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Saturday, May 6, 2017

Camping: Arroyo Seco Day 1

May 5th


 This weekend we're going test camping in Arroyo Seco.  We haven't been camping in a while, so we're doing a trip not far from home in case everything goes awry. 

 We stopped to let Ta out and to take photos.  This is Cow Vetch (Vicia cracca) and it's pretty.

 The clouds and coming down on the picturesque countryside.

 Dan is taking Ta for a short walk.

I found this not quite a dandelion.  Puff and bud.

It was pretty long and kind of weedy, but neat.

We got to the campground and were told we couldn't check in for another hour or so.  The "park ranger" Dale was not pleasant to deal with.  We referred to him as Dipshit Dale from this point on.

We ultimately ended up camping up in that top little set of loops.

There was some deal with Dipshit Dale where we couldn't set up our tent until after a certain time because people might have those spots or something.  I don't know.  There were like, 4 other people camping here.  Whatever.  We drove up to this upper area and decided to take Ta out for a hike until it was the appropriate time to set up our campsite.

This is the Seco, Arroyo.  Creek, Dry.  It's not so dry right now.

This trip will feature Ta, because who doesn't need more Ta?

I think this is Indian Paintbrush and some yellow flowers.

All sorts of wildflowers!

River running through the valley.

Flowers on sticks!

Flowers and water and hills!

Dan and Ta on the trail.

Uh...a doll tied to a tree.  That's weird.

Little puff wildflowers.

Picturesque! 

We were there!

I found a tiny bit of shade.

Ta leading the way.

The trail was also a fire access road.  I think I'm taking a picture of flowers.  
None of those photos turned out.

Ta is investigating.

Ta and I in a tree!  Well, okay, it's me in the tree and Ta on the ground.

I think this is about where we turned around so that we could head back for the acceptable time for campsite set-up.  

Campsite!  Dan and I still know how to put up a tent.  Also Ta moved during the panorama.  Also Also, there was no one else over here.  Oh Dale.

This concludes our adventures for today.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Whale Watching

April 10th

 I went on a whale watching trip today.

 It started out with this otter.

 He rolled around a lot.

I choose to believe that this boat belongs to that sea lion.  
It's flying the Kanaka Maoli flag of Hawaii.

 Blorp.

 Sea lion pile under the dock.

 This sea lion has a seagull escort.  I bet they're picking a boat to buy.

 The Coast Guard pier is the preferred spot for hundreds of sea lions.

There isn't enough room, so some are in the the water.  
The ones in the water are raising their flippers to stay warm.

 Arp! Arp! Arp!....or a yawn.

 Otter mom and baby!

 The water side of Cannery Row.

 Sea lions on a buoy in front of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

 Onto the whales!

 I think these are Grey Whale humps.  

  A Humpback whale!

 Thar she blows!

 Flukes!

 More spouting.

 A two-fer, the black blob on the far right and one towards the left.  I think both Grey whales.

 Whale!

 Another whale!

 Humpback!

When we pulled back into the marina these seals were hanging out.

 It's soooooo round!

This concludes my adventures for today.


Monday, April 10, 2017

Point Lobos

April 9th


 Today we took our friend Krazi to Point Lobos.

 It's a beautiful state park. 

 We took the trail around Whaler's Cove.

Panorama!

 We had a lovely day, though slightly chilly, for walking around.

 We looked for otters, but didn't see any.

 Surf breaking up on the rocks.  The water was pretty calm today.

 There are some neat coastlines around here.

 Dan's artsy photo.


Whales!


 I think they are humpbacks.

 And then I found this caterpillar.  I have no idea what it is or what it becomes. 

It was a nice way to spend the morning.

This concludes our adventures for today.

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Cayman Islands Day 8 - Going Home

April 1st

 It wasn't a joke.  We had to leave.  I was very sad.

 Bye Grand Cayman!

At some point the sky and sea became the same.

 Some other islands....somewhere...actually this may be the Florida Keys.

It was a great trip, and I really could have spent more time with Jenny.  I miss her already.

This concludes our adventures for today.