For the Beauty of the Earth, for the Glory of the Skies
The recounting of Muir Beach Overlook and Point Reyes Lighthouse.
One Sunday, we decided it was time for a small breather. We headed off toward Muir Woods in hopes of seeing the Redwoods, but upon arrival, we found that we needed a parking reservation. There was no parking available anymore that day, so we went on down the road, following the signs for Muir Beach. We found the little beach cove after a short hike down through the woods. Wet, sandy dogs met us, along with Mexican fiesta music and people swimming like it was not 65°. We did not tarry long, much to Elliot’s dismay for he adores the beach, but headed on down Hwy 1 to Muir Beach Overlook. (Hwy 1 hugs rocky coastline and forested inlets and is exactly what spectacular road trips are made of.) Muir Beach Overlook is nothing short of awe-inspiring. I know we do not do big proposals, but if we did, it should be done here. For it would be truly outstanding. Just follow me and you will see. We head down a little dirt path, a few wooden steps, and soon find ourselves at the very edge of the cliff. This particular cliff reaches way out into the sea, so you get the uninterrupted ocean views, but looking back, you also get the craggy coastline views as well. We stood at the edge of the cliff and looked out over the vast expanse of ocean spread before us. Sparkling, dazzling, blue waters rippled under the sun’s rays. Just when I was not sure how I was going to take in this view, I noticed a whale breaching below. Lucky us. We watched him for a long time as he swam, breached, and then blew a misty spray at the sky. We must come back one day and watch the sunset here. I can already envision the colors fading and changing over a sapphire sea.
An interesting historical fact about Muir Beach Overlook. There is a small base station found there. It is one of the many base stations that dot the coastline around the Bay Area. After the bombing at Pearl Harbor during WW II, California was worried that San Francisco might be the next target. So, they placed these base stations at various places where there was a good viewpoint. That way they could be on the lookout for incoming ships and protect San Francisco. They often housed artillery in these stations. On clear days, you can see San Francisco from Muir Beach Overlook.
We ate lunch at a little café that served a cozy clam chowder in the most inviting sourdough bread bowl.
On down Hwy 1. We stopped for a breve, which is just a necessity around 4:00 pm, at a little walk-up and order shack on the beach. We had no clue where we were going, we were just going and enjoying the views. There is so much country out here that is practically begging to be explored. Brent discovered that not too far off Hwy 1 there was a Lighthouse. So, we went in search of it. The road followed the sea but lay way above the water. The thunderous ocean breakers mercilessly pounding the rocky headlands below. Vast expanses of beach, grasslands, brush-covered hillsides, and forested ridges made up the beauty of Point Reyes Seashore. Cows grazing beside the cliffs that fell away in a rocky tumble to the emerald sea below reminded me of another land. I have never been to Scotland, but it surely looks quite like this. We passed dairy after dairy. Soon we were on a narrow strip of land and the sea was on either side of us. We began winding way up into the hills. The lighthouse seemed to be a popular place on a Sunday afternoon, and we had to park quite a way down the road. Hello, lovely double stroller. It was chilly, breezy, and misty. No rain, just that we were so high in the hills that the clouds were near. I began delighting in the views as we walked the two miles uphill. There are three hundred and thirteen steps that lead down to the lighthouse. Sadly, since we had not planned to visit the lighthouse till the very last minute, we did not get there in time to enter. It was a few minutes from closing time, so we will be going back there.
The Cypress Tree Tunnel. This is a landmark we happened upon while driving through the Point Reyes National Seashore. The Cypress trees were planted around 1930. They have grown to form a long tunnel that is very unique and picturesque.
And then we are back home and back to work. We have moved into our new house, and it feels so good to be able to really settle in somewhere. We are still working on the furnishings.
Silvia appreciation post: It has been impressive what we have been able to cram into Silvia. Not once have we rented a pickup or U-Haul. A couch? No deal. A desk? Still no deal. A queen mattress? Yep, we are still good. This is your sign that you may need to make the practical decision to buy a minivan. They really have more room than your lovely Suburbans and Expeditions. 😇😇😇
