CowTown

Finally, we are able to take our Sunday hike today, the sun having come out since Thursday. We decide to resume the same hike that was foiled last Sunday. The flat and relatively short Cowtown trail is a good way to resume our Sunday routine. At 6:30 a.m., Handy (sometimes aka "SoWhat"), Cutie, Thor, Sparky, Shelley, Lee, and CC meet at the Last Command Post. Everyone is happy to be together again for an easy hike so we can talk and catch up. We start on the road to Bonzai Cliff. 

Cattle is seen lounging in the field. We have walked past this field many times and have wondered whether it would be a ranch or a development.

New hiker Winnie with her mistress Shelley, and Lee decides to walk backward for a spell, while Cutie is all serious in her strides. The morning is quite windy, and the overcast sky keeps us cool as we continue toward Bonzai Cliff.

Thor forgoes her walking stick as she busily chatting with Handy.

On the trail to Cowtown Beach.

An eerie setting of the abandoned barracks along the trail. Thor is at the end of the hallway.

Thor, Lee, and Handy have gone through the building and are now making their way out. They are probably disappointed not having discovered anything more interesting.

Lee squeezes the liquid from a flower bud, claiming it is better than commercial eye drops. At this point, no one else in the group is ready to try it just yet. 

As expected, when we reach the Cowtown Beach, the surfs are roaring sky high. The recent rain storms, although cleared, keep the surfs strong.

The recent relentless rain and high surfs have changed the landscape. There is more sand on this beach. Lee is gingerly stepping around on the jagged rocks. 

A partial rainbow over the horizon.

Lee, Handy, and Thor examining the tide pools, while Sparky is headed back from the bunker. Although there is much to see in these tide pools, the sprays from the surfs can catch us unexpectedly. 

A beautiful blue jelly fish in the tide pool. There has been recent jelly fish warnings. Several other tide pools also have these pretty but nasty critters.

Winnie is a good hiker, and behaves quite well. 

Thor, Sparky, Lee, Shelley, CC, Cutie, and Handy, Winnie has the best deal here.

On the way back, to avoid the main road, we turn onto the old airfield. The old airfield is a better trail than the main road. Toward the end of the trail, this large bee hive is impressive, but no bees.

Back on the main road, Sparky and Lee are both busy checking out the grass, while Cutie and Handy hurry back to the car park.

Last but not least, Thor and Shelley exit the trail.

This has been a fairly leisurely hike, and everyone enjoys it. We agree we will tackle a more challenging hike next Sunday.