Spring Break Daytrip

 

Our much anticipated Spring Break is in the past.

All of us needed a break before we headed into the end of the

school year rush.

We had various things planned for the week but some

unexpected rain and an injury forced us to rethink most of our plans.

Yet, Rudy had taken two days off and we were determined to take

a day-trip somewhere close.

The first place mentioned was Yosemite but the thought of

Spring Break crowds deterred us.

Then we settled on Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park south of Yosemite

 but rain in the valley equaled snow and closed roads in those parks.

So, kind of last minute, we headed west to the coastal range and

spent some time at Pinnacles National Park.

 

Never heard of it?

We were not familiar with it either so thought it merited

some checking out.

It used to be a state park but within the past five years

it became a national park.

 

This was the view as we headed south from Hollister;

rolling hills and vineyards.

 

 

Finally, after traversing a narrow road for quite some time, we came to the entrance.

 

 

 And because we are unable to take normal pictures...

 

We also look for the most interesting views...

 

The park is located right next to the San Andreas Fault

(which is the famous one that runs through San Francisco).

Previous earthquake activity is responsible for the rock formations

and for the talus caves.

 

We picnicked in the shady oak grove.

There is more sun than shade in this park so the picnic area was greatly appreciated.

 

Then it was time to hit the trail to the talus caves and reservoir.

I was recovering from a knee injury so I walked a little ways up the trail

with the group and then returned to my little private vacation time under the oaks.

 

 

 

To see to get through the caves, you had to bring your own light.

Headlamps work very well in this kind of situation.

 

They got to the reservoir by going through the caves.

 

 Long before I expected them to return, they were back to "rescue" me from

my solitary afternoon.  What they didn't realize was that I was just fine

 basking in my aloneness shaded by a big oak tree.

 

This was my view to the right and to the left...

 

This was a nice shady area along the road.

If the whole park were this shady, I would have done quite fine.

 

We were glad we had gone in the spring because we could see that summer and fall

would be blistering hot especially out through the rocks.

Pinnacles has many miles of hiking trails but that is all they have

so if you don't want to hike, there is nothing else to do

unless you are like me and don't mind hanging out with a book,

magazine, and a big bottle of water.

 

As we headed back through the hills toward the central valley, 

We were thrilled to see that there was water in the San Luis Reservoir.

We stopped at the visitor's center and the ranger said that the water would

soon be moving south toward Los Angeles.

 

This is the general feeling in California.

It's the only way for this drought to end.

 

 

Our much anticipated week of vacation was an opportunity for

us to spend time together and regroup for the crazy slide toward the end of the school year.

We spent some time at the flea market, time shopping, completed some projects,

spent time with each other, and enjoyed relaxing.

Despite a few minor readjustments, the week was a success.

 

Now the count-down has begun.  Some people have four weeks of school

remaining and some have five but I know they will be very busy

and pass very quickly. 

 

 

***************************

 

We often refer to bragging and self-congratulatory remarks as

"stroking the ego."

Tiana was overheard playing with some imaginary friends and one

of them must have been in a bragging mood because she told them to,

"quit petting your eagle."