Falling For Cataract Falls

After reading the Bold Italic's article about the best hikes in the area with waterfalls, Z and I decided to check out Cataract Falls since it was dog friendly and no mountain bikes were allowed on the trails. It's difficult to keep your pig dog out of the way when there's bikers zooming back and forth on the path. Not fun! Despite the fact that we went on Valentine's Day and it was super cheesy (Not our fault Valentine's Day fell on a Saturday this year), the trail was one of the best hikes we have done in the past year. We drove by Fairfax and Bolinas, which are other areas I would like to check out another time since their small town charm appeals to me--having grown up in a ridiculous small town where-everybody-knows-your-name area as well.

The trail begins lush and green, taking you ever higher alongside a series of swiftly flowing, rushing waterfalls. Stairs, both wooden and stone, overladen with moss and cracked with heavy use intersperse with a well-trodden dirt path. The heady scent of fresh water and sharp, piercing, satisfying wilderness fills the air as the warm sunlight cascades around you.

Once you leave the Cataract trail and step onto the High Marsh Trail, the noise of other hikers quickly fade away and you find yourself surrounded by a forest silence, broken only by the sound of your own breath. The tall, wooded glen you are in will break into an open hill, sloped with wild grass and shrouded by a rolling fog. It is beautiful, mysterious, and lonely--as the path before you meanders further into the hills you cannot help but be amazed.

The High Marsh Trail will eventually take you onto the forested Kent Trail, wavering between open, hilltop trails and strange, wooded paths. You'll find blood-red, mahogany-like, smooth branches that loom and watch above you. As you wander North, Kent Trail will break west and emerge on the shores of an immense, blue-green lake. Alpine lake lies before you, waters unbroken and far shores dotted with trees, beckoning. It is quiet here, and beautiful, and you find that for a time you need not be anything more than a witness.

After the 3 mile hike or so to the picnic grounds, Finnegan was getting pretty tired--being the Prince that he is. Z opted to carry him in his backpack and Finnegan seemed to enjoy the view and ability to catch his breath. Some hikers spotted him in the backpack and Finnegan made sure to ham it up with his cuteness for a couple of "Aww's" and pats on the head. I highly recommend visiting Cataract Falls. Make sure to take some time to travel out here, bring food for a picnic, and enjoy all that the Bay area has to offer!

Half Moon Bay

When driving down to Fremont to visit Z's parents, we always passed by the off-ramp to Half Moon Bay while taking the San Mateo bridge.  My curiosity continued to grow as I asked Z tons of questions about this bay since his family usually went there for special occasions, such as Mother's Day. I had also heard through the grapevine of people heading down this way to pick up pumpkins for Halloween and then Christmas trees in the later seasons.

One day, Z surprised me and we took a day-cation to the mysterious (at least in my eyes -___- ) Half Moon Bay. Growing up, I have always lived near the beach. My younger days were spent exploring the beaches of the Central coast (my favorites), then off to the warm sandy beaches of Oahu in Hawaii (since my father was in the Air Force), and then finally the crowded beaches of Southern California.  I must say that my beach is more along the lines of the Northern Pacific coast where the beaches only get prettier and less populated. The times I did go to the beach in Southern California were for bonfires, sunbathing, reading, and of course--people watching. Now I mostly like exploring beach caves and climbing on rocks. It's nicest for me when it's a bit overcast even, because if it's too sunny and hot, I can't hike around as much or I get all sweaty and gross.

Located 35 minutes south of San Francisco along the Pacific Ocean, Half Moon Bay is a stunning slice of the Golden State and boasts an unrivaled combination of coastal town friendliness, charm, and natural beauty. After checking out all the cute boutiques that the town had to offer, we decided to check out the tide pools at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach. The reserve stretches for 3 miles and is an underwater park designed to help conserve and protect ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems. We arrived during low tide and were able to view sea anemones, mussels, hermit crabs, and other beautiful creatures hiding among the rocks.

After exploring the beach, we stopped at Barbara's Fish Trap for lunch. It is a small seafood restaurant overlooking the water serving delicious Italian dishes, sandwiches, and of course--the essential clam chowder or fish n' chips basket! I forgot to take photos of the food for everything was much too delicious to stop and snap a photo. Half Moon Bay is truly a beautiful place to visit when you want to escape from the busy hustle of the city for a while.