Salt Point

OK, so Michael had his turn. 

He did a great job, but there was a little more to the day than just mushrooms. 

We woke to find another beautiful day staring us in the face and we were faced with a dilemma.  Laundry and house work or adventure.  Seriously, is that a real decision? 

FIELD TRIP!

Today's schoolwork, kids, is an examination of the geological and botanical features of the northern California coast in winter.  Note please, if you will, the evidence of erosion presented in Fig. A.

Fig. A

Please do take note of the remaining structures.  They are the strongest remnants of a long eroded coastline.  Watch these natural processes work.

Fig. B

Fig. C

With each wave an imperceptible amount of material is worn from the rocks and carried up to the dark sand beach or carried away in the sea.  During large storm events, pockets of softer material can be swiftly worn away, dramatically changing the coastline almost over night. Come, we must examine more closely.

Fig. 7

Fig. 9

Down closer to the natural process in question, attempt to discern an notable changes in the igneous rocks remaining behind.  Also, see if you can find any local fauna to categorize and report. Take note as well of the larger than average tidal fluctuations brought about by the King Tides.  Events such as this are a part of the natural ebb and flow of the cycle of life on the coast.

Fig. Purple

Fig. it out.

Fig. I'm done with this bit.

Enough study children.  You may engage in some frivolity in the back seat as we progress to our final destination. 

Yeah, it went just like that. 

Once we arrived at Salt Point State park, the education and exploration began in earnest.  The Sonoma County Mycological Society has meetups and mushroom forays here, so we figured we should check it out.  We certainly understand now why they do.  There were mushrooms everywhere. 

Free maps.  Now with bugs!

Found this intriguing specimen

Partial veil is transparent. like cellophane.

A big old cup of NOPE!

Oh yeah, it was pretty there.

King Max.

One of our favorite finds of the day, black trumpets.

Another favorite find, a cool tree circle.

The view up was cool.

Max said he was fishing.  Yup...fishing.

 Then, on the way back to the car, the light was just perfect for a moment.  We only got around 2 minutes of it and I struggled to get the best picture possible before it changed. 

Not bad, but too much belly.

Better, but not quite right.

There, now it's beautiful.

Alas, we farted around too much to spend more than about 45 minutes exploring the beginnings of the trail.  We found several good mushrooms for identification, as you could see in Michael's post.  I now know we need to get our early to go hunt for mushrooms in earnest. I hope I get to. 

Then, there was nothing left but to drive home.  Laundry will still be there tomorrow.