Tomales Bay

Point Reyes National Seashore Sand Castle Competition @ Drake’s Beach

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It’s not the first time I’ve written about Point Reyes and nor will it be the last. This gorgeous stretch of ocean is magnificent and enjoyable no matter the time of year. The Drake’s Beach Sand Castle competition brought us for this journey and it did not disappoint. People and their abilities and imagination were immensely entertaining. Other times of the year the enormous Elephant Seals are breeding or calving on this very beach so it’s never dull.

*To those that had the foresight to recognize these gorgeous places as National Seashores or Parks you have my gratitude. And to those who continue to fight to keep them in that status you also have my gratitude. I am so lucky to have a place like this to share with my son who thinks it’s just normal to have these treasures.

I stop and take our photo in the tree tunnel every time we visit and hope I continue to have them when my son is bigger than me!

Tomales Bay Shipwreck – Point Reyes

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This will be my last installment for Tomales Bay until I have the opportunity to visit again which I suspect will be sooner rather than later. 😉 Driving through Inverness on my way to the Tomales Point Trail Hike I HAD TO STOP when I saw this grounded ship. Google tells me that this ship was wrecked and the owner always intended on fixing it but it soon became a roadside attraction. I was there at the right time because the lighting, the sun, and the reflection were ideal. This was the first photo of the day, which as many photographers know, makes the rest of the day icing on the cake. I am often terribly critical of the photos I take and this one is no exception taken only with my iPhone and not my “good camera.” However, I love this photo and can’t stop looking at it. I hope you enjoy it too.

“Only two sailors, in my experience, never ran aground. One never left port and the other was an atrocious liar.” -Don Bamford

Tomales Bay State Park – Heart’s Desire Beach

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While headed to Tomales Point Trail I saw a sign and a dot on the map for “Heart’s Desire Beach.” Well friends, the gimmick worked. I had to check it out and boy am I glad I did. This beach is on the Tomales Bay side of the peninsula not the ocean side so the waters were calm and quiet and serene. The cove was lovely and the stair stepped walk to the picnic overlook was stunning. I came for the ocean waves and was pleasantly surprised by this lovely little beach. I can’t wait to take my son to play here away from the dangers of the breaking waves and the shifting tides. As I was leaving people were dropping in their paddle boards to check out the quiet coast…

Check out my other posts on Tomales Bay and my posts on Point Reyes National Seashore.

Tomales Point Trail Dairy – Pierce Point

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As a follow up to my Tomales Point Trail – End of the Earth | Bulldog Travels post I wanted to share photos of the initial part of the hike called Pierce Point Dairy. Much of the area is or was historic dairy land. I must admit I am jealous of the view the cows in the area get for sure. Historic dairies dot the park in both Tomales Bay State Park and Point Reyes National Sea Shore including this old dairy where the buildings have been maintained or restored. It’s a fun spot to start the hike and a welcome vision on the return trip. While there are cows all over the park and the national seashore there were none present at this dairy likely having something to do with the Elk Preserve. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the rustic buildings. #HAPPYCOWS

Tomales Point Trail – End of the Earth

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On New Year’s Eve I bid 2020 adieu by hiking the Tomales Point trail in Tomales Bay State Park. This spectacular hike is about 9.5 miles round trip. (It felt like a lot longer truth be told.) Most of the hike is very easy and reasonably level. However, the trail gets a bit fast and lose at the end likely because many don’t hike the entire thing. And be ready for the wind sailors because there is plenty of it.

Much of the trail is in a Tule Elk preserve. I was hoping to maybe see one Elk. Well, I saw upwards towards fifty as well as a happy, fluffy, and comfortable coyote. The Elk were not even the slightest bit concerned with the many hikers paying them attention. Although While standing trying to take photos I saw a few who were pretty brazen getting a little too close for comfort if you ask me.

One needs to travel to Tomales Bay State park which is just outside of Inverness, Point Reyes and drive to the end of the earth. From there you hike about five miles to get literally to the end of the earth. You will be rewarded with a gorgeous ocean view, a view across the Bay to Dillon’s Beach (Bodega Bay), and a look down the gorgeous Tomales Bay.

The only question is why I haven’t done this any sooner.

Happy New Year everyone.