Running up hills, remembering not to look down until I summit

When I went to sleep last night, I had the feeling the hostel was fairly empty. I learn this morning that I was the only person in the building last night (no wonder I had my own room). I cook 3 soy sausages and then I make a smoothie by mashing strawberries, chocolate soymilk, and peanut butter together in a glass. It tastes HORRIBLE. I also eat grapes. At 9:20 am I walk to Main Street and 7th and catch the 9:47 am bus #294 to Linda Mar Park and Ride. I could have caught the bus in front of the hostel, but why not walk a bit. I get off at Linda Mar Park and Ride and hike a mile on the Pacifica State Beach to Rockaway Point, where I start hiking straight up a narrow bluff trail (VERY STEEP) which is grassy and filled with slippery skree. The views are incredible but I am out of breath from the exertion of my power hike up the hill...it is an incredible day. Although my book says I should hike on Highway 1 for a while, I immediately notice that I can walk by the Sea Breeze Motel at Historical Pacifica and so I walk on one set of bluffs, skip across a stream and ascend dramatically up some very steep difficult and narrow trails. I make it to the top of the mountain (having thought I would slip and fall to my death several times (umm...I mean, I was being very careful Mom). I take lots of photos. I can feel my body working REALLY HARD. Then, I decide to descend in Pacifica and walk past Laguna Salada (marsh) and walk rural roads past mechanics and car parts places. I tire of this slummy neighborhood , so I turn back and do the entire hike again. The hike is just as beautiful and strenuous going back as it was getting here. I get back to the Linda Mar Park and Ride at 2 pm. I get ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery and wait for the 3:17 pm bus. I get off at 2nd and Main Street and walk back to the hostel for a total of 10.25 miles today. I play on the hostels beach, then I make dinner and make new friends with the many guests in the hostel this evening. We end up chatting until 2 am.

I try hiking where the book says to...but I can see the trail across the highway. Why walk here when I can walk there?