The trailhead above the valley was parked to the sign.
The sign had been optimistic at dawn.
Daily Smile
All smilesHalf the valley was on the Iron Horse Trail.
The other half was wishing it had been.
We said we would reach the mountain before the lot filled.
The lot had started without us.
Stone Valley Road is how the valley says it is going uphill.
I believed the name. The road believed the grade.
The valley was hot and the ridge was negotiating.
I stood in a parking lot and called it a breeze.
The lawn at Diablo Valley College was occupied by a study group.
The textbook was closed. The conversation was not.
The valley has more than one BART station.
Each one believes it is the convenient one.
Las Trampas starts with a gate and a good attitude.
The attitude lasted until the first real climb.
The foothills had a wind the valley did not mention.
I found it at the first gate.
Shell Ridge looked over the whole Diablo Valley.
The valley looked back and kept driving.