A Walk-and-Talk at Hidden Villa

“I haven’t been to Hidden Villa since the kids were in Bullis,” said Susan Harrington, my hiking buddy, as we were driving up Moody Road.

Susan, a cancer survivor, has lots of hiking buddies—she stays fit by doing yoga and hiking or walking almost daily. I can barely keep up with her, but always appreciate her getting me out there on the trails.

We parked near the Hidden Villa entrance and walked around to the west. Everywhere we looked: hills, trees, fields and animals. As in most of Los Altos Hills, the predominant sound is birdsong, but here you also hear chickens and children. We went by the lambs, pigs, chickens, compost bins and organic vegetable gardens, then headed up the trail that follows Adobe Creek, starting behind the big old barn on the south-east edge of the farm.

In the shade, you can smell bay laurel trees. The creek gurgles brilliantly.

Right now this trail is at its best—the paths are no longer muddy from winter and the creek is not yet dry from summer.

I noticed picnic tables tucked among the trees. Everywhere you look, Hidden Villa has added something to make the place more inviting and educational, even though it was already great, back in the day.

When Susan and I walk, we maintain an awareness and appreciation of our surroundings, but keep up a nonstop flow of chit-chat. We bring each other up to date on family/health/career/travel events since out last walk. If one of us is facing a problem, we air it out. We recommend books that must be read.

We walked up the Creekside Trail until we realized we were running out of time and had to turn around, reluctantly. We vowed to return in the very near future and walk farther, up into Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, to the headwaters of Adobe Creek. We could talk all the way to China.

You don't have to be a child, or the parent of a young child, to enjoy the pleasures of Hidden Villa.

______________________________________________

Hidden Villa, on Moody Road, past the Altamont intersection, is open from 9 a.m. to dusk Tuesdays through Sundays, closed on Mondays.  During the summer, June 20 to Aug. 23, Hidden Villa will be closed every day because of summer camp, except the weekends of July 2-3, July 16-17, July 23-24 and August 6-7.

There is a $5 parking/day use fee. There are organic-sustainable workshops, venues for parties or meetings and an ancient hostel. See hiddenvilla.org. Summer camp registration is now open.

May 21 is Duveneck Day, a special celebration with food and music open to the public.

About This Column: Each week Pam Walatka will explore sustainable life in Los Altos Hills. Contact Pam at pamwalatka@yahoo.com or see the Pam Portugal Walakta Writings on FaceBook.