camelback

Once there was Out-Of-Shape (OOS) and Terribly-Out-Of-Shape(TOOS). Prior to their hike they assumed each of these roles rather randomly. Each one of them had a healthy dose of peanuts before starting on the hike up Camelback - 1200 ft over 1.2 miles. What you now get is an explosive mixture more explosive that eating 10 cans of garbanzo beans and chilli!!!

The early morning breeze on the Saturday morning was one of the most refreshing. Even at 7:11 am, the parking lot is full. OOS and TOOS start climbing with minimal stretching. 50m into the hike they stop to stretch- till this time TOOS is already getting stiff over his left foot bridge. TOOS is also without his regular knee straps. OOS is quite comfortable in his sweatshirt with hands tucked in his pockets. The hike starts and by the 1/4 mark TOOS is panting whereas OOS is still snuggling in his pockets. Not a drop of sweat on OOS' face. Passerby's dont give TOOS a chance of making it up.

Around the 1/2 mile mark TOOS and OOS exchange roles. The peanuts are now showing their effects and the feeeling of altitude and nausea are creating molten magma & lava that is about to burst. The new TOOS is looking over the mountain and backs earlier idea of completing camelback one day. TOOS looks at passerbys and is left astounded by 8 year olds jumping across and 80 year olds on their way back. OOS is encouraging TOOS to just make it to the cactus up there. TOOS decides to give it one more try. Around the one mile mark OOS classification is removed and now there are two TOOSes. Luckily the last 0.2 miles get over soon.

The view from the top even better than last time. Photos when OT is kind enough to share them.

The way down there was neither TOOS or OOS just two muslims walking down and one jew who needed metaphors. What if a mexican came back to reclaim his land that america robbed from him 200 years ago. Injustice is injustice, is all i say. Anyway once he knew OT's origins, I was left trailing behind them. Great.

Great breakfast of french toast and jam. Stiff as a log with a whole saturday in front of me and an over-energetic nephew waiting at home :). Oooh yeah !!!! no picnic for me.