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2/15/2020 We have moved in Lake County to spend some time with Val’s Aunt and Uncle at their olive ranch. It was a really nice place with some really nice people and we enjoyed our stay very much. Oddly enough, I took very few pictures.
2/15/2020 We have moved in Lake County to spend some time with Val’s Aunt and Uncle at their olive ranch. It was a really nice place with some really nice people and we enjoyed our stay very much. Oddly enough, I took very few pictures.
A little pink flamingo accent never hurt anybody.
A little pink flamingo accent never hurt anybody.
The neighbors had baby goats and Dylan and Grace got a chance to feed them.
The neighbors had baby goats and Dylan and Grace got a chance to feed them.
The rich, brilliant hue of red that these trees display doesn’t translate very well in pictures, but believe me when I tell you that they are really unique and beautiful in person.
The rich, brilliant hue of red that these trees display doesn’t translate very well in pictures, but believe me when I tell you that they are really unique and beautiful in person.
A VERY unique thing we have discovered is “Lake County Diamonds”. Watch the ground as you walk and they are just everywhere. Watch the ground at/around sunrise or sunset and the ground simply sparkles! Most of them are pretty small, but every once in a while, you find a decent sized one……and no, they aren’t really diamonds, but they are VERY pretty.
A VERY unique thing we have discovered is “Lake County Diamonds”. Watch the ground as you walk and they are just everywhere. Watch the ground at/around sunrise or sunset and the ground simply sparkles! Most of them are pretty small, but every once in a while, you find a decent sized one……and no, they aren’t really diamonds, but they are VERY pretty.
We also went for a drive down infamous Bottle Rock Road which is very well known for it’s endless supply of Obsidian. When I say it’s everywhere, I mean that there are large quantities of it, it’s everywhere and some of it would require heavy machinery to actually move.
We also went for a drive down infamous Bottle Rock Road which is very well known for it’s endless supply of Obsidian. When I say it’s everywhere, I mean that there are large quantities of it, it’s everywhere and some of it would require heavy machinery to actually move.
….and wouldn’t you know it, we stumbled across a helicopter that was helping the power company set new poles. To all my aviation dork friends out there, yes that is a former military Blackhawk.
….and wouldn’t you know it, we stumbled across a helicopter that was helping the power company set new poles. To all my aviation dork friends out there, yes that is a former military Blackhawk.
If you’ve followed us up to this point or know anything about the kids, you know we have someone that gets REALLY excited about helicopters!
If you’ve followed us up to this point or know anything about the kids, you know we have someone that gets REALLY excited about helicopters!
2/20/2019 We’ve moved to Caspar Beach which is just south of Ft. Bragg.
2/20/2019 We’ve moved to Caspar Beach which is just south of Ft. Bragg.
2/21/2019 Glass Beach in Ft. Bragg. Here’s the back story for this place: For a very long time, this area of California could only be described as “remote”. So, for decades, they simply pushed large quantities of trash into the ocean. A couple earthquakes hit and they need to dispose of collapsed house? In the ocean it goes. Now factor in the idea that ocean currents and coastline shape just happen to be perfect for tumbling all the glass debris, but NOT washing it all away. What you end up with is a beach of amazing amounts of sea glass.
2/21/2019 Glass Beach in Ft. Bragg. Here’s the back story for this place: For a very long time, this area of California could only be described as “remote”. So, for decades, they simply pushed large quantities of trash into the ocean. A couple earthquakes hit and they need to dispose of collapsed house? In the ocean it goes. Now factor in the idea that ocean currents and coastline shape just happen to be perfect for tumbling all the glass debris, but NOT washing it all away. What you end up with is a beach of amazing amounts of sea glass.
…..and a few Hermit Crabs here and there.
…..and a few Hermit Crabs here and there.
We even managed to find a great little bakery in Ft. Bragg for a “little” boy who is turning 13.
We even managed to find a great little bakery in Ft. Bragg for a “little” boy who is turning 13.
2/22/2020 Russian Gulch State Park. This costal state park is just north of Mendocino and actually quite a large place that includes everything from seawater filled sinkholes to beautiful sandy beaches to heavily forested hiking trails. We started our experience with a short hike to “Devil’s Punchbowl”
2/22/2020 Russian Gulch State Park. This costal state park is just north of Mendocino and actually quite a large place that includes everything from seawater filled sinkholes to beautiful sandy beaches to heavily forested hiking trails. We started our experience with a short hike to “Devil’s Punchbowl”
It was really fun to watch this “punchbowl” swirl around as the waves pushed water into it, over and over again.
It was really fun to watch this “punchbowl” swirl around as the waves pushed water into it, over and over again.
Then, onto the cliffs along the coast for some quintessential Northern California views!
Then, onto the cliffs along the coast for some quintessential Northern California views!
Bear’s ears don’t normally do this….once again, we have found the windiest spot possible!
Bear’s ears don’t normally do this….once again, we have found the windiest spot possible!
Dylan and I have ventured down to the rocks below the cliffs to see what we can see
Dylan and I have ventured down to the rocks below the cliffs to see what we can see
Being this close to the waves crashing against the rocks was an amazing feeling.
Being this close to the waves crashing against the rocks was an amazing feeling.
….and this is the entrance to the Punchbowl we just visited.
….and this is the entrance to the Punchbowl we just visited.
HUGE tide pools everywhere you turn.
HUGE tide pools everywhere you turn.
We moved to the other coastal end of the park for the more beach-y part and we are greeted with another quintessential Northern California coastal feature, bridges.
We moved to the other coastal end of the park for the more beach-y part and we are greeted with another quintessential Northern California coastal feature, bridges.
Yes, I know you saw cake being consumed in yesterday’s photos, but today is Grant’s ACTUAL birthday and Grace wanted to make him a cake. We subscribe to the idea that if cake is good, then MORE cake must be better!
Yes, I know you saw cake being consumed in yesterday’s photos, but today is Grant’s ACTUAL birthday and Grace wanted to make him a cake. We subscribe to the idea that if cake is good, then MORE cake must be better!
Later that night, I’m out and about for a walk with a dog and there were snails EVERYWHERE! Simply amazing how many of these intriguing creatures come out at night.
Later that night, I’m out and about for a walk with a dog and there were snails EVERYWHERE! Simply amazing how many of these intriguing creatures come out at night.
2/23/2020 Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park. Another historic and still functioning lighthouse. To us landlocked folks, these places never cease to amaze!
2/23/2020 Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park. Another historic and still functioning lighthouse. To us landlocked folks, these places never cease to amaze!
Can you spot the harbor seals?
Can you spot the harbor seals?
No? okay, here’s a “hint”….
No? okay, here’s a “hint”….
Truly amazing how well hidden these little guys can be, while also being right out in the open.
Truly amazing how well hidden these little guys can be, while also being right out in the open.
Dylan and I have chosen to make a return trip to Glass Beach to see what other “treasures” we can find.
Dylan and I have chosen to make a return trip to Glass Beach to see what other “treasures” we can find.
Here’s the deal with Glass Beach: There are actually multiple beaches that contain this sea glass. All of these beaches are genuinely public beaches and available for all to enjoy. HOWEVER, the locals of Ft Bragg and the California State parks got a tad “grumpy” about all the people that were coming into town, removing bucket loads of sea glass and then leaving. There was a concern that the sea glass would simply disappear in a short amount of time, but they couldn’t close the beaches because they are, once again, public beaches. The solution? They close the trails that lead to the beaches and call it “restoration” or “preservation” of the land to try and prevent erosion and destruction of the plant life. As a result, you can really only access 1 of the 3 beaches that have sea glass on it and naturally, it’s pretty picked over. HOWEVER, Dylan and I just happen to get there at low tide and you can VERY easily make your way to one of the other beaches in knee high water When I say there is a lot of sea glass on this beach, I mean there is A LOT of sea glass!
Here’s the deal with Glass Beach: There are actually multiple beaches that contain this sea glass. All of these beaches are genuinely public beaches and available for all to enjoy. HOWEVER, the locals of Ft Bragg and the California State parks got a tad “grumpy” about all the people that were coming into town, removing bucket loads of sea glass and then leaving. There was a concern that the sea glass would simply disappear in a short amount of time, but they couldn’t close the beaches because they are, once again, public beaches. The solution? They close the trails that lead to the beaches and call it “restoration” or “preservation” of the land to try and prevent erosion and destruction of the plant life. As a result, you can really only access 1 of the 3 beaches that have sea glass on it and naturally, it’s pretty picked over. HOWEVER, Dylan and I just happen to get there at low tide and you can VERY easily make your way to one of the other beaches in knee high water When I say there is a lot of sea glass on this beach, I mean there is A LOT of sea glass!
It’s just EVERYWHERE and it didn’t matter how deep I dug, I never ran into anything other than sea glass!
It’s just EVERYWHERE and it didn’t matter how deep I dug, I never ran into anything other than sea glass!
2/28/2020 This is our last day at Caspar Beach and we are giving up this cute little "garden view" camp site.
2/28/2020 This is our last day at Caspar Beach and we are giving up this cute little "garden view" camp site.
I felt compelled to take pictures of this “stuff”. We always referred to it as “Sea Goo” and I know we googled it and figured out what it actually is, but to this day, we continue to call it “Sea Goo”.
I felt compelled to take pictures of this “stuff”. We always referred to it as “Sea Goo” and I know we googled it and figured out what it actually is, but to this day, we continue to call it “Sea Goo”.
2/29/2020 We’ve moved north of Eureka in an effort to spend some time at Redwood National Park. Funny, I never would have guessed that a visit to a park that contains the tallest trees in the world would begin with a beach.
2/29/2020 We’ve moved north of Eureka in an effort to spend some time at Redwood National Park. Funny, I never would have guessed that a visit to a park that contains the tallest trees in the world would begin with a beach.
…but you quickly leave the coast and head into the trees and what a sight they are!
…but you quickly leave the coast and head into the trees and what a sight they are!
According to the Ranger we talked to, these little guys are one of the hardest things to find in the park and Dylan managed to find one!
According to the Ranger we talked to, these little guys are one of the hardest things to find in the park and Dylan managed to find one!
3/1/2020 Redwood National Park, Day 2. A funny thing happens when you have a pet that is named “Bear” and you actually spot a real bear out in the wild. You are immediately setting yourself up for A LOT of confusion when you yell “BEAR”.
3/1/2020 Redwood National Park, Day 2. A funny thing happens when you have a pet that is named “Bear” and you actually spot a real bear out in the wild. You are immediately setting yourself up for A LOT of confusion when you yell “BEAR”.
This hiking trail (Tall Trees Grove) is behind a locked gate, requires a very specific permit and they only issue a handful per day. Thankfully, we’re here in the off-season and we started the day early enough that we were able to get one.
This hiking trail (Tall Trees Grove) is behind a locked gate, requires a very specific permit and they only issue a handful per day. Thankfully, we’re here in the off-season and we started the day early enough that we were able to get one.
It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen a decent photo bomb, so I’ll give this one a pass.
It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen a decent photo bomb, so I’ll give this one a pass.
Somewhere in there is a tree they call “Hyperion” and it is the current record holder for the tallest tree in the world. The park won’t tell you exactly where it is, but the Lat/Long is readily available with a quick google search. I know the trek to Hyperion requires crossing the river at some point and I didn’t think that would go over so well with some of the members of my family, so we skipped it……but it’s somewhere in this picture…..I think.
Somewhere in there is a tree they call “Hyperion” and it is the current record holder for the tallest tree in the world. The park won’t tell you exactly where it is, but the Lat/Long is readily available with a quick google search. I know the trek to Hyperion requires crossing the river at some point and I didn’t think that would go over so well with some of the members of my family, so we skipped it……but it’s somewhere in this picture…..I think.
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