In an effort to enjoy more of California while I am here, I thought it would be exciting to explore some of the forms of recreation that are close to our current home. I was truly spoiled in Utah, with most of my desired recreation being less than a 30 minute drive away. Close in the SF Bay area translates to two and a half hours, unless there's traffic, then close is fours hours away. Point Reyes National Monument is between 1 1/2 hours away from Fairfield, depending of course, on the route we take, what part of the park we are visiting, traffic, earthquakes, mudslides, fires, and liberal fiscal policies, it may take as long as 3 hours, so it's pretty darn close. This post centers around My first adventure into Point Reyes, Specifically Tamales beach on Tamales Bay. I took Lea, our two person, gear-filled kayak, MRE's for dinner and my newly acquired backpacker's stove for comfort, (thanks Sonja). I will be taking Jonah to Marshals beach on the 17th of July. The above picture is just before we were to start our two and a half hour paddle to our camp.
It was sunny the whole drive to Point Reyes until about 3 miles to the marina. A fairly thick marine layer was taking hold, so I was glad I had outfitted Lea with Aleena's river splash gear. She said she was toasty.
About half way across the bay, Lea asked if there were sharks in the Bay. I affirmed that there were.
"Why don't they get us, can they get us?"
"Don't worry, they won't get us, we look too big for them to eat."
"Sharks are dumb, huh? Cause they could just come up here, pop our boat and then...lunch, huh?"
"Yep, its a good thing they are dumb."
"I feel a bumping under me, is it a shark?"
"Nope, just the waves."
"Oh, I thought it was their big fin poking our boat, are they under our boat?"
"They could be, kiddo, but they are dumb, remember, nothing to worry about."
"Can I put my hand in the water?"
"Sure."
"And they won't bite my fingers off?"
"Nope."
"Really?"
"Yep."
Reluctantly she put her hand in the water only to have me snarl just as it submerged.
"Daddy!"
Getting closer to Tomales Beach
Pretty good pic showing the marine fog layer that often keeps the coast 20 to 30 degrees cooler than inland.
Land ho!
Lea was very helpful in picking out our tent spot, being exceptionally concerned with the location of our tent with respect to its susceptibility to a tsunami. We had just decided on our location, when she pointed out another groups location:
"They are safer than us, a tsunami won't get them in the night, but might get us cause we're closer, huh?"
"Actually, everyone on would be toast if it were hit by a tsunami."
"Oh." sad face. :(
"Don't worry, don't worry, they're very rare, they don't happen often at all."
"Oh."
A good hug seemed to better dispel this concern. :)
Dinner Video
Minestrone soup for Lea, and a Cajun sauce and pork chop for myself. As far as MRE's go, they were pretty good. Again thank you for the cook stove, Sonja.
Moss and likens drape much of the tree-scape in Point Reyes because of to consistent fog that envelops the area.
A particularly fuzzy tree..
This valley reminded me a lot of Lost, no worries, no smoke monster presented itself, that would have been a bit much for Lea's overactive imagination.
We were on the east side of the peninsula so the sun shadowed our beach early, so I suggested we "chase the sun" and hike after it. The above photo is where we started our chase. It wasn't long, 1/4 mile, until we had caught up, (below).
I thought it might be nice to hike up to the ridge to watch the sunset, didn't look like much of a hike, I was wrong, we had a nice, hearty 7 mile trip in all, but it was worth it.
"Bob white."
Ran into some beautiful Elk.
They didn't want to play.
But they poised for us.
The sun was very cooperative, and supplied us with an amazing view.
Cute little poser.
After the sunset we hiked back and Lea noticed a group of kayaking paddling around in the dark. The crest of the full moon was just coming over the eastern coastal foothills, it looked divine.
"Daddy, can we do that?"
"Lea, do you want to go for a nighttime kayak ride?"
"Really?"
"Sure."
"But will it have to be a short one because its past my bedtime?"
"Nope, we can stay out as long as you want."
"Really?"
"Yep."
She smothers me with a hug, "This is fun, Daddy".
Full Moon Kayaking
The night before the tide came way up with the full moon, by morning the tide had reversed exposing an abundance of creatures and life. Lea thoroughly enjoyed "investigating" and delivering her findings.
Lea loved frolicking on the beach.
Sandhoppers were everywhere after the tide reseeded, and Lea decided we should build cities for them.
Lea poked holes and we tried to get a Sandhopper to use it, but they preferred to dig their own home.
A finished city is to the left, but Lea is too cute not to monopolize the shot.
Packed up and ready to head back.
Goodbye Tamales Beach.
We took an additional hour and half paddling back to go by Pelican Point, a nesting and resting reserve for Brown Pelicans, and Hog's Island, a seal pupping and bird nesting reserve.
Pelican Point.
Hog's Island.
The seals are directly behind Lea's head. We were able to see a baby seal trying out its flippers.
Seals sunbathing with pups.
What a trip. Thank you, Lea, for coming with me and making it so fun.
