Muir Woods & Point Bonita Lighthouse with the Folks

After my parents returned from their mission to Canada (see Dad's shirt?) and before relocating to Massachusetts to live near my younger brother, they came to California to see their 2 kids and 7 grandkids that live here. They split their time between our two houses, but we ALL got together one Sunday for a BBQ at our house and one Saturday for some sight-seeing.

We met up in Muir Woods for a stroll through the Redwoods. My brother Jed and his family had been there several times, but it was our first visit. My parents were there thirty-something years ago on a cool, uncrowded fall day. While there were lots of cars and lots of people near the entrance, we found a quieter trail and enjoyed our walk and the beautiful tall trees.

 

 

Cousin Kiera, Gunnar, and Maggie growling from their tree cave:

Adah, Maggie, Gunnar, Holly, and Kiera and some growling and some smiling:

Because of the lack of parking at Muir Woods, there's a shuttle from a park-n-ride in Marin. We took that option while my parents and brother parked a mile away. Their situation was actually a bit simpler and quicker. Who knew? On the return trip Damon read the ranger guide to Gunnar. I love how interested Gunnar is in animals and the natural world.

Our next stop was Point Bonita Lighthouse,

which was accessed by a path down a hillside, through a rock tunnel,

and over this bridge. There go Kiera and Joette:

And here come my dad, Damon, and Holly:

Isn't it amazing that they managed to build a lighthouse out there? Construction began in 1855, making it the third lighthouse built in California. It was also the last manned lighthouse on the California coast.*

Mom & Dad had their late picnic lunch after viewing the lighthouse.

The kids, particularly Gunnar, enjoyed some climbing and goofing around before we went back up the trail to the cars.  Good trick, eh?

This one actually looked a lot funnier on the camera's screen since you couldn't see his chin at all. He just looked headless.

Just relaxin':

And here Christian and Kiera get a bit of height:

We sure had a fun day. We're so glad Nana & Gumpin came for a visit, and glad we live near Jed & Joette so they could be there, too.

*This information was not able to be completely verified by reliable sources because nps.gov and other related sites were not available during this post's composition due to the government shutdown of October 2013.