“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy…if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.”
-Elenora Duse
Most people think of Silicon Valley, as technology, corporate titans like Apple and Google, and venture capitalists that help place them on the map. But, the South Bay of SF, is also the home of some of the best public recreational sites like the 1,063-acre Stevens Creek County Park located in the foothills between Saratoga and Cupertino. It is available to hikers, horseback riders, and biking enthusiasts like Bill Rothenberg and myself. It has become one of our favorite rides.
It was a nice, sunny, brisk Sunday morning as we made our way up to Big Basin Way to Congress Springs and turned right at the Mountain Winery. We used our gator masks to cover our heads, nose, mouth, chins, and necks to keep warm.
We turned left off Garrod Stables and Cooper Garrod winery to Mt Eden Road. After a magnificent downhill run, we then turned right at the old rock quarry (photo) which thankfully was closed, the heaven to bicyclists who don’t have to dodge the huge dump trucks filling up to make their delivery to construction sites in the Valley. We stopped in several areas including the downward slope to a boat launch site near the water’s edge. A few fishermen were tucked away in more remote areas. We also roamed some of the riding trails within the park itself. With little to no rain this past summer and fall, some of the water in the reservoir can be seen evaporating. In spite of this, it still holds onto its’ beauty. After making our way downhill from there, we rode several miles along the railroad tracks and dirt trails before heading home.
