SundayHikers: Wild Goose Chase

Handy, Cutie, Chops and Captain Charlie heartily welcome Wonder Woman and Superman after their long absence. Wonder Woman's hip pain notwithstanding, she is ready to hike again. Chops wears her new shoes to protect her bone spurs injury. The Sunday Hikers are a tough bunch! Peppy and Giggles are still steep into their bike practice for the HOM race in December.

We meet at the Last Command Post, head toward Santa Claus Lane in search of a large cave. Our only clue of finding the trail to the cave is to look for a Blue Ribbon on the left, not far into the Lane. There is supposed to be a second Blue Ribbon a short distance from the first one, on the right side of the Lane. With excited anticipation, we keep our eyes peeled. Six pairs of eyes peer deep into the boonie for any signs of blue. The only blue we are able to see is a blue soda can hanging on a branch. Soon we are near the end of the Lane and no sight of a blue ribbon on either side of the trail.

Meanwhile, we come upon the abandoned farm and decide to take a look-see. There are loads of bananas, papayas, limes, tapioca, and other plants. At the end of the Lane, we all decide to turn back and make another attempt to look for the Blue Ribbon, thinking that perhaps we will able to see it from a different direction. Once again twelve eyes keep a sharp lookout for the illusive ribbon. And once again, no luck. So we give up. With the sound of pounding waves coming from the Cow Town beach, we decide to check it out. And Wow! We are all awed by the giant rolling waves thundering toward the shores and crashing with white, foamy sprays that reach thirty or more feet high. It is so impressive that we just stand around watching waves after waves, and for the first time, we spend no time looking for old glass.

The Cow Town trail takes us to Banzai Cliff where a large number of cliff fishermen are standing perilously close to the edge, fishing for their Sunday meal. Handy, Cutie and CC walk down to check out what they are catching. Most of them have caught nothing yet. It seems like a very risky way to fish. We head back to our car and all agree that despite our failed attempt to find the Blue Ribbon, we have a great hike. Next week, Handy and Cutie are off to their Peru adventure.