beach

Point Reyes National Seashore

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Another epic day!

Walk through any European city and there is always a gaggle of amazing churches adorned with stained glass, gold and other embellishments. After visiting these churches I think to myself, “Surely the next church cannot be as spectacular as this one.” And yet, it is as spectacular…or even better. This is how I feel about California. Every area I visit, I think, “Wow, this is so beautiful. There cannot possibly be anything more beautiful.” I then go somewhere else, like today’s trip to Point Reyes National Seashore. On my drive to the park, I see lush rolling hills, grazing cows, a large reservoir covered with fog (even though sun is everywhere else), tons of bramble and cyclists galore. Another beautiful place with curvy roads included (of course).

The entry point to the park is Point Reyes Station, a quaint main street with shops and cafes. I drive through town and make the 45 minute trek to the Point Reyes Lighthouse. The views of Point Reyes Beach South are stunning. The lighthouse is closed so I avoid the 313 steps down and then up again and head to Chimney Rock and then Drakes Beach. Pete is not allowed on either so I do a quick walk along Drakes Beach and move on.

Next up, Limantour Beach. A easy walk through beach grass lands us on a long length of sandy beach. Tons of families playing, picnicking and running their kites litter the beach. Dogs are allowed on the south end of the beach so that’s where we go. Pete immediately rolls in the sand with gusto. There is nothing better than a roll in the sand, as far as Pete is concerned!

After the beach rolling, we drive along Tomales Bay, which includes the “required” stop to take a picture of the famous shipwreck. Underwhelming (the boat not the bay) in my opinion, but I did it. I did not visit the cypress tree because I was ready for a late lunch! I headed out of the park and north on CA-1 to Marshall. Hog Island Oysters was packed so I drove more north to Nick’s Cove. Pete and I sat outside on the deck/pier and enjoyed more sun and fish and chips. It truly was a perfect day.

Hike + Golden Gate Bridge

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Today I hiked the Batteries to Bluffs Trail. The sweeping ocean views and bonus of walking on the beach coupled with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background made this hike a stellar one. The weather was perfect; I should have worn sunscreen! I even managed to find a mussel shell for my friend who makes art from the shells. I never really noticed mussel shells until I saw her work. Now, I think they are beautiful and am always looking for shells to send to her.

Since I was so close to the Golden Gate Bridge I decided to explore it. There are a lot of great displays about this engineering feat and of course, the views were stunning. I walked the bridge to Marin (1.7 miles each way) and then back to the visitor center. I highly recommend earplugs if you ever do this walk. There were throngs of tourists but the walk over the bridge was not that crowded with walkers but there were plenty of bicyclists.

Day Three of Wandering

Posted on by Seniye Groff

I am really enjoying this wandering thing. It’s nice to explore, learn new things and not be too pressed for time. Pete seems to be enjoying it, too, especially all the stops at the beaches. It was another big day for driving and seeing things and the weather is much better today.

We started in Eureka which has a super cute downtown area with shops, cafes and a harbor. We then drove about an hour to the northern entrance of the Avenue of the Giants. Parts of the drive through the ancient redwoods is so dark you would think it was nighttime! The sheer number of giant redwoods clustered in this 31 mile drive is truly amazing.

Shortly after exiting the redwood drive, I hopped on Highway 1. It was 30 miles of soft serve ice cream curves…in other words, very, very curvy. And no guardrails which is always a nail biter. But after 30 miles you are popped right out to the ocean cliffs. The views are stunning and the waves were powerful. We stopped at Seaside Beach. Just more loud waves, more rocks jutting out of the water and more beauty for free. I was also able to find a few mussel shells for my friend Jenny. She does amazing art with mussel shells.

We passed through Fort Bragg and returned later to have lunch at Sea Pals (more fish and chips) and walk at MacKerricher State Park and Glass Beach. But before that we wandered the Mendocino downtown area. It’s a quaint downtown right on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean with water towers sprinkled throughout the town. I stopped at the visitor center to learn a little history. The town (unincorporated) still uses them today since the source of water is wells. The towers are now powered by electricity. Mendocino can be sunny one minute and then the fog rolls in and visibility is nil. Pete and I are ready for a nap!

Day Two of Wandering

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Today was a big driving day because the weather was wet and windy and did not lend itself to walking outside a lot. I have realized that when one is traveling with a dog it limits what you can do indoors. I cannot sit in a restaurant (so takeout is the go-to) and when the weather is lousy I can’t lounge in a bookstore for hours on end.

Nonetheless we saw a lot. We left the hotel by 8 a.m. because the rain was scheduled to start at 11 a.m. This plan proved to be wise because Bandon Beach was BEAUTIFUL this morning and the sun was shining. We started at Cocquille Point, walked down the stairs and to the beach. Jutting rocks were everywhere. Pete was unimpressed by the giant puffin statue made from debris. Pete immediately rolled in the sand…over and over again. He truly loves the beach. We walked the length of the beach and then returned to the car to continue down the 101.

Port Orford was next. It was a quaint town focused on art. We stopped at the Battle Rocks Wayside Park for the stunning views and then moved on to Gold Beach. Gold Beach is where the Rogue River and the ocean meet. We stopped quickly at a viewpoint but then moved on as the weather was very wet.

On the way to Brookings we stopped along the Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridor and decided it was time for fish and chips. Happy Clam did not disappoint.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park was next on the route. We stopped at the ranger station to get a map and will do the Avenue of the Giants tomorrow. The trail I really wanted to walk was just too wet and muddy and I really wasn’t prepared. The stunning drive through the park was dark as the trees were amazingly tall.

Next up was Trinidad, which is a small town of about 300 people. It had a beautiful bay overlook but no access to a beach we could walk. By now my butt was hurting and Pete was tired of being a passenger so we found a hotel in Arcata and called it a night! Overall the drive along the 101 is mesmerizing with its stunning views, rock formations and crashing waves.

Maui

Posted on by Seniye Groff

I had the good fortune to spend two weeks on Maui on vacation.  It was a much-needed respite from a very busy year.  It amazes me how the sun and sand can recharge me and the kids loved the balmy weather.  Our biggest decision each day was which beach to venture to for that day; knowing that the afternoons were reserved for the pool.  Marine life was abundant; fish making themselves known as soon as we walked into the water.  We sailed out to Molokini one day and snorkeled to our heart’s content.  Fish of all colors and shapes swam with us, quite unafraid.  Fortunately, the eels stayed at the bottom of the reef since they were cool to see but I really did not want a close-up.  And so, I sit at my desk now and dream of the heat warming my back, the relaxed evenings and the next time I will be able to snorkel the fabulous reefs of Maui!

 

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