Last Monday we headed south down the coast. Final destination: Sunset Bay State Park.
Ahead of us, Sandy and Jerry's trailer would come and go from our visibility as they headed into dense pockets of fog. There were many times when we knew there was an ocean next to us, but we sure couldn't see it!
We both missed the entrance the first time around. Both "Alice" (Sandy and Jerry's Tom Tom) and "Waltzing Matilda" (our Garmin) were off. Matilda announced that we had "arrived at our destination".Yea, right, if we wanted to be in a beach parking lot!
Alice led Sandy and Jerry to a different area... also NOT the campground! We all knew we had passed it when we got to the end of the road, which was a large turnaround on a high cliff area. Two GPS systems and 4 sets of eyes all failed the test. As we came back down the road we saw the sign for the entrance.
Later in the afternoon, we ventured out, minus the trailers. Sure is a lot easier that way! Now we could enjoy the view of the ocean as the waves exploded against Simpson Reef.
Between Simpson Reef and the ocean is a large rock called Shell Island. It has a small beach that is jam packed by sea lions and seals, all fighting for a spot of their own. My guess is that the bigger guys always win, and the smaller ones get pushed out into the ocean or one of the nearby smaller rocks.
The seals apparently aren't bothered at all by the huge waves splashing over them. These offshore rocks provide a place for seabirds and mammals to rest and to breed.
This is another view from the Simpson Reef Overlook. The ocean here backs right up to the steep cliffs, spraying them constantly with salt water.
Down the road a bit is Shore Acres State Park. This was once the place that pioneer lumberman and shipbuilder Louis J. Simpson chose for his 3 story mansion, complete with a heated swimming pool that used both fresh and salt water, ballroom, and greenhouse. Simpson would have enjoyed views like this since his house was at almost the same spot I used to take these great pictures. Unfortunately, the mansion was destroyed by fire in 1921.
All that is left now is the former gardener's cottage, which sits in the 5 acres of formal gardens that were planted when Louis Simpson lived here. He had exotic plants shipped from all over the world. The state bought the land in 1942 and still maintains the beautiful gardens. During the holiday season, the whole place is lit with strategically placed lights.
This is a close up of Kaffir Lily, one of the many in a long bed of pink flowers.
During the months of August and September, over 250 dahlias put on a colorful show of their own.
Of course, I took lots of flower pictures! It was hard for me to decide which ones to put on my blog, but this was one of my favorites. The burnt orange and yellow petals stood out against the dark, green foliage.
After supper one night, the four of us walked down to the bay area. So, it was sunset at Sunset Bay Beach. This bay area was once used by fishing boats as a safe harbor during ocean storms. According to local lore, it may have also harbored pirates.
Don is working hard at balancing the setting sun in his hands without getting burned.
Later in the afternoon, we ventured out, minus the trailers. Sure is a lot easier that way! Now we could enjoy the view of the ocean as the waves exploded against Simpson Reef.
Between Simpson Reef and the ocean is a large rock called Shell Island. It has a small beach that is jam packed by sea lions and seals, all fighting for a spot of their own. My guess is that the bigger guys always win, and the smaller ones get pushed out into the ocean or one of the nearby smaller rocks.
The seals apparently aren't bothered at all by the huge waves splashing over them. These offshore rocks provide a place for seabirds and mammals to rest and to breed.
This is another view from the Simpson Reef Overlook. The ocean here backs right up to the steep cliffs, spraying them constantly with salt water.
Down the road a bit is Shore Acres State Park. This was once the place that pioneer lumberman and shipbuilder Louis J. Simpson chose for his 3 story mansion, complete with a heated swimming pool that used both fresh and salt water, ballroom, and greenhouse. Simpson would have enjoyed views like this since his house was at almost the same spot I used to take these great pictures. Unfortunately, the mansion was destroyed by fire in 1921.
All that is left now is the former gardener's cottage, which sits in the 5 acres of formal gardens that were planted when Louis Simpson lived here. He had exotic plants shipped from all over the world. The state bought the land in 1942 and still maintains the beautiful gardens. During the holiday season, the whole place is lit with strategically placed lights.
This is a close up of Kaffir Lily, one of the many in a long bed of pink flowers.
During the months of August and September, over 250 dahlias put on a colorful show of their own.
Of course, I took lots of flower pictures! It was hard for me to decide which ones to put on my blog, but this was one of my favorites. The burnt orange and yellow petals stood out against the dark, green foliage.
After supper one night, the four of us walked down to the bay area. So, it was sunset at Sunset Bay Beach. This bay area was once used by fishing boats as a safe harbor during ocean storms. According to local lore, it may have also harbored pirates.
Don is working hard at balancing the setting sun in his hands without getting burned. You didn't believe me? Why not? At our age, we have the time to think of doing things like this!
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