I saw a lot of wild life, including a coyote, a rattlesnake, two bunnies, 4 deer, numerous hawks and red-headed woodpeckers, one golden finch, 3 owls, and what I believe were two peregrine falcons. I did not know peregrine falcons could hover in the air like a helicopter without moving at all, for such a long time. I was so fascinated with what I was seeing that by the time I finally realized I should be getting this on video, I grabbed my phone and they were gone when I looked up. Full disclosure, the owls I saw on my drive home.

I learned something about the rattlesnake that I saw. What I thought was a safe distance and what the rattlesnake thought was a safe distance was not the same. The snake seems to think I am able to move much faster than what I am really able. Anyway, he wasn't going to move until he was certain that I wasn't a threat. He kept his head up and his tail up, but he didn't rattle his tail. I had to go that way to get out, and I was hoping to get out before the sun set but, since 15 yards away wasn't enough for the snake to feel safe, I backed away further and then turned around and walked another 100 yards away. When I finally returned, I saw the snake doing a U-turn and going back into the brush. Snakes kinda give me the heebee-geebees, but this one meant me no harm.

The trees and the views on this hike were also stunningly beautiful. I really enjoyed myself. I'm not a peak bagger, but I'm trying to prepare for a bigger adventure I have planned, so I need elevation, vertical gain, and increasing weight on my back. Wish me luck, I'm an out of shape old lady!