detour: redwoods and sea

It was time for a small vacation. With family. Is it still a vacation? Turned out we all had a great time and didn't even get too sick of each other. We all (my parents, sister, and significant others) met up in Richardson Grove, a lovely campground in the redwoods.

apocalypse sun

It was really smoky from a nearby large series of lightning-caused fires. But we headed out on a small hike anyway, through redwoods and towering madrones, slippery leaves underfoot. Then proceeded to do what my family does best: sit back and read books in the campground! Then discuss books! Our favorite thing.

twisty tree, root or trunk?

along the trail

We did head down the the river, where Shamus the dog kept a close eye on all swimmers, needing to rescue them but not wanting to swim! There was just a trickle in the river, but the swimming hole was deep enough, even for crazy jumpers.

Shamus keeping an eye on things

swimming hole with crazy jumper: sister's SO!

I wanted to explore a bit more, so the next day dragged my Dad and the SO out the very long, twisty road to the beach. Shelter Cove is the southern end of what is known as the Lost Coast. No roads cross this section, the King Range looms 4,000 feet from the sea, and the hiking is along the steep beaches, watch the tides!

miles of empty beach

rocks and waves, doesn't get much better

lightning trapped in stone

But wow, hardly a soul on the beach, turquoise waters, fabulous rocks. This is not a play-in-the-sand beach, but the black rocks more than made up for lack of sandcastles. And I love the sound as the water retreats from the rocks, stones chasing each other down the beach, then repeat.

no sandcastles, just rock stacks

buried in rocks, warm and heavy!

me and Dad climbing whatever is around

Other trails also beckoned, and though they were not long, they were lovely, though terribly dry. The trails have oaks, then redwoods, then madrones, and cross once-flowing streams, with hardly a sight of the sky from below the thick canopy of trees.

redwood mystery

Kauffman Spring, no water here

only water on trail was in the water tower

that's one way to mark a trail!

left behind

The best part of camp was sharing great food, and gathering around the fire, stories old and new, a silly game of Cards Against Humanity, and just getting away from it all. Except family. You can't escape them, and that's an excellent vacation.

Mom was the chef: amazing kebabs

and we all gather 'round