Santa Cruz

Back on the coast we got a camp site (for $35. seriously. to put a tent in the ground. hlysht) and immediately headed to the beach. We wound up in Natural Bridges State Park, on the north side of Santa Cruz. Despite the cool breeze, Adam insisted we jump in the frigid ocean waters because this may be our best and last chance on this trip. And, well, I had promised I'd swim with him once.

The beach was packed full of people, but it was mostly only small children in the water. And there was still only a handfull wading near the shore. I felt a nagging suspicion that all the land-dwellers knew something that we didn't.

What they knew was that the water was damn cold. Damn cold and salty. And those waves were brutal. I stuck it out for maybe 15 minutes before literally being pounded by a wave into the sands on the floor of the ocean. 

Exhausting, but invigorating we walked the shore in the bright sunlight. 

The reason we stayed in Santa Cruz in the first place was because I had seen months ago on GoogleEarth an icon for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Doing some further googling I learned that there was a Ferris Wheel and a Roller Coaster. I mostly wanted to go to Santa Cruz because I wanted to ride a wooden rollercoaster on a wooden pier alongside the ocean. I thought it would feel a little like time-traveling. 

After roasting some brats and s'mores over a fire at our site at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, we headed back towards the ocean and the Boardwalk.

Excited upon arrival, disappointment quickly settled in. The boardwalk was no longer made of boards, but rather of concrete. The arcade had just been remodeled with Dance Dance Revolutions and a new mini-golf course.  As daylight waned, so too did the rides. We quickly discovered that we had gotten to the park just in time to see everything close. No wooden roller coaster for me D=

But it wasn't all bad. We got to play a couple of games of air hockey, and smell the sweet smell of the ocean tossed with funnel cakes and corn dogs. And although the rides were shutting down for the evening, the lights on the coasters guided us while we walked the quieting boardwalk.

(view from our tent)

 

Kings River as it makes its way to Fresno and the California Valley.

kings canyon

We spent most of our second day in the area at Kings Canyon Nat'l Park. The lesser named of the two natural playgrounds, I didn't originally plan on spending much time here. However, I wish we could have spent more. It seemed that many of the crowds gathered at Sequoia and it was often difficult to get a moment just to take it all in. Kings Canyon was different.

Heading towards Roads End where numerous trail start, we wound our way down into the canyon, dropping at least a few thousand feet in less time than an episode of Sponge Bob.

Arising from the Sierra Nevadas in plain view, we followed the South fork of the Kings River west as it gouged it's way through the glacial valley, over tree trunks and boulders.

At the end of Roads End we wandered through a clearing in the woods to the river. Walking out onto a rock the size of a two-story house partially submerged underwater, I marveled at the view. 

Lying on my tummy, exposed skin feeling the warmth of the rock and my neck feeling a cool breeze I watched the pristine water flow past. Recalling pictures of John Muir standing on this same rock 150 years earlier delivering impassioned pleas for conservation of this valley to any who would listen, I imagined those early conservationists were there with me, happy to see that the scenery had not changed.

Except, perhaps, then a picture would have looked more like this:

 Climbing out onto a fallen log, Adam insisted I put my feet into the waters and walk with him back to shore. As soon as the tips of my toes made contact I could hardly believed that the icy current had had any time to warm since flowing from snow drifts thousands of feet above. Drying our feet in the sun further downstream we spotted this little guy

 

Craving more warm weather and an ocean breeze, we're heading back to the coast in the morning.

from the heights of Moro Rock

According to our NatGeo guide hiking up to Moro Rock was a must at Sequoia. We got there just as the sun was beginning to set and began the climb up as the sun slowly waned. 

Now, Adam and I are both pretty afraid of heights, so to decide to make the 400 stairs along a rock's edge was pretty bold of us. Limited handles along the staircase did not help matters.

However, as we spiraled the granite monolith fear was replaced by awe. Despite the hazy air (this area has some of the worst in the country, thanks to L.A. and San Fran), the view was incredible. Beautiful. Breathtaking. With hills and valleys in front of us, and the Sierras at our back. 

In a grove of Sequioas

Impossible to capture images of these giants, but, just like everyone else, I tried. But these trees are behemoths! How they grow so strong and so tall on these crisp mountain sides is beyond me. I am humbled.

California Valleys

Heading inland towards Kings Canyon and Sequioa Nat'l Parks. And, knowing me, we stumbled upon some beautiful flowers on our way up. I know, I know - more flowers? I can't help it! I love the macro setting. And plus, the next few days are sure to be filled with gaping canyons, swift rivers, and ginormous trees - things better shot with a landscape setting than a macro. So, bear with me here.

  

oceanside, california

Back in Oceanside, California. Upon arriving we headed straight for the beach. We laid under the sun in vain attempts to sweat enough to make the chill of the ocean bearable. But the clouds quickly came in and the breeze proved to be too much. Instead we headed back to the RV Park we're staying at (right in town! Within walking distance to the beach!) and took a couple dips in the pool and warmed up in the hot tub. 

After exploring the suburbanite outskirts, we headed back downtown to the evening Farmer's Market. Had loads of free delicious samples, bought way too many oranges, and even nabbed some real California strawberries. I relished the fact that we were actually eating strawberries in the state they were grown. So good.

Watched the sunset by the pier and nabbed some bomb tacos and homemade cheesecake.

Heading up the coast tomorrow morning.

santa ana mtns

After a night of heavy drinking in Vegas, we finally made it through the goddamn desert into California. Last night Adam and I camped in Cleveland Nat'l Forest, nestled in the trees of the Santa Ana Mountains. Despite our fear of mtn lions and homicidal maniacs we set up camp, lit a fire, warmed up some soup, and Adam played guitar.

Internet has been sparse, so too have been updates. Check back though, if you're out there. I'll probably back post words and pictures to corresponding dates soon.

valley of fire, pt 3

Pictures from our second night in Valley of Fire State Park.

 

Sunset at Arch Rock

The following is my first attempt at night sky photography. Unfortunately, I don't yet own a tripod so the quality is not the greatest, but I wanted to capture the evening in some way.

more desert flowers

red rocks of Nevada

After seeing some pictures of Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, we decided to spend a couple days in the area. About an hour east of the hub-bub of Las Vegas, the desert was free of the blinding lights and, thankfully, the blinding heat. Like much of southern Utah, fiery red rocks and sand dominated the landscape - a much more photogenic color than the drab browns and tans I was expecting.

We hiked a sandy path towards Mouse's Tank - where a native man hid for sometime from local law enforcement. He survived on water that collected in the natural rock basin during rains. Along the way we saw petroglyphs, beautiful flowers (see next post), and lots of signs of critters. No signs of scorpions, although lots of snake trails.

high class in the desert

Wildflowers of Utah

A good chunk of the pictures I take are of wildflowers. 

I cannot help it though! They are just so pretty and wonderful and pop up in the most unexpected places. Like in the midst of the desert.