Bolinas, California

The tiny town of Bolinas, at the southern tip of Point Reyes National Seashore, and a short drive north of Muir Beach, is not on the way to anywhere. It hides on the other side of this lagoon, and it wants to be left alone.



We will visit quickly and go.



















The familiar scent inside the general store brought a rush of memories from my college years in Santa Cruz. All natural food stores have the same smell.







The same hippie-goddess vibe also prevails.



I've only been to Bolinas once or twice before, but I know its contours well. After awhile, all of northern California's tiny coastal towns come to resemble one another.









Bolinas has a slightly sharper edge tho'.



Some people would say West Marin County drinks from the crazy cup. Others would say it takes all kinds.



Bolinas then:



Bolinas now:



Bolinas then:



Bolinas now:



Bolinas then...No--wait. This one is San Francisco, in 3 weeks:



Anyway.



In California, a "community meeting to discuss beach camping" is code language for "what are we going to do about the hobos living at the beach?"

Like this dude:



No doubt the matter will be taken up by musicians,



poets,



and spiritual mediums.



I wish them luck.



My friend Emma and I are just passing through.



We came here with one specific thing in mind:



to buy California wildflower seeds.

Arata Pumpkin Farm

Today we went to Arata's Pumpkin Farm in Half Moon Bay, about 30 minutes south of SF down Highway 1.

So many pumpkins...













And so many different kinds...







Some were especially bright



But my group most admired the famously slate blue-grey Jarrahdales. Aren't they lovely?



The warty kind make great jack-o'-lanterns.





But, alas. We are traditionalists.



What is the golden ornament you ask? Well, it wasn't all about pumpkins...



We actually came for the straw labyrinth. I've always wanted to visit a real labyrinth.





"Available June through November, the labyrinth, made of 10,000+ straw bales, covers approximately 2.5 acres and is in its 6th year of construction. Every year boasts a different design with spirals, concentric circles and arenas with multiple games, corridors, and hallways."




We were told it could take an hour, but with Guy at point it took about 15 minutes.



I loved all the big halls



And secret doors. When you push a door open, you "create a new opening to your path...[and] close off someone else's."



This was the most fun I've had in weeks! I did it twice. (You only have to pay once.)



I found the minotaur on my second try! He gave me a golden pumpkin.



Other attractions include the following:



I'm sorry we didn't tour the Haunted Barn, which a brochure describes as 5000-7000 square feet of "complete darkness with lighted props propelled by air and appearing out of nowhere to haunt you. It is guaranteed to scare or startle you, so we ask little ones be accompanied by adults." I'm sorry we missed it!

But we couldn't pass up the petting zoo, which was mostly just a goat pen.







Cuties!