It’s the first day of summer, and the heat is here, so I’m a bit jealous of that California coastal weather. Here are a couple more photos from Garrapata State Park.

Warm water, waves, hot sun. Sometimes I just need a beach getaway. It’s a time to reconnect with my roots. While I was in my hometown of Virginia Beach last weekend with some friends from college, I watched dolphins, pelicans, osprey, sand crabs, and lots of people enjoying the atmosphere – including these two ladies. They were so sweet, holding hands, watching the waves and the birds, and walking slowly down the beach. I loved their similar swimswuits, angular postures and bright colors. But then again, I also love watching people as they watch nature. Plus it’s pretty great seeing people respect and admire the ocean and all the wildlife that lives in or off of it.

The cobweb thistle is one bad-ass lookin’ bloom (technically an herb). It’s found only in California, and I was lucky enough to hike in Garrapata State Park from the Pacific Ocean to the top of the mountains, through redwood forests, along a creek, past cacti galore, in fields of wildflowers (and thistles), and back down to the ocean. Gorgeous. May is definitely the time to visit the Carmel/Big Sur region. This plant really does begin as a scary ball of cobwebs, but then opens up to these brilliant fuschia spikes. Aptly named not only for appearances, I did see a spider making itself quite at home in one of the not-yet-opened thistles; a home with a great view.