Carrizo Plain

1/29/2017

The Carrizo Plain National Monument remains one of my favorite remote gems in California. The expansive grassland threads the needle between desert and prarie and is bisected on the eastern side by the San Andreas fault. It is a land of sweeping vistas, big sky and few visitors. Campsites are free and the open hills make hiking the coyote trails a true joy. The winds often roar through here, a tumultuous area impacted by the warmer Pacific air and the draw of the central valley and Sierra's farther west. It is a landscape rich for introspection, long hikes and ominous skies.

I camped at KCL Ranch Campground this time around, mistakenly not driving up to Selby Campground. I had confused the two. Introducing myself to the other campers in the loop, I was invited over to Gypsy and Bry-Dog's site for a drink. The two travelers were of Choctaw relation and heading south from Oregon for warmer weather in SoCal. Gusty winds blew from the SE and their 8 man tent looked more like a spinnaker than shelter. The wind blew the tinny tunes of Jerry Garcia emitting from a cell phone in a cup out onto the great darkening expanse. Sipping rum and cokes, we shared stories of travel, places to see in the future and those left behind.