Ocean Cove

An unexpected benefit of living in this area, is the ever changing wildflowers. It is a seemingly non-stop display of color and shape. For the most part, the wild flowers in our immediate area have given way to blooming native trees and shrubs, not to mention all the non-native plants in peoples yards that are blooming, as well as the roses here which bloom profusely. However, the coast has been in full display since January.

  One of our favorite sections of road is, Highway 1, just north of Jenner. This area of road is very windy. It climbs up several hundred feet above sea level and gives you amazing views of the coast. Amongst the jagged cliffs, and grassy hill sides, is the ideal setting for all types of wild flowers. Every time we drive this section of highway, we are constantly amazed a what is blooming. The call it a highway, but it is not much more than a two lane road that has locking gates on them for when the weather washes part of the road away. For my Oregon family and friends that might think I am putting Oregon down by remarking on the beauty and amazing places California, just know that had I started this blog when I still been living in Oregon, I would have written extensively, Oregon's beauty and splendor as well. In fact, one of my favorite areas and most beautiful places I have ever been, is the area of the Cascades just west of Hoodoo; where the pines meet the cedars and fir trees and there is volcanic rocks jutting through the greenery to give it some contrast and definition. I love the smell of the firs and cedars there after a light spring rain. Truly one of the things I miss most about Oregon.     

 We decided last minute that we would take a one night trip in the RV to check out a campground we have been wanting to got to. As the weather was to be a little on the cool side, and we had been camping or out on a boat every weekend for a month, Ian and Aden asked if they could stay and not come with us. Melanie said I was not allowed to jump up and down when she told me, so I opted for a back flip followed by a reenactment of Kevin Bacons' footloose dance instead. This did not score me any points with the wife, but I was excited to not have to deal with negative teen attitudes for the night. In my defense, I am sure the boys did their own victory dance as we drove away from the house. They probably sat, ate and drank on the "forbidden" couches, and watched movies all night.

 The campground we went to is called Ocean Cove. This place rocks! It is nestled amongst redwoods and coastal pine and and the campground it self sits atop a bluff. There is a beautiful cove here with lush thick kelp beds and rocky shore lines. Ocean Cove is 45 miles from our house and has the cheapest rates of any campground we have been to so far. There is no hook ups for RVs, no real designated parking for your RV, trailer, or vehicles. Most sites have a fire pit and picnic table and is surrounded by grass on which you can park on any way you see fit. We chose to camp next to the edge of the cliff and away from the trees. This place is a private campground and caters to fishermen. There is a boat launch that is a one vehicle wide "S" curve that drops a 150 feet in about 1/4 mile, and you have to back down the whole way. The launch site is mostly rocks about the size of grapefruits. This is why you only see small  fishing boats and kayaks here. 

We are getting pretty good at RV camping. After I get the motor home level, Apollo and I start to build a fire while Melanie get things unpacked. Apollo takes his fire building serious. He likes to bark orders (another trait he learned from his mom); "Dada! put that hot!" as he points into the fire pit. As I use the hatchet to make kindling he gathers the pieces and throws them in the fire pit. Once we are done with the kindling, Apollo knows right where to find a lighter to get the fire started..

We got to camp a little late in the evening Friday so we did not do too much exploring until Saturday. Apollo is quite the party animal. That kid does not like to go to bed early. When I say early I mean 9 to 9:30pm. For him, early is 10:30 pm, normal is 11 pm, at least the couple weeks have been that way. Camping in the RV, you can just forget about Being asleep before 11:30 pm. First you have to go through the whole "Apple G the Luchador" body slam phase, then we go through the giggling incessantly at every thing stage, and then once you convince him to lay down, we start the whole naming food that I want to eat right now phase which I covered in my previous, Good Night blog. It is really cute, but now he answers himself; "cookie?...sleep. apple?..no, sleep!" Its a fun little game and you cant help but laugh at him even after 30 minutes of trying to get him to fall asleep.  I have noticed how much Apollo loves waking up with both his mom and dad by his side. Most days I am long gone by the time Apollo wakes, so it must be a real treat for him to know that he gets to spend the day with his dad. I am floating my own boat here a bit  but you can tell by how excited he gets that he knows its going to be a good day. As with all good days, they must come to an end. This day ended too soon for Apollo. After spending a couple hours playing in the dirt and sand on the hill side, there was now way we load this little dirt monger into his car seat for the ride home. We had to lock him in the RV while Melanie mad him a bath in the sink. It was a very traumatic end to the day; lots of tears and screaming "Outside! DADA! OUTSIDE! Please!"  Oh wait, did someone say bath?