You were very lucky!!! Thank goodness. I hate taking medicine of any kind.

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  2. What a nice hike and the last picture is beautiful.
    Steve and I finished the BradThor book, very thrilling. Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you.

      Glad you liked the Brad Thor book. He's got lots of them.

      Have you ever read "One Second After" by William Fortschen? That's a book you don't want to put down until you finish.

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  3. Sounds like you had a great day hiking and getting together with Kevin and Evelyn. I follow their blog too.

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  4. That's a long hike, but you did it in good time. Love the butterfly picture.

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  5. wow! 10km for only 2hours. that's quite fast. considering the trails are not flat at all.

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    Replies
    1. Well...two hours and 40 minutes, but who's counting?

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  6. We enjoyed meeting you guys. Thanks again for brunch and recommending the great hike. We would love to do another Volksmarch with you on the 17th!

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    Replies
    1. Great! We're looking forward to it. I hope all went well on your way out of town today.

      Why don't you pick the Volksmarch. There are four in Kerrville, a few in Fredricksburg (go hereto read flyers on these walks: http://www.walktx.org/AVA1/YRE.html), one in Comfort, one at LBJ National Historic Site in Stonewall. You can read the descriptions in the ava.org "Events" web page.

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  7. What a cool map carved on the wood...and loved the group pic as well! Nice hike around...bet it felt great to get out and spread you wings. 60 Minutes on my DVR for this week...I can only imagine! Always look forward to their amazing reporting...real media!

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    Replies
    1. Not only did it feel good, it was good exercise.

      You will be amazed by 60 Minutes. The segment on the cathedral in Spain is really something.

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  8. I agree....the swallowtail and mountain laurel are so pretty!.....great shot!

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  9. Our kind of hike. We no longer enjoy flat, level, smooth terrain. All the rocks, roots, and steps make it fun and tons more exercise. Looked a perfect day...friends, hiking, nice temps.

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    Replies
    1. Well, I could do without the trippers, but I do like varied terrain.

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  10. I think your group shot looks good! And sure had a lovely walk in those surroundings...

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    The USA Is Our Big Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com

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  11. butterbean carpenterMarch 13, 2013 at 10:44 AM

    Howdy T-Bug Susan,
    I enjoy your blog so much.. Y'all are young enuff to do the hiking and I don't sweat, but get to see the interesting things y'all capture with the camera... San Antonio is still a beautiful city, NOT completely built up, like Houston or Dallas, more like a BIG Abilene!!! There are lots of places to go and do rather than being a tourist and 'doing' the RiverWalk...
    Take us through the King George district some day!!! Hope this is a great, wonderful day for y'all!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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