The Lost Coast

After a brutally long and windy road to Shelter Cove, we reached the southern trail head of the Lost Coast. Known for its desolation and popular with backpackers, this stretch of coastline is stunning in the severity of its isolation. Blackish gray sand lay in a strip of coastline surrounded by savage shorebreak on one side and steep cliffs leading up to redwood forests on the other side. There was a noted lack of life in the area, coupled with the stout wind, and hazy fog slipping in and out of view gave the place a beautiful, but eerie feel.

At the trailhead parking lot


Me and my mom with the vast expanse behind us

Another scenic shot

Random huge boulder in the middle of the beach where we decided to turn around. It looked so much closer than it actually was! After our long hike back to the car, we headed for San Francisco and the end of another wonderful family vaction. Can't wait for the next one!

Happy Birthday America

Classic 4th of July. Celebration in Arcata Square, followed by a Crabs win, and then some drinking, grilling, and fireworks at Coach Nutter's house. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Me and my dad in Arcata Square on another beautiful day in Humboldt County


The World Famous Crabs Grass Band in full force for the day game on the 4th

It's Sunday and that means that kids get to run the bases after the game and give the Crab's players high fives on their way home

The fam in front of Arcata Ballpark, home of the Crabs

Coach Nutter's front yard. Not a bad view, huh? Nevermind the view though, we have a sibling rivalry to reignite on the ping pong table.

Crescent City Pier

My dad checked off the northernmost pier in California when we drove up to Crescent City. Another beautiful drive north of Humboldt took us through more beautiful redwoods growing right down to the jagged coastline overlooking the Pacific. Crescent City is a stone's throw from Oregon and isn't much to write home about. It's basically just a fishing village, but it has a pier, so there we were. One more crossed off the list!

Go Crabbies!

Prior to one of Scotty's games, we explored the northern spit of Humboldt Bay. We checked out all of the motoheads playing in the dunes and walked down to the beach to check the surf at the north jetty. We also went to Samoa Cookhouse, a historical feedhouse for loggers working at the mill. It was full of old logger memorabilia and cool old photos. The meal was worthy of a logger after a hard day's work too. Served family style, there was tons of food and as much as you like. Needless to say, we were very satisfied and ready for some Crabs baseball that evening.

Scotty in his home whites in between innings

Base hit! Nice follow through.

Baseball the way it was meant to be. Crabs games are the most fun I've ever had at a baseball game. Scotty defintely seems to be enjoying his time up there too. Look at that smile.

"Sanchez, you have more errors than hits this season. Your thoughts...?"

Patrick's Point/Trinidad

On our way back from Fern Canyon we stopped off at Patrick's Point State Park to make the most of our California State Park day use pass. The coast line jutts out here and let's you see for miles both north and south past a jagged coastline teaming with seals, sea lions, and tide pools.

On our way home from Patrick's Point, we stopped in Trinidad for a delicious seafood lunch. My dad checked another pier off his list at the Trinidad Pier and we picked up some smoked fish in town for dinner. I definitely got my seafood fix on this trip.

Fern Canyon

North of McKinleyville is Redwood National Park. After 8 miles on a steep up and down dirt road through breathtaking Redwood forests, dodging backhoes, steam rollers, and various other heavy machinery, we emerged at the coast and the trail head for Fern Canyon. A short hike brought us to the entrance of the canyon, where we were transported into another world. Steep walls line either side of a creek bed covered completely in lush, prehistoric ferns. On top of these giant shear walls sit giant redwood trees that filter the light, allowing only sparse beams of light to penetrate into the canyon below giving the place a heavenly and pristine feel. We wandered up the creek bed until we were spit out of the east end of the canyon up a steep set of steps into the Redwood forest creating somewhat of a sensory overload moving from one beautiful vista to the next. Around each corner was another breathtaking sight with a lack of words to describe it.

To get to the trail head, we had to ford a couple of small streams. The Explorer was up to the task and handled them with ease, also making for a fun little sequence of photos.

Drive-Thru Tree

On our way up to Humboldt from San Francisco, we stopped at the Drive-Thru Tree. Clearly a tourist trap, but still cool nonetheless. It was one of those things that my Dad drove by a million times in his travels to and from college, but had never stopped to check out. It never ceases to amaze me how massive and beautiful the giant Redwoods are in Northern California. We took Scotty's car, as well as my mom's, through the tree. It was a tight fit and I knicked the side view mirror on my mom's car squezzing through. Sorry mom!

Get Your Brooms Out!

My parents and I drove down to Rincon before game 3. Another beautiful day out, but the wind had picked up and blown out most of the surf. There were still a dedicated few catching some small choppy stuff. We walked around "el rincon" at Rincon and took in the sites enjoying the sunny, breezy morning.

Then it was back to Goleta with visions of a sweep dancing in our heads. Davis got in a hole early going down 8-0, but came roaring back in dramatic fashion to score 8 unanswered runs. 2 of these runs came in the 8th and 4 in the 9th taking the game to extras. Davis plated another run in the top of the 10th to take the lead. In the bottom of the 10th with runners on the corners and 1 out, Lewis induced a slow ground ball up the middle that Scotty took himself for a game ending 4-3 double play giving Davis the extra innings win and series sweep.

Scotty crossing the plate for one of his 2 runs scored. He went 1-5 with 2 runs, an RBI, and a walk.

Game ending double play to clinch the sweep

Joining a Quest and Game 2

My dad has embarked on a quest to walk out on every pier on the California coast. I joined him in his crusade the morning before game 2 of the series in downtown Santa Barbara. My mom went shopping while my dad and I walked out on Stearns Wharf (Santa Barbara's main pier). Santa barbara provided us with another beautiful day to emphasize its picturesque setting.

The pier crusader leading the charge.

Brave pelican that let everyone come right up to it for pictures.

Then it was time to had back to Goleta for game 2. I got some more decent action shots and Davis took game 2 in convincing fashion 11-6. Scotty had another great game going 1 for 4 with 2 runs and played some stellar defense at second base.