Sunday, July 4, 2010

We stopped for gas and started our day on the Pacific Coast Highway, California highway 1. The weather was cool and foggy and the views spectacular. I could have skipped everything else just to witness the beauty along this highway. Hoke claims he caught a glimpse of whales spouting in the distance. I was skeptical, but couldn't argue. Actually, I think I was jealous. While I had been scanning the horizon craving a glimpse of a whale, Hoke had his face buried in a handheld electronic gaming device. I begged him to enjoy the view and when he finally did, he announced he had seen a whale. I still want to argue with him, but I do believe I am just envious I didn't spot a whale. Our goal was to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and we made it. The traffic was so bad, we were beginning to wonder if we would make it. Parked in a campground just a few miles after this feat. When I use the term park I am refering to the fact that the camping spots were so small it was almost as if it were a parking space. It was the most expensive place yet and we were parked so close I wondered if we could open our door without hitting the camper beside us. After supper, Sammy took the kids on a walk through an open field, adjacent to the campground, that stretched to the San Francisco Bay. I did hear murmurings of no trespassing signs and recent pesticide application signs. Did that stop this crowd? Not hardly. They made it to the bay edge and lingered there until dusk. Sammy happened to notice a skunk about 15 feet off the path and they then decided it was time to return. Then another skunk was spotted just off the path on the other side. Their pace quickened and Sammy even dropped his phone in the retreat. After retrieving the phone and continuing their jaunt back to the camper, Sammy noticed, yet another, skunk. This one was located less than 2 feet off the path. The skunk didn't seem alarmed, so, armed with his smaller offspring in front of him, he urged them to walk cautiously and purposefully. Addie did say that when Sammy tried to pass, the skunk kept raising and lowering it's tail and they were certain their daddy would be sprayed. Alas, we were spared the episode of skunk spray removal. No doubt, Sammy would have had to sleep outside if not. We were hoping to be able to see some of the San Francisco fireworks from here but no luck. We could hear lots of noise just no lights.

Looking over the face of an oceanside cliff

Can't tell from the picture but there are elephant seals resting on the rocks

Alcatraz as seen from the Golden Gate Bridge while driving on a foggy day