Saturday 16th May – Sacramento

We drive from Stockton, California to Sacramento, California and then on to Point Reyes, California.

Sacramento

After waking, Bronwen and I drove to a McDonald’s and used their Wi-Fi to plan what to do next. This was complicated. Then we drove to Sacramento, went for a walk, and had lunch at an American Sizzler. It was surprisingly similar to Australia, though drinks weren’t on tap and all the salads were different.

Point Reyes and the San Andreas Fault

After Sacramento we drove to Point Reyes National Seashore and walked along the San Andreas Fault, looking at a fence that had been pulled sixteen metres apart in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and surviving intact and not dead.

Then, having not showered for some time, we went and showered at a campsite. It was very nice and warm—and because the camping office was shut so we had no way of paying, free.

Bronwen on the San Andreas Fault (marked by the blue posts)Bronwen on the San Andreas Fault. The fence used to be straight.A fence that was torn apart in the 1906 earthquakeBronwen survives a terrifying crack in the ground

Night

After our showers we drove (and walked) to the beach and went for a walk, watched the sunset, and saw some whales swimming by—remarkably close to the shore.

Once the sun had set we drove to a now-closed camp information centre where Bronwen heated some soup for dinner while I copied photos off the camera onto the netbook.

Tsunami hazard zone. In case of earthquake, panic because it is very, very flat here and the nearest high ground is miles awayThe beach at Point ReyesSunset at Point ReyesSome of the many flowers at Point ReyesSunset at Point Reyes National SeashoreSunset at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome whales pass byA whale spouting

Sunday 17th May – Point Reyes to Fort Bragg

We drive from Point Reyes, California to Fort Bragg, California along California 1, following the scenic coastline.

Point Reyes National Seashore

We were awoken very early by a forestry person telling us we couldn’t sleep in the carpark. She started quite angrily, but let us off with a warning. Of all the places we went in the US, California was by far the worst when it comes to nanny-state-ism—in most other places, if we asked if there was anywhere we could camp for free they would be surprised anyone would bother asking, and tell us anywhere would be fine and there was a nice spot by a stream just up the road but watch out for bears.

We then drove to Point Reyes Lighthouse, and had a look around Point Reyes National Seashore, looking at the Point Reyes Lifeboat Station and climbing to the top of a hill.

Ned looks down at some elephant sealsThe coastline at Point ReyesBambi and friendsPoint Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreBronwen on the way to Point Reyes LighthouseSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreBronwen on the way to Point Reyes LighthouseSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreLichen at Point ReyesPoint Reyes LighthousePoint Reyes LighthousePoint Reyes LighthouseSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreLichen at Point Reyes LighthouseWind-blown rocks at Point ReyesBronwen on the way back from Point Reyes LighthouseSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreElephant seals at Point ReyesSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreMany birds hiding on an islandThe historic Point Reyes Lifeboat StationSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreProof aliens existBronwen at the top of Point ReyesSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreSome of the many flowers at Point Reyes National SeashoreThou shalt go no further

Fort Bragg

We then spent the rest of the day driving through lots of marine conservation areas, historic state parks and state reserves, along the scenic coast to Fort Bragg, sleeping at a friendly Safeway. There were many oyster sellers, and the road was at times almost impassable because of the number of people stopping at them.

An interesting tree sculptureWhat passes for a fantastic beach in CaliforniaPeople hiding from the wind on a Californian beachSome of the many flowers on the drive to Fort BraggThe coastline on the drive to Fort BraggThe coastline on the drive to Fort BraggThe coastline on the drive to Fort BraggSome of the many flowers on the drive to Fort BraggThe coastline on the drive to Fort BraggVery scary sea animalsNed surprised to be surviving a Californian beachThe coastline on the drive to Fort BraggThe coastline on the drive to Fort BraggThe windy road to Fort BraggThe windy road to Fort BraggThe windy road to Fort BraggOne of the many plants on the drive to Fort BraggYet another flower