Pt. Bonita Lighthouse during Fleet Week

Last Saturday morning, we headed back to Rodeo Beach. We didn't spend much time on the beach this time. Instead, we followed a trail left, up a ridge and walked along looking out at the water until we reached the trail leading down to the Pt. Bonita Lighthouse. From here, we had a different view of the Golden Gate Bridge and many of the vehicles involved in Fleet Week.

The contrast of colors ranging from the deep green of the shadowy part of the trees to the glistening sunlight on the water was striking.











Off in the distance, Cam captured four ships on the horizon.














We also enjoyed watching several seals play on the rocks.














Suddenly, we came upon a hatch into the rock. I thought we were on Lost. There didn't seem to be a way through. Our path to the lighthouse was blocked.

Cam consulted our handy guidebook and noted that the lighthouse would open at 12:30pm. Since Sam had had a friend spend the night the night before, we had gotten a slow start. It was nearly 11:30am so we didn't have long to wait.

The day had a bit of a military theme. Several old batteries are in the area. We decided to go explore one.


From the battery, Sam noticed a different trail leading up another ridge.




The drop off the edge was very dramatic and quite sheer. It felt like we were on top of the world.


There was the lighthouse.










There were more bunkers on top of the ridge. Sam enjoyed climbing around in them. The graffiti covering all of the accessible historical sites made it clear why the lighthouse was only open three hours a day.

Cam took this cool picture of me when he was down in the bunker with Sam. Interesting perspective.












We hiked a different way back down towards the bay and the lighthouse.





We walked through the hatch and waited our turn to cross the suspension bridge to the lighthouse.



Only two people (or three people if one is a child and the three of you weigh less than 500 lbs.) are allowed on the bridge at one time. They let the three of us cross together. Cam took this picture on our way back.







There wasn't a lot of room around the lighthouse from which to take a photo of a person standing next to it. We do have some shots of us near the lighthouse but this one is better than those.

Waiting to cross back to the mainland.

It was another lovely day in Marin.

We should do this more often.

On our first trip to Rodeo Beach, we had taken back roads through the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to get there. When we went back with my parents, we took the Bunker Road exit off Hwy 101. This route took us by some turnouts with remarkable views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco.

We didn't stop on the way to the beach but the sun was setting on our way back home and the turnouts were too picturesque to resist. If you can believe it, there is one even closer to the bridge than this one. Maybe we'll go back some evening at sunset and take pictures from it.

I'm glad my parents were able to come to California to visit us and experience where we are living.



They brought me here as a child. It feels right to be bringing them here now.




One benefit of having my folks with us is having someone we know who is willing to take a picture of the three of us together.

Sam's getting pretty good at taking smooching ones.

Back in the saddle again...

So we're calling it Rodeo Beach. And since we were so impressed with the splendor and sea life we observed the weekend before last, we decided to take my folks there last weekend. Of course, low tide was at midnight so we didn't see any starfish, sea anemone, sand dollars or crabs. We couldn't make it to the rocks because they were surrounded by water.




It was a bit cooler too but that didn't keep all of us from wading.














We had fun gazing out at the crashing waves...








and walking along the coastline.











The most remarkable creature we encountered on this trip was not from the sea. Rather, it was a dog. He approached us and literally threw his ball to Sam as a way of requesting a game of fetch. Sam took the hint and threw the ball. The dog brought it back and tossed it at Sam's feet again and again and again. Sometimes the dog would honor one of the rest of us with a toss. If the person he threw his ball to didn't respond in a reasonable amount of time, the dog would nudge it closer to you with his paw.

One other couple at the beach didn't appreciate his invitation when it came with slobber, sand and sea water being sprayed on them but we sure did. This dog could surf too. One time, he rode a wave while going after a ball. He caught it. We were hoping to arrange a play date with the dog but didn't manage to finagle the owner's phone number. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted and at least we have these pictures.

You'll never guess...

You'll never guess where we decided to go first thing Saturday morning. That's right, Muir Woods. My family has an affinity for this place and since all of us could get in free. We figured, "Why not?" Cam took the token sign shot.

At 8:30 am, we had the place nearly to ourselves again.


Sounded like it had been nearly 10 years since my folks had been to this park.



We marveled
at the
wonders.











And pointed out things of interest.

The main trail makes a nice easy loop. The entire thing is paved and there is little to no elevation change. However, Sam and I had been itching to try the route we took with the Sierra Club, shortly after his arrival in California, again.

With the club, we'd started on the Dipsea trail from the parking lot, hiked that mostly uphill for a mile or so on a ridge along the coastline until we reached the Ben Johnston trail. Then we turned toward the park and hiked down a bunch of stairs into it, eventually arriving at the park floor.

This time, we'd follow the route in reverse. Everyone said they were up for trying it. So after seeing one buck, we crossed bridge four and started up the Ben Johnson trail. At one resting point, I thought I saw monkeys (hear no evil...)

The basically straight uphill climb of Ben Johnson was more strenuous that I'd remembered and we expected but we didn't quit. The above link describes the loop's difficulty as moderate. This description, from mytrails.com calls it a "spectacular challenge for the energetic hiker" and refers to the "steep, steep Ben Johnson trail."

At the top, we enjoyed the views of the ocean as we hiked the ragged dirt trail down the Dipsea back towards our car. Sam found an intriguing resting spot in this tree. I am proud of all of us for completing the hike. It was an invigorating way to start the day.

Afterwards, we went home and had take-out from In and Out Burger and Lucinda's (veggie burrito for me, chicken quesadilla for Sam.) Then we rested, relaxed and played for awhile with plans to watch the sun set later at the beach or on top of a mountain.

To see what they could see...

Friday, while Sam and I were at school, my folks had coffee and read the paper in the coffee shop at the foot of our hill. Then, they went into Mill Valley, to investigate our neighboring town.

We all met back at the apartment later and discussed options for our first adventure. My mom had been saying that they were getting older and weren't as good at climbing hills as they used to be.

As a result, I'd been driving them up and down hills. I'd thought we'd go to the top of Mt. Tam since it is the biggest mountain in the area and since we drive most of the way to the East Peak, there wouldn't be too much walking.

But Sam had a different idea. He wanted to climb Ring Mountain. They agreed to give it a try. I assured them that we could take our time.

We drove to the trailhead and within minutes of starting up the mountain, Sam asked permission to run ahead. My mom had been looking forward to climbing with him but we let him go.

A few minutes later, we rounded a bend in the trail and noticed him perched on top of this giant boulder.



On Sam's first trip to Ring Mountain, Cam had done the same thing and we'd walked right past without noticing him. Then they climbed it together.





This time,
my mom
and I
climbed
up with him.
















My dad, continued on. When we were done playing and started looking for him, we noticed he was nearly to the top of the mountain already.
Sam ran ahead again,
in an attempt to catch up.

He made it.













They had time to sit and talk while Mom and I climbed.







I made it and enjoyed the views with them.






Mom was close behind.









When everyone arrived at the top, we walked around, looking at the area from different vantage points. Here mom, dad and Sam are perched on top of Turtle Rock.




And fearlessly climbing down.





Every other time Sam and I had climbed Ring Mountain, we've needed to climb back down the way we climbed up. Cam found a route up the mountain from the side closest to our home within walking distance.

This time, we'd driven around the mountain and climbed up the other side. Since my folks had a rental car making two cars available to us, we decided that instead of climbing back down the way we'd climbed up, we'd walk along the top of the mountain and down the other side towards home. We planned to bring a driver back in our car later to retrieve my folk's vehicle.



I've wanted to climb all the way over the mountain before but it hadn't been a viable option before. This time we did it. And they said they weren't good at climbing hills...

The creek

My folks came for a visit last week. They arrived on Thursday. It was great to see them.





We enjoyed showing them our home and visiting.





After awhile, Sam wanted to go down to the creek. The creek is a drainage ditch at the bottom of our hill.

It isn't nice but apparently it is interesting if you are a nine-year-old boy.

I think getting to and from the creek is half of the allure. Sometimes, we walk on the sidewalk to get to it but that isn't the most direct way. Often, we (especially Sam) hike up and down the steep hill which is our area's backyard.

This time, I drove the grown-ups to the bottom of the hill. Then, after being there for a bit, my dad wanted to see how Sam got to the creek. Sam led him back up the hill.




Mom
and I
watched.











We were about ready to drive back up the hill when Sam came back.

He showed my mom how he likes to walk across the creek on this metal beam.

Cam made it home about the same time we did. He set out some cheese and bread and got drinks for everyone. We enjoyed these refreshments while lounging on the patio. Then for dinner, we ate some roast pork we'd made in the crock pot. We served it with BBQ sauce, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, macarroni salad and some ice cream for dessert. Then we relaxed and talked some more while Cam helped Sam study for his spelling test.

It was a nice evening.