Take a trip: Queen Mary 2
Terry Tazioli		Join Seattle Times Travel Editor Terry Tazioli aboard the Queen Mary 2, prior to her maiden voyage Jan. 12. He'll attend the ship-naming ceremony at her homeport of Southampton, England, headlined by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. He welcomes e-mails.

April 25, 2003

Gosh it's fun walking in the rain

It is not a smart thing to whip out the computer and cellphone in the midst of a driving rainstorm whilst staggering along the Pacific Ocean shoreline just to keep up a blog. No, it’s not. Ditto digital camera. So I didn’t. So this filing is being posted a few hours after the previous. But it’s worth the delay to save the company the expense of reviving several pieces of waterlogged equipment, wouldn’t you agree? This morning at about 9:45, four intrepid walkers and I took off from Mavericks and Princeton by the Sea, about 27 miles south of San Francisco, and headed for Ocean Colony and a spot just near the newish Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, about 8 miles south. In essence from the northern tip of Half Moon Bay to the southern tip. We survived – lots of rain, lots of wind, some hail, mud, occasional snails and worms on the pathway and someone who forgot to close a bottle of water that then pretty much water-logged a bag full of dry clothes. Even in weather that’s far, far less than ideal, this hike is a great California experience. You can start somewhere in Princeton, a small seaside community with small fishing village, good places to eat – Mezza Luna is one, and, um, interesting places for a cocktail – Old Princeton Landing (where you might hear Neil Young test out a new tune or two on occasion. True. You’re on a pathway, much of it paved, most of the way to Half Moon Bay, a small, increasingly touristy spot with more places to eat and drink. Make sure you slow down and take note of Miramar, along the way. Especially Douglas Beach House and the Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society. More in a bit. Once past Miramar (where you could park and make the walk much shorter) you head into Half Moon Bay state beach park, where the path wanders inland and back. At Kelly Avenue, you can head east (many blocks) into Half Moon Bay itself where there is plenty of shopping, food and drink. So now, we soaked walkers are basking in borrowed dry sweat clothes in front of fire, drinking some wine, watching it pour rain and thinking about standing up again. Maybe in a few hours. http://www.bbonline.com/ca/moss+beach.html Some ideas on places to stay in the area http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/wgmt/sfbay/FitzFossil.pdf And still more beach information http://www.half-moon-bay.ca.us/ Here's some information on Half Moon Bay

Posted by ttazioli at April 25, 2003 02:12 PM