Rockville Park, Fairfield California

"The Lord lives, and blessed by my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation,"

2 Samuel 22:47

On this day I was invited by a couple of friends from church to try out one of the most difficult trails in the bay area, Rockville Park just outside of Fairfield, California.  This is a relatively small park with tons of intertwining trails.  Supposedly you could do 30 miles here with out overlapping.  There are fire roads, technical sections that I mostly walked, rock gardens, stair step down hills, which I did not attempt, and there were intermediate trails that I finally got to do.  By clicking here you can learn more about this park.  There are daily and annual fees.

"My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped."

Psalm 17:5

Actually, my feet really did slip a lot.  Mostly on purpose because of the highly technical trails just beyond this point.

My friend Victor the mountain goat.

Go Vic, Go!

This is why they call this Rockville.

This is not a pose, I'm thinking about the beginner trail.

The view from the top of the rock garden.

"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."

Psalm 90:2

"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Matthew 6:30

Yes, I had no faith about dropping down off this ledge, but I thought the Lord did a wonderful job covering these rocks with a clothing of grass.

My friend Rob.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters."

Psalm 23:2

With views like this, I am not sure I will be riding my road bike much anymore.  This was a great morning to be out mountain biking.  I pray that you are enjoying these pictures.  I know I am enjoying exploring these places.  I look forward to other adventures on my mountain bike.

China Camp State Park

"The earth is the Lord's, and all that it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.  For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers." 

Psalm 24:1

This week began with me getting a new mountain bike.  It is a Santa Cruz Blur XC.  So, with this new gift I have decided to post pictures, scripture and some stories about my adventures with my new bike.  Now I have already had a couple of rides with this bike, one was a test ride with my wife on one of our community trails, the other was with a friend on Thursday morning up Mt. Diablo on Mitchell Canyon trail (Clayton Valley, CA) to Juniper point, which was a great and challenging ride on this new bike.

Today's ride takes me to the China Camp state park in San Rafael, CA.  There is a lot of history with this park in the bay area, if you would like to read more about this location please click here .  

One of the great features of this park besides camping, hiking and taking in the historic sites is the plenty of single track trails, which on this day I only explored a couple.  As you can see below I found that there was not much room for error, especially since the springs are running and made riding over rocks on the trail slippery.  But over all it's a really nice trail that seems to be kept up.

"You will make known to me the path of life;"

Psalm 16:11a

On several occasions I had to stop to take pictures.  I thought this was a cool bridge.  There are a lot of similarities of this park to Cameron Park in Waco, Texas.  If you are ever in Waco and love to mountain bike, that is a good place to explore.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

When you start the trail at the park entrance, you immediately start climbing.  The climb is not hard, but make sure you keep your eyes on the trail or you will find yourself tumbling down the side of the mountain.  There are nice switch backs which for the bay area is a nice thing, since many of the trails are fire roads that seem to be nothing but vertical. But as you can see below the scenery is great.  On this particular morning the fog was filling in the bay.

"I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud and your sins like a heavy mist.  Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."

Isaiah 44:22

Anyways, I hope you will check in with me now and then to see where I have been mountain biking in the bay area of San Francisco.  I pray that not only the scenery that God has made ministers to you, but His Word too.  I am amazed at the number places to visit just outside my door.  The more I ride, the more I am aware of all the things God has created.  Sometimes, I consider my rides as if I was riding through God's theme park.

"Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all it contains; Let the field exult, and all that is in it.  Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord, for He is coming,  He is coming to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness."

Psalm 96:11-13