We felt this was an appropriate title for our August training walk for a few reasons. (A shout out to Wendy for coming up with the wording. 🙂 )The title was befitting due to the fact that we hiked to the top of two actual dams and more to the point…it was Damn hot. By 11 am, when the temperature was already in the 90s, it was time for “That Damn/Dam Hike” to come to an end.

Due to the projected temperatures, we got an early start meeting in the parking lot of the Snail’s Pace in Brea, which was the same lot for the restaurant that was to be our final destination – Tempo Urban Kitchen. The location for our August walk was originally determined by the Avon Foundation staff who was holding a training event for next month’s Santa Barbara walk. We had planned to join in the 7-mile hike, but when we learned the starting time was nearly 9 am, we altered the plan. For something different, we decided to loop Brea’s two regional parks, taking in two city dams and, believe it or not, a grove of redwoods.

The walk began at Carbon Canyon Regional Park with the loop accounting for just over 3 miles. About halfway along the dirt path which meandered through the native landscape, we came to Southern California’s only Redwood Grove! Really, we aren’t kidding.

Taking a break in the shade of the redwoods. The trees were planted in 1975 as part of a bank promotion where new account openers got a small redwood tree. The extras from the campaign were donated to the park for its opening celebration.

On about 10-acres are more than 200 redwood trees. Though a bit stunted at the height of 100 feet due to an improper climate and the fact they are only about 40 years old, (compared to their 1000+ years old, 300 ft tall Northern California cousins)…they are truly beautiful. Their branches offered us a cool canopy for what was already a hot morning.

On a side note, we must mention that for the first time, we accompanied by one of our four legged friends.

Our guide dog Loki — well not really, but we were glad to have him join us.

Lisa’s dog Loki joined us for the walk through Carbon Canyon Park.  It was great to have him along and we were all truly thankful that he didn’t jump out of the truck on his way here. (There is a back story here.)

The rest of the walk was an easy stroll including a short climb to the top of the Carbon Canyon Dam. We took the wandering path around the lake back to our cars making the most of the shade from the mixed collection of oddly shaped trees.

Now remember…this is the hand signal for making a right turn!

Time for a tree cuddle.

Nature’s “muffin top.”

The second half of our regional park tour began with a caffeine break at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, in the same center where we parked our cars! Then we started the 3.5 mile loop around Craig Regional Park hopefully mostly in the shade. Halfway around the park, we climbed to the top of Fullerton Dam, stopped to take a quick photo and then headed back with our lunch destination in mind. After a slight mutiny of a few walkers who took a cooler and quicker path, we all ended up back at that SAME parking lot and directly into the welcomed air conditioning of Tempo Urban Kitchen.

We wasted no time in getting a cool drink and taking advantage of a great sign -up discount with the Avon Walk folks who were waiting for their walkers to return from their 7 mile walk in the late morning heat.

Although the visit to Tempo Urban Kitchen was highly anticipated due to past visits where the food and service had been extraordinary, our experience wasn’t the best. Food selection was limited due to a Saturday/Sunday brunch menu which did not include many of our favorite menu items. Unfortunately, the service was muddled and slow, which didn’t blend well with a table full of hot and tired walkers. We will give the restaurant another try sometime soon. Why? Because the margaritas are huge and delicious and everyone deserves a second chance.

Kamilla, Karen’s friend and official photographer for our other group shots actually made it into this one. 🙂

Looking forward (sort of) to our stair walk next month. :0!!!!  Gotta get some stair stepping practice in over the next few weeks.