California roadtrip day 4, Where we had lunch, they had lunch

We woke up before coffee was available.   All the lights downstairs were out. 

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We loaded quickly and made our way to the local co-op market and picked up a few overly priced items for our picnic.  

From there , we were off to find crepes and caffeine.  We devoured a savory crepe filled with bacon, brie, scrambled eggs, onion, garlic, fuji apples and cheese.  And treated ourselves with the sweet crepe filled with an intense cinammon filling and topped with berries and fresh peach slices.  Crystal recharged with a double cappichino and we were back on the road. 

 We took in the scenic landscapes as we enjoyed driving the back windy roads to Shelter  Cove.  We were surrounded by humongous trees, huge towering mountains and occational glimses of the ocean. 

We stopped by the Shelter Cove general store where there was a small underground tank, the only gas option for miles.   We were on the 'Lost Coast'.  The Lost Coast is named as such because there are no roads through and the landscape is virtually untouched by man.  Only 25 hiking passes are allowed in shoulder season (that is us!) and 50 during peak season over the summer.  That's 50 total passes for the whole lost coast area from Mattahole to Shelter cove. 

We checked in to our hotel that overlooked the rocky craigs.  Crystal decided at this point that I suck at picking hotels :)

We prepped in layers for our hike, checked first aid kits, hydration and lunch then headed out.  I convinced Crystal that SPF 50 sunscreen was in fact needed, even though she saw clouds. That was the beautiful fog that later melted away!  We headed down to the black sand beach along a steep winding hill then down a ramp.  I was sure there were stairs.  I remembered how steep this ascent was after a 44 mile hike.  Memories enhanced the calf muscle sensation. This was a VERY steep decline. 
Then we were there. 
The lost coast. 

Crystal:  When I first saw this beach I thought the lights were playing tricks on me in the sun.  The contrast between the dark sand and the light blue sky was stunning.  It was a windy day so I enjoyed watching the waves crash and spray in the wind as we walked along the beach.  Lots of cute birds and seals were able to be seen in the water as we walked along the beach.  The key to watching on this beach was to stay in the wet compact sand so you did not seak to your demise.  Sand walking really is walking on a whole different level.  We get extra credit!  We enjoyed a leasury hike up the coast towards rattlesnake creek.  We continued on as the tide continued to come in.  We zeroed in to a nice clear spot on the beach where the birds were circling and the seals were bobbing in and out of the waves.   We ate were they ate!  We set up our picnic and enjoyed a nice relaxing lunch in the cool breeze under the California sun watching the seals play in the waves and the birds swoop down for lunch.  

Lynn: I never thought I would be here again.  I loved my 2019 backpacking trip and I remembered thinking, this is a once in a life time trip.  You will never see this again!  Here I am again, at the lost coast.  One of the most enchanting and challanging hikes I have ever been on.  I wish that we had months to enjoy northern California but we only have this one day on the lost coast.   I was so excited to see Crystal's reaction!  This is my favorite place in the world and it is so nice to be able to share it with a good friend :)  We aren't in Texas anymore, Toto!  We hiked up to the first river crossing.  Several hikers were already camped out, their open mesh tent ready for the stars that night.  As beautiful as our hotel is, I'm jealous.  I wish we were going to sleep tonight listening to the waves crash as we watched the sky twinkling with countlass stars.  

We made our way back a bit early as Crystal was not adjusted to the time change and she was afraid the seals may eat her if we stayed overnight.   So we returned to civilzation.