Friday I finally managed to get up at an early enough hour to enjoy the morning chill. I packed up my tiny campsite and caught some close-enough-to-sunrise photos at the seawall picnic area. It was time to say farewell to this side of the island, I was heading all the way East to the one-way scenic loop. It's a two-lane road so I could go as slow as I pleased without ever worrying about cars behind me needing to pass. By the time I made it to that side of the Island I was still one of the very few vehicles on the road. I drove with the windows down and the temperature was the perfect level of completely refreshing cold air while still being bearable.
My first moment of bliss came at a little meandering stream with a nice mountain in the background. I hiked about 100 yards for some nice pictures and views.
Just before entering the one-way section of the loop I made a quick detour to see the Schooner Head Overlook. There was a cool little cave/overhang along the cliffside that reminded me of the Goonies.
I didn't quite realize how popular Sand Beach was but I got there so early that I basically had the best parking spot. This was my final home base for a (half) day of hiking.
After a couple quick pictures of an empty Sand Beach I took a round-about trail to Great Head. I saw an Ovenbird!! I have only ever seen one or two while birding along the Texas coast during spring migration so it was a real treat to see one in it's breeding range. There were also a lot of Northern Parula and Black-throated Green Warblers singing all along this trail. I enjoyed the hike and sat watching the waves crash against the rocks for a little while. On my way back I ran into the geology field trip group led by a park ranger. They were heading the way I had just come from so I didn't feel like joining their tour on the spot. I took a more direct path back to Sand Beach before I headed for the Bee Hive trail.
I heard the Bee Hive trail was a fun climb but I was surprised by how exposed some of the sections were. In retrospect, maybe I'm not surprised based on the amount of scrambling I found on other seemingly ordinary trails. Acadia National Park doesn't mess around! I like that though. I think it's important that there are still challenging and risky paths to take in life. We can't expect an ADA trail everywhere we go.
So the climb up was particularly fun and exciting. I tried to capture images of some of the exposure but it hardly does justice. Perhaps the first photo was the creepiest part for me. A grate catwalk with a wall that seemed to push you outwards. Surely having some climbing experience helped me navigate everything with ease but I can imagine a number of people being appropriately fearful of this traverse. I managed a good shot of four hikers working their way up that gives a nice perspective and depth to understand the climb. Everyone let me pass shortly after I snapped the shot because I was moving so quickly. Did I already mentioned how much I loved the minimal speed hiking I did all throughout this trip? Water, binoculars in my fanny pack, and camera around my neck. Running shorts, running shoes, and dri-fit shirt. It was perfect.
I've really come to love swimming and being in the water while living in San Marcos for the past 8 years but I feel like I'm at an all time high for love of water. Every chance I had to take a dip I took it. It's always so mentally and physically cleansing and refreshing. The couple I ran into a few times had suggested I take a swim at the Bowl after hiking the Bee Hive trail. It was everything I hoped for, and more! More, because I saw some GIANT leeches. I don't see those in Texas. Not where I am. Luckily none of them got a hold of my eyeballs but I was glad that I didn't see them until I was done swimming. The water was warmer than the San Marcos and all of these little lakes have clear water but with a very brown color. Unfamiliar to me. I caught my short swim on video. It was so peaceful.
I wrapped up my stop at the Bowl and continued along the Gorham Mountain trail. I found some more blueberries to munch on at the top of the small peak. Part of the trail had an upper and lower path so I opted for the lower trail that skirted underneath the steep cliffs. There was a trail crew and I slowly surveyed the different tools they were using and what they were trying to accomplish. That looks like hard work! There were some really cool rocks down on this section of the trail. I wish I had taken more time to investigate its geology.
The end of the trail spit me out on the Scenic Loop road where I walked back up along the coastal cliffside. I stopped in one area to snack and lay down. I knew the end of my hiking was near so I began to stall ever so slightly. I watched the waves, I watched the birds, and I just sat. It's hard to find time to just sit and soak in your surroundings. I really relished every chance I had to do that on this trip.
My very last mission before leaving Sand Beach was to jump in the ocean. I had come this far telling people over and over again how much I loved swimming and being in the water so I knew I had to do it. I had hardly even tested the water with my hand but I knew it was going to be cold. I suited up in my speedo, grabbed my goggles and swimcap, and I charged for the breaking waves at Sand Beach which was now FULL of people. 98% of which weren't anywhere near going in the water. I didn't hesitate or slow down, I charged straight in to the water, first my ankles, then my calves, and thighs, then I dove in. I was shocked. Quite literally. It was so cold it felt like needle pricks all over. I swam freestyle and quickly got a salty taste in my mouth, I tried to move quickly to build some heat but any attempt to warm up in that water was futile. I dove a few feet under to see better. The water was BEAUTIFUL. just a foot below the waves the clarity was amazing, the sand was so clean and I could see all the tiny ripples in it. That brief moment of admiration was quickly met with a shocking reality that my body might very well seize up in water like this. At least I certainly felt that way. I had to get out immediately. The water was too cold for me. Who knows how much time passed. A minute? Three minutes? Surely less than five. I got out of the water with zero regrets and some lasting stinging sensations. I later found tiny invertebrates (or something) on my skin. I'm not sure if they had anything to do with the stinging or not.
I sat in the shade to drip dry, watched some kids dig channels to guide the receding water. That's some great hands on engineering. A real resume builder. I did some more sitting after I rinsed off with a little foot shower. I chowed down on one of my last apples and forced down some kipper snacks on cinnamon raisin bread. I was pretty tired of kipper snacks on cinnamon raisin bread by day 6.
Just oneeee last stop before leaving this beautiful place. I drove up to Cadillac Mountain for the final goodbye. Up there I was delighted to meet a gentleman with a telescope for viewing the sun. It was fascinating, you could see sunspots and the big flare/arches around the perimeter. Really breath taking. I snapped a couple more shots of a less washed out view from the top and that was it. Time to go back to Portland. I had a flight to catch the next day. I would end up sleeping in a walmart parking lot that night, and fortunately it wasn't nearly as bad as it sounds. I took it in stride, and soaked up the experience. I'd do it again even.
Day 7 doesn't quite deserve its own post. I woke up in the parking lot. Watched another car -sleeper button up his shirt and get ready for the day. I bought a bagel with cream cheese from the Dunkin' Donuts inside Walmart and then I went back to the familiar area I knew to watch for my Couch Surfing host run by on his Half Marathon. Seeing all those people race sent me over the edge and I decided I was going to finally sign up for my own half marathon. And as of now I have held true to my wish. I will be running the San Antonio Rock N' Roll marathon on December 6th, 2015.
With just a couple more hours to kill I decided to check out the farmer's market which ended up being a really nice experience. Most notably from laying in the grass beneath a beautiful oak tree as a beautiful harpist performed her magic. It was pure bliss.
Nice photos as always! Didn't see too many bird photos -- no puffins? You did get a seagull. Think I would have skipped the catwalk as that looks a little iffy. You're right about life not having a lot of ADA trails. Thanks for sharing your adventure!
The entire trip looked beautiful and makes me want to go there! Your swimming experience in the ocean was hilarious - had me laughing out loud!