Manzanita County Park, Monterey County, Prunedale, California

 Waxing Crescent Moon

Manzanita County Park is described on one internet site like this: "Baseball & soccer fields dominate this county park that's surrounded by scrubby hillsides." Hmmm. Someone was in a bit of a hurry, I guess.

The Manzanita County Park baseball and soccer fields are part of a massive sports complex operated with great care by the North County Youth Recreation Association. Youth baseball, softball, and soccer games plus BMX races are scheduled on weekends when the gates on Castroville Boulevard open to vehicles. Hiking/equestrian trails wind around and through the "scrubby hillsides" that feature stands of Monterey pine, eucalyptus, and oak trees interspersed with thick tangles of manzanita and ceanothus bushes. Much of the hiking is relatively flat, with moderate ups and downs along sandstone trails that horses have crushed into fine, soft, dusty tread. During the week, when the gates are closed, several walk-in/ride-in entrances allow the general public to make use of the trails. I like the "scrubby hillsides" personally.

Yesterday I drove through the open gates and parked in one of the spacious lots full of cars and vans and folks carrying lawn chairs. The colorfully uniformed kids on every field were really organized - colorfully uniformed coaches were putting them through very serious warm-up drills prior to the games. I didn't spend much time waiting around to see if any actual fun was going to break out, but I assume that the kids would be allowed to be kids at some point. What surprised and somewhat concerned me about the whole scene was how quiet it was. Weird! Anyway, I walked past the complex and onto the trail to get into my own quiet space. There were occasional small groups and couples out for their hikes, but mostly I had the place to myself for a couple of hours.

I was reminded that Fremont Peak is visible from its surrounding area in just about every direction.

Dense tangles of manzanita cover much of the interior of the park.

I think this is ceanothus?

These yellow flowers flank the sunny open hillsides.

These guys look like little exploded yellow trumpets.

In the steeper areas, off the flatter beaten path, the sandstone (pretty sure it is part of the rather famous Monterey Formation, but it might be a little younger than that) is still intact, forming convenient steps and ramps. In the dusty trails where horses have broken down the harder materials, animal tracks are all over the place.

Raccoon?

As I moved around the outer reaches of the park, I passed through tall stands of eucalyptus and pine trees and later, an oak forest, home of a sleepy old bull. There was a group of cows reclining under some trees about fifty yards away. Everybody looked exhausted.

It's good to be King.

Looping past the bovines and around the busy sports fields, the trail was hidden from the BMX course and team activities by big oaks and more "scrubby hillsides" until finally I circled back to the parking lot. The games were mostly over by then. It was still eerily quiet. Yo kids! Make some noise! Hey, batter, batter, swing!

Peace, Love, and Infield Chatter is Fun,

Jim

#2,022 in 2022