It was bone-chillingly cold at the top where we started; we saw frost and even hail or snow patches. Turkey season started that day, I think, so there were lots boomings and rumblings in Miller canyon below.
Cold fog turns cold into a death-chill. Breaks are short because you want to keep moving.
Glorious.
2/3 of the way in now. We go right toward Pine Valley. If you go left at that gap, you hike down Church Creek. Three miles that way are caves with Indian paintings inside. I think they are remnants of the Ohlone Indians.
The forest changed dramatically once we started walking along a creek that would later grow into the Carmel River.
There we meet Jack English, a ninety-two-year-old violon bow maker who lives in the middle of the forest (some of Ventana is still private). He had been a construction worker and bow maker on the side. He purchased his land long ago before the government tried to sweep it all up. He figures the government will take his land whenever it wants to via "imminent domain". We had tea and talked in his cabin (which he, astonishingly enough, built in the middle of the forest with the help of his wife). It was their vacation cabin. Once his wife passed away, he spent more and more time up there, remembering her and working (they were married for 60 years). He suffers from gout and has a difficult time working. He expects to stop soon. He has made bows for many great musicians: violinists and cellists in the San Francisco Symphony, New York Symphony, and even a few Europeans. He also makes fiddle bows. His son has won the state fiddle competition three times and ranked third nationally for fiddle playing. Jack's bow making began because his son started playing the violin in 4th grade, and bows were expensive.
He spoke on many subjects, but I would summarize his thoughts thus:
> Cherish your wife
> America needs to have its industry return to be great again
> Drugs will destroy our country if we're not vigilant
> Work hard in school (he was born in 1919 and he was never able to get educated; he feels that he missed out)
Well, if you ever go up, see if Jack is in. He is very hospitable and kind and will share his wisdom with you. He loves children especially.
The fog had burned off for the hike back.
Take some sweet breaks; my dad taught me that the Swiss hike for 50 min., then rest for 10, even if they don't feel tired enough to take a break. This is part of pacing that helps you make it through a long hike. Set a resonable pace and take regular breaks.
Ventana had a large fire back in 2008 or so. It is normal and even good for the forest to burn every so often. It allows new growth to pop up. The mix of the taller burnt remains with the low, lush green growing is a sight: stunning and subtle with a tinge of the eerie or ominous.
Twelve miles for my boy!
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