Amy and I spent last week up in Point Reyes, the first stop on our Summer 2012 tour. One day we had Shell Beach all to ourselves until--surprise!--it was invaded by tween campers, who were ferried via powerboat to a raft floating offshore, and then told to jump in and tread water while they told jokes to their counselor (!) before they were allowed to swim ashore, like a horde of pimply SEALs. After the third wave hit the beach, we surrendered.
We hiked out to Drake's Head, only the second time we've taken that route to the end. Insanely beautiful, and the half-hour we spent at the top of the cliff was perfect.
(The black dots below are cows, by the way.)
Most of the Estero Trail runs through open country. On top of one hill there's a single gnarled tree, the Lone Eucalyptus.
The return hike was windy as hell, and the dust drove me nuts. Back at the cottage I shaved my 3-month-old beard, to Amy's dismay. Before and after.
On our last full day we hiked out Bolinas Ridge for the first time. I have no idea why it took us this long. (More cows!)
Once again, thank you, Phil Burton.