Above Santa Barbara

High above Santa Barbara, California with a trailhead beginning in a neighborhood sits the Romero Canyon Loop. Frequented by trail runners and mountain bikers, I was one of a handful of hikers on a quiet Saturday in early January. As the trail climbed higher and higher, I found myself making tremendous time. Then, things crawled slowly to a stop. Not because the trail became physically demanding, because of the vista. A few hours in, you reach a point when you can see all of Santa Barbara below you and the Pacific Ocean at its doorstep. Sitting down to drink some water, eat a snack, and admire the view, I considered myself lucky to once again find a view to admire.

All Trails

I should have learned by now. “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Yet, I continue to trust that All Trails will deliver me to an unforgettable hike. Throughout most of the day on this trail, I battled with runners and mountain bikers for space. On the backside of the trail, I found myself competing with ATV riders. For me, nothing spoils the beauty, calm, and peace of a hike quite like someone screaming past at 40-miles per hour while they throw dirt in your face. Yet again, All Trails failed me. Not once, but twice on this trip.

Missed the Loop

Arriving at a parking lot on top of a mountain at the end of a dirt road, I lost the trail and missed the loop. I spent 20-minutes or so searching for it and even asked a couple of ATV riders for help. I followed the All Trails map to no success. Frustrated, I began walking down a dirt road I assumed would lead me to the trail. After an hour or so of searching, I began hiking back toward my car. With a head hung in anger, this will be the last time I let All Trails ruin my day.

2nd to Last Training Hike

The Romero Canyon Loop was my second to last practice hike before attempting to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in March. As you know by now, I only spent four days on the PCT thanks to COVID-19. As disappointed as I was to quit, I do not look back in regret at all those practice hikes that were meant as training for the trail. Over the course of a year and a half, I explored California and fell deeply in love with the natural beauty of the state. Now, I find myself living back in Washington and I miss it dearly. I sincerely hope in the next chapter of my hiking adventures I can fall deeply in love with the trails of Washington in the same way.

Not Yet, Nathan, Not Yet

After stepping off the trail, I began the drive back to Los Angeles via California One. Hugging the Pacific Ocean, I felt compelled to exit the highway, sit on the beach, and admire the sunset. As I snapped photos and watched the sun vanish behind a pier, I was overcome with emotion. Despite all of the challenges, I had fallen deeply in love with Los Angeles. I realized I was not ready to leave and the prospect of doing so was breaking my heart. Seven months later, I am not fully healed and still find myself longing for my former home. At this point in time, I have no idea what to do with these feelings.

Be good to each other,

Nathan