The Stable Week: How We Reset in Silicon Valley.
- The Best Life Awaits
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Life can be hectic. Believe us we know. Vung and Dan spent 35 years working as Silicon Valley Tech executives. We know stressful. Dan has started multiple software companies and worked for numerous startups. Working a 60 hour week? Sure when things are slow! We've worked more hours then people who have worked 60+ years!
Sometimes you forget there are other things to life. You forget to eat properly, sleep property, and exercise. Heck, sometimes you forget to eat completely! This is one of the main reasons we now strive for practical slow living. We try to be more deliberate in our decisions. We think about our health, our food, our bodies, our time, and our future. Much of this comes with age. We get that. But with a little effort while you are younger, you can set the patterns in your life before you get old.
Being Silicon Valley execs we are certainly capable. But the hectic lifestyles and stressful work put a huge damper on our stableness and certainly our freedom. We were part of the rat race for sure. Our companies dictated our schedules. Our ability to travel. Even our ability to sleep sometimes. Dinner with the entire family: impossible. Planning for the weekend, yeah right. Our kids grew up on the go. Various people picking them up from school, taking them to practice, exchanging kids with us in any place we can rendezvous. There is nothing stable in that.
That's also a big reason why free is part of our three word mantra. Not only was our life not stable...we weren't free. As a family we didn't have a vacation until our youngest was almost six! At some point you reach your limits. We needed to be more free! Now that's not always possible. Certainly doesn't mean jetting off somewhere whenever we like. But it does mean finding time to get away from everyday life and stress.
That doesn't have to be a beach on a remote island, or a hike in the middle of nowhere. Very often there is peach and freedom right near your house. And so we make a conscious effort to seek freedom close to home. Places where we can 'escape' the hustle and bustle a bit. Slightly off the beaten path. Not far. But far enough to keep most of Silicon Valley away...at least for a little while.
A Peaceful Loop at Santa Teresa County Park
This peaceful 2.6-mile loop at Santa Teresa County Park features about 450 feet of total elevation gain as you climb up and over two rolling foothills. It’s a manageable route with just enough incline to get your heart rate up — but short enough to enjoy without turning it into an all-day trek. And yes, it’s dog-friendly — which makes it one of our regular favorites.
What to Expect on the Trail
The loop offers beautiful views over Blossom Valley and the surrounding foothills. The terrain is classic South Bay: golden hills in summer, vibrant green in spring, and wide open skies year-round. Because this side of the park has limited parking, it tends to be less crowded — something we appreciate. If you arrive early in the morning, you’ll often have long stretches of trail to yourself.
Wildlife sightings are common. We regularly see:
Deer
Wild turkeys
Jackrabbits
A variety of birds
Coyotes and mountain lions are known to inhabit the area, though we haven’t encountered them.
Best Time to Visit
Santa Teresa can get very hot during the summer months.
There’s minimal shade on much of this loop, so spring, fall, and winter are ideal.
During the rainy season, trails can become muddy — proper footwear is recommended.
Short Loop or Bigger Challenge?
If you’re looking for a longer, more strenuous hike, you can continue up to Coyote Peak for sweeping valley views. But for us, this shorter one-hour loop is often perfect. It gives us great scenery, fresh air, and time outdoors without overdoing it — especially for our dog.
Any longer and he’ll be feeling it later. Sometimes the best hikes aren’t epic distances or extreme elevation gains. They’re the quiet ones. The close-to-home ones. The ones you can do on a weekday evening or a calm weekend morning.
This is one of those hikes.
Rediscovering Peace: The Hidden Gems of Alamitos Creek Trail
Alamitos Creek Trail runs from McKean Road in South San Jose up past Almaden Lake Park and toward Westfield Oakridge. It’s a popular paved path — great for cyclists, runners, and families.
What I didn’t realize for years is that multiple waterways trace the trail’s route. Arroyo Calero joins with Alamitos Creek along the southern stretch. North of Almaden Lake, it merges into Guadalupe Creek, which eventually becomes the Guadalupe River.
I had biked sections of this trail before, focused mostly on not wiping out on loose dirt. I never slowed down enough to notice what was just a few yards away. Until our dog pulled us off the pavement.
The Beauty Off the Paved Path
He headed straight down toward the creek. And that’s when we saw it. Not the busy main trail. Not the bikes speeding past. But the quiet, shaded pockets hidden behind trees and brush.
There are small offshoot paths leading down to the water — places most people don’t even notice. Spots where a dog can splash around. Where kids can cool their feet. Where you can sit and listen.
The sound of water rolling by. Leaves shifting overhead. Muted voices drifting from the main path above. It’s a completely different perspective — one you miss if you stay on the well-beaten pavement.
A Reset from the Silicon Valley Pace
Out here, there’s no dodging bikes. No loud phone conversations. No competing for space. Yes, it’s messier. Yes, the dirt is uneven. Yes, you might slip. But it feels real.
In a place like Silicon Valley — where everything moves fast and feels optimized — that little bit of imperfection feels grounding. Sometimes the best parts aren’t the ones engineered for convenience. They’re the ones just slightly hidden.
Embracing the Unexpected
When we venture off the beaten path, we open ourselves to new experiences. The unexpected can lead to moments of joy and tranquility. It’s easy to get caught up in our routines, especially in a fast-paced environment. But taking a step back can provide the reset we didn’t know we needed.
So, why not embrace the unexpected? Whether it’s a new trail or a different route home, allow yourself to explore. You might find a hidden gem waiting just for you.
Follow the Nose
Next time you’re on a bike trail or walking path, pause. Look around. Is there a dirt path branching off into trees? Is there a creek nearby that you’ve never actually walked down to?
There might be something quieter waiting just out of sight. Sometimes you just have to follow your dog’s nose. And sometimes getting your shoes a little dirty is exactly the reset you didn’t know you needed.
Check out this video on how leaving the comfort of your walking trail just may change your life!
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