California Escapade

From Winter to Spring we had our own respite to warmer shores. Our escape included Point Reyes National Seashore in northern California. Just an hour from San Francisco this hiking haven feels like you're at the end of the world with long vistas of ocean beach and the fact there is no reception for communicating to the outside world. A true escape.

 

 

Limantour Beach to Sculptured Beach

 

 



Bear Valley Visitor Center

As with all parks we had to take advantage of the Ranger led Nature Programs. Pt. Reyes area original inhabitants were the Miwok people. The interpretive program included a visit to a recreated village called a Kule Loklo. The Circle building is still use by people of the Miwok nation and we had a chance to enter this sacred building. Sorry no photos were allowed. They had just celebrated the equinox and fresh flowers and recent ceremonial fires still scented this below ground sanctuary.

 

Miwok Sweat Lodge

Miwok Circle-Ceremonial & Gathering Building

Miwok Shelter

 

 

 




Lighthouse

Another must do at Pt. Reyes was the lighthouse. We had a nice clear day for our climb down the 300 plus steps. Here you get the chance to see the Gray Whale migration along the coast. We saw many with their young as they surfaced, however it was so brief there were no photo opportunities.



 



View from Lighthouse

 

Earthquake Divide

      Other highlights include:

The San Andreas fault runs through the park. Pictured is the result of the early 1900's quake that moved this fence 16 feet.


Many ranches still exist, here's one preserved from the mid 1800's.

Unusual hikes through areas called Estero's

Plus of course a sunset at the beach.


 



1800's Ranches

 

Estero

 

Sunset on Limatour Beach