Shh... maybe no one will notice that this isn't the Highlander.
Anyways this was an amazing run! I recommend looking at
the GPS if you have the time.
So I tried to memorize a route through Arastradero park and it just did not work.
I started out completely fine running out to Sand Hill Road where I was supposed to turn and go under the road, but I just kept going.
I made it all the way out to Route 280 before I realized I probably don't have to cross the freeway to get to Arastradero. So I turned around deciding that I probably missed a turn somewhere. I did a little loop around some corporate complex trying to see if I could find a way into the Stanford particle accelerator, but the 10 ft high barb wire fences with 'No Trespassing' signs everywhere kind of ruined that plan.
I continued back to where I missed my turn, expecting to just go back the way I came and maybe do another loop on the dish or something.
BUT! I saw the turn the second time and turned down the trail finally on the right path to Arastradero.
On this trail I met this family that was biking together and they said Hi which was really cool! The lady was really nice and we talked for several minutes before they turned off to the Arastradero parking lot and I made my way into the park.
Finally I made it to Arastradero! Or so I thought. I accidentally turned into some woman's driveway and she gave me the stink eye from her porch before I turned back and found the real entrance to the park.
I explored the park a bunch and there were so many cool bike trails! I was kind of wandering around and it was getting dark out so I was just going to find the shortest way back.
Turns out I did not really know where I was, but I saw the dish and just kind of ran towards that. Unfortunately there is a freeway between Arastradero and the Dish so I found someone hiking and asked for directions.
I found my way under the freeway and back towards a place that was more familiar but it was SUPER dark out so I got lost again (yay orienteers getting lost while not orienteering!)
Then I found some woman walking so I stopped to ask her where I was and FINALLY I was back to campus so I could finally EAT FOOD I WAS SO HUNGY
Kind of crazy but it was so much fun! It's unfortunate I have to run like 5 miles to get to the park, but Arastradero is so nice to run in! Not only is it really open and pretty, but the trails are everywhere and they are really high quality trails so yea.