Fort Ross and Gualala

Just 2 hours north of where we live is Fort Ross State Historic Park. We had no idea something as grande as this attraction was nearby, which we drove by on the way to Gualala. Kai had awakened from his nap and was getting cranky to move. So we made this lunch stop.



On the grounds inside Fort Ross.

Kai peers out the window of the main building at the church across the way.

"Daddy, daddy! Let's blow something up!!!"

Just us sitting on a cannon.

Afterwards we drive for another hour plus to get to Gualala and find our campgrounds. Already camped there were the Greger family and the Parada grandparent family.

But we were aching to get off our butts from that long drive and got the kayak out and headed up river to the ocean. There were some very shallow parts that I had to maneuver the kayak over.

We even saw turkey vultures and a family of river otters along the way.

We docked the boat...

...and walked over the sand hill to see the Pacific Ocean!

Kai caught sight of something big!

Isn't that a huge jellyfish?

Now look how much bigger it is next to my "petite" foot! haha. While I was distracted with it, Greg laughed as he saw a big wave almost knock me over, leaving me half soaked.

Back at the campgrounds, Kai and Brennan play on the trees.

And swing away until dusk.

And then they swing a light stick around the campfire to make a really interesting light show.