"Tomorrow isn't guaranteed, so live today!"
—Keanu Reeves
It was so nice to get back on my Sondor’s Electric Assist (E-Bike) yesterday after a 6-week hiatus. One of my riding buddies, Bill Rothenberg and I began our 15-mile adventure along the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s network of manmade perc ponds (short for percolation ponds). They were designed to help refill underground aquifers, which are capable of holding more water than all 10 of the county’s reservoirs combined. We couldn’t have timed our brisk ride on the Los Gatos-Campbell border heading to San Jose more perfectly—in advance of today's rainfall.
We passed the Oka Land Groundwater Recharge Ponds behind the Jewish Community Center, which was built in 1958. The captured water for these recharge ponds, the large blue sign says, percolates through the earth’s surface for the valley’s groundwater. This process helps filter the water so it can later be pumped from wells used in homes and businesses.
We continued along the Los Gatos Creek Trail through the moderately trafficked loop near Campbell Park to Meridian Avenue in San Jose which is great for all skill levels. There is plenty of wildlife like ducks, egrets, Canadian geese; it is well suited for walkers, joggers and is dog-friendly. In fact, there is a dog park nearby. It's nicely paved in some areas, quiet and peaceful except for the areas along the highway. I love traversing the bridges, on and off ramps seen in the photos and passing fellow bikers along the way.
Biking is such a good way to keep physically, mentally, and emotionally fit and healthy, and a great adjunct to my yoga practice, nature walks and swimming. It also connects you to the outside world more directly, freedom to roam and explore the less beaten paths.
When Bill asked where I would like to eat, I said on cool days like this I love to eat Pho (pronounced fuh-like the first part of saying fudge). All my trips to Southeast Asia has made me a fan of the national soup of Vietnam. Though described as soup, it shouldn’t be mistaken as a starter or side dish. Pho itself is the main course.
Bill recommended Pho Wagon which happened to be close to our turnaround point to return back from whence we came. I had the thinly cut brisket and rare steak with my vermicelli noodles. All the soups include fresh cilantro, beansprouts, Thai basil, jalapeno and lime that you can add into the broth. It was perfection. Vegetarian options are available.
