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| Our campsite at Pinnacles...rather more crowded than in December, particularly with school groups |
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| On a hike to the Bear Gulch cave |
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| Bug of the day; these warm and dry climate-loving fellows have now devoured about 20% of the West's forests, I've read; and seen, everywhere |
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| Close observation led to the conclusion that maybe this one was too big and icky to capture; alas, two of the ladybugs did not survive their overnight captivity in the bug house, although two others did and were freed the next morning; as part of her Junior Ranger oath, P later swore not to feed nor capture any of the Park's animal residents--we'll see if this oath holds against the interests of Science; earlier she learned the hard way not to touch unknown plants; note Junior Ranger vest... |
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| Part of the trail |
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| Pinnacles |
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| The "cave" is mostly chock-stones over a narrow defile |
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| Steps in the cave |
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| Outside and atop the cave; a lot of people come to Pinnacles for the practice climbing areas; the conglomerate makes for easy foot- and hand-holds |
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| With appropriate ironmongery |
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| Thus |
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| Lizard of the day |
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| Another day, Grandma and P became the audience for a NPS videography session (not shown...two afternoons at the unheated pool, braved by Grandpa) |
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| The talk was about Pinnacles' significant population of California Condors...9 foot wingspread; alas, we only saw turkey vultures |
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| Alas, alack, all of Pinnacles is under a fire-ban that probably will last until next fall's rainy season begins; we saw many years of drought in Montana and many such fire bans there; and fires; not a pleasant thought with talk of a mega-drought affecting the US West...traveling the West, and now California, I have an ominous feeling of seeing so much now for the last time... beetles and fires and drought don't leave a pretty aftermath |
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