Today is the Santa Cruz Triathalon and our timing couldn't have been more perfect. Athletes on their racing bikes poured off a side street and onto Highway 1 just was we came up to the last signal out of Santa Cruz. We had to traverse the highway, often straddling the center line, as cyclists passed each other and suddenly veered into our northbound lane. We didn't run over any of the competitors, fortunately, and got up to Bonny Doon Road just as there was a break; drove up to the pasture and retrieved Tessa. When we got back to Hwy 1, the coast was clear (not really--it was still very foggy--but the cyclists had all gone wherever they were headed).

This ride started from the Rancho Del Oso entrance (west side of Big Basin Redwoods State Park). We mostly walked the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, and then about 2 miles in, made a right turn and headed up the McCrary Ridge Trail. The first part was zig-zagging through a beautiful forest, and then everything opened up to manzanita and old pines. This trail was only 3.2 miles long, but we went up at least 1500 feet. When we reached Hihn Hammond Road, Bella walked a bit, then wanted to take off, so I let her run for quite a ways, till she was completely out of breath. We reached our destination after 2.5 hours--the Mt McAbee Overlook. After a lunch break to let the horses cool down and relax, we retraced our steps and headed back. That's when I got out the camera for these pics for the return trip.