Robbers Roost!

A Hike so Beautiful We Did It Thrice!

To understand what we’re trying to accomplish here, please refer back to this blog.

There’s a secret spot in Orange County called Robbers Roost, it’s a beautiful mountain/hill peak that overlooks a good portion of Orange County. The base is located at Santiago Canyon, in Orange, CA.

Seat Belts on, I’m about to get serious…my beautiful wife took the kiddos for a few hours so I could trek Robbers Roost. I embarked on a 4-mile, uphill hike, luckily it was 98 degrees so I definitely felt the macho man sweat going on.

As I journeyed throughout the canyon, I was listening to Praise Songs and Church Sermons, ahem, let's be honest, it was Less Than Jake and Rancid. During the hike, I was able to push away all the worries of everyday life. There were zero kiddo questions, extra milk or more peanut butter on her finger-it’s a 2-year-old thing, don't ask. There's some kind of peaceful feeling when you're in nature alone. If you have the opportunity, I encourage you to turn off the music and just enjoy the peace around you. Even though a hike can be a huge workout, I’ve found it to be an extremely benefit to my soul. You never know what God or your mind will share with you when your alone on a hilltop/mountain.

4 hours later, I reached the top of Robber Roost, the peak sits atop of Santiago Canyon and overlooks the majority of central OC. As I sat on the rock, seconds turned into minutes, and minutes turned into 30 minutes, I began to see each city I used to work in, God opened my heart to memories of the good and bad of each moment in my life while I was employed. It was a freeing moment to look out into each space and see how the problems I once felt at those job sites are now a distant memory of the past. It gave me a new outlook as to how I should embrace the next moment of what I experience.

Fast forward 1 week. I woke up the 5-year-old at 6:30 to summit Robbers Roost. We had a quiet breakfast while the hot wife and 2-year-old were still dreaming (probably about our upcoming Christmas season). The 5-year-old and I took an easier journey, she was a trooper and was super proud of the fact she was able to make it so far. It was a blissful moment to enjoy the (post sunrise) and special time with this little one.

Not nervous at all

Well deserved donut holes

Fast forward 5 days later, the 5-year-old was begging to bring the 2 year old. We did an even easier hike, (I carried her in the ergo) and enjoyed 15 minutes of beauty before someone had to go to the bathroom (it wasn’t me).

Honest quote from the 2 year old..."Dad, I need to work on my yoga"

All Smiles!