Success!

Rai, do you remember about a month ago when we attempted to hike to Lake Pilarcitos using only a rough trail map drawn using Google Maps? If you don't remember that far back, maybe the memory of last weekend is more fresh in your mind.
Last Sunday, we made the attempt again (it feels like we were attempting the summit of Everest!) and, this time, we made it! Success, however, came at a price. It was a long, hard hike even for someone like you who was carried the entire way!
After dropping your Mom off at Union Square downtown where she was helping with the Nike Womens Marathon, you and I drove down to Pacifica to find that horse ranch from where we started our hike last time. We were on the trail by 4:30 a.m.
The sun has been rising much later these past few weeks so we hiked in darkness, our way lit only by the moon and the stars, for the first hour and a half. At one point, a heavy fog rolled in and we lost our light. The dampness of the fog combined with the wind that had brought it, made it too cold to go on. Luckily, we came across a bathroom and hid there for about 45 minutes. You were cold, hungry and your diaper needed to be changed. It was 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning. You were not happy. Good thing we had this bathroom in which to take care of you.
Once the first light of the morning sun brightened the sky, we were off again. The fog slid away and, by 7:00 a.m., we came over a ridge which gave us our first glimpse of Lake Pilarcitos, still a few miles ahead but shining like golden amber in the sunrise light.
From there, it was all downhill as we descended into that secret wildnerness that separates Peninsula cities like Millbrae, Redwood City, and Burlingame from the Pacific Ocean to the west.
As this entire area is gated off by the S.F. Water Department, I knew that we wouldn't see anyone on the trail. It really did feel more untouched than any other trails we've hiked on south of San Francisco. Along the way, we saw a few coyotes and about a dozen deer.
Four hours after starting, we finally made it to the lake. It's a beautiful reservoir that fills a deep, deep canyon. As we approached the lake, the barren hills of sage and thick brush gave way to pine and old growth. The change was dramatic -- all of a sudden, we were in a deep forest.
We enjoyed the forest and lake, relishing the thrill of our success. On the way back, I noted the mile markers to see just how far we had come. The walk had taken us about 6 miles each way, up and down.
It had been quite the journey but since this is just the kind of thing your Dad enjoys, you can bet you'll have many more adventures like this one in the months and years to come, little Rai! Everest, you say? Sure, I think we'll try that too!