Climbing over and around the rocks near Gerstle Cove (in Salt Point State Park), I may not have been able to access the tide pools, but I still found a lot of interesting sights and enough beauty all around to keep me busy with my camera.

This state park is named Salt Point for a reason! Below is just an example of the small deposits of salt found in the rocks.

Staying below on the rocks meant I was sheltered by the roaring northwest wind, but it was still quite tiring. I had to work to keep my balance and choose each step carefully. So eventually I returned to the bluff — and discovered some very familiar wildflowers, plus one or two that were new to me.

Lupine, Tidy tips, and Goldfields above the Pacific

California thrift, also called Sea pink (Ameria maritima)