Last Saturday, I married Kelly Clifton (now Turner). We had a fantastic three-day party, which included dinner with close friends and family on Friday, the ceremony and reception on Saturday, and an epic brunch on Sunday. It was great wedding, and we enjoyed the people and the occasion quite a bit. However, we were spent, and we went up to Observatory Campground in the Palomar Mountains to rest, recharge, and recreate using new gifts that our friends and family shared with us.
While I did manage to squeeze in a hike (Observatory Trail, 5 miles, 1,000′ gained), this trip was more about relaxing with Kelly than about taking adventures. Kelly never strayed far from the camp, even as I took a hike that was harder than I remember it being. I collected a few pine cones, cooked dinner with Kelly, lit a pretty good campfire, and enjoyed a rainy afternoon and evening in one of my favorite places with my favorite person.
Here are some photos:
 |
| Red-tailed hawk taking flight. |
 |
| Moss on a black oak |
 |
| Mendenhaal Valley as the storm cleared up |
 |
| Mossy boulders on the Observatory Trail |
 |
| Poison Oak starting to turn |
 |
| Flowers on a Poodle-Dog Bush (don’t touch) |
 |
| Observatory Trail |
 |
| Observatory Trail |
 |
| Kelly Turner, taking it easy |
 |
| Enjoying a bottle of Chimay |
 |
| Kelly anticipating grilled cheese and spicy tomato soup |
 |
| Coulter pine cone in the fire |
 |
| Our Tent Palace aglow |
 |
| Full moon through the black oak leaves |
 |
| 30 second exposure under a full moon. |
 |
| Waking up in the morning |
scott turner hikes 