What a beautiful weekend! Photo taken March 9th, 2013
Category Archives: Travel
Play: Alamo Creek Park, Dublin
Love this park! It has a huge field for play, paths for bike riding, an awesome play structure, and a creek with ducks. Fun! Photos taken March 7th, 2013
Hike: Bollinger Creek Trail, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness
Yesterday, I hiked this section of the Bollinger Creek Loop Trail in Las Trampas Regional Wilderness with some friends. It’s is one of the few trails in Las Trampas that is shade-covered. It’s also relatively short, with the section along the creek and through the trees being only 0.69 miles (one-way). This is a funContinue reading “Hike: Bollinger Creek Trail, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness”
Shadow Cliffs: Pleasanton
Yesterday, my son had a school field trip to Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area, a large park located in Pleasanton, near the Livermore border. The students have been learning about the life cycle through the study of trout. They went to Shadow Cliffs to release baby trout into the lake. But they also had aContinue reading “Shadow Cliffs: Pleasanton”
Outdoor Fun: Read a Book
The pleasure of a new book from the library… Book Bench, Dublin Library Photo taken February 26th, 2013
Lovely: Japanese Garden, Hayward
I consider the Japanese Garden in Hayward to be a bit of a hidden gem, as so few people seem to know about it. Whenever I mention it, the response is usually, “There’s a Japanese garden in Hayward?!?” Yes, there is, and a lovely one at that. Interested in going? The garden is free, openContinue reading “Lovely: Japanese Garden, Hayward”
Turtles: Japanese Garden, Hayward
A great place to see turtles! Japanese Garden, Hayward Photos taken February 24th, 2013
Fun for Little Astronauts: Chabot Space Center
I’m surprised I haven’t written about the Chabot Space Center before, as we’ve been members for two years and visit frequently. I’m frequently asked the question, “Is the museum OK for 3-year-olds?” Yes! My son has always loved our visits here. The museum is filled with hands-on exhibits, which children enjoy. In the Beyond Blastoff Continue reading “Fun for Little Astronauts: Chabot Space Center”
Beautiful Butterflies: California Academy of Sciences
Photos taken January 29th, 2013 Rainforests of the World California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
Silent Saturday: Explore! California Academy of Sciences
Photos taken January 29th, 2013 California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco Also see… The Living Roof: California Academy of Sciences
The Living Roof: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
We love to visit The Living Roof whenever we visit the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. This paragraph from the Academy webpage states it best… “An open-air observation terrace enables visitors to get a close-up look at the roof’s lush canopy of plants. The view encompasses the densest concentration of native wildflowers inContinue reading “The Living Roof: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco”
Ladybug Clusters: Redwood Regional Park
Photos taken January 27th, 2013 Redwood Regional Park, Oakland Interested in going? The ladybugs cluster at Redwood Regional Park between November and February. You’ll find them at the intersection of the Stream and Prince Trails. Look on, around, and behind the bench, as well as across the trail, near (and on) the sign. You canContinue reading “Ladybug Clusters: Redwood Regional Park”
Citizen Science: FrogWatch 2013
As I sit here at my computer with the backdoor open to allow some fresh air into our home, I’m listening to the lovely sound of frogsong. The chorus is coming from the creek on the other side of our backyard fence. Up until today, we’ve only been hearing one frog at a time. Suddenly,Continue reading “Citizen Science: FrogWatch 2013”
Hike: Calaveras Ridge Trail, Dublin Hills
Saturday morning… a misty, wet hike with friends on the Calaveras Ridge Regional Trail in Dublin Hills Regional Park. Photos taken January 26th, 2013 Dublin Hills Regional Park
The Calming Effect of Nature on Children
One of the great things about playing in nature is that bouts of exertion and excitement are often interspersed with quiet, contemplative time. I don’t have to recommend these quiet moments… my five-year-old sits down and calms himself entirely on his own whenever he’s inspired by the beauty around him. I often wonder what he’sContinue reading “The Calming Effect of Nature on Children”
How many of you remember these?
Photos taken January 21st, 2013 Hap Magee Ranch Park, Danville, California
New Experience: Miniature Golfing
My husband took our son to play miniature golf yesterday. Fun!! This is an experience he wants to repeat. Often… My husband took the photo on his iPhone… Boomers! Livermore
Backyard Wildlife: Neighborhood Squirrel
Happy Sunday! Our Neighborhood Squirrel Photos taken January 19th, 2013
Hike: Las Trampas Peak, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness
It was pretty darn cold this past weekend, but I still enjoyed a Saturday morning hike at Las Trampas Regional Wilderness with my hiking group. At the start of the hike, the temperature was about 30 degrees, and it heated up all the way to about 36 by the end of the hike. I knowContinue reading “Hike: Las Trampas Peak, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness”
Play: Shannon Park, Dublin
Kids thrive when given free playtime outdoors after a day of school… Photos taken January 15th, 2013 Shannon Park, Dublin, California