12/28, the last stretch- California Coast

Welp, the last stretch of the road trip kind of got steamrolled into one big chapter!

We returned to California, and worked our way up the coastal highway.

Maybe like the mental image of "route 66", we thought of a continuous somewhat scenic tour of Highway 1, the coastal highway. It's not so straightforward. The coastal route doesn't always follow the coast closely, and of course the populated areas (think LA) would be a different experience.

In addition, we kind of shorted this stretch and needed to move north daily, oh, yea and it was the holidays.

I nearly always select nature and experience over meeting up with people, but we were right in the backyard of some family that I haven't seen in years. So I called up my aunt the day before Christmas and invited us over for a quick lunch- hoping that I wasn't intruding of course. It was great to catch up with my aunt, uncle and 2 cousins.

Then back to the coastal trip!

The Santa Cruz pier had the end of it collapse the day after we left, and my cousin was cautioning us about returning to the coast as the tides were super high.

We saw great swaths of the beach, missing under the surf, trees and limbs down and across power lines, rock slides onto the roadway, eroding from under the roadway, and of course standing water all over the place. We arrived in Fort Bragg the day that it rained 2.7 inches, but we enjoyed the sunshine in the breaks of the weather.

The California coast has a great number of state beaches, which are great for access (when the surf isn't taking over), but……………. No dogs allowed- ugh.

There were a ton of warnings and events that should have deterred us from enjoying the California coast, but we had a great time nonetheless. It reminded me of a phrase I dreamed up when I was working art fairs and Saturday Market: : "the weather is not the problem, rather the weatherman", it kind of mirrors the sentiment, there's no bad weather, just inadequate clothing" or something like that.

I'm going to have to learn that in real time, as I frequently keep my camera tucked away during inclement weather.

Duncan Landing

The surf was still trying to rach us!

We were a safe distance from the surf, but it was still trying to get us!

We made some time to visit the Monterrey Bay Aquarium- I love the Jellies!

Micro Jellies

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Now that we're home and the holidays are behind us, I'm trying to find my new normal for post 9-5, but it may take a while- there's not enough time :).

12/13 Picacho Peak and Mittry Lake wildlife area

The Picacho peak state park was a very nice overnight stop. It's hard to believe that we are headed back toward home, though slowly.

The peak itself was the original goal, but the steep terrain with Ginger (like a 17 foot ladder?) and cables… and we didn't have all that much time. We settled on the saddle, which was still a very steep hike, just not as far. Last night we had a campfire and watched the stars. The string of lights from the Interstate 8 was also interesting and fun to watch.

A bit of a commute day today, about 200 miles, and a free camp at the Mittry Lake wildlife area. It's definitely gotten busy with ioverlander publishing it. Great Sunset!

Gila Woodpecker and Saguaro

Acorn Woodpecker and Grainery

Lake Mittry Sunset- Do you see the owl shaped cloud?

12/11 More Chiricauha Mountains

I got to practice my telephoto bird photography on the Acorn Woodpeckers today. I'm not sure why I have to re-learn basics so many times!? They are fantastic to watch, and there are hundreds of them busy gathering and storing acorns in the granary trees/ branches, very cool.

Our Hike today took us to the Heart of the Rocks loop- it was a trek, but hiking amongst the pinnacles and balanced rocks is really fantastic. I'm super thankful to have the health and fitness level be able to take on these hikes without overexerting myself!

There was even one totem that I'm sure that I photographed 23 years ago. I'll have to compare when I get home.

Sometimes the landscape reminds me of the Rock Paper Scissors game, well, maybe it's rock wood fire? There's a balance in nature where these elements dominate and recede.

Big Balancing Rock

Balancing Pinnacle

Chiricauha

Chiricauhas

Chiricauha mountains

12/9 Chiricahua Mountains

The totems in the Chiricahuas are amazing, and there are so many of them. It reminded me of hiking Bryce canyon, but not in red rock. At every turn the next balanced rock is more impressive than the last, sprinkled with green lichen, and the sunlight providing a beautiful reflective light on the columns.

Alligator Juniper,

Pinion Pines,

Tall pines,

So many other plants hosting birds, particularly the Acorn Woodpecker. They seem to have taken up residence, and are flocking thru the park.

Wild Turkeys,

In search of Montezumas Quail

Coati, or Coatimundi?

The elusive Javelina-

Rock Totems and balancing rocks, countered by the Alligator Juniper, and tall pine trees. What an impressive landscape!

There are so many lines, curves and textures to fit in a frame, though the 2 dimensions have a way of making something fantastic, profoundly boring.

Grasslands, Chiricauha mts

Meadow textures

Meadow grasses

Tall trees and totems

Hanging Boulder, Chiricauha Mountains

Totem Window, Chiricauhas

Rock garden, Chiricauha mountains

Totems, Chiricauhas

Tree hug

12/6-8 Catalina Mountains and state park

What a Gem of a State Park, but I guess we find that often, the State Parks are in beautiful places, and are well put together.

We were ready for a shower, and these were just great! Spacious, clean, and hot. No waiting :)

I managed a bike ride to explore and set out on the "fifty year" trail- great fun!!

Big rocks, check

Small rocks, check

Sand traps, check

Big rocks on steep climbs, check

Plenty of cactus to catch your fall, check, check!

Great sunset, check!

This is going to be a good camp.

Sunset bike ride

Catalina Sunset

Catalina Mountains

Susan want on a birding walk, we found some hikes, learned of the desert big horn in the area, saw a reptile display, even went to an evening concert (Karaoke covers), I dialed in our plan for the California coast, and made a dozen reservations for that part of the trip home. I guess it felt good to get some of the housekeeping things done.

Watching others is very entertaining, and there are different types of campers in different places. Catalina SP had the RV crowd. There were various trailers from micro teardrop trailers to monstrous fifth-wheel homes with multiple pop-outs the size of our van. Few van campers. Susan noted that the "sprinter crowd" seems to be in the national parks/ monuments more than the RVs. RV-ers seem to have a community, and like to camp together. I would not be surprised if they did pot-lucks together. And they have a lot of outside lights!, in this case Christmas lights.