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| >> November 2013 >>> Pinnacles National Park  The first time we visited Pinnacles National Park in January, it was a national monument that was upgraded to national park status a couple weeks later. Both names appeared here or there as signs and brochures are being gradually switched over, but not much else had changed.The park is named for the rock spires all around the hilltops left behind by millions of years of seismic activity. Most of the park is made up of the remnants of the western half of an ancient gigantic volcano that's traveled 200 miles from where it began, and where the eastern half still sits ..that's California for you.  Wee got set up and settled in, and headed out the next day for the Bear Gulch Cave hike we enjoyed last time. Since it's been an extremely dry fall around here, it wasn't as green and colorful as it was in January, and the waterfalls inside the cave that were so loud last time were pretty much just a trickle.We made our way up and pushed on farther than we had the first time, squeezing through a few tight spots and eventually arrived at the steep, narrow stone steps leading up to the Bear Gulch Reservoir. Note the huge (and I mean huge!) boulder wedged above the steps seen on the right. It's a good illustration of how talus caves are formed, and rather intimidating when passing below. The reservoir at the top is simply beautiful. Its calm glassy water reflects the boulders that surround it, and the scenic hilltops and fresh clean air are just the ticket for a bit of a rest after a hike. The little dam is made from rocks and mortar and looks like a fairy tale setting. The dam was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, and they also reinforced early trails with concrete steps and guard rails in the caves: pretty major accomplishments for the day, without roads in or out, nor the heavy equipment we take for granted today.    We took a different trail to go back, which went down over and next to Bear Gulch Cave rather than through it, with some fantastic scenery along the way and quite a few hardy folks climbing up and rappelling down rocks along the way.That night we were sitting outside the van when we were startled by four raccoons that came running through our campsite at high speed in the dark, close enough that they nearly ran over our toes. I don't know why they were moving so fast, but they went on their way and we didn't see them again. All in all, it was another great mini trip with warm days, cold nights, and unforgettable sights. As always, thanks for visiting the site and traveling along with me. >> October 2013 >>> Brannan Island State Recreation Area  In October, we visited Brannan Island, a park we'd passed many times heading to other places in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region but had never stopped at before. In summer, the whole Delta area is a mecca for boaters and water skiers, and it's also 100+ degrees many days. At this time of year, it's got perfect weather, fishing, or just hanging out in nature and quiet, which was our plan.The campground is large and spread out, especially the tent sites. Sites in the RV section are a bit closer together but not as cramped as many places. The way the sites are laid out, they'd be ideal for two RVs camping together, but we were on our own and the site opposite us was empty the first night. The second night, a family with a pop-up trailer arrived late and made quite a commotion getting set up in the dark, which is always fun to watch. Our site looked out toward the river but as it was just a by-way in front of the next levee, it didn't get a lot of boat traffic. We did notice the top of a very tall vessel traveling down the next slough one evening, and were amazed to see it had looped around at the end to travel down this section of river in front of us. It was some sort of tugboat/barge arrangment, and was a few stories tall and very long. I have no idea what it was about or where it was going, but it was dramatic to see such a large vessel cruising slowly by.  We took several walks around the huge campground and also to the wide six-lane boat ramp at the other end to watch fishing boats go in or come out of the water. These docks for campers were currently closed off to boats, but I saw this great blue heron using them to sun himself one day. I tried to get a closer shot but he wasn't having it and he swooped across the water to the opposite end to avoid me, showing off his majestic five-foot wingspan.We also watched the International Space Station cross the sky one night, thanks to the viewing alerts I get on my phone. Many sightings are low in the sky but this one was high and it crossed the entire sky, and was even brighter than usual thanks to the lack of city lights around us. It's always so bizarre to think of people living, working, playing onboard when you see that beautiful bright star-like light moving across the sky above you. We continue to take short one- or two-night trips to our local parks, but they've been pretty much covered here and we haven't had any extreme adventures at them lately. Still debating if we'll go somewhere between Christmas and New Year this year, or where that'll be if we do.. stay tuned. |
entries latest october/november 2013 ~ brannan island, pinnacles march 2013 ~ capitol reef, arches, moab, donner march 2013 ~ virgin river gorge, zion, bryce, anasazi january 2013 ~ pinnacles, peacocks, omelettes, lassen june 2012 ~ burney falls, death valley, turkeys may 2011 ~ delta, eucalyptus, redwoods march/april 2011 ~ diablo, morgan hill, delta, chabot february 2011 ~ sundial, shasta, river road, delta, olema january 2011 ~ columbia, chabot, diablo, preparations much more to come, hopefully low frills I'm not set up for comments, blogrolls, profiles and the like, but please follow and/or talk to me on Twitter. I'm also on Facebook but it's pretty much focused on my Big Brother site Hamsterwatch, and anyway, I prefer the short attention span aspect of Twitter follow me on Instagram where most of my travel pics show up in a timelier manner than they do here  about me I believe the essence of a person is what counts, and that comes out through words, actions, and creations, not vital stats. Also, since I'll be on my own out there on the open road, I'm not real keen on making myself too visible. Suffice to say I'm a crotchety, intuitive, decrepid old lady who's equally appreciative of life's basics and its complexity. I like unicorns, rainbows and long walks on the beach reality tv, documentaries & unique movies of all types, memorable fiction, being awestruck, and nature's majesty. I do financial transcription work as well as running websites of my own and for a few clients. Serial killers fascinate me. I have an adorable little papillon dog but I only make her wear clothes on special occasions. Or when it's very cold. Good Sam RV Parks: Top rated parks across the country. Listings on over 2,100 RV parks!  Classic and seasonal favorites from See's Candies |
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