The Idiot is spending the last two weeks before his MedTrek around Cyprus (he’ll circumnavigate the Mediterranean’s third largest island, with a 648-kilometer coastline, between April 17-June 8) training in Northern California.
One of his most frequent conditioning hikes is a 10-20 kilometer stroll along the Sacramento River Trail between (and often beyond) Keswick Dam and the Sundial Bridge in Redding, CA.
Looking north up the Sacramento River towards Mount Shasta.
His MedTrekking son Luke, 30, set the pace after they left the Diestelhorst Bridge. Luke has MedTrekked with The Idiot in France, Morocco and Italy. (Photo: Samantha Dunnachie)
Signs on the path not only indicate where to park and hike but also provide lessons about local history, wildlife and the environment.
It’s always better to walk to the trail than arrive in a car.
There’s no shortage of directional signs for various trails along the Sacramento River.
Historical sign: The old Waugh Hotel might have still been standing in the 1920s but it’s gone today.
Wildlife sign: After regularly hiking the river trail for six years, The Idiot has yet to see a ring-tailed cat.
Environmental sign: And to think that The Idiot thought he smelled a rat.
The Idiot, who’s philosophy while walking around the Mediterranean Sea is “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it!,” uses Sacramento River Trail bridges for photo ops.
Crossing the Stress Ribbon Bridge on the Sacramento River Trail with his daughter-in-law Samantha Dunnachie. (Photo: Luke Stratte-McClure)
Naturally even a short training hike merits a celebratory lunch on a cliff overlooking the river.
Lunch above the Sacramento River at View 202 in Redding, CA.
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