Meanwhile, Back in California…

May 12

While the original purpose of this blog was to share our world travels with family and friends and we stopped posting when we got back to our “normal” California lives, I’ve frequently found myself scrolling through my photos to show people what we’ve currently been up to. I occurs to me that this blog is a better venue to share those times.

So, let’s start with a little bit of show and tell about Henry Coe:

The Greatest State Park in America

I don’t think that’s an exaggeration. Henry Coe is the second largest state park in California and is fantastic. Utterly. Learn more here and here. It’s so great, that Sam and I have become uniformed volunteers to help out with trail maintenance and interpretation - we recently helped out as guides on a backpacking trip in the Orestimba Wilderness.

There’s no story here other than that Coe is awesome and beautiful. Enjoy the pictures.

Starting from the Hunting Hollow parking lot

Somewhere near Hunting Hollow

On the Spring Trail heading out from headquarters

Near Jackrabbit Lake

Shooting stars by the trail around Wilson Camp

A foggy morning

Clear skies on a ridge on another morning

Dinner time!

Nice view from the tent in the morning

Relaxing branch for lunch

And some feet washing in the creek

Same branch, different trip. It is irresistible to Joe.

Cooling off in the creek on a hot day

The view along a ridge

Camp near Mt Sizer peak

Oh, you’re so funny, Brian

She won an award. Out standing in her field. *rimshot

The road down from Mt Sizer

Watching the sun set

Camp at sunset

Light fog on the hills east of Vasquez Peak

Nice place to brush your teeth

The trail down Phegley Ridge. Basically the only flat part.

Sam getting ready for the day guiding a backpacking trip

Late sunrise on our campsite

Walking out from Orestimba Corral

Blooms and Bugs

The flora and fauna are one of the coolest attractions at Coe. Wildflowers in the spring are dense and delightful. Tarantulas are on walkabout for a mate in the fall: