Checking In

It has been awhile.

I finished my trip and went back to Rhode Island. I started packing up in anticipation of moving.

In January of 2017 I left Rhode Island and moved back to New Mexico. I found 10 acres in the Ortiz Mountains between Cerrillos and Madrid. 

It has a mobile home that had a remodel started, I finished that and upgraded the solar system. I moved the existing solar system to the shed, that I am working on turning into a studio.

I have been working in the garden to clear shrubs near the house for a fire break and to prepare to landscape it. I have been redoing the the fencing around the vegetable garden and should start planting in the next week or two.

Still have a lot of work to do.

October 4 Butano State Park

Today I got up and drove aver the hill to Woodside and then on to San Mateo in search of Dim Sum.

The places I used to go to were gone, except for ABC Seafood in Foster City's that is where I filled up on Dim Sum. Ordered all of my favorites, the best.

I then headed to Big 5 in search of a tent pole, no luck.

Then it was back over the hill back too Butano State Park.

As I got to Half Moon Bay I saw where the Flying Fish had moved to, lunch tomorrow.

Stopped at a few spots along the way, old hangouts.

Got back to the campsite and wandered through the woods for awhile.

Read, made dinner and went to sleep.

October 3 Samuel Taylor to Butano State Park

Left Marin and headed across the Golden Gate and down to Burlingame.

Drove down through Hillsborough to check out the old neighborhood.

Had to make a stop for breakfast a the Copenhagen Bakery for a High Cinnamon roll, bought a French Chocolate Snail for later.

Wandered around Burlingame Avenue and saw all of the changes.

Took the car in for an oil change and got the laundry out of the way.

I then took 92 out to Half Moon Day. Was going to go to the Flying Fish but they weren't where they used to be. I headed south to Butano State Park to get a campsite.

I then spent the rest of the day resting.

October 2, 2016 Bodega Bay to Samuel P. Taylor State Park

Tent was soaked form the fog this morning. I again jumped out of bed and drove off into the fog. First I went to the Wharf and then back up to Bodega Bay SP. There were deer everywhere attempted to capture a hawk. I believe I got some nice pelicans in the fog.

Went back and made a futile attempt to dry the tent before packing it up. The pole for the fly snapped, I will repair it where every I end up tonight. SH

Drove through the fog to Pt. Reyes Lighthouse, hiked just short of half a mile to the top of the stairs leading down to the lighthouse. Thirty stories, 308 stair steps each way. So I ascended and descended and then ascended and descended. Then drove back the 19 miles I drove in and headed on the road to San Rafael. A road I immediately recognized as I had lived on it in 1973. The days of listening to horse next door when they went out riding. Three hundred dollar a month phone bills to Lori in Joliet. A summer of madness that I won’t go into.

I also knew that there is a state park up this road in the Redwoods. Samuel P. Taylor State Park and you have a space for me. A Turkey Vulture just flew overhead; I think it has been following me since Rhode Island. Could be a government drone disguised as a Turkey Vulture. Fuck your $willary you will not get my vote, damn the thing just shat on me.

So I semi repaired my tent for now at least. I may have to find a good sporting goods store or the right sized branch I can whittle down.

I have some firewood for tonight, my neighbor last night gave me some as they were leaving and had a large stack that were no going to take.

Tonight calls for Habanero Green Chile Chicken Sausage from Aidell’s, cooked over an open flame then wrapped in a piece of sourdough bread.

Okay time to light the fire. Tomorrow I cross the Golden Gate.

October 1, 2016 Westside Park Campground

Awoke to a thick fog, jumped in the car and drove back to where I left off last night.

Found deer, quail and hawks, we will see what I can load from the discs. I now have 2 that have failed and I continue to try different way to download the pictures. So far nothing had worked.

Walked the whole rim of the Bodega Bay State Beach before breakfast. Found deer and followed a Hawk; caught a picture just after it struck a bird in midair.

Went to lunch at the Tides restaurant in Bodega Bay. I had a Crab Louie salad, haven’t had one of those in a while. It was very good, even out of season.

Went back to the campsite and took a hike across the street in the Refuge. Hiked up to the top of the dunes to get a picture of Bodega Bay from the west side. It started out fun, didn’t realize what I had gotten into and then I couldn’t turn back. So I took off layers of clothing and wished I had brought water. I continued on. I made it to the top. Now I have to get back down.

So I lost some more pictures on another disc today.  I do not believe I have ever had a disc fail and now I have two in two days.

Put a new disc in the camera last night so I have pictures from today from one camera.

Tomorrow I move down the coast, not sure how far. I am going to Point Reyes Lighthouse on the way.

September 30, 2016 Wright’s Beach to Westside Campground

I went out early and took pictures of the shipwreck on the beach.

I checked with the campground host about another night, she didn’t have a very goo space left but I asked if she could hold it for 30 minute while I checked the other place. She said okay and I went to the other place secured a site and then switched.

UC Davies Marine lab has an open house from 2-4 on Fridays. They give tours of the lab

and grounds very informative. If you are in the area on a Friday stop by.

Drove around the bay taking pictures of the birds in the bay. It was a very windy day and the temperature did not reach the predicted high. I took a long hike seeking birds of prey, quails and deer I had seen previously.

Went into to town to resupply, if you need a kite or saltwater taffy you will have plenty of choses. I believe there are about 8 of these stores in a one-mile stretch of road.

Drove to Bodega Bay State Beach and took some sunset pictures tonight.

Sat and watched the sky fill with stars, it is a good night.

September 29, 2016 Rocklin to Bodega Bay

After a long farewell I continued my journey. First fill up the car and get a bag of ice.

I then hit the road and promptly got cut off, no signal, by a woman in a Navigator, I blasted my horn at her. At the next light there were two left turn lanes, I went far left and she went to the right of me, she apologized profusely. I think she saw what was draped over the headrest and got paranoid.

Traffic was very heavy until I got off of I80w. Then it was a beautiful drive through the Carneros Valley, Sonoma and then to Bodega Bay. I got to Wright’s campground and one of the last two sites for the night. I will find out if I can stay another night tomorrow.

I drove around and took about 300 pictures today, went to download them and the disc crashed. I am not HAPPY.

While I was driving around I did see another campground that is on the west side of Bodega Bay and I can put my kayak in the water. Since most of my pictures today were of the birds at the bay I could possible get some better angles. Might just move tomorrow.

Sunset got fogged out, nothing to develop ^*%##&*)*&^^.

Good Night!