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Pinnacles National Park

We headed down for our third trip to California over spring break.

Once again I took lots of flower shots.

 After landing in San Fran, we headed to the Pinnacles National Park.

Much complaining about boring hiking - luckily it only lasted about 50 meters.

 California was hit by a lot of rain right before and as we arrived, so it was a lot lusher and greener than usual.

 Rain on a saxifrage

 There is a really easily accessible cave system that is doable with little people.
Fun but scary according to Cassia.

 Froggy in the cave

 Shooting star flower (Dodecatheon sp.)

Orange borage (not it's actual name, but maybe it should be).

 We were camped next to a big patch of miner's lettuce.

 Snacking on miner's lettuce.

 Starry Night patterns on a dead log

 She was so pumped to see a bunny.

 Learning how to get the fire going with Dad.

 

I took another eleventy million pictures of California poppies.

Updates

Back in 2007, when I started this blog it was my only way to share photos with friends (I wasn't even on facebook!). These days I am much more likely to post pics on Instagram, so if you're looking for updates of the kids, our house renos, or the slug I saw in the back yard, head over to the other naturenerding.

40

I turned 40 this year, so my stellar husband sent me off to the South Chilcotins for a few days with one of my dearest friends. If this is a sign of what my fourties will be like, bring it on!

 

 We had no objectives (besides ride lots and have fun) when we got there, but we somehow stumbled into a fantastic ride over two passes and down into Spruce lake. I'm guessing we rode about 50km our first day.

 

What I packed for a long day.

 T climbing up to Windy Pass.

 Windy Pass

 Looking down towards Spruce lake.

 Gun Meadows. Smooth, flowy, fun, stunning.

 Aspen grove

After 9 hours of riding we were lucky enough to sleep at Tyax Lodge and wake up to drink coffee from the deck and look out at this view. We were also happy to do some yoga on the dock in the sunshine instead of hopping right back on our bikes!

 We did finally get back on the bikes. We hired a guide and got a delicious three hour tour of some of the local trails.

 We'll be back.

Hornby Island

 

Back in August we did our third family pilgrimage to Hornby Island.

 

Our attempt at a family selfie taken at the front of the ferry.

Cassia and her buddy Violet. Everything is good so long as no one touches blanket.

Party in the boat.

Delicious curries

I always forget that the coastal forests feel so different than the interior rainforest. And then I walk under a canopy of red alder and big leaf maple and I realize I've been missing something and suddenly feel very at home.

Selfies with kids are fun.

I love it when my kid gets all nature-nerdy.

Bat star

She was impressed that the sea star perfectly matched her dress.

Daddy's girl for sure.

Mount Tamalplais

We headed to Mount Tamalplais state park for one more camping trip and discovered this gem of a campsite right by the sea.

 

Well, actually they were out of campsites and we were forced to stay in a cabin. Cassia clapped with glee when we told her.

The flowers were out in full bloom and I got busy with my camera. My love affair with California poppies continues.

More flowers that I haven't identified.  Once again I searched every book store for a good plant guide and there doesn't seem to be one. Would someone please write a decent guide for California? I nominate Pojar and Mackinnon. Plant guides organized by flower colour drive me batty.

Sunshine, the ocean, flowers and a happy family. No wonder Cassia is suggesting we go on more vacations.

 

 This kid is keen to climb.

 A selection of tiny beach treasures.

 Morning sunshine.

I'm pretty sure these are a borage.I'd put this in a plant guide if I were writing one. Just sayin'.

 California newt out after a rain storm.