An Inspiring Book for the Adventurer in all of us

Several months ago I bought Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. I completely forgot about it and left it in my bookshelf to collect dust. It wasn't until a week ago when I rediscovered the book and decided to read it.  This book was truly one of the most inspiring books I have ever read and it made want to hike the PCT

Plot: (Taken from Amazon.com Review)

At age 26, following the death of her mother, divorce, and a run of reckless behavior, Cheryl Strayed found herself alone near the foot of the Pacific Crest Trail--inexperienced, over-equipped, and desperate to reclaim her life.Wild tracks Strayed's personal journey on the PCT through California and Oregon, as she comes to terms with devastating loss and her unpredictable reactions to it. While readers looking for adventure or a naturalist's perspective may be distracted by the emotional odyssey at the core of the story, Wild vividly describes the grueling life of the long-distance hiker, the ubiquitous perils of the PCT, and its peculiar community of wanderers. Others may find her unsympathetic--just one victim of her own questionable choices. But Strayed doesn't want sympathy, and her confident prose stands on its own, deftly pulling both threads into a story that inhabits a unique riparian zone between wilderness tale and personal-redemption memoir. --Jon Foro

Everyone should check this book out for an amazing literary adventure and let me know what you think!!

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Waterfalls and Redwoods in the Bay Area

Big Basin Redwood State Park is California's oldest State Park and is home to the largest population of ancient Redwoods south of San Francisco. The park features an incredible diversity of terrain. There are beautiful waterfalls, redwoods, and a freshwater marsh. Inside the park are many hiking trails and today I'm going to talk about an amazing trail that takes you by 3 waterfalls.

Berry Creek Trail

The Berry Creek Trail is a strenuous 10.2 mile hike. It may seem very intimidating but this is the best hike in the San Francisco area. Seasoned Berry Creek Falls hikers suggest doing trail counter-clockwise and if you want a less crowded hike do it during the week days. 

You will start the trail by the head quarters parking lot and gradually ascend through a lovely redwood forest. Pretty soon you will hear the roaring waters of the Golden Cascade Falls and you can easily see how it got its name. 

Golden Cascade Falls

After Golden Cascades, follow the trail to Silver Falls. The base of Silver Falls is a great place to relax and take a quick photo op. Silver Falls is a 70 ft waterfall over sandstone and limestone. During the summer months you can walk right up to the falls and play in the water. The trail takes you to the brink of the falls, where you trek over slippery sandstone steps. Steel cables are along this portion of the trail to help you get down.  

Hikers using the steel cables at Silver Falls

Continue hiking through the redwoods and you will once again here the sound of rushing water.  You are now at the 65 foot high Berry Creek Falls. There is an overlook platform which is great to relax and take some stunning pictures of Berry Creek Falls. Be warned that this is the most viewed falls out of all of them on this trail. On the weekends is when Berry Creek is the most crowded.

Berry Creek Falls

This is a great day hike and it only cost $10 for parking and a trail map. A more detailed trail map is available for $8 at the park station. For more info about this trail click here

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10 most Beautiful Black Beaches in the World

1. Vik Beach, Iceland 

Vik Beach is located in the Southern part of Iceland. The black sand comes from volcanic origins and this area is know to be the wettest spot in Iceland. Sunny days are rare so if you decided to check this beach out bring an umbrella. 

2. Playa Negra Beach, Vieques, Puerto Rico

A remote beach that requires a hike through a dry river bed to gain access. I guarantee nobody else will be at the beach, except for a few wild horses. Only a portion of this beach has black sand but it is still a sight to see. 

3. One'uli Black Sand Beach, Maui, Hawaii

One'uli Black Sand Beach is an amazing beach for snorkeling and diving, but not the best for swimming. Coral reefs are abundant here and you will not go 10 minutes without seeing Green Sea Turtles. 

4. Playa Hermosa Beach, Costa Rico

Playa Hermosa Beach (Jaco) is a beautiful black sand beach that is ideal for surfers. The waves are big and rough so it is not the best swimming beach but it is fun to sit back and watch the surfers charge at the waves.

5. Black Sand Beach, Prince William Sound, Alaska

This beach is located about 60 miles from Anchorage. The water is a beautiful and freezing icy blue color. Although its not a swimmers beach people still flock here to go kayaking. If you go kayaking you will truly see some amazing views of the mountains and Alaska's wildlife. 

6.  Santo Domingo Beach, Albay, Philippines 

The sand at this beach is as black as black can get. The contrast of the black sand and the blue water really makes for a memorable time. The swimming is actually pretty good here unlike most black sand beaches. 

7.  Kamari Beach, Greece

Hotels, bars, and water activities line this beach. It can get a little crowed though. You can swim, snorkel or do a number of other water related activities here. 

8. Piha Beach, New Zealand

Piha Beach is know as surf spot for locals but people can swim here too. Just be careful because the current is extremely strong. A hike up Lion Rock is a must do according to locals.

9. Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia

This has to be one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. Swimming in the crystal clear water is also a must do!

10. Lost Coast, California

True to it's name, this beach is very remote and quiet. This truly is one of the most beautiful natural beaches in the United States. There are no major highways nearby and the only way to get here is by hidden mountain roads. If you can find the Lost Coast you have to go there!

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