September 13 Friday Luck

 Friday, September 13  Point Reyes

My human took me for a walk.  I wanted to stay.  He carried me back and I let everyone around know that I was not happy with his decision.

Ugh… today is Friday the 13^th and we are faced with backing into a spot that is going to be quite challenging… and humiliating, no doubt.  Since the occupants do not seem to be in any hurry to leave, we decide to do our walk.

A few steps up and across the street is Shollenberg Park. Most of it is a tidal marsh with tons of birdlife.  It runs along a slough that undoubtably comes from the bay.  Somewhere in this vast expanse is a water reclamation plant.  There are trails all around, however, many are closed for maintenance.  But on we walk.  It is warm, but not hot.  There is a slight breeze with a bit of coolness in it; perfect for walking.  We see swans foraging in the mud.  The tide is low right now, but they seem to be finding things and chomping on them.   When we come to the maintenance workers, we turn around.  The trail splits up ahead.  It says it is closed but I see people on it.  Spouse heads back and I continue on, the scofflaw that I am.  I think I am trying to avoid the inevitable… the back up from hell!

I get back to Artee to Spouse making breakfast.  We then scout out the situation.  Hmmm… space 8 is now empty… I wonder if they could switch us…  Space 8 is right behind an aisle which would make backing into it easy peasy.  With a wonderful stroke of Friday the 13^th luck, we were able to switch to space 8.  We got Artee in place, set her all up, packed a few things for snacks, then headed to Point Reyes National Seashore.  It is already after noon, so not sure how much we will see.

We head down the road, then turn left on East D street.  This takes us through the old town.  Stately old buildings from a bygone era line the street.  We pass through residential areas.  Old Victorian homes, craftsman, Georgian, just a whole variety of homes, none of which are tract homes!  Some are in pristine shape, others need some TLC.  But there is a whole lot of character.

As the road continues, there are rolling hills.  Some are dotted with oaks, others have lots of oaks, sycamores and whatever other variety of trees.  It is rural, and quite beautiful.  Out of nowhere appears Marin Artisanal Cheeses.  Nothing for miles in either direction, but gourmet cheeses…  Of course we must stop.  We taste a few, buy a few, then split an almond croissant (my favorite).

Moving on, we pass Nicasio Reservoir and come onto the east side of the Point Reyes peninsula.  We stop at the visitor center, get the scoop, and decide to head to the light house.  It is up the road, over the hills, then down the road.  Only about 23 miles, but expect to take almost an hour. 

As we drive up the east side, to our right is an inlet from the ocean.  There are occasional docks well spaced out.  Some are nice, some are old, some have marinas attached to them.  There is an occasional building, maybe a tiny lodge here and there.  Once we turn to go over the mountain, we are on a wind swept mesa.  The wind is blowing off the ocean, and with the wind comes tufts of fog.  There are some ranching operations and the cattle stare as we go by.  Very few cars to speak of, we must be their entertainment! Up, down, left then right, we slow, go faster, then slow.  We ultimately get to the parking lot for the lighthouse.  It is gray with fog.  It is almost a half mile hike to the lighthouse on a nicely paved road.  The wind is steady, blowing against the monterrey pines that are already twisted from years of blowing winds.  It is 57 degrees.

The lighthouse has 313 steps.  They call it a wicked climb.  The 313 steps do NOT include the interruptions by steep ramps, of which there are 2 that add about another 150 feet.  Down we go. We see a girl coming up, holding her sandals in her hands.  Who would take this without good footwear is crazy.  Anyhow, on we go.  The working part of the lighthouse is off limits, but we can tour the old light and the keepers grounds.  It is too foggy to see much of the actual ocean.

Then we get to come back up.  Step by step…  Every 10^th step is numbered, until you can’t see the numbers anymore.  There are a couple of resting stations.  Yes, we used them… slow and easy… up, up and more up.  Now we see a girl with these impossible raised shoes.  Is she crazy?  She is deciding not to go down anymore.  Listen…  when you are going to an area that will require walking, WEAR WALKING SHOES!  You would not look any less cute…  Sheesh!

AS we hike back to the truck, a mama and baby deer cross our paths.  How sweet.  At the truck we had a snack… including some of our new cheese, then headed to Tomales Point.  It is about 20 miles. 

We retrace our steps for the first 11 miles, then turn up the road to Tomales Point.  It is a nicely paved road… until it isn’t.  It is a vicious trick.  After about a mile, the road reverts back to its original state.  It was probably paved back in the 1950’s and has had minimal maintenance since then.  Riding a dirt road would have been easier… only 7 more miles to go. Wow… as we approach the point, we see a mama and baby elk on the hill.  There is an elk reserve here and I wanted to check it out.

Spouse was done and stayed in the truck as I started hiking up the hill.  A girl told us that there was a herd of elk about 10 minutes up the trail.  I am sure they are waiting for me.  In the meantime, as I hike, I hear bugling a grunting from the canyon below me.  I walked exactly 10 minutes and the herd was waiting for me!  They were kind of subdued, but they snickered for me anyway.

Time to head back.  It’s been a long day.  This time Spouse drove the bucking bronco road back, as I drove it the first time. A pretty good Friday the 13^th!