(no subject)

[winterbadger]

So, I was corresponding with someone about dating. She doesn't feel like dating me (the whole not being here in a year thing), but she did suggest this when we got to talking about vacations (she's from California).

I'd start with Muir Woods--the Redwoods. You hike through these trails that wind through the giant redwoods--it will be one of the most peaceful places you have ever been. There's a park near Santa Cruz called Natural bridges state park. At certain times of the year (I never remember) hundreds of thousands of Monarch butterflies stop there and hang out in a really small area. It's really cool and very beautiful.

There's a road near Carmel called 17 Mile Drive. You do have to pay to go on it, but you drive through some of the most beautiful views you have ever seen. Sunset is the only time I would do this trip. When I was there with a friend, we stopped and climbed out on a rock cliff overlooking the ocean and meditated--it was incredible.

There's a very different hotel in Jenner, CA, called Timber Cove. The cool thing is that they have all these raccoons that hang out with you. They come right up to you. They have these outdoor hot tubs (not in the tacky hotel-jacuzzi way--in the northern CA natural way) and you sit in them and the raccoons will just come and hang out with you. It's in a beautiful area. The hotel itself is nice, but slightly 70's, just a kind of cool, different place to stay.

That sounds pretty nice!

And my buddy bidger is up at Grand Lake, CO, *right now* with his family. I am *so* jealous! Chris and I went up there three years ago, and it is *so* beautiful there...

Comments

[flyingwolf.livejournal.com]

when are you thinking about going? I've got this free trip to SJC to book within the next month or so.

(I loved Muir woods and have heard about the butterflys. Decided not to pay for the 17 mile drive though. could reconsider that. I have no pics from Muir woods 'cause it was during that trip my camera died. Of course, I didn't know it was dead and shot many rolls. I think it was that trip that got me away from photography for way too long. It was summer & the coast was foggy (I went north.) Cut across to the major highway at some point (I could tell you if I looked at a map) and drove through a state forest. On a whim I pulled out and went walking. Now THAT was the most peaceful place. I was totally alone. No road sounds. No people. Just me & the trees. It was so amazing. Redwoods grow in circles, so you can stand in the middle and be surrounded by them.

And the stars! (I ended up at a KOA that night and went out into a field. No moon. Milky way clearly visible. OK. Now I REALLY want to go back.

[winterbadger]

I've put in at work for the week of Sept 4-8 off; I'll probably take the weekends on either side.

So far the contenders are northern California, Olympic National Park, and somewhere in the Canadian Maritimes. Though I'm still tempted to plan that trip to the Orkneys and Shetlands...

[flyingwolf.livejournal.com]

I can't do anything until the middle of October.