We went to Stinson Beach afterwards. Second note to self: never drive Highway 1 again, ever, for any reason. I loathe the curves and angles of that road, spectacular views or no. I had enough of it last fall when we drove to Gualala. Had I realized we would be driving several miles of it to get to Stinson Beach I would gladly have gone the rest of my life without seeing the place. However, see it we did. 50's architecture, check. Aging surfers, check. Locals resenting the weekenders, check. Beautiful beach, check. I had a superb crab and shrimp salad at the Sand Dollar restaurant; John had a pizza. We watched the crowds and the cars. Then we went home.

I'm just not a nature girl if it means I have to fight the crowds or share the prize. My favorite nature experiences have been skiing by myself on a lightly used trail in the Cascades, being on safari in Kenya with five others in a van, and spending hours walking along the tide pools on Whidbey Island as a child. I'm not fond of camping, hiking, biking, or sailing. I do like fishing. I like building driftwood bonfires. I like walking through the deep woods in winter during a snowfall, listening to the sound of snow falling on snow, and the dry creaking of branches. I like to walk along the shoreline looking at shells and foam and the patterns of wind and water.

Well. I tried, at least. The redwoods were beautiful. The views were spectacular. I enjoyed spending time with my husband. It was a nice day. But next time, we head for the Sierra and visit some ghost towns. I hear Bodie is nice and quiet.

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