CALIFORNIA DREAMING

Well, we finally had to throw in the towel and stay home. I took not one photograph. This is painful. Almost never does a day go by that I am not photographing. Another first. We went to Mt. Lemmon Sunday and after 45 minutes Koty stopped turned around and headed back down the trail. Normally, he can't get enough trail time.

So, I spent some time going through photos from last year's coastal shoot. Gads what I wouldn't give for some clouds and rain! This photograph did for me what I hope they each do for you. Take you away for a moment, away from whatever curve ball life may be throwing you or give just a quiet reflective moment in which to be grateful for all that you do have.

This photograph was taken at Keogh Beach, Pt. Reyes National Seashore in Northern California.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

PS: Christmas is coming so here is a gift idea under $20. Choose five note cards and tie them with a little satin ribbon. Your gift will be unique and personal.

SURF ALERT!

Surf's up in Monterey!

Mom took this photo at Marina Beach on Monterey Bay. There have been numerous storms through here since we arrived in the area and the waves have been amazing. Well at least to a Montanan! I think these guys are crazy to be out on those big, wild things in that freezing cold water. I like freezing cold but sure as heck not in the water!

I felt like running up to all of them and telling them they should head for Nicaragua! Mom's nephew, Lance Barnard Moss and his wife Kristin, run a first class surf camp there. And, it's warm and toasty! Serious surfers should check it out Surfari Charters. They also do fishing charters.

I would never have thought the waves could get so big in the bay. But, there they are!

© Kinsey Barnard

BACK TO PT. REYES

On Thursday we headed back to Pt. Reyes National Seashore. This time to Limantour Beach, which is in the Phillip Burton Wilderness Area. Limantour is a particularly nice beach. Broad and flat and hardly anyone there. Really nice for walking and cavorting. Mom did the walking I did the cavorting.

The biggest excitement of the day was spotting an American Bittern. They are members of the heron family. This bird has the ugliest feet. They are huge, yellow and have what look like claws. Really, the strangest feet on a bird I ever did see!

Friday we drove north with the idea of going to the Russian River. Despite all the storms the river was pretty low. The water was muddy and not very picturesque. We ended up in Guerneville and Armstrong Park. As usual hiking for us was pretty restricted. The dog thing don't you know. But, it is a pretty park in the midst of beautiful big redwoods and certainly worth the visit.

Ooops! I loaded the photos in reverse order! Sorry about that!

© Kinsey Barnard

MILL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA I SALUTE YOU!

Ok, I'm here to tell you, these people in Marin County, they are enlightened. They love their dogs and have really special places for them to romp and play! We found this place in Mill Valley where there is a dog park and a trail that goes all the way to Sausalito.

I should tell you about these cool books that the counties along 101 publish. They are called "101 Things To Do" and they seem to have them for most counties along the route. Anyway, we found the trail in that book. It starts at Bay Front Park and goes along Richardson Bay.

It was drizzling most of the tme and the clouds were so low they looked more like fog. But, what a great walk we had. There were wild birds everywhere. We saw snowy egrets, great blue heron, pin tail ducks, mallards, gulls, coots and a ton of birds we couldn't identify.

It's amazing how man and wildlife have adapted to each other and live in relative harmony. Unfortunately, mom wasn't carrying her long lense and most all the shots she tried had unattractive background. I've got a couple here to show you and the mailbox which was where people kinda recycle plactic bags for poopie pick up. I tell you, these people have got it together!

© Kinsey Barnard

MR. TOAD'S WILD RIDE!

We are still hiding out from the big storms here in Northern California. I think mom now has us scheduled for departure on Monday. I guess we'll just have to see how the weather holds.

Meantime, I can tell you about another adventure that we had. Mom decided to try heading south to see what we could see. Not too far south of Eureka we found The Avenue of the Giants. This is a drive that takes you through the oldest, virgin stand of redwoods in the world! That sounds like a wowser to me! Unfortunately, it was dark and dreary and mom didn't get any interesting pictures for me to show you.

Looking at the map it looked like there might be a cool loop you could make that took you through the Rockefeller Forest and eventually to a place known as the Lost Coast and then back to Ferndale and 101. Well, let me tell you. We got a lot more than we bargained for. On the little map we had picked up at the information place this loop looked like a easy little trip. What we ended up with was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. At least that what mom called it.

Me, I'm just glad I don't get car sick cuz I've never been on such a steep and windy road in all my live long days! I mean there were so hairpin turns my fur almost curled! And some place were so steep I wondered how little Shadow was going to be able to haul us up them.

After about 2.5 hours we made it to the Lost Coast. No wonder they call it "lost". I sure thought we were! It was beautiful but I'm not sure it was worth the drive getting there. Except, if you start in Ferndale it's a lot shorter drive.










© Kinsey Barnard

PS: Read what interior designer Kristi Linauer has to say about my mom's photography! Kristi Linauer Review