fstopandsee

The sharp cliffs and rocky arches of the Mendocino Headlands can be overwhelmingly beautiful. Best to take a step back and try to appreciate the sea, the sky and the land all spreading out before you.

You might look at this photo and see some interesting basalt sea stacks and a beautiful black sand beach. What I see is waiting and waiting and waiting, an extreme exercise in patience as I waited for the moment when no one else was standing or climbing on these rocks. It paid off, and I’m glad I didn’t have to decide if I should photoshop people out of the shot or not!

I thought the climb to the top of Angel’s Landing would be the highlight of the day, but when we got back down to the start of the trail there was another great view to admire. Little puffy clouds spread out perfectly above the valley below and we were right in the middle of all of it.

Follow the chain. Do not go right, do not go left. To the left and the right is down, along the chain is up. That is where you want to go.

After a day of hiking, I had to rush down to the shoreline to catch sunset at this old lighthouse. It was worth the hustle, as I had just enough time to set up for this shot before the sun went down.

I miss the Oregon coast. I really like the way the horizon fades away into a fuzz and then into the sky in this shot. A great day for a drive down the coast!