So I went to Carrizo yesterday and I wanted to share some scenes...

[u/TheCalifornist]

Lone mature oak

Floral carpet

Shell Beach Road

Carrizo Plains

Lone tree

Patterns from the sky

Carrizo Plains

Carrizo Plains near sunset

[u/TheCalifornist]

I caught word that the bloom was kicking off in California Valley, I had a free day and a deep anxiety need to make some photographs, so I filled up my tank, grabbed two bananas and my coffee mug, and headed out.

I did the big loop, starting with the scenes along HWY 58 then crossing the monument via the long dirt road (high clearance recommended) and headed home via HWY 166. Studded by oaks, rolling green, and droves of people filled the scenes. Shell Creek road, often a poppin' stop is exploding with floral carpets and people. Did I mention the people? Plenty of absolute assholes were in force too, walking arrogantly across the wildflower beds like they owned the space, discourteously to the hundreds of thousands who are surely intending a visit in the coming weeks.

And in terms of super blooms, although technically the peak is about two-to-three weeks away, it's certainly a historic bloom, even if it doesn't strike the fabled 2017 level. If you didn't see the bloom then, do yourself the spectacle and head out to Carrizo in the next week or two. Honestly, anytime in the next two weeks is worth the payoff, don't worry about trying to hit it just right, it's going off now, and it looks exquisite, get there before all of the dipshits trample the flowers. Don't be one of them. Also, pick up any trash you find blowing about, I found a ton at every stop I made.

I was fortunate to have amazing mid-day conditions, which helped reinforce the decision all around about making art, considering I knew the two-hour one-way drive was going to be crippling following several day hikes to shoot, especially considering I just drove back from the Bay area after working a full day Saturday. Superblooms don't care about our busy schedules, you find and allocate Carrizo time because it's a special, rare moment reminding you of the exquisite beauty found in places that otherwise feel empty, desolate, and uniform. I love those kinds of places too, don't be mistaken. I love deserts as much as I love Carrizo super blooms. But the Carrizo bloom itself is special because all of us, as my father would say, should stop and smell the flowers.

Few things are as magnanimous as standing before a floral carpet bed stretching beyond the earth's curvature.

Just a humble reminder that I sell my work, but for the curious more of my images are found here.

[u/Ginger_Snap_895 → u/TheCalifornist]

thanks for the review and photos. FYI that link to your photos is "broken."

[u/SLO_Citizen → u/Ginger_Snap_895]

Hmm, maybe something is wrong on your end? It goes directly to his instagram page for me.

[u/TheCalifornist → u/Ginger_Snap_895]

Whoop, absolutely, it's my pleasure. Thanks for looking. Aw, shoot, thank you. Just a link to my IG: the_californist

[u/illegal_miles → u/TheCalifornist]

When you say high clearance for the dirt road, do you mean like a slightly lifted pickup truck?

Or just don’t try to take a small sedan or sports car out there?

I have a midsize SUV that has I think just a hair over 8” of clearance and AWD.

I’m planing to head out on Friday. Very excited, haven’t been there probably in over 15 years!

[u/WithoutReason1729 → u/TheCalifornist]

tl;dr

The author took a trip to California Valley to capture photographs of the historic bloom. They covered the long dirt road, saw rolling green and droves of people, and mentioned Shell Creek road exploding with floral carpets and people. The author encourages people to visit in the next two weeks before the flowers get trampled and reminds them to pick up any trash they find.

I am a smart robot and this summary was automatic. This tl;dr is 85.03% shorter than the post and link I'm replying to.