A beautiful day should not be wasted

The weather has been glorious in the Bay Area these past few weeks. Sunny, blue skies in the middle of winter! It feels like the beginning of Spring and it makes me so happy. I love feeling the sun cast its warmth on my face as I drive with the sunroof open. I love running-friendly weather. I love not feeling lethargic and hibernating to avoid the cold for the rest of winter.

On this particular weekend, wanting to take advantage of the gorgeous weather before it goes away, I went on a mini-road trip to Antioch for a hike with my college roommates--Amy, Kathy, and Anne. Anne, who is from Antioch, recommended a hike through Black Diamond Mines Regional Park to explore the salt mines. Apparently, Anne was once employed there as a tour guide! Who knew we had an expert on salt mines in our midst!

Black Diamond Park was once a bustling salt/coal mining town in the mid-19th century before that industry died out. Today, it is transformed into a large nature preserve. Driving into the park on the twisting roads alongside mountainsides sprouting with fresh greenery, wild cattle, and old farm houses was too picturesque not for us to stop on the side of the road to admire.

   

Remnants of the coal mining past is still intact, such as this huge pile of dirt with coal pieces still left in the ground. Kathy actually wanted to collect some to put in a baggy for memory's sake (we're nerds, okay!), but Anne said that this place is cursed (?!) and that we shouldn't because it would only bring bad luck. She said that she once found an old button, decided to keep it, and bad luck came to her. May not be true, but considering that this land once belonged to Indians and that men died in coal mining disasters on this very land. Yeah... no, not risking it no matter how nerdy we are.

Sifting for coal pieces

Coal pieces

On that morbid note, we also hiked up a small hill to visit Rose Hill Cemetery, a Protestant resting place for those who once lived in the mining town. Sadly, we saw a lot of infant tombstones. This one here is the resting spot for three infants, all aged no more than a year old when they died.

 

The cemetery was small and oddly peaceful. Usually, cemeteries freak me out, but not this one. It was so pretty that we decided to settle there for lunch.

Anne made delicious Turkey guacamole sandwiches!

The hike through the park was spectacular. Varied terrain and beautiful scenery.

 

Our main goal of the day was to explore the salt mines. Unfortunately on that day, the mines were closed. But honestly, we were so tired after the hike that we didn't care if we got to see the mines (and it kinda smelled like urine).

 

SO...no mines. No loss though. The weather was impossibly perfect. We got to hike through picturesque mountainsides while gasping for air between strenuous inclines and (mostly) laugh attacks. It's beautiful days like these that I live for, especially in the company of good friends.