Coastal Prairie Trail

Another beautiful day in Sonoma County!   Today, I saw an opportunity to set off on my own.  With both girls having 2 hours of Zoom calls ahead of them, I  put my bike on the rack and drove out to Bodega Bay to check out the Coastal Prairie Trail, part of Sonoma County Regional Parks, that my friend Michelle told me about.  (Thanks Michelle!). I can't believe I had no idea that this existed.

It starts behind the Bodega Bay Community Center.  There is a parking lot (behind the community garden space) with bathrooms.  At the start of the trail is the bell tower.  This tower was built as a memorial to a 7-year-old resident of Bodega Bay that was killed in Italy (see the story below)

I then set off on the trail, which was a wide, well-maintained gravel trail that weaves through pine forests and prairie land.  You are treated to spectacular views of coast mountains to the East while listening to the crashing of the waves to the West.   It is an easy ride that crosses over the entrance to Bodega Dunes State Park (that'll be another day) and heads out to Salmon Creek.  It was a nice ride, and I very much enjoyed riding by myself.  In my 20's & 30's, I did a lot of bike riding in New York as well as Ireland.   I was really into it at one point, and I really enjoyed exploring new places by bike.  I feel that  rising in me again.  Riding on this trail made me think about all the cycling tours I took in Ireland, where I collectively cycled most of the West Coast of Ireland -- it was so gorgeous.  In the winter, when it gets bright green on the California Coast, it reminds me very much of the West of Ireland!  Just imagine these hills to be bright green:

At the end of the trail (only 1.1 miles), I came to a small 'village' of houses along Salmon Creek, and I wound my way through the neighborhood and arrived at the creek's edge.  There were an abundance of birds in the creek including swans, geese, ducks, coots, gulls and egrets.   The bridge shown below is Highway 1.  This creek pours out into the Pacific Ocean.

I followed along the creek towards the ocean, where I found a parking lot for South Salmon Creek Beach. (also part of Sonoma Coast State Park, so I guess today is a two-fer!).   There is a bathroom here, and it seems that the parking lot is not open on the weekends, only weekdays.  I imagine this is to protect the little village from a ton of traffic coming into their tiny roads. 

I locked up my bike, took off my shoes, had a nice conversation with an older man who had just finished surfing - he agreed that the waves are exceptionally big right now.  In today's newspaper, they said there is a high surf advisory right now.   I headed out to the beach, which was accessible on a path through the dunes.   I spent an hour or so on the beach, marveling at the big waves, enjoying the sunshine, and eating my lunch (leftover chicken stew in a thermos).  I really enjoyed being able to sit and watch the waves as long as I wanted.  At one point, an eldery woman arrived on the scene in a wetsuit, and I watched her skim board for about 20 minutes.  She was so impressive and athletic - she had to be in her 70's.  I am always so impressed by the senior citizens in my area.  They are so active and engaged.  Its inspiring!

I finally decided its time to head back, I had some steep hills to ride up to get back to the trail, but no problem!  This body has memory and is strong!   I got back on the trail and fully enjoyed my ride back.  By the way, I only passed 2 couples my entire time on the trail -- one on the way, and one on the way back.  Therefore, no mask was needed.  (bonus!). I definitely want to bring the family back to this trail and maybe go into Bodega Dunes State Park to extend the ride a bit longer.