Even though the boardwalk along Kelsey Creek in Clear Lake State Park didn’t take me where I had been hoping to go, I really couldn’t complain as I turned around to retrace my steps. Unlike in a dry year, much of the shoreline was flooded; the views were fairly stunning; and I saw more birds up close here than anywhere […]
I’m not sure if there’s a name for this phenomenon, but maybe you’ve noticed that whenever you’re driving carefully along a winding, narrow, possibly dirt road full of potholes searching for a specific location in the middle of nowhere, three miles can feel more like 50 miles. Just a few miles up Little Lake Road in Mendocino, not far from […]
I just keep finding more and more photos from our stay at The Sea Ranch in Sonoma County back in September 2022. I thought this would be the final set, but there are still quite a few more images for me to go through. Every one of them brings back great memories, and I hope you enjoy them as much […]
The dirt trail running parallel to Hinkle Creek is roughly a half mile in length, passing through oak woodland inhabited by a variety of wildlife. The murmur of the creek is never far away even though much of its banks are crowded with prickly blackberry bushes. The location is not exactly isolated; visible just up the steep hill to the […]
A week ago I mentioned that I was surprised to discover some forgotten photos from my trip to the Sonoma Coast back in September. I was sure I had posted all my pictures already; but the great thing about carrying three different cameras is that I can capture three times as many images! Today I’m sharing the photos I shot […]
I was so certain I had already blogged about exploring the neighborhood trails when we stayed at The Sea Ranch last September — but none of the photos are showing up in my media library. I guess my attempt at being organized has failed me again, but this time I don’t mind so much because it gives me an excuse […]
I shot these photos near Point Arena during November 2021. The ocean can be surprisingly calm and smooth during the winter months; in our younger days we often camped in our big 1960s-era tent (bought at Sears) in the Bodega Dunes Campground — and frequently had the place almost to ourselves. It’s been years since I used a sleeping bag […]
We enjoyed our peaceful walk through the ferns and redwoods at The Hot Spot last September, but I’d really love to go back and see if I can learn a bit more about what I saw there! There are 21 wooden posts along the trail with corresponding informational notes in the trail guide pamphlet. Since we wandered somewhat randomly through […]
The great San Francisco earthquake of 1906 may be history, but the cause of the quake — movement along the San Andreas Fault — still occurs all up and down the coast of Northern California. Sonoma County’s Hot Spot is only one of several faults along the San Andreas Fault Zone. I’ve found it nearly impossible to find much information […]