Today is Sunday — day seven of my caffeine boycott, and the first since I went cold turkey that I didn’t suffer from an annoying headache at any point. I closed out this first week of my real food cleanse, with a sort of spiritual detox at the Steep Ravine campground in Mount Tamalpais State Park.
Steep Ravine is a stunning place, with a rich history aptly described by fellow blogger Donald Fortescue. The first time I reserved a Steep Ravine cabin, I think it cost $35 per night. Over time the price has increased to $100, but a weekend there is still worth every penny.
The cabins are comfortable, but have no electricity or indoor plumbing. Built in the 1940s, they are not well insulated but each features a wood burning stove.
There is plenty to do at Steep Ravine… or nothing to do, if that’s your thing. There are beaches and tide pools for exploring, and cliffs for scrambling. There are even some hippy-heavy hot springs when there’s a negative tide. You can avail yourself of them if you’re an early riser, and comfortable with the human form, if you know what I mean. (If not, you may prefer to sleep in.)
This trip, I chose to just… be. In fact, I think this was my first visit to Steep Ravine when I didn’t even listen to the radio or pop in a CD. I just tuned in to the wind, and the waves crashing into the cliffs below my cabin, read a lot (Team of Rivals, by Doris Kearns Goodwin), napped and enjoyed the view.
The temperature was in the low 60’s during the day but the wind was fierce. There was a surf advisory in effect, which meant I avoided the beach and took photos instead.
In Write Field 