One More Tribute to California Before We Head Inland

Three hundred and eleven people live in Trinidad, California, or so says the sign on Highway 101 just outside of town. But it's clear that many more people spend time there. Trinidad is home to a number of good restaurants, an idyllic harbor containing many mischievous seals and seagulls, an outstanding nature photographer and a great lot of boats, most of which are moored in the protected bay. There are also excellent beaches near Trinidad, including Agate Beach, pictured above. Apparently Agate Beach is a great place to find, well, agates – a semi-precious stone. When we arrived at the beach there were several people collecting them. We left with a few ourselves.

Most of the locals in Trinidad are friendly and engaging – and not just in the manner of people who live in a tourist town and feel they must be nice in order to relieve you of your money. Trinidaders seem genuinely content, and really, who wouldn’t be? They live in a charming town with an abundance of fresh seafood and staggeringly beautiful scenery. They are, however, obliged to cope with some oddly schizophrenic weather patterns.

It's a Midwestern cliche that "if you don't like the weather here, just wait five minutes." (Oh hell, for all I know they say it everywhere, and not just in the Midwest. But that's where I come from and that's where I heard it, so I'll attribute it accordingly.) The import of this saying is obvious: the weather is so changeable and unpredictable that, as awful as it might be at the time, it won't last very long. (And believe me, it can be awful.)

On the other hand, if you don't like the weather in the Northwest, you should just move five feet. If there is one constant theme in the weather here, it's that there is no constant theme, within surprisingly small geographic areas. Even in the valley, the 20-minute drive to Trailhead Kid's preschool seems to encompass three or four different climatic zones. Sunny over here, but rainy a mile down the road. A mile later, no more sun, but also no more rain. When we arrive at preschool, its sunny and raining and there's a rainbow. It's positively dizzying.

Northern California appears to be no different. From the redwood groves to the coast to the elk meadows -- all within about a four-mile radius -- the temperature went from 70 to 55 to 85, respectively. Layers were important.

What a magnificent place. I'm sorry to have gotten only a short taste of it, but I am eager to return. But for now, it's time to load up the truck with the backpacking gear and my trekking poles, and haul the Heavy Photography Pack and tripod to their place behind the driver's seat. We will stop in Coeur d'Alene at our favorite noodle place, and if we arrive before closing time, there will be pie at Panhandler Pies in Sand Point.

Posting may be oddly timed for the next few days. So please do my work for me and post hordes and hordes of comments. Flies with Moose, take it away.