Hiking Bon Tempe

Okay, I admit it. When I was out of work, I ate poorly. Too many sweets and greasy foods. I was home alot, not very active. After getting a new job, I started eating out a lot more often, now that I could afford it. Bigger meals. The end result: I have about 10 or 15 more pounds than I'm using to carrying. The weather's been cooling off as well, so we've been hiking more. Hiking in the trees also recharges our spirits. Last week was Muir Woods, today we did a two-hour, five mile hike around beautiful Bon Tempe lake just outside the funky little town of Fairfax, here in Marin County.



The trail is mostly level, fragrant with the scents of bay trees and something I can't identify, sage or manzanita maybe. We met several people hiking the other way, and after circumnavigating most of the lake found ourselves encountering several of them again.




As we approached one hiker, I noticed the neck of a stringed instrument peeking out from behind him. The head was sporting eight tuning keys, which caught my eye. I asked him what it was, and he drew the instrument from his back, revealing a beautiful, teardrop shaped mandolin, which has eight strings arranged in pairs. I thanked him and as we continued on our way, I heard him playing behind us. It was beautiful. I regretted not taking his picture.

As I mentioned, we eventually came upon many of the same hikers we had seen when first setting out. Among them was the mandolin player. I asked if I could take his picture, which he allowed, and we got to talking. He teaches a meditation class at a spa in nearby Mill Valley, and he spoke of getting students to lift the "veil" between their perception and how things really are. He was a friendly, fascinating guy, and I'm thinking I'll be attending a class to find out more.

Now it's off to dinner. I've somehow built up an appetite.


Blog Tag: Images   Blog Tag: Bon Tempe