Another summer highlight…. and when did my boy grow taller than me??? Mavericks Beach, located near Half Moon Bay, is famous for the annual big wave surfing competition, Maverick’s, which is held here every year.
Category Archives: Travel
Bodega Bay, California
As part of our homeschool studies last year, we did a unit on Alfred Hitchcock movies. One of our favorite Hitchcock films was The Birds. Of course, while in Bodega Bay, we had to check out some of the places filmed in the movie, such as the schoolhouse and the church. But the highlight of the trip was our hike on the Bodega Head Trail…
Finding Calm, Redwood Regional Park, Oakland
The scent of the redwoods…. one of my favorite things. This is my happy place…
Spring in Yosemite
I just realized I haven’t posted here in ages. To get back into it, I’ll begin by sharing posts this week from a few places we’ve visited this past year.
Holiday Highlights
One of my favorite things from this holiday season? My daily hikes and walks with my son. These are from our New Year’s Day hike. Happy New Year!
Yosemite Retreat
Do to the events of 2020, we haven’t taken many trips this year, making our time in Yosemite last week feel extra special. Feeling thankful…
Unwinding…
As with everyone else these days, I’ve been feeling stressed. The months of pandemic, the wildfire smoke here in California, adjusting to online teaching, political strife, healing from an injury that has kept me from hiking, combined with worries over the health of close family members… I’ve been feeling, well, stressed and overwhelmed. I’m puttingContinue reading “Unwinding…”
Focusing on the Beauty
Keeping healthy and sane with local daily hikes and neighborhood walks during this period of social distancing….
Swarm: Ladybug Clusters
It’s that time of year, when the ladybugs return to Redwood Regional Park in Oakland, California. I haven’t hiked out to see them yet this season, but I’ve heard from others that the clusters are back (I’ll head out next week to see for myself and take more photos). Until then, here are a twoContinue reading “Swarm: Ladybug Clusters”
Weekly Photo Challenge: Achievement
Reaching the intended destination of any hike is an achievement. The best reward? Gorgeous views all to ourselves. Interested in going? You’ll find info here…. Yosemite Hikes: Gaylor Lakes *** The challenge? Weekly Photo Challenge: Achievement
Autumn: A Pop of Color (Yellow)
The challenge? WordPress Photography 101: A Pop of Color
Photography 101: Experimenting with Composition
Devil’s Postpile National Monument, California Photos taken October, 2014 *** The challenge? WordPress Photography 101, Weekend One: Experiment with Composition
Photography 101: Water
Crystal Lake, Mammoth Lakes, California Photo taken October, 2014 The Challenge? Photography 101: Water
All is Good!
We’re still here, getting out and about as much as we always have. All is good! I’ve simply been preoccupied lately with getting my piano studio up and running and looking for a new house. Here are a few photos of the cool things we saw on our walk today near our home in theContinue reading “All is Good!”
Las Trampas: Bollinger Creek Loop Trail
Looking for a great trail to hike with young kids in San Ramon? At under two miles, with a variety of scenery, this is one of my favorites spots in the region for a quick escape into nature! Photos taken February 19th, 2014 *** Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, San Ramon, California I’ve written about thisContinue reading “Las Trampas: Bollinger Creek Loop Trail”
La Brea Tar Pits: Page Museum
Over the holidays, we made the trek down to Los Angeles to visit family. As soon as my son heard we were going to LA, he screamed excitedly, “can we go to the La Brea Tar Pits??” I thought for sure, his first interest would be Legoland, but, luckily for us, he didn’t bring itContinue reading “La Brea Tar Pits: Page Museum”
It’s cold in California! Now let’s go play outside…
I’ve noticed a funny thing here in California (at least in the Bay Area). When the temperature drops below 60F, kids disappear from the playgrounds. This morning before school, the thermostat was still hovering around the freezing point, yet the kids who arrived early had a blast running around on the playground. Really, parents, playingContinue reading “It’s cold in California! Now let’s go play outside…”
Chaparral Loop Trail: Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve
The Chaparral Loop Trail at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch is a great trail to hike with kids. First, the trail starts at the Greathouse Visitor Center, which, alone would be a great destination for a family with kids. The visitor center is located within the mountain! After exploring the visitor center forContinue reading “Chaparral Loop Trail: Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve”
5 Best Places to Bird Watch in the Bay Area
Thank you to guest writer, Ernie Allison, for sharing this article! *** Even though summer isn’t the peak season to witness a heavy migration, the bay area is still full of spots for birders to see some beautiful wild bird species. Whether you’re a local looking to quench your bird watching craving before the migrationContinue reading “5 Best Places to Bird Watch in the Bay Area”
Embarcadero: Flying Chimpanzee Carousel
One of those crazy things you see when you walk around San Francisco… Photo taken November 2nd, 2013 In front of the Exploratorium, on the Embarcadero