Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

yesterday i used the book again and found a park i had never heard of - Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. its huge and nestled right in that canyon that the 73 tollroad runs through. its breathtakingly gorgeous in there. i secretly went here to scope it out for trail running. i fully intend to run that marathon after this baby...i have dreams about it. i can't wait to start up again...although this break is nice...must be honest...so i thought it would be good to scope it out and take the boys on a nice bike ride....

the book talks about "Cave Rock" and that kids can climb up into it and slide back down and farther up the trail is "Robbers Cave" - which i know bryson would have gone apes over...

what the book doesnt say is that "Cave Rock" is about 2.5 miles up the road (with minor hills) bryson did it like a champ, but i know for most kiddos it would have been a challenge...bryson seems to have above average energy levels...which is why i pick activities like this for him because the faster you can wear him out the easier he is the rest of the day...its my little secret...i mean - i really believe in promoting physical activity with youngsters and teaching them that a healthy lifestyle is important :) although the bike ride was pretty easy, it was a challenge for me too - my belly kept hitting Bodie's seat and carrying an extra 30 pounds on my bike up hills is not so much fun...but for most i believe it is an easy ride and the road for about 2.25 miles is paved, so that is nice - paved road and no cars = perfect for bryson.

what the book also doesnt say is that there are rattlesnakes everywhere....like everywhere. on our way to the cave i saw one in the middle of the road and pointed it out, how cool! "look bryson a snake!" and then...upon closer examination and seeing the rattle at the end, "uh...stay right there bryson...this is a rattlesnake...they are dangerous...but get a little closer so you can see" and we watched it for a couple minutes as it slithered back in the grass. so cool! and slightly scary! but we were a safe distance and he hadnt rattled at us.

so we get to the trailhead for "Cave Rock" and no bikes. i didnt bring my ergo because i wasnt expecting to have to hike. i was NOT about to put bodie down in rattlesnake village for a jaunt to some "Cave Rock" so we headed back. bryson was a little upset, but i am sure that we made the wise decision.

oh...and then...on our way back to the car i almost ran over a second rattlesnake! "BRYSON! WATCH OUT!" that was freaky - those suckers blend well! so....maybe we will check when rattlesnake season is over and plan a run then...

Bryson also wanted to tell his side of the story - check it out: www.brysonbarnes.blogspot.com