Point Reyes National Seashore

Tom and I recently visited the Point Reyes National Seashore.

We picked the perfect day - the weather was wonderful, and the whales were out in force. Point Reyes is said to be the windiest place on the Pacific Coast and the second foggiest place in North America (not sure what the first is). On this trip, however, there was only light wind, sun, and we were able to "de-layer" down to our T-shirts. When we previously visited, it was freezing and windy, so this was a welcome change. This time, we walked down the 30 stories of steps (380 to be exact) to the lighthouse that first shone in 1870. It was constructed in France in 1867 and then shipped on a steamer around the tip of South America to San Francisco.

We also got to go inside the lighthouse to see its glass prisms, clockwork mechanism, and housing.

Then there were the whales! It is the peak season of the Pacific gray whales' southern migration from Alaska to Baja California. We did not have a close view of them like we might have had from a boat, but we were able to see their backs and puffs of spray from their blowholes when they surfaced. These are a couple of our best shots, although you might not know they were whales unless I told you.

We took in the other stunning views and wildlife.

Not a bad way to spend the day!