Karla's Kronicles #4

The Karla Kronicles - March 2006
We are in Seaside Oregon as of today and I will get a Kronicle's out of our Northern California travels. Our last Kronicles were written from Soledad Canyon (near Palmdale) in California, then we headed for the San Benito Preserve, located on Hwy. 25 South of San Jose; east of Monterey Bay area. This was another beautiful preserve, full of critters. We saw a Bobcat within an hour after our arrival. There were also Black tail Deer, Quail, Acorn Woodpeckers, Blue Heron, Rabbits and Squirrels all within the Preserve.
We took a day trip to visit Pinnacles National Monument, about 25 miles south of the Preserve. We had no prior knowledge of this National Monument, but it was well worth the visit. There are about 50 miles of hiking trails, we made a 7 mile loop that took us to the edge of the San Andreas Fault Line. It does make a person think "am I standing on future ocean front property?" One area of the trail got a bit scary for me. The trail was so steep that they had carved toe holds and installed very stable railing (Thank You, Rangers) to go up and over and back down this one ridge of rocks. The overhanging rocks were so low that my hiking poles (strapped to my pack) kept hitting the rocks above. My choices were to crawl on the trail or hang my head over the rail (looking downward) and step sideways.
Well, for those of you that know me and my acrophobia, I chose hands and knees. I got so frustrated fighting my backpack in tight quarters that I removed it and pushed it ahead of me until the downward side; then I tossed it down the rock to the next ledge (and retrieved it after working my way down). Larry was not pleased. "You never let go of your pack on a rock ledge!"
	Oh well, I managed to get my nerves back and continue the hike. Knees shaking, rapid breathing. We had been forewarned it got steep and narrow at one point, but the Ranger said it was safe and OK with the hand rails. Well, Larry Dayhike held my hand (again), gave me all sorts of moral support, waited on me. I would probably do this hike again, but with hip packs. We weren't sure of the weather conditions so we took our larger day packs. Coats, gloves, rain gear, cold weather gear, and packs became more awkward, but we were prepared. You do not hike with Larry Dayhike without the 10 essentials and then some. He keeps us safe and prepared.
As we got lower, the trail became easy again, so with time to spare, we branched off to see the reservoir and explore some caves that were formed by volcanic activity (lava and fallen boulders forming caves and tunnels). Amazing temperature change. Once in the caves, you wanted your gloves and warm clothing; step outside and it was a different environment entirely. We would like to go back to Pinnacles and have more time to explore; it is a very remote and beautiful National Monument.
	Our stay at Delta Shores was just a stop over. We didn't even unhitch the truck, although we were there 3 nights. Very heavy winds and rains; the RV shook for 4 days and we did not sleep very well. Not a highlight of our trip, for sure! We were anxious to get back on the road and continue up 101 into Northern California! Our Thousand Trails preserve in Sonoma County along the Russian River is thusly named "Russian River Resort". Our stop here allowed for some exploration of the Napa and Sonoma County Wine Country. The rolling hills of northern California and the Estate-styled Wineries and manicured fields of vineyards were more beautiful than we had envisioned.
And here at the Russian River Resort we must introduce "Karla's Kronicle Kritter for March 2006". This is the Acorn Woodpecker. We also saw this Woodpecker at San Benito (he's been following us). He's very active and not at all shy. We happened to park the RV in a site that would gave us a clear shot through the trees for our satellite connection. The back of our RV was about 8 inches from this large fir tree and we noticed several Acorn Woodpeckers would visit.
	With our reflective windows, this one fellow was either feeling "threatened" by his own reflection or he was feeling amorous and trying to mate with his reflection. Hard to say. A squirrel went up this tree one day and was attacked viciously by these woodpeckers. We really didn't think too much about it (nature's way and all) until we went outside and took a closer look at this tree. We had parked by their winter Cache! That entire tree was riddled with holes the woodpeckers drilled, with stored acorns and partially pecked out acorns. And they were really plugged in there. Larry had to use his pocket knife to pry one loose - after what they did to the squirrel I think Larry was very brave to mess with their Cache!
March 5th took us into Redwood Trails just south of the Redwoods National Park.
	We hiked the Lady Bird Johnson Trail Loop and drove the Redwoods Coastal Trail a few miles until the road was closed due to mud slides.
Humboldt State Park was within walking distance of the RV park, so we ventured there one morning. Beautiful beach, but not sandy, is was tiny pea gravel sized rocks.
	The Redwood Trails/Stone Lagoon Resorts were unique. Actually, these two resorts are side-by-side, one heavily treed, one with more open sites. They put RV'ers in the more open sites in the winter months as the "treed" area is pretty dark and damp. We were happy with the arrangement for more daylight and satellite coverage and because it allowed for wonderful viewing of a large Herd of Roosevelt Elk in Residence.
At one point I counted 51 Elk. Every day we were surrounded by these magnificent Elk. We are being "mooned" here.
	And then in the evening, Larry would relax in his chair with his glass of Vino and watch the Elk grazed past our window.
Walking around the preserve, you find lots of evidence of the Elk's wanderings. We think they bed down at this little lake most evenings. There is evidence of tree-rubbing, prints, scat all around this setting in the woods. We had been hopeful we would see Elk in this area, but had no idea we would be part of the Herd each day!
So, next Kronicles will be written from Marblemount Washington as our route now takes us up 101 from Oregon into Washington and around the Olympic Peninsula. We are getting anxious to be "home" at SCOHEDAKEBLA. Wishing you all Health and Happiness! Karla and Larry

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