It is not often that I see the Red-Bellied Newt or Taricha Rivularis. However, on our last tour, following some morning rains, while walking in the redwoods we had the pleasure of seeing one. I love them.... they have character, are elusive and are just cool to see. It is amazing how well they blend into the forest floor. The Red-bellied newts are considered to be creatures from the fire and you can see why people believed this. Their skin looks almost charred and their fire-like, tomato-red under belly is just stunning! This feature, and their lack of yellow colored eyes, is what makes the red-bellied newt distinguishable from the others. They are native to the coastal woodlands in Northern California. They measure (when full grown) up to 3.5 inches. Newts begin their lives as aquatic larvae similar to tadpoles. We saw an adult on the trail - it calmly walked under a redwood log once it realized it had been spotted by intruders (us). At first, it was unmoving and it blended miraculously into the forest floor. Just amazing! We couldn't get our cameras out fast enough (and I am pretty quick on the draw). When disturbed, the red-bellied newts pull their heads and tails back to reveal their bright-red undersides. This serves as a warning to potential predators, as red-bellied newts have enough of a neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, in their skin to easily kill an adult human, or 7,500 mice. SO DO NOT EAT THESE GUYS! and do not touch. And the coolest thing: Like other newts, red-bellied newts have the ability to regenerate several body parts, including their limbs, eyes, hearts, intestines, and upper and lower jaws, and damaged spinal cords. IF ONLY WE COULD DO THAT!
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Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” - Robert Frost Hike the road less traveled with Unbeaten Path! It's peaceful, breathtaking, untouched, crisp, clear, blissful and soulful! Our FAVORITE TIME of year!
We all remember 9/11. We remember where we were and what we were thinking. This day is a special day. It's was my mother's birthday (may she rest in peace). She passed well before the tragic events of this day but I was always thankful she did not have to see this day unfold. She loved life. In looking through some artists tributes of this fateful day I was so moved by this 6th graders artwork - and what it represents: Helping others. That is our instinct. Not to kill but to help one another survive. I am thankful for this child's artwork and what it represents on this day.
To learn more about this photo and where it came from go to this link LABOR DAY is looking Up and booking Up! Want Dramatic Picnic dining with Ocean views? No Problem!9/2/2013 Let Unbeaten Path take care of you with our customized picnic dining locations. We can make picnics a part of your tour or bring you to a special location (like this one) to enjoy your picnic on your own. How awesome is that?
Unbeaten Path Hiking Tours is proudly partnered with Timber Cove Inn and is currently part of their new Stay & Hike Special Offer! As part of your hotel reservation, Unbeaten Path meets you personally at the hotel and takes you to nearby Salt Point State Park where you will embark on our breathtaking Salt Point Seascape Tour! See Timber Cove's write up below and BOOK NOW. In fact, Unbeaten Path just hosted a couple of Timber Cove guests this week and we had a great time! There are more pictures to come - here are few for now! As taken from Timber Cove's Special Offer Page
"Part of the Timber Cove Inn experience is enjoying the world-class scenery and hiking available just minutes away from the inn. We have made special arrangements with "Unbeaten Path Hiking Tours" for their Salt Point Seascape hike to be available to guests of Timber Cove Inn. They will personally meet you at Timber Cove Inn and guide you to the Salt Point State Park where you will proceed on a two hour hike along the spectacular cliffs featuring amazing flora, fauna and rock formations while learning about the history and geology of the area. Be sure to bring your camera! Package includes double occupancy room accommodations, bottled water and guided two hour hike along Salt Point, one of Sonoma Coasts most spectacular scenic Oceanside hikes. BOOK NOW!" The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass - Dogen Help Unbeaten Path bring the beauty of Nature into focus! Join and "like" our Facebook page today and stay posted on all the latest with Unbeaten Path Hiking Tours. Learn about our new Tour offerings, Seasonal Specials our healthy Food Blog Recipes or simply share our fun and memorable photos with your friends! The more the merrier!
Are you a shutter bug? The photo opportunities are unrivaled with our guided tours! Our Photographer's Tour is designed to meet your specific photo needs! Want to focus on Seascapes, Redwood Snags, Flora, Fauna, Geological wonders? We can bring you to all of these and MORE! The list is endless. You let us know what you want and we design it for you. Difficulty and Duration dependent upon your needs. Group rates apply! See our Hiking Tours page for further details! That is why, when you look outside around, you can see yourself. - Thich Nhat Hanh During a recent, personal hike I was truly made motionless by a group of daisies that showed me how to grow with the flow. Sometimes, when we are frustrated or "stuck" in life it is hard to let our egos go and just let life happen - to surrender ourselves from our goals, our pain or even our desires! When I saw these along the river bank I took pause and was thankful for the gift and message the Universe was providing me at that very moment.
These daisies manage to survive along the Garcia River Bank where (literally) gale force winds off the Pacific Ocean tunnel their way up and into these flowers on daily basis in the Spring. If these guys can survive this constant barrage then maybe I can (and you can), too! And even though one of the flower heads in this photo looks like it has "gone" with the wind - it still manages to hang on in all it's humble beauty... in fact, I find the blossom with the "least" amount of life the most ALIVE. I was very moved by these and still am while typing this blog. I am very thankful for this. The weather for the beginning of this week has been glorious & much needed rain! And we are grateful because this can only mean that sunshine is headed our way. The weekend weather calls for SUN & Fun ... so come and take a hike. MAKE IT UNIQUE & Gain a whole new perspective with our guided tours!
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AuthorMadge Malone in her blogging zone! Categories
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