The Epic Journey of Table Mountain

On Monday our sole purpose was to climb Table Mountain and return back alive.  Okay, so it wasn’t that intense, but it was a challenging hike.  We (those who didn't wimp out and take the cable car =P) hiked straight up the face of the mountain in drizzle and mist for about an hour-and-a-half.  I have never chosen the stair-steppers as my primary cardio workout.  I tend to go for variation workouts on ellipticals or treadmills, but the stair-stepper would have been a useful conditioning tool for the hike.  When we got to the top, the sun came out for a few minutes while we ate our lunches.  But the warmth didn’t last long.  About an hour in to our estimated three-and-a-half hour hike down the other side of the mountain the rain began to pour and clouds of gray mist covered the mountainside which holds the most varied plants species in the world.  Table Mountain was nominated to be part of the new Seven Wonders of the World.  The World Heritage site contains an estimated 2,200 species of plants are confined to Table Mountain - more than exist in the whole of the United Kingdom.  I wish we could have seen more through the mist, but the grasses alone were beautiful.  I have been continually amazed by the ability of nature to combine colors in such astonishing ways.  The grasses were green, yellow, purple, and red all in one blade.  The beautiful grasses matched with gray stone and orange and white lichens prove to be a mesmerizing sight. 

CSBSJU students and our guides who braved the hike!

Starting with some stairs, graduating to inclines and switchbacks, and ending the day with a nice down hill!

Trying to get a pic of the mountain through the mist.

A view from the base

A view of Cape Town from the mountain

After the hike, we removed our sopping wet clothing, took warm showers, put on warm clothes, and relaxed for a bit before going to dinner.  I was happy to have a rest as I was tired and dealing with some serious sinus pressure and cold symptoms.  Dinner was at an adorable burger and malt shop with a great selection.  I got a sort of Mediterranean burger with a chicken breast and sweet potato fries.  I love to check out the restrooms at each restaurant (last summer I was always gladly accompanied by Mady and Kaitlyn). This cute-sy restaurant had its faucet inside a watering can.  When one turned the knob, water came out the watering can’s spout and spilled into a basin.  Each light fixture was a bird cage adorned with flowers, the walls had old musical instruments covering them, and the upstairs even had a four seasons porch which one could see the city from.  It’s amazing how details and decorating sense can create such a pleasing experience.

After dinner I cashed out hoping to kick my sinus-cold-cough thing.