THERE'S AN old saying that you enjoy something more when you have to earn it. Abbotts Lagoon at Point Reyes National Seashore falls into that category because the nearest parking is 1.5 miles away.

One of the reasons the beach along Abbotts Lagoon is less crowded is the 1.5-mile mildly strenuous walk from the parking area. It's not a difficult walk, in fact the winding path is one of my favorite parts of the experience.

The wildflowers of summer offer smatterings of yellow, lavender and white. The vegetation is dominated by coyote and lupine bushes. The trail can be a little challenging because of sandy sections, so the outing will provide exercise.

Watch for wildlife including hawks, songbirds and rabbits. The little bush bunnies that populate this area pulled a good laugh on me a few years ago. Marching along with the trail, I spotted a blob in the middle of the path.