Pinnacles National Park

The end of Spring Break was marked by a group camping extravaganza at our newest National Park.  Previously a National Monument, the Pinnacles were distinguished a National Park in 2013.  Mattias and I first visited when we were in college (ahem, a looooong time ago) and loved the rock formations, tarantulas, and close proximity to the Bay Area.  Just 1.5 hours south of San Jose, it was an easy trip for us and three other families to make.

Upon checking into our group campsite and unloading our cars, we were greeted by a flock of California quails.

It didn't take long for the others to arrive.  In total we were 8 adults and 9 kids, and we had a huge area all to ourselves.

It didn't take long for the kids, especially Magnus, to get really dirty.

The following morning we had tasty breakfast burritos heated directly on the campfire, something I'm definitley going to make on our next camping trip.

By late morning we head out on a hike on a nearby trail to nowhere in particular.  The trail was lined with poppies. 

On the way back Anders got tired, but I was prepared with the carrier. I realized that he's half my size after looking at the pictures, and that I look like I'm carrying a little troll on my back.

Most of the afternoon we let the kids rip around, fight, and work things out-- they could pretty much do anything but hurt each other or go into the poison oak.

The adults huddled in the shade, surrounding a spread of cheese, crackers, and crudité.  Wine?  Why, yes please.

By late afternoon we built up motivation to hike to Bear Gulch Cave.  We actually attempted to do the hike in the morning, but the crowds and long wait for the shuttle service deterred us.  Late afternoon worked out much better, giving us shade, fewer visitors, and perfect lighting for picture taking.

The hiking in Bear Gulch Cave, formed by humungous boulders falling into a fault carved out by a creek, is a little dicey at times with a big group of kids. Squeezing through cracks between massive boulders, balancing on rocks on a wet patch, and navigating steep stairs in the dark, was exciting in a worst-case-scenario-thought-inducing kind of way.

We made it out alive, smiling and all.

Back at the campsite, it was time to cook dinner and to enjoy the California Condors soaring high about the ridge.

Morning time is all about breakfast and rapid coffee production, followed by packing up for the long ride home. The Cody family always brings their famous oatmeal pancakes, which are always a highlight for me.

For most of the adults last weekend, it was the most relaxation we'd had in weeks to months.  No cell phone service, no emails or responsibilities to check on, no pictures or status updates to share.  It was just our families and friends, and the stunning natural beauty that surrounded us.

Spring Break

As a parent, Spring Break equates to That-week-you-have-to-figure-out-what-to-do-with-your-kids. For Linus, it meant two days at Mattias' office that included a morning of rock climbing and learning to program on Code.org. He also came to work with me at the shelter to watch surgery and check out the current inventory,  which included this ridiculous looking rabbit.

 He only almost broke my sterile field once, so he was rewarded with his own cheese pizza and Plants vs. Zombies 2 on the iPad.

 I did force him outside for a short walk along the Berkeley Aquatic Park, where we spotted some egrets, coots, and cormorants.

 At the end of the week all went to a Giants game.  Half the fun is taking the train and eating hot dogs.

 Poor kids kept asking questions about the game, which I struggled to answer.  To cover up my ignorance I busted out snacks and leftover Easter candy.