We left one KOA in Crescent City for another one in Manchester Beach, further down the coast. This one was located on a one mile trail to Manchester Beach from the campground and was equipped with a hot tub (much appreciated after a long drive).
Speaking of the hot tub, we met a young woman (everyone seems "young" to us; unless they're way "older" than us ;-), who had cycled from Washington State down the coast highway and was one day from her destination (Sebastapol) to see her boyfriend. We were in awe of the fact that she had cycled these narrow, twisting roads along Highway 101 and Highway 1 ... She felt that the support for cyclists had been good (lots of signs reminding drivers to share the road with cyclists), but felt that there were a few dyspeptic drivers, usually driving pick-up trucks, who were insulting, threatening or dangerous to cyclists. When asked what the most challenging part of her ride had been, she mentioned her stop in Garberville, CA. We had also stopped earlier in the day at Garberville and were struck by the strange vibe in the town. She told us that it was pot harvesting time and the "harvesters" were gathering in Garberville both to work and to score some pot and that it led to a bit of a Wild West environment in the town with outsiders and desperadoes who could be aggressive.
We headed down the path to Manchester Beach ... Meeting a great egret along the way (in a marsh pond). Again, the beach was relatively deserted ... Black, coarse grains of sand ... More driftwood, but few shells (mostly parts of crabs) and a scattering of kelp washed ashore.
Our trip back was graced by some colorful thistles (Eeyore's favorite)
The next stop was a hike recommended by our friend, Kathy ... Schooner Gulch Trail and Bowling Ball Beach. We found the trailhead off of Highway 1 and joined the folks heading down to a lovely beach, with beige, finer sand, driftwood and fresh water running into the ocean. Lots of dogs and children enjoying the beach with some sun breaking through the clouds.
We followed the trail to Bowling Ball Beach only to find the steps washed out and a huge rope to be used to lower oneself down the final way to the beach ... An Asian couple who were picnicking on the cliff above the beach convinced us (me) that we could make it down (and, equally important, back up using the rope). Down we went ... But the high tide kept us from seeing the full "bowling ball" effect of the rocks lining the low tide waterline (which was invisible at high tide). We did have some pelicans cruising the coast line ...
Paul thought I should have taken a picture of us using the rope to climb up and down to the beach ... It would have made a good picture, particularly as the photographer fell into the water below as she tried to both haul herself up with the rope and fell while snapping photos ... Alas, the photographer forget to get Paul's more coordinated climb with the rope.
The return trail was covered with sweet peas ... And naked ladies ...
1 comment:
Really, shouldn't one become a naked lady before falling into the surf? Just inquiring... As much as I dearly love your photos, I am not at all happy that they arrive at risk of life and limb!
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