Today, after careful consideration, I ended the real hiking portion of my trip. I feel that I probably overdid it just a tad this past few days, and I really do want my knee to recover fully and give me back the use and mobility that I once took for granted.

This morning, I bid farewell to my hiking companions, and I headed to the city to pick up a rental car. The decision to put extraneous miles on a fossil fuel consuming vehicle was a bit of a dilemma for me. I do my best when I'm at home to conserve fuel and to only drive when I can't get to my destination by another means. I have even broadened the scope of places I like to walk that are close to my home so that I don't have to be tempted with driving into the mountains several days per week. I know that I am just one person, and one might question what difference does my small little effort make in the grand scheme of our nations' energy illness, but my efforts do ease my conscience, if only a little.

So today, I am an energy pig, consuming fossil fuels for pure enjoyment. I will get over it, but it is the hardest part for me during the next leg of my adventure.

Driving into San Diego, traffic all but stood still as these valiant fire fighters donned full fire protective gear and battled a brush fire along the freeway. With the record low rainfall this year, it is going to be a tough fire season in Southern California.