Monday, June 15, 2009

Point Reyes National Seashore

As a native Californian the San Andreas Fault has always been a part of My World. I've showed you evidence of the fault at Carrizo Plain and at Pinnacles. We see it again at Point Reyes.
The fault runs along the west side of the long and narrow Tomales Bay.
Moody on this day it is a place I would like to explore more thoughly in the future.
At the visitor center a short trail takes you to a fence that was offset 20 feet in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The blue post indicates the location of the fault.
A road leads to the old lighthouse, closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. The lighthouse visitor center is .4 mile from the parking area and the lighthouse is another .1 mile and 300 feet down. From road's end there are great views of the coastal prairie and beach.
In spring the yellow bush lupine is in bloom. Its color makes it stand out far better than the more usual blue.

There are several other varieties of wildflower here as well.

Water was in short supply at the lighthouse and great quantities were required to operate the fog horn. This catch basin collected rain water and stored it in a cistern below the dome.
Unfortunately we were there on a Wednesday so this was as close as we got to the lighthouse. It was located below the top of the point to put it below the fog so as to be more visible to ships.

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28 comments:

Diane AZ said...

That section of the fence sure did move far in the 1906 quake. Looks like you found some beautiful views at Point Reyes. I love those yellow bush lupines and the lavender flowers that look like seaside daisies.

Eve said...

I've never been there before, but it looks really interesting and now I want to go take a peek for myself. It looks like a beautiful location!

Carver said...

Thanks for the tour. What a beautiful place.

Carver - NC, USA avoiding the heat

2sweetnsaxy said...

Wonderful shots. The views are beautiful!
:-)

-Eyes, Mind, Heart

Janie said...

I think my first comment was lost. Love the info on the fault. I want to visit that lighthouse, and I love the yellow lupine.

Sylvia K said...

Marvelous shots as always! Do love the view! Enjoyed the tour. Thanks as always for lovely pics and great info!

Have a great week!

Unknown said...

A beautiful place to visit..

That was a long way for that fence to move and a great visula of the power of Mother Nature !

Very cool photos..

Susan at Stony River said...

Such a beautiful collection of pictures, I loved this post! Never looked *down* on a lighthouse before--that's an amazing shot. And I must admit the fence photo scares me, just a little...don't know how I'd handle an earthquake! Super post!

James said...

I love lighthouses but not earthquakes I remember feeling the
1971 San Fernando earthquake,
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in the bay area
The Big Bear, Northridge and a few others in the 1990's
There really hasn't been that many major earthquakes in Southern California in the last 50 years.
Anyway your pictures are great and thanks for sharing.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Excellent info. Like the lighthouses we have here some you can't get close too but fabulous for photography.

Latane Barton said...

beautiful wildflowers. California has always been one of my favorite places, although it's been years since I was there last.

storyteller said...

Thanks for the lovely photo tour of this area. I've not been up there in more than a decade but I have fond memories of earlier visits. I appreciate your visit to and comment at Happily Retired Gal this morning ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Guy D said...

Great selection of photos Martha, the last pic of the lighthouse is fantastic.

Have a great week
Guy
Regina In Pictures

Ebie said...

Martha, I have gone up to the top of a Light House. It was scary for me, having fear of heights. But it was a wonderful feeling! I will keep this in mind, if I will be in the neighborhood in our next long trip!

Paul said...

excellent pics, i feel like i took the tour myself, great descriptions!

Mary Elizabeth said...

Fantastic tour, thanks for take me there.
Beautiful photos.
Now and Then

penny said...

I have read about this wonderful place and would love to visit there in the future and see it for myself. Great photos.

Indrani said...

It will be fun exploring the place.

Gaelyn said...

Point Reyes is such a beautiful place. Though I tried not to think about the fault when there. Never seen a lupine bush, great bright color. Great post and captures.

Oman said...

lovely place, i would definitely like to explore that. thanks for sharing.

Joe Todd said...

I visited Point Reyes about 30 years ago. What a neat place. Thanks for letting me revisit Joe Todd

Arija said...

Beautiful coastline and wildflowers. The SanAndreas fault is interesting, a little like the Mid-Atlantic Rift in Iceland but a little more unstable.

Dr Sannjay Parva said...

You seem to be a nature-lover. I liked your post, and I would appreciate if you visit mine at http://drparva.blogspot.com/ to explore the beauty of Indian landscape. God bless.

SandyCarlson said...

Beautiful place, to be sure!

George said...

Point Reyes certainly is a beautiful place -- I like that lighthouse also. The movement of the fence caused by the 1906 is amazing.

Snap said...

Beatiful place, Point Reyes. I love lighthouses. Thanks for the fault info and all the lovely photos.

Barb said...

What a great post, Martha! I love the Inverness area - we went there a few years ago to ride our bikes (BIG hills!). Your photos do it justice - glad the yellow Lupine was blooming. Nice lighthouse shot.

Lisa Wilson said...

That is still a great shot of the lighthouse, even if you couldn't get any closer!