Wednesday Day Five East Bay Regional Parks, Beebs, and the Vine

Today we have decided to go hiking. As our rules are to go somewhere we have never been, our usual spots are out today. Typically, we enjoy Sycamore Grove – especially the Valley View trail, Brushy Peak, and Del Valle. Needing a new place to go, I consulted the East Bay regional Park district 2012 Trails challenge.

For those of you who do not know, the East Bay Regional Park District puts out a trails challenge each year that highlights trails throughout the region.  The website is organized incredibly well. They have directions to each of the featured hikes as well as classifications from easy to challenging. For those of you wanting to get out of Livermore yet stay close to home, this is an excellent resource. (Note to self, do not choose challenging when it is over 100 degrees). 

As a side note the East Bay Regional Parks site is also full of a plethora of classes – many free that you can enjoy all summer long. For the Regional Trails Challenge, there is an free ap for smart phones that you can download after registering for the Trails Challenge. Everything is free – including the free Tshirt.

Today we headed out to Sunol Wilderness for a 5 mile hike. We were starting on Indian Joe’s nature Trail. Getting a bit of a late start and due to the 100 degree weather, we did not make the entire length of the trip. Next time, we will leave earlier or go on a cooler day – the trail however, showed great promise. Below are a couple of my pictures from the trail. The trail was a great change of pace. However, I do find that the variety here in Livermore is stunning (yes I am biased).

After our hike in the blistering heat, we went off to Beeb’s. A couple of beers and philly’s later and we were rested and ready to forge on. Then I spotted the pin ball machine. I love pinball. So, we had to play a couple of games of Spider Man pin ball before heading to the putting green. I had homework from last nights class so spent thirty minutes playing Tony’s putting game. The putting greens at the Las Positas Golf course are fantastic. There are ample holes, they are free, and with a variety of slopes.

We ended the day with a trip to one of my favorite places – The Vine Theater. I remember years ago taking my daughter here for the summer movies. Thank goodness for them back then. On hot days, it gave me a place to take my kiddo. Now here I am, twenty years later escaping the heat once again. For those who haven’t been since “back in the day” the Vine is awesome. They have added wine and beer service as well as table side food service.

If you get there early enough, there are comfy couches down front. (Im questioning my wisdom in sharing this with all of Livermore as the middle couch is “mine”). We went to see a showing of the movie Hysteria.

As with all of the movies I have seen at the Vine, I found the movie entertaining however with an underlying social message. The movie basically spoke to the issue of women’s rights at the turn of the century and the use of the diagnosis of hysteria that was given to so many women who did not fit the mold of “acceptable” behavior. The movie is light and fun and incredibly enjoyable. 

If you havent been there in a while, check it out. 

Thank you for reading, 

Laureen