Tropical Paradise

China Cove, right here on the central California coast. But don't even think about jumping in that gorgeous jade water--it's freezing all year round. The Monday hikers went to Point Lobos, a state park just south of Carmel. An absolutely fantastic day: an abundance of wildflowers, many birds--including Brandt's cormorants, which have stunning turquoise throats, and a magnificent landscape full of gnarly trees and crazy rock formations.