Balconies Cliffs

Pinnacles National Park, California (YouTube video)

It is that time of year again. December has come and with it all the joys
of Christmas.

Our children and grandchildren came home from the East Coast for the 
annual holiday family gathering.

Yesterday morning, while in Palo Alto, we decided to take a trip together
to Pinnacles National Park, where we have long planned to visit.

Pinnacles National Park, used to be "Pinnacles Monument" since 1908, 

became the newest (the 59th) national park in January 2013. 

It lies 40 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and 80 miles south of the 

San Francisco Bay Area. It is a beautiful place with its unique geological 
setting.

The stunning rock formations, called pinnacles and from which the park 

gets its name, are the remnants of half an ancient volcano, worn down
by erosion over the eons. 

"This ancient and awe-inspiring volcanic field with its massive monoliths, 
spires, cave passages and canyons is a place that restores our souls 

and energizes our bodies with its beauty and abundant opportunities for 
outdoor recreation," -- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar --

It was a cold but sunny day. We took the Balconies Cliffs/Cave loop trail 
to get a combination of the panoramic views and the caves. 

  

 

 

It was just another awesome day.

Yeh Tze