Lone Cypress Tree
9 am, January 22, 2015
I awake to a beautiful day. Today’s adventure is to continue driving up the Pacific Coast Highway (#PCH) taking in the sites and ending in Carmel. This is such a scenic highway, my favorite of all the roads I’ve driven.
The car is packed and I take one last look around to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything. I say goodbye and drive north. Driving on the PCH is an adventure with eyes wide open. The hairpin turns, falling rocks, sand stone cliffs, steep hills and lack of guard rails keeps you on your toes while the amazing scenery beckons to you. Thank God for scenic pull off vistas.
Sun Bathing
I take advantage of every single vista, stopping to breathe in the wondrous sites. iPhone in hand, I click away capturing the soul of California. As I drive north I see a sign for Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and I turn in. I pay $10 for the entrance fee, find a parking spot near Piney Woods overlooking the ocean.
I think I died and went to heaven, what a beautiful Reserve. Even though the trails are clearly marked, the Trail Map is quite useful. The chatter of Sea Lions can be heard in the distance as I make my way down the Sea Lion Point Trail. The trail reminds me of Torrey Pines Natural Reserve with the limestone cliffs.
Gingerly I make my way around the trail. My eyes gaze down to a large rock in the ocean where seals are trying to climb onto. It’s interesting to watch as they circle around it, waiting for that perfect wave to carry them on the rock. Once on the rock they precariously cling to it as the waves pummel them: No rest for the weary, apparently.
I continue my trek following the ocean. The path is windy and steep in some places. Watching my footing is crucial as I make my way around. The scenery is surreal with the Cypress trees and craggy rocks. The water has many hues ranging from turquoise to navy blue.
Various hues of blue
Cypress Grove Trail is less than a mile long as it carves its way through the Monterey Cypress Forest. If you are short on time then make this the trail to hike, it won’t disappoint.
Wildlife is abundant here. As I walked along the Whalers Knoll Trail I heard a snap in the woods. I turned to see three deer making their way through the underbrush, stopping to forage.
I spend the entire afternoon hiking through the Reserve and what a wonderful way to enjoy the day.
Life is Good…
Cypress Trees
A kind person snapped a picture of me
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