Great America - June & July, 2012
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Somewhere along CA-1 in Big Sur country, California. (above) 
Days 16-20: California's Pacific Coast

When the wind blows, redwoods creak like old caravels at sea. They each seem to have a spirit of some sort. They are near immortal. These trees were there long before me and will stand long after the memory of my existance fades away. They will still be reaching for the sky when my tombstone is crumbled and unreadable. Read more...

Major Sites Visited:

◙ Redwood National Park, Orick, CA

◙ Humboldt Redwoods SP, Weott, CA

◙ MacKerricher SP, Ft. Bragg, CA

◙ Fort Ross SHP, Ft. Ross, CA

◙ Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA

◙ Chinatown, San Francisco, CA

◙ Natural Bridges Beach, Santa Cruz, CA

◙ San Carlos Borroméo Mission, Carmel, CA

◙ Point Lobos Reserve, Carmel, CA

◙ Big Sur Scenic Highway

◙ Elephant Seal Haul, Piedras Blancas, CA

click on sites to learn more about them
Photo Album Click on the thumbnails to see the whole photo or to see a slideshow. 
Newton Drury Parkway is home to many big redwoods.Newton Drury Parkway is home to many big redwoods. Roosevelt elk grazing in a northern Claifornia fields.Roosevelt elk grazing in a northern Claifornia fields. A redwood at Ladybird Johnson Grove in Redwoods NP.A redwood at Ladybird Johnson Grove in Redwoods NP. Air plants in the redwood grove.Air plants in the redwood grove. The The "Pants Tree," as Andrew named it, in Ladybird Grove. The squishy rain forest floor.The squishy rain forest floor. Ladybird Grove is about 2000 feet above sea level, which is a unique environment for flowers.Ladybird Grove is about 2000 feet above sea level, which is a unique environment for flowers. The critters that chew on redwood trees are naturally large.The critters that chew on redwood trees are naturally large. Some redwoods have caves created by fires that hollowed them out.Some redwoods have caves created by fires that hollowed them out. Big rain forest berries.Big rain forest berries. More Redwood NP flora.More Redwood NP flora. Along the Avenue of Giants are huge fallen trees with poetic inscription.Along the Avenue of Giants are huge fallen trees with poetic inscription. We explore a tree that had to be cut because it was blocking the road.We explore a tree that had to be cut because it was blocking the road. This is the This is the "King of Trees." GrAmer2670GrAmer2670 A hike into the woods at Humboldt Redwoods State Park.A hike into the woods at Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Looking up a few yards off the Avenue of Giants.Looking up a few yards off the Avenue of Giants. This photo explains the redwood trees very well.This photo explains the redwood trees very well. These massive thick trees are virtually fireproof.These massive thick trees are virtually fireproof. At the Legend of Bigfoot Store in Garberville, CA.At the Legend of Bigfoot Store in Garberville, CA. A gray whale skeleton at the entrance to MacKerricher SP.A gray whale skeleton at the entrance to MacKerricher SP. A MacKerricher SP osprey goes in for the kill.A MacKerricher SP osprey goes in for the kill. And he got it!And he got it! A seal resting at MacKerricher SP.A seal resting at MacKerricher SP. MacKerricher was full of bright reds and happy squirrels.MacKerricher was full of bright reds and happy squirrels. Wondering if the tide is getting too high?Wondering if the tide is getting too high? Pelican standoff. (He won.)Pelican standoff. (He won.) The Mendocino coast fromthe furiously winding CA-1.The Mendocino coast fromthe furiously winding CA-1. "Innocence Lost" steeple in downtown Mendocino, CA. Russian-style mansions dot the Mendocino landscape. Russian-style mansions dot the Mendocino landscape. Our camp at Ocean Grove Campground in Walsh Landing, CA.Our camp at Ocean Grove Campground in Walsh Landing, CA. The Mendocino coastline along the winding CA-1.The Mendocino coastline along the winding CA-1. The view from our Walsh Landing camp.The view from our Walsh Landing camp. This is no way to make toast.This is no way to make toast. Sunset from Walsh Landing camp.Sunset from Walsh Landing camp. We camped somewhat near a fish cleaning station so pelicans decided to camp nearby.We camped somewhat near a fish cleaning station so pelicans decided to camp nearby. The palisades of Форт-Рос, Russia's southernmost colonial outpost in America.The palisades of Форт-Рос, Russia's southernmost colonial outpost in America. A Russian orthodox church in Fort Ross, constructed with mighty redwood beams.A Russian orthodox church in Fort Ross, constructed with mighty redwood beams. Heading toward the Golden Gate Bridge.Heading toward the Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco's Chinatown: the place to buy $1 trinkets you don't need.San Francisco's Chinatown: the place to buy $1 trinkets you don't need. We stayed the night in Chinatown.We stayed the night in Chinatown. Union Square in downtown San Francisco brought back memories.Union Square in downtown San Francisco brought back memories. The famous Powell Street cable car.The famous Powell Street cable car. This was the view of Coit Tower from our hotel room in the morning.This was the view of Coit Tower from our hotel room in the morning. We stopped for a bite at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.We stopped for a bite at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. After eating, we decided to explore Hyde Street Pier, a special place for us.After eating, we decided to explore Hyde Street Pier, a special place for us. Andrew enjoying the spot where his parents were engaged.Andrew enjoying the spot where his parents were engaged. The famous chocolate factory in San Francisco.The famous chocolate factory in San Francisco. A fishing boat docked in the Golden Gate.A fishing boat docked in the Golden Gate. These are heavy duty chains, alright.These are heavy duty chains, alright. The cable cars descending to the waterfront.The cable cars descending to the waterfront. San Francisco Harbor is full of California sea lions.San Francisco Harbor is full of California sea lions. This was part of the sparse sea lion party at Pier 39.This was part of the sparse sea lion party at Pier 39. San Francisco's Columbus Street separates Chinatown from the Italian Quarter.San Francisco's Columbus Street separates Chinatown from the Italian Quarter. A scenic California lighthouse.A scenic California lighthouse. We enjoyed the temporary warmth at Natural Bridges Beach in Santa Cruz.We enjoyed the temporary warmth at Natural Bridges Beach in Santa Cruz. All the Sandrews in California.All the Sandrews in California. We hit Monterey's famous cennery area as the sun was setting.We hit Monterey's famous cennery area as the sun was setting. Moneterey fishermen prepare for the evening.Moneterey fishermen prepare for the evening. Monterey Harbor was full of sea lions.Monterey Harbor was full of sea lions. I would hate to have to clean that boat.I would hate to have to clean that boat. Starfish on the dock at Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf.Starfish on the dock at Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf. This is how sea lions play musical chairs.This is how sea lions play musical chairs. One of the motley brown pelicans at the Monterey docks.One of the motley brown pelicans at the Monterey docks. Walking the grounds of beautiful San Carlos Borroméo mission in Carmel.Walking the grounds of beautiful San Carlos Borroméo mission in Carmel. This mission was the headquarters of the famous missionary Junipero Serra in the 18th century.This mission was the headquarters of the famous missionary Junipero Serra in the 18th century. A Claifornia grizzly sits at the foot of Serra on top of his tomb.A Claifornia grizzly sits at the foot of Serra on top of his tomb. The mission grounds are planted with a beautiful garden.The mission grounds are planted with a beautiful garden. Virgin and child on the mission walls, made unstable by earthquakes. Virgin and child on the mission walls, made unstable by earthquakes. The tower of the three century old San Carlos mission. The tower of the three century old San Carlos mission. Seal resting offshore.Seal resting offshore. The first wildlife we spotted in beautiful Point Lobos were harbor seals.The first wildlife we spotted in beautiful Point Lobos were harbor seals. This flat rock was a safe place for harbor seals to sun themselves during the day.This flat rock was a safe place for harbor seals to sun themselves during the day. Point Lobos cypress forest.Point Lobos cypress forest. We needed the telephoto lens to capture the sea lions that give Lobos its name.We needed the telephoto lens to capture the sea lions that give Lobos its name. A big sea lion bull calling out proudly.A big sea lion bull calling out proudly. Monterey Bay also has a healthy population of sea otters.Monterey Bay also has a healthy population of sea otters. The colorful hills of Point Lobos SNR.The colorful hills of Point Lobos SNR. A painter's palette at Point Lobos.A painter's palette at Point Lobos. A lone cypress, the kind which are famous trademarks of this area.A lone cypress, the kind which are famous trademarks of this area. A scene along the wild Big Sur coast, which was a blast to drive.A scene along the wild Big Sur coast, which was a blast to drive. What a surprise to find these elephant seals jsut north of San Simeon!What a surprise to find these elephant seals jsut north of San Simeon! They were relaxing and enjoying the sun.They were relaxing and enjoying the sun. The big bulls are the size of small cars.The big bulls are the size of small cars. Only a mother could love these faces. I could hear them snoring.Only a mother could love these faces. I could hear them snoring. Coming in from the ocean surprisingly fast.Coming in from the ocean surprisingly fast. Elephant seal battle!Elephant seal battle! Part of Hearst's estate at San Simeon.Part of Hearst's estate at San Simeon. An egg, but not for eating.An egg, but not for eating.

• Photos copyright 2012 by S. Plencner & J. Bezold • All other content copyright 2013 by S. Plencner •