You can see Mount Diablo from our house (if you open a window and hang out as far as you can), so when someone at church mentioned that there's a campsite right at the top we couldn't resist attempting the climb (in a car) with Anat and Shauli to check it out. We would normally have walked, but with Anat being pregnant...
The campsite, at 3000ft, offers views down across Walnut Creek, the hills beyond, down to the Bay, SF, and Mount Tam. As usual the fog was rolling in, creeping inland from the Pacific and keeping the Golden Gate Bridge (and most other things over there) obscured. We had an evening jaunt to the top, and on the other side the agriculture of the flat central valley spreads to the horizon. You can supposedly see Yosemite's Half Dome as well, but it was being shy.
After a night of more than one encounter with the local wildlife, we turned to the real reason for our trip. A game of The Settlers of Catan on top of a mountain! The setting was perfect, the game less so - Shauli won. Again.
On arrival, we were greeted by a park ranger.
Heading up the hill.
Admiring the view from the top.
It is rather pleasant. Look - Half Dome!
Because it's there.
King of the castle.
Anat takes a breather.
Once I get you up there...
...where the air is rarified.
Breakfast time Saturday morning.
The morning's chefs.
A shady spot for the most important activity of the weekend.
Planning tactics.
It didn't help.
