John and I went on our first trip in the bay area. We visited the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Half Moon Bay to see the tide pools and the seals.
![half moon bay](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/7689764952_c661d07bca_z.jpg)
![half moon bay](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8288/7689765698_502793de9d_z.jpg)
The tide pools actually weren’t very impressive, without a lot to see, but there were some awesome tree-lined walking paths that were great for photographing.
![half moon bay](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8289/7689766282_de66ae1ed2_z.jpg)
![half moon bay](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7260/7689764406_0282faea17_z.jpg)
There were definitely some amazing colors in the trees, though it was freezing cold. I didn’t dress warmly enough.
![half moon bay](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8421/7689765206_8c7f698e29_z.jpg)
![half moon bay](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7114/7689765994_39bff8146a_z.jpg)
After we walked around here for a couple of hours we had lunch, then visited a farm, where they sold roses, vegetables, carnivorous plants, and orchids. I got a couple orchids, one yellow and one white which have survived so far.
![orchids from half moon bay](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7689766568_74c1a46d54_z.jpg)
![orchids from half moon bay](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7138/7689766504_d50df225fb_z.jpg)
It was a fun trip. I think we’ll visit Santa Cruz next, or maybe some other hiking trails.
Here’s the entire photo gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelcat/sets/72157630850313526/