End of July - part two

After leaving Carmel, we detoured through Pacific Grove just to see it.  They had just celebrated their annual Festival of Lanterns, so the town was still all decorated.
The next day, Sunday, we went up to Quail Hollow Ranch in Felton and did a 5 mile trek around two trail areas there.  Then we were delighted to meet up with son Matthew at Roaring Camp for a post-hike-on-a-hot-day beer, then lunch and a visit.  The next morning, I headed back to the hot temps of August and home. During my time in the cool fog, a wildfire started near Quincy, so I was not surprised to find the canyon hazy with hanging smoke.  So far, the town and our loved ones are safe, I'm glad to say.

Carved from a stump?  Firemen are our everyday heroes.

At Quail Hollow Ranch, a secret gem of a place, we started with the meadow walk and then did the hill trail.

We didn't see any turtles, but apparently they live here in small numbers

Eucalyptus.  There were two big'uns along the trail

At the first overlook, you can see the Ranch where we started our hill trek.

The bench reads "Sunset Trail End"

No horses allowed on the Wood Rat Trail.

But other large mammals seem to be allowed

We've met up with Matt, had that ice cold beer as our reward, and now we're heading into Roaring Camp for lunch

Lunch has been consumed and many a tall tale swapped.

So good to get time with Matt!  Good for mothers' health and well-being.

Travelled a long ways in the fog, but finally broke into open air as I dropped into the Big Valley

Smooth travels the whole way, even with unusual sights and conditions.  Didn't hit any slow-ups til Marysville, which is where the heat and smoke began to increase noticeably.  

Almost home; there's Storrie and the Storrie Bridge.  Tobin is just around the corner.  Note the smoke haze.

Another great time with my honey, and with others, seeing interesting things.  And we could've gone to the Gilroy Garlic Festival, too.  So much to see and do; so little time, eh?