Jetty at last!
We have reserved, and cancelled, reservations way out on the Jetty at Doran beach multiple times. Reservations are really hard to get, so it’s always a bummer to let them go. But if Bodega Bay is windy, cold, or rainy, the jetty is going to get the worst of it. Even during the days of toughing out any and all camping weather, we have bailed on the jetty. But not this time!
90s to 50s in a two hour drive
We left a hot and toasty home, with temperatures in the 90s, drove two hours west, and landed in jacket weather. It was chilly and very foggy in Bodega Bay, which was most welcome. We took a nice walk along the beach wearing down jackets even. The weekend’s entertainment was watching pelicans dive nose first into the water, making huge splashes on impact. We couldn’t figure out how they could possibly spot fish from above, so we Googled it. Apparently they are not launching targeted strikes. They just nose dive and slap the water with their wings. They have air bubbles in their feathers, which protects them from the impact, but any fish within a few feet of the shock wave will get tiny concussions, get disoriented, and float to the surface. Like pelicans are using their bodies as water bombs to stun their dinner. Did not know that. And I’m glad I’m not a pelican.
Dive bomb pelican splash
On Saturday we hiked the Pinnacle Gulch loop trail which connects with the Shorttail Gulch trail via the beach. It’s best if you do this loop at low tide so you don’t get cut off by the water, but we scooted past the narrowest stretch of sand about an hour before high tide and made it without getting wet. We had a lovely picnic on a driftwood pile and then headed back to the staging area.
Shorttail Gulch to Pinnacle Gulch trail
For dinner, I was really looking forward to going out. August is a long ass month for two school district employees who don’t get paid until Sept 1. We had just enough saved funds to have a splurge at Fishetarian and even get dessert afterward. We split the shrimp tacos and an “adult” grilled cheese with fries. The adult part is only exciting in the sense that you get fancy asiago and fontina cheese, with fig spread and roasted red onions. We stopped in Rocker Oysterfeller’s for a soft serve for dessert and it was surprisingly worth the steep price of $6 for a rather small swirl. It was so creamy and rich though, that we had no regrets.
Rocker Oysterfeller’s at the Wharf
We walked from Dory to dinner, and back, which was almost two and a half miles each way. We stopped and chatted with a park ranger on the way back, who told us that locals and folks in the know refer to Doran Beach as “Blowdega.” That makes sense to me and makes me feel like not quite such a wuss for having bailed so many times.
So were we. Yay!
I’m glad we finally got there. It was too foggy to enjoy ocean views, but at least we weren’t getting sand blasted. Camping weekends are always dependably joyful and Bodega Bay never disappoints. We’re filling up the non camping weekends with fun day trips to pull some of that joy into home life. Work in progress but we’re getting better at it. Next outing will be for the Olema Altogather and I’m very much looking forward to that!
Total miles: 80.9, 15.3 mpg, 2 hours 32 min. Site 108 Jetty, no hookups. Great cell. Solar. Dump $10 but didn’t use it. Felt superior about that and gloated as we drove past the dump line.
