The perfect Veteran's Day - Berkeley Hills Hike and Korean BBQ

I've been planning to have a nice hike on Veteran's Day since last week, so it didn't bother me one bit when my alarm went off at 7 in the morning. I took my time to relax and make breakfast - something I never do on weekdays. 

Honey wheat pancakes with Hachiya persimmon puree & chunks

    I left the house around 8:30 and biked to Clark Kerr. I walked up the hill to the Clark Kerr track from where I parked my bike and started my hike at the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve. It was a cloudy day - perfect for a hike in the Berkeley Hills!

Start of the hike

it's amazing seeing the city from afar

The most human contact I had the whole hike 

I hiked for about 40 minutes and reached a spot shown to me by somebody a few months ago. It's right next to a trail, but nobody ever notices it. In fact, I sat there for 30 minutes and both couples who passed by me didn't realize there was a girl sitting on top on a tree watching them.

... Just kidding about the watching part. But seriously, you've gotta check this spot out.

Best seat ever.

Looks like some people had fun here

All I needed this morning: iPhone, headphones, snacks, water, Wild by Cheryl Strayed, and an amazing view.

It actually ended up getting surprisingly windy, so I hopped off the tree and continued going uphill.

You can't see the trail, but there's quite a steep hill there... 

All about the hills

Great spot to sit and relax

Whenever I had the option to choose between 2 routes, I chose the one going uphill. I arrived at this barren land at some point and contemplated going back, but I just couldn't bear not knowing what was on the other side.

"where am I?"

I don't regret continuing one bit 

Abandoned

And here's the final picture I took of the hike. I turned back around since there were just roads and cars at this point. I exited the hike at Strawberry Canyon because I just didn't want to walk down steep downhills anymore. Hah!

next time (when I don't have my bike parked on the opposite side) I might just walk back home from here

I got home around 1PM with a rumbling stomach, but I didn't eat much because I remembered that I HAVE A KOREAN BBQ DATE WITH MY ROOMMATE! And her boyfriend... But that's irrelevant. Because of my lack of self control when it comes to food, I decided to just take a long nap until they pick me up. 

We went to Jong Ga House in Oakland at 6 for their $21 all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ. It was amaaaaaaazing and soooo flavorful and fulfilling, and the rice drink they give at the end is just perfect! But that may also be because I starved myself beforehand.

Will is third-wheeling us again 

16 incredibly blurry side dishes

We were all pretty full in the end, so we headed back home and here I am, writing this blog post after getting my brain fried from doing homework in preparation for tomorrow. :(

Maybe you can join me on my next hike!