Just a few observances and updates
The park was pretty quiet yesterday - eerily so where we were.
There was a small canyon burn at one of the ranches on the way in.
Chalone Vineyard's tasting room is now closed permanently which is disappointing and a great loss.
It used to be a real treat to stop in there on the way out. Consequently, we dropped our membership in their wine club.
The grass is higher and drier than ever and is poised to light the whole place up.
By the way...I noticed there never was any follow up on the fire in the High Peaks that Bare Toe posted about - oh well...we'll let the suspense build.
The air quality was pretty terrible yesterday (again) so we decided a change of scenery was warranted after being at the house for over a week doing various mundane chores. The air quality numbers were lower at the park but it didn't look or smell any different to me.
The landscape of the drive is changing. There is now a Love's at the Airport exit in Salinas.
No climbers out and only one hiker on the Balconies trail.
Streams are completely dry. Quite the change from our last trip down in mid May.
Saw Wile E Coyote emerge from the shade of a tree by the deserted kiosk on the way out. No park presence.
Weeds are nearly grown in on the path from the bathrooms to the Balconies trail.
In N Out was as good as ever on the way home.
Getting some curiosity exposure and gross air after lunch.
Kat (my "machine") descends the dry. loamy topsoil and slicky grass on the "biologist's" trail below Agent Orange.
