A word from "The Rocket" Rick Rodriguez

The Dipsea Trail Mill Valley, California

By Rick Rodriguez

We did it!  A Double Dipsea.  That's a trip to Stinson Beach (7.1) miles and back to Downtown Mill Valley.  We started off at Old Mill Park at 8:30 AM on a cool crisp morning.  I was looking forward to hitting the locally famous Dipsea trail steps, and it didn't take long before we were tackling each one of the 676 steps (or so) that it takes to reach the trailhead.  The steps wind through and around homes and as we moved up the three flight of steps, I marvelled at the beauty of the surroundings; and also at the singular beginning of this hike.  The Dipsea trail is the host of one of the longest running trail races on the West Coast. 

As a runner, as we climbed, I visualized competing in the Dipsea, and the how the beginning of the Dipsea must humble many runners.  I had a trail map (good idea!) in hand so as to not get lost, and it sure was handy.  The directions were excellent and very soon we found ourselves out on the Panoramic Highway (1) ready to descend.  The views from here are priceless, and as we began the descent we were able to capture where the trail ultimately leads--the Pacific Ocean!  In no time, we were down in Muir Woods (1 mile) parking lot, and there the trail starts to climb.  We followed the trail until we hit "Cardiac Hill" and here the test gets difficult.  The trail is softened by the moistness of the air, but there are rock outcroppings everywhere just inviting a careless hiker/runner a sprained ankle with any lapse of concentration.  There certainly isn't much looking around as a result.  We're focused on our work and now isn't the time to gaze at the beauty yet it's captured nonetheless.  As we leave the confines of Cardiac Hill, we crack the open expanse of the trail, and again recapture a sight of the Pacific Ocean.  We'll move along an open trail area until we get to get to the Deer Park Fire Trail road that puts us into dense woods.  We can't resist running joyously through this area.  The ground is soft and the canopy of the trees refreshens us as we head to a steep set of stairs that will intersect us with the Steep Ravine Trail.  We arrive at the steps, and even though we are heading downhill, the number of steps add discomfort to the knees joints (by now we're 5.6 miles into the Dipsea) and muscle fibers.  We cross a short wooden bridge and head out to Insult Hill.  At the top of the Hill, Stinson Beach comes into sight. And, as I gaze over the horizon, on one of those days that God reserves for a place like this, I marvel at the cost of the scenery--the effort of my legs, lungs, and will.  From here we descend over rolling hills; retreat into a canopy of bush; descend a series of wood and stone steps, and slumber onto the Panoramic Highway, and the town of Stinson Beach.

The Dipsea trail ends at Arenal Avenue in Stinson Beach.  We stop in at the Paradise Cafe for a delicious muffin.  We walk a short way to the local market for a water bottle for the trek back. 

With 7.1 miles in the bag, I wasn't exactly pumped up for the massive hike back up 2200 feet and another 7.1 miles.  Surprisingly, Donna was anxious to get going; her usual countenance once we get to Stinson Beach!  We head back and start out sluggishly but then as if by magic or a muffin blast of energy, we pick up the pace.  We're back at the bridge in a short time and ready to climb the steep staircase.  We tackle these steps with authority, and just like that we're back in the woods.  Our legs gather the strength to run as we mount an attack on this segment of the trail.  Things go well and we make it back to the Muir Woods parking lot.  We've now hiked/ran 12.3 miles and we've got a 1 mile climb back up to the Panoramic Highway. 

The last segment of the Dipsea is straight up and it attacks my quads mercilessly. Donna has surged ahead: she usually let's me lead.  But today, she moves ahead at 12+ miles.  As we near the peak at Panoramic Highway we're asked for directions, then we cross the road, and climb the last set of steps.  I'm dragging my feet, but encouraged because I know we're close to the top.  Once we make it back to Bay View Road I know there is no more ascent.  I congratulate Donna, but we're not finished.  We still have the steps, and believe it or not, descending them is just a tough ending to a tough day on the trail.  As we enter Old Mill Park, children are playing about and dogs are running around, we cross the street to the relief of my parked car.

After the run/hike, we head to The Toast restaurant, a long-time Mill Valley establishment for a well deserved hardy breakfast. I go for an egg white omelet with avocado, jack, mushrooms, chicken-apple sausage, and rye toast.  Donna goes for her favorite--eggs benedict.  Along with a piping hot cup of coffee, we enjoy a wonderful breakfast; a just reward for the accomplishment of a Double Dipsea!

The Dipsea trail begins in Old Mill Park in Mill Valley, California, and ends on Arenal Avenue in Stinson Beach, California.  A Double Dipsea is a round trip.  The Double Dipsea took us 4 hours to complete.

The Dipsea trail ends at Arenal Avenue in Stinson Beach.  We stop in at the Paradise Cafe for a delicious muffin.  We walk a short way to the local market for a water bottle for the trek back. 

With 7.1 miles in the bag, I wasn't exactly pumped up for the massive hike back up 2200 feet and another 7.1 miles.  Surprisingly, Donna was anxious to get going; her usual countenance once we get to Stinson Beach!  We head back and start out sluggishly but then as if by magic or a muffin blast of energy, we pick up the pace.  We're back at the bridge in a short time and ready to climb the steep staircase.  We tackle these steps with authority, and just like that we're back in the woods.  Our legs gather the strength to run as we mount an attack on this segment of the trail.  Things go well and we make it back to the Muir Woods parking lot.  We've now hiked/ran 12.3 miles and we've got a 1 mile climb back up to the Panoramic Highway. 

The last segment of the Dipsea is straight up and it attacks my quads mercilessly. Donna has surged ahead: she usually let's me lead.  But today, she moves ahead at 12+ miles.  As we near the peak at Panoramic Highway we're asked for directions, then we cross the road, and climb the last set of steps.  I'm dragging my feet, but encouraged because I know we're close to the top.  Once we make it back to Bay View Road I know there is no more ascent.  I congratulate Donna, but we're not finished.  We still have the steps, and believe it or not, descending them is just a tough ending to a tough day on the trail.  As we enter Old Mill Park, children are playing about and dogs are running around, we cross the street to the relief of my parked car.

After the run/hike, we head to The Toast restaurant, a long-time Mill Valley establishment for a well deserved hardy breakfast. I go for an egg white omelet with avocado, jack, mushrooms, chicken-apple sausage, and rye toast.  Donna goes for her favorite--eggs benedict.  Along with a piping hot cup of coffee, we enjoy a wonderful breakfast; a just reward for the accomplishment of a Double Dipsea!

The Dipsea trail begins in Old Mill Park in Mill Valley, California, and ends on Arenal Avenue in Stinson Beach, California.  A Double Dipsea is a round trip.  The Double Dipsea took us 4 hours to complete.

Reassessing what we value

By Rick Rodriguez

As we all scramble to reassess the value of our net worth, perhaps, it's also time to reassess what we value most?  Much of what I read and hear in the news is focused (rightly so) on making, saving, or accumulating money.  And yes, after all, we have to make a living to support our families, businesses, and essentially keep our economy going.

In volatile times like these, take a look around an re-evaluate what you value most.  Perhaps, it's spending time with family, or reconnecting with nature, or improving your physical conditioning.  What ever it is that you value most; stop and reestablish your relationship with it. 

I have found that being to focused on my net worth, especially now, disconnects me from things I should recognize daily!  While extremely challenging, I've learned to appreciate with more attention the moments that make up my day, and the things I value most!

Understanding the unpredictability of our net worth, we can only look toward what we really value; and  often, we discover, that what we value most has little to do with our net worth.