After more than two hours of exploring — though it felt like only a few minutes — it was nearly time for me to leave the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden during my visit last October. I had agreed to meet the Big Guy down the road (near the Jug Handle Reserve) at noon, but still I slowed my steps as I got nearer to the exit point. I wasn’t quite sure but still suspected there was some area of the garden I hadn’t yet seen, some hidden trail I had overlooked. It was so tough to pull myself away, not knowing when I might get a chance to return.

Common Quaking-grass

Above the trail (upper left) and the creek (lower right)