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Moss Landing, CA on the Monterey Bay is an eclectic little town. Part fishing village, part research center (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and Moss Landing Marine Labs), part beach, part marina, part yummy restaurants and of course a few places to walk.

We had a sunny evening walk around town and discovered the link to a beach walk. Here’s one entrance at the end of the buildings along Sandholdt Rd. (There’s another opening by Phil’s Fish Market. and another parking lot near the bridge that involves climbing a dune.)

At the end of the road, we came to the opening to the boat harbor and across the water was where we walked in 2010. That area is accessed from Hwy 1 at Jetty Rd.

The next morning we  had sunshine and took time to read and look over the wetland area. By the time we headed north to the other side of Elkhorn Slough the fog had arrived. Not that we couldn’t enjoy Zmudowski State Park.

We actually did climb one of those dunes and got this view. The vista the other way is the ocean and beach. Too foggy to work as a picture.

Walking along the road (bring spare tires, new shocks and watch out for the man-eating holes) we could enjoy some of the lagoon’s beauty.

We drove back through the strawberry fields and decided to head inland and find some sun. (Give thanks to the people who harvest these  beauties; strawberries grow well in this area.)

Going uphill on Dolan Rd. (passing the power plant that dominates the skyline when it’s not too foggy.) we found the sun.

Royal Oak

Manzanita Park was closed but we did find Royal Oak Regional Park near Watsonville. The weave of oak branches was wondrous. The park is built for recreation- group picnic grounds, grills and huge turning spits and playgrounds. On a Monday, we had the place to ourselves. There are some hiking trails, but I guess the dune climb had done us in. We just admired the trees.

Kirby Park

We’ve been to the main entrance to the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, but we skirted the north edge along Elkhorn Rd. and stopped at Kirby Park. The water appeared steamy and was sulfurously smelly. But now we were begging for a walk.

Marbled godwits worked the mudflats and pickleweed filled the areas around the trail dotted with some California lotus. The path is old pavement, boardwalk and dirt along a railroad track. You might get a 2-mile walk if you went from the small boat launch in the parking lot past the boardwalk.

We returned to Moss Landing to catch the fun scene below in a “before” the elephant seal and the “after.”

Sea Lion dock

Same dock, really!

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We eventually had to leave Moss Landing, making the obligatory stop at Pescadero – where the sun showed up again.

Another great weekend. Gosh we love California.

Words by Lynn Millar

Pictures by Mike Millar

Without remuneration, I can say we had a good stay at the Captain’s Inn and a delicious dinner at Haute Enchilada.

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Someone’s watching you at the entrance to the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. But it’s okay. Pay a visit to this charming museum. Mark your calendar for next April to see the wildflowers collected from all over the state. Collected samples are thanks to the California Native Plant Society.

Multitude of Lupines

Crimson Sage

Sticky Phacelia

Red Larkspur

Martin’s Paintbrush

Outside the museum is a native plant garden situated between the busy commercial Lighthouse Ave and a neighborhood of small houses.

The garden has sun – and shade where this bleeding heart gently blooms.

We went up to Lighthouse in search of coffee – there are several choices. We made a good choice at Fournier Bakery and found another with a bookstore called The Works.

After our museum, coffee and book adventure, we headed for the nearby ocean. We stopped past Lovers Pt and walked above the beach and next to the road, until we realized we didn’t quite stop where we wanted. Not that it wasn’t beautiful and the weather warm and sunny. Wrong stop, right place. (Possibly the right place, click Asilomar State Beach.)

We were delighted with the day and glad we’d raced down to Pacific Grove to see the last day of the wildflower exhibit. Oh yeah, and visit the ocean.

Words by Lynn Millar

Pictures by Mike Millar

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History also has exhibits of native animal, birds and insects.

For more information on native plants click the CA Native Plant Society.

Reblogged from Serenity Spell:

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A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children.

As I grew up I was fervently desirous of becoming acquainted with Nature.

But hopes are Shy Birds flying at a great distance seldom reached by the best of Guns. —John James Audubon

Happy birthday to one of the most intriguing figures of history, the French-American ornithologist, conservationist, naturalist, and painter.

Read more… 112 more words

From the other side of the country - but the birds are familiar and beautiful. Thanks to Fey Girl at Serenity Spell.

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If you visit Bodega Bay this weekend, you’ll be able to see a couple of tall ships. Sonoma County Regional Parks has brought in a reminder of how we used to get around. Step into history (sailing tours are full – but your might be able to get on board.) Mike paid a visit on Wednesday with a lot of other photographers.

Tall Ships in Bodega Harbor

Tall Ship Lady Washington

Tall Ship Hawaiian Chieftain

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Several years ago, we walked up a steep slope to a beautiful meadow. The wildflowers were outstanding, but I didn’t have the guts for a return trip.

The lovely people at LandPaths, City of Healdsburg, and Open Space District have put in perfect zigs and zags of switchbacks. Now I can visit more often. All the trails are much improved. When we visited, not all the signage was complete. So, wander hither and thither. Just watch out for the poison oak.

Here are Mike’s recent pictures. Here’s a link to The Heights of Healdsburg three years ago.

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A couple of weeks ago, San Francisco was closed for a major triathlon and an unnamed event in Golden Gate Park. We fought our way through town and went to Treasure Island.

Named after Stevenson’s novel, Treasure Island, it is also a creation — the island was built on a shallow piece of San Francisco Bay for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition. No sign of ‘black spots’ or pirates, but you’d be hard pressed to find a flatter place to walk than Treasure Island.

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Palm Springs, CA is in a desert. On our recent vacation there, we toured homes as part of Modernism Week (link to early post). On other days, we visited the desert.

The San Jacinto Mountains dominate Palm Springs, so you know you’re not in Northern California (or Kansas) anymore. But the lusciousness of Palm Springs makes you forget the desert.

Joshua Tree

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Last year we had such a good time exploring Palm Springs, we decided to visit again during Modernism Week in February. Palm Springs was a getaway spot for Hollywood stars, beginning in the 1940s and then for those who could afford a vacation home. The style of architecture, mid-century Modernism, dominates the town. Mid-twentieth century, that is. Mission–style homes and new LEED certified complexes also make up the architecture of Palm Springs.

Tiki without Tacky – Royal Hawaiian Estates

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Cloverdale River Park follows the Russian River for a little over a mile. Trail is paved and flat – my favorite kind. We almost started our walk at the south end of the park on First Street. (The other entrance is at the McCray on the north end of the park.) We made a detour to the cemetery.

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Behind the restaurants, shops and galleries of downtown Petaluma is a walk along the Petaluma River. Paths are improving but we’ve had to have a sense of exploration to make it work.

Walking bridge south of Washington St.

Previously, we crossed the bridge near the Apple Box at B Street. But then we had to wander around a strip mall to get back to the river. In January, we stayed on First Street and crossed the river at the D Street drawbridge. It’s a noisy bridge, but I enjoyed the sound and the sense of an older mechanical age.