<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Thetrailtale]]></title><description><![CDATA[Thetrailtale]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 13:09:29 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The Trans Catalina Trail and the                          Cowboy-Hippies]]></title><description><![CDATA[This weekend I fell in love, and her name was Catalina... 	You've heard of the Channel Islands off the coast of California, you probably have heard of Santa Catalina Island as well, but have you heard of the Trans Catalina Trail? 	The Trans Catalina Trail, or TRT as it's called, is a 38.5 mile trek across Santa Catalina, from Avalon in the Southeast to Two Harbors in the Northwest. It is, in my experience, the purest way to experience Santa Catalina and to engage with the local nature. And in...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/the-trans-catalina-trail-and-the-cowboy-hippies</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a6b91122aa0dd3fa15f32a8</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking Tales]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 22:07:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_5c67959b515044da8ac9fb41be3fe456~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ladyface Mountain]]></title><description><![CDATA[To my innumerable audience, please hike this one. It is, in my opinion, the quintessential suburban hike, which offers a wild setting and at the same time eye-opening views of the surrounding populated areas. It serves to situate oneself in Agoura, and it offers a marker than can be seen for miles away on the 101 Freeway and even out in Moorpark. And finally, it is one of my favorite local hikes. The Flag at the peak 	Ladyface isn't a long hike. AllTrails says it is 2.1 miles, and in my...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/ladyface-mountain</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a624515ace6596cfe417fa6</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking Tales]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:40:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_21eb677d443045359d4c98eb4faa883f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Chumash Trail (SMM)]]></title><description><![CDATA[It should be a crime that I have not written about this trail. Easily in my top five trails, easily the trail with the best views, easily one of the most difficult and rewarding hikes to do in Southern California, Chumash Trail is without a doubt iconic and underrated. Let's first start with the cons, then I'll get into what I like about it. And trust me, the glaze will be thicker than any donut at Krispy Kreme. Cons: 	 	Bugs. The most recent time I hiked this was in mid July, and I cannot...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/chumash-trail-smm</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a5eba41bd30a9e3e57bca49</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking Tales]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:46:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_a6834fa5c3514bbcba1fa19e9db90ba6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[La Jolla Valley Walk-In Camp (SMM)]]></title><description><![CDATA[You may say, "dear blogger, I love the Santa Monica Mountains (SMM), but where oh where can I camp? Are there cheap spots I can go?" And I will answer such inquiries as follows: "my dearest hiker, why yes, there are several spots you can camp. And likely the cheapest? It's called La Jolla Valley Walk-In." Which is what we are going to talk about today. 	You see, I have been getting into backpacking, and I wanted to test my gear out on a cheap, easy, and quick backpacking trip in the SMM. So I...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/la-jolla-valley-walk-in-camp-smm</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a5ea1d06adee9ecb161976e</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking Tales]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:28:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_38c723449a6f458bbbffaf7df92e5f75~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Escondido Falls: A Review ]]></title><description><![CDATA[(Courtesy of AllTrails) 	On a whim, I decided to hike this trail. I'd heard so much about it, and all good things, and I couldn't wait for another winding trail beside a tranquil stream. 	Also, I needed some exercise, so I decided to run it. I took my 30L backpack, within which I packed a hammock, a book, a ton of snacks, a camera and of course, some good vibes. After driving out a ways, I found the parking lot, which was a small dirt area bordering the road. After not finding a spot I...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/escondido-falls-a-review</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a26fa317206e69ccb3aee09</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking Tales]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:29:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_959372216442431393614aa2bb56e0b5~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Daily Poem]]></title><description><![CDATA[15 minutes. 1 poem. Every day. For as long as I can. A book on this table, A movie for my eyes A treat in my mouth, A smile for this maple, A ring on my finger,  A pencil in my hand,  Glasses on my head, A purposed place to stand,  A jacket made of sunshine, A shirt made of warmth,  Shoes on my feet,  Protection on my seat, Friends on the beach,  Friends at my home,  Friends to see at parties,  Everywhere for friends.  Sleep 	Peaceful, graceful, sublime, 	Sleep. 	A break from the world, a...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/daily-poem</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66242e66d2d0e9e2419a610c</guid><category><![CDATA[Poems]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:47:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_743ef4e686794f45ad0ed8dbc8ae692f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Humble Man ]]></title><description><![CDATA[He was a humble man, an old man. By day, he tended to his garden, and by night, he read his bible. He had no kids, and he had no friends...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/a-humble-man</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6743dd0b5c57f1026b7e1a42</guid><category><![CDATA[Short Stories]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 25 Nov 2024 02:31:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_079a42770bbd4389bc9955b6cf78c161~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Eye of Aphrodite]]></title><description><![CDATA[He’s fast, quick like a cheetah but exact as a dart. Every toe is placed to perfection, every stride calculated in mere nanoseconds. The...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/the-eye-of-aphrodite</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66c15022817ef71271878dc8</guid><category><![CDATA[Short Stories]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 18 Aug 2024 02:45:10 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[BackBone Trail First Half and Cumulative Review ]]></title><description><![CDATA[The First Half Early on a spring morning, Joe and I grab our stuff and throw it in the van, then travel the hour or so to Will Rogers...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/backbone-trail-first-half-and-cumulative-review</link><guid isPermaLink="false">665cdfec1ab8237e7d1e27bf</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking Tales]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 29 Jun 2024 22:48:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_bd8cf68f74944c1291bace7ae598113a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Death, A Commentary ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Audience to a Murder Chop. Chop. Chop! The boy, not more than 19, stands in a clearing in the dark woods. Tall black cedars and pines...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/death-a-commentary</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66206501ec8ac672368c339a</guid><category><![CDATA[Short Stories]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2024 17:21:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_270c5b4fb4db45e8a9f3b6f8538ac36d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Poems of a Traveling Dreamer ]]></title><description><![CDATA[A Dance to God  Join me in this day, In this joyful singing play,  Join me in this hour, In his grace and in his power, Let us rejoice in his righteousness, And praise Him with courageousness,  And come together as one, To lead in the light of the Son. Tired I’m tired like a bog, Like the sleepy gray-as smog, In the fingers of the street, And the valleys of my feet,  Now I must continue, Go live on like the dorm flu,  Lay in bed (but in my head) And slurp the air of the wakeful dead. Bus Stop...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/poems-of-a-traveling-dreamer</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6620189952e0206f0a157de1</guid><category><![CDATA[Poems]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2024 18:47:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_001cab97e5744f7987a15f09db558205~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tempered Love	]]></title><description><![CDATA[In a shady brook, not far from the Rosenburg’s house, there lived a small frog, whose name was Jeff. Jeff wasn’t all that big, only a wee...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/tempered-love</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65ea3401174a7ef861790b12</guid><category><![CDATA[Short Stories]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2024 21:52:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_a97bc2b26e1e492fbabb46b3ace16583~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[                                          Flatirons 2 and 3]]></title><description><![CDATA[A rock climber's dream, A hard worker's theme, And a wonderful day it would seem Hiking the second and third flatirons involves much of...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/flatirons-2-and-3</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6516e5f93db75af5efb48b27</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking Tales]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 07 Oct 2023 00:05:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_cf58e6c90c5840758a199b1e50e18f25~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Flatirons 1 and 2]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Flatirons. Massive slabs of rock thrust through the earths crust and into the air, jutting perfectly into the sky in an awesome...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/flatirons-1-and-2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">650da56d9721e012c4b695a0</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking Tales]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 24 Sep 2023 03:23:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_feef9ee06d874672bd28497f9f0c76ee~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[                                        BackBone Trail 2nd Half]]></title><description><![CDATA[(July 30-August 1) "Hey Tony, you want to hike BackBone with me? It's long, but I did the math and I think we could do it in a day."...]]></description><link>https://iliketoeattoast180.wixsite.com/thetrailtale/post/backbone-trail-2nd-half</link><guid isPermaLink="false">64f1f6db2666c731409523ec</guid><category><![CDATA[Hiking Tales]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 18 Sep 2023 03:20:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/60a0ba_54b2a07bca8a46309899b1d53beab333~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chuck Catalino</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>