Lazy Day at the Preserve

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE

I have just finished my eleventh month of hiking every day and I have to say it has been an incredible experience and one that has been a pleasure to participate in. Also, I'm tired and my feet hurt.

I have one month to go and I think I'll be able to tough it out until the end but if you have any suggestions on places I can hike within an hour of the Coachella Valley, let me know. I have been to some great places and I still have a few special spots planned for this next month but I'm open to suggestions. I don't want to have to keep doing the same hikes over and over again if I can help it.

There is one hike I never get tired of, though and that's the hike to the McCallum Pond in the Coachella Valley Nature Preserve. It's interesting, it's flat and it's pretty, perfect for a day when I'm tired and my feet hurt.

It always feels so nice to come here for some reason.

Last year they started to redo this walkway with new handrails but I guess they've just decided to leave it how it is. That's OK with me but it just seems a little odd.

The Pond is just the perfect distance for me today. Nothing more, nothing less.

It's not a Lazy-Boy but it'll do.

I'd like to go and stop at the Visitor's Center but that would mean walking a few hundred extra yards so I'll bypass that today. My feet will thank me. They are really looking forward to the shoes coming off and a little massage. And actually, the trail to the pond is so well traveled and sandy it's almost like a walk on the beach. I wonder if I could make it without shoes? Next time I think I'll try that.