TravelingWebGuy

Maxx and I posing for the timer shot...

I took Maxx out for another hike this weekend and I gotta say, it was very invigorating. We usually hike up 2 hills, one of them being VERY steep and then we head back down. But as I got to the top of the second hill, I had a ton of energy still, so I decided to trek on. We walked a little further passed our normal break point and saw that there were a lot more trails just a half mile beyond that. So off we went. But before we started, Maxx took a couple of big swigs from my CamelBak as he was looking pretty thirsty.

So I let him drink for a few minutes and then cleaned it off so I could take a swig. And now we’re off. We cross a street which leads to the trails we’re heading to and then we’re back on a normal trail again. I unleash Maxx (I had leashed him when we were crossing the street, and good thing I did because a car came zooming around the corner) and let him sniff around a bit while I check out the map which was posted on the sign for the “Mission Trails Park”. There was a lot of different routes to take and each had their own level of difficulty. We chose a medium one and was off.

Maxx is a little tired...

While we were walking, I took out my camera and was snapping some shots of random stuff, things I thought looked cool, and just shooting to see how the camera works and to get some practice in using the Histogram. I wanted/needed to get some practice in so that when I start my backpacking in New Zealand, I can take some really nice shots of the scenery which I’m sure to encounter. So I was snapping like a mad man, trying out different modes and the panoramic mode as well. Maxx was my guinea pig for a lot of the photos!

As I was walking and taking in some of the scenery, it dawned on me. Why the hell haven’t I done this before, and how could I have not known about all these trails. Even more so, as I was walking I realized that even though our area is pretty brown, its still some beautiful landscape. The area would be MUCH greener if San Diego would have gotten more rain and avoided a few wild fires that have swept through the area over the past years. But still, even with it’s brownness, there’s a sense of serenity out here. I found myself very happy and very much enjoying myself. Then it also made me wish I could fast forward time and be at the Airport already, but since I’m sitting here at work on this Monday afternoon, obviously that didn’t happen.

Mission Hills

So while we were hiking checking things out, I wanted to try out a few of the modes I had mentioned earlier. The camera has a cool option that automatically does panoramic shots for you, so all I have to do is take my initial shot, then start to move the camera in the direction of my next shot. The camera recognizes this and puts up two markers that I need to align and as soon as I do, it snaps the next picture. So far, I’ve only been able to do 3 shots using this mode, but I’m hoping I can change a setting and do as many as I like… But I think the camera might have limitation on the automation of that photo. Regardless, above is the first panoramic photo I did of the mountains behind my area.

We’d been out for about 2 hours now and it was time to start heading in. As we made our way back West I was taking more photos, giving Maxx more water and just enjoying what I was seeing. It took us a little longer to get home though and that’s because Maxx was showing signs of exhaustion, so we took more breaks when I was able to find a shady spot for him and of course some more water. When we got back to the big hill I had talked about earlier, I took a snap of it looking downhill. This is definitely a nice big incline and took some good wind out of Maxx in the beginning of the trip, and a bit out of me as well. Also made me realize I have to work out more before my trip! So below are two shots, one taken from the top, and the other from the bottom. A nice hill regardless!

Looking down hill

Looking up hill

So with that obstacle out of the way and not wanting to ramble on about this hike, I’m gonna cut it off here and let you go on about your business. I’ll be hiking again tonight and taking some evening shots to see how those turned out.

Thanks for stopping by and sorry if I cut this off abruptly! But before you go, check out the gallery I have from this hike!

Hike Behind my Apartments