Solstice trip 2007: King's Range/Lost Coast Tidepooling!

[summer_jackel]

So, the purpose of my travels north this weekend (other than to re-center and care for myself, and to come to peace with certain painful experiences of the past year) was to find excellent tidepooling and river swimming. Wow, did I find both! I was originally going to the same beach I was at last time, but I happened to pick up a map at a ranger station that showed the road to the trailhead at the northern end of King's Range/Lost Coast. I have backpacked in Sinkyone Wilderness at the southern end a lot, but I'd never been here. So after I investigated the pools where I'd originally planned to go, I checked it out.

It was amazing. Empty, remote wilderness and a trail that is, most of the time, actually on the beach (and passable only at lower tides). So I found myself unexpectedly backpacking...lucky I brought my pack, even if I DID carry food for the dogs because I didn't bring their packs. :P Backpacking and tidepooling *at the same time*! Looking into pools without even having to take the pack off! Jackel heaven!!! I was just incredibly happy.

So I hiked a round trip of maybe 20 miles. Hiking on sand was a little hard, and it was very windy and exposed. But the beauty was stunning. I'll definitely be going back there.

here are the first half of the pictures.



Dawn at the tidepools:




My faithful hounds keeping an eye on me:


Pryde is pretty:


Fen following me out:


I love the light on this!


Jezzie in the morning light:


Jackel heaven:


Mom and daughter:


Fenris. She's 13 now, and really starting to look like an old dog. I'm very sad about losing her, which realistically has to happen in the next few years...although as these pics and her spirit on this trip shows, she has a lot of fun in her yet! I love my Fenny. She is an amazing animal.

Comments

[kynekh-amagire.livejournal.com]

Fenris is thirteen? Wow. I've seen nine-year-old large-breed dogs that didn't look that good. Actually, all your wolves are looking spiff; guess the wolf moths are finished for this year.

Sounds like you've been busy, the past few days. :> But I'll ask anyway: did you get my e-mail?

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

just replied!
Yeah, Fen will be 14 in October. Wolfdogs have a lot of resilience in them and better longevity than most large-breed dogs, which one would expect, and I'm glad of it. But she is showing age.

[zrath.livejournal.com]

DOGGIES!!!!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

[a-rowan-dryad.livejournal.com]

Do you plan to keep up the size of your pack as the current ones age and pass on?