Limekiln State Park

I left San Francisco and started driving south. I first stopped at the giant artichoke restaurant for lunch and ate some more delicious California artichokes. Then I started down highway 1, it was incredible. There was ocean for 180 degrees of my view and the mountains went right into the sea.

I’ve been camping for years, but this was my first night camping alone. I was a little nervous but confident that I would be fine. I found a beach front campsite at Limekiln State Park (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=577) and set up camp. I got slightly frustrated setting up the tent. Trish loaned her two person tent to me since it would take up less room than my four person tent. But, back in late December when I loaded up my car I hadn’t had the chance to check it out and set it up beforehand. I know that’s not the best preparation, but it was getting late and I needed to get on the road so I just put it in the car. I didn’t know the layout of the tent and the elastic was cracked and stretched out in the poles. I made it work though and it only took about forty-five minutes. I borrowed a hammer from the camp host to set the stakes, since using the caveman rock method wasn’t working. I enjoyed the sunset over the water and then climbed into my tent once it was dark.

In the morning I went for a short hike in the redwoods to see the old lime kilns and the waterfall. I hadn’t planned on hiking up a stream, but I went for it. I took my sneakers off and waded in. It was totally worth it, the waterfall was beautiful tucked away upstream.

Banana slug!