Trip report: Salt Point

[hrj]

(posted when I get reception -- and I have discovered that the iPhone lj app can only keep one off-line composition in memory at a time)

Given that "setting up camp" is simply a matter of parking the car, by 3pm I was all set up and ready to do some hiking.

I took the Salt Point Trail north from Gerstle Cove then crossed Hwy 1 and came back along the first part of North Trail and back to the campground. About 3 miles or so. The first part was along the sea cliffs, with some very scenic views and a wind that made up on resistance for the fact that the trail was utterly flat. "

The second shot was tricky because I had to wait for the right wave action while the camera was shaking -- not from the cold, but simply from the wind!

It's wild flower time -- at least the beginnings of it. Lots of irises, poppies of course, violets, strawberries, sea thrift, bindweed, buttercup, filaree, redmaids, and some I couldn't remember well enough to identify when I got back to camp and got the guidebook out. ( I had the book with me, but didn't feel like pulling it out every time I stoppedto look at something. ). On addition to the deficiencies of the phone-camera for close-ups, the flowers were all bobbing around in the wind, but here's one of the irises.

I got back to camp around five and went ahead and fixed dinner: just soup, crackers and cheese, plus hot cocoa and a pastry for dessert. This last I had after washing up and climbing into bed just to keep warm. (And the bed in the back of the Element is nothing if not warm.) I read for a couple hours until it got dark, but by around eight I went to sleep. So that is for those of you who laugh when I say that left to my own devices I really am a morning person.

The wind is a lot calmer in the morning, but breakfast was still a balance between not gobbling my food and eating it while it was still warm. I had eggs benedict with a stir-fry of onion mushroom and asparagus (a combination that will return at dinnertime) plus oj coffee and strawberries. Not exactly traditional camping fare, but I like the challenge.

Today I plan to hike up in the woods on the east side of Hwy 1, upto the Pygmy forest, along the San Andreas Fault, and over to the rhododendrom Reserve.

Comments

[kahnegabs.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful hike. Sunny day! Crashing waves! What's not to love?
Besides, you even got wild iris!

[dr-zrfq.livejournal.com]

Nice pics -- glad you had a good time.