Thick smoke and then pouring rain foiled our camping ambitions over Thanksgiving. However the latter had the effect of eliminating the former, and Saturday is bright and beautiful. I pack the truck and head off to the famous Point Reyes.

I think half the population of San Francisco had the same idea as the whole park was thronged. The number of people somehow made the slow, lonely pastime of birdwatching inappropriate. How many people with binoculars do you see at Disneyland?    This put me into a bad mood, which only got worse as I struggled to find somewhere to spend the night. Campsites near Point Reyes are grim and full. I head for the hills but find only private property and gated tracks. It is now dark and I am considering returning to San Francisco when I see a huge, rented, furniture truck parked amongst rocks near Dillon Beach.

I ask Patrick and Meg, who are, of course, moving to Seattle to set up an acupuncture business, if it is OK to spend the night.

“A guy in the store in Tomales said no one would bother us here, so I guess it is OK. This place is called Elephant Rock, isn’t that very beautiful?” https://www.google.com/maps/place/Elephant+Rock/@38.2480193,-122.9499231,2570m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x80842c5e6625d537:0x4bb0b98de1b383ab!2sDillon+Beach,+CA!3b1!8m2!3d38.2507515!4d-122.9652768!3m4!1s0x80842cfe04a86b5f:0xb25ace0a1de75b3f!8m2!3d38.2494713!4d-122.9445139 

I burrow the Tacoma into the perfect spot between big boulders and suddenly everything gets better. I cook up Arrachera and eat the best ever hot steak sandwiches, with strong Californian red. I snuggle into my big queen bed and sleep like an elephant seal.

Dawn creeps into the camper.

Sunday is completely different. I am out and about at dawn and return to Point Reyes.

Where I spent the night.

I get there very early and have the place to myself, well, apart from animals and the like.

Wheee!  Elk fun.

Drakes Bay. Not a soul.

Semi Palmated Plovers.

Mummy Elephant Seals taking it easy.

American Kestrel.

Sunday morning Elk.

Wonderful morning, made better by getting a Senior’s ‘America The Beautiful’ pass at the Ranger Station. This gets me free entrance into all National Parks and lots of other things like half price entry to campsites. $20! At that price I should have bought two.