Wandering Bears .......

Mission Peak, Fremont, CA

2011-10-19T02:37:00.002+05:30

There is this iPhone app All Trails - which is the reason behind compulsory weekend hiking. Apart from listing all the places to go hiking around you, it provides with an array of details like number of trails/loops, distance, GPS tracking, offline topo maps, camping/biking options, a couple of photos, amazing description for each trail and reviews!

I was perplexed when I learnt that there were enough of trails within 50miles, that would last for a few years, even if all weekend were hiking weekends. What more?
Saturday is the much awaited day of the week and all you need is the camera, hiking shoes, water and some emergency supply of energy bars.

Place: Mission Peak, Fremont, CA
Trail length: 6.5 miles
Elevation: 2100 ft

It was interesting to see people of all age and experience levels, trying to hike to the peak.

This trial was pet friendly. So, the doggies and horses can hike too!

A view of the Bay Area from the peak.

Half Moon Bay, CA

2011-08-08T22:23:00.002+05:30

A fine summer evening, its 7ish and the hubby calls up only to announce that, there is a beach 30 miles away, and would take us 30mins to reach the destination and the sunset is at 8:15ish. What more?

Courtesy the crooked and broken coast line - Living in the Bay Area, we were looking for the 'nearest' beach for months and finally the search had succeeded. How splendid it is to stay close to the coastline and venture out to the Beach for morning jogs and evening walks. Well, it does come with some negatives too.... Like you have the entire family and friends in the world calling you, and asking you to flee, when the Tsunami waves in Pacific starts traveling towards the West Coast of US. The west coast also means, that you are devoid of resplendent sunrise, but you are blessed with Sunset.

Its 7:30ish while we reach there. Although small, Half Moon Bay is a pretty little town - the houses splendid, the town peaceful and the beach breathtaking!

We walked around for sometime exploring and admiring. The only complaint about North Pacific Ocean is that, the water is mostly cold throughout the year and you will need a wetsuit to venture out.

Its cloudy and the sun is playing hide-and-seek....

At the other end is completely foggy.

Finally at 8:30ish....

Sacramento.....

2011-08-06T10:32:00.001+05:30

Previous posts Old Sacramento and Gold Rush Day ......

The first foreign city you experience attracts you for a life time. Its always that first city you remember, recall, quote, compare and talk about while the journey continues. While it was London in UK, it was Sac in US.
The last set of photos clicked during our last few day in Sac.

California State Capitol

Living in the state capital, was a unforgettable experience. Unlike other capital cities which is well known and touristy, Sacramento is non-touristy. The capitol turned into a hot spot after people gathered only to get a glimpse of the then governor Arnold Schwarzenegger!

The Ziggurat - Head Quarters of California Dept of Services. On the banks of river Sacramento, this charming structure adds to the beauty of the city.

The Tower Bridge - yes, this bridge raises/opens-up for the river traffic. But, how can there be another Tower Bridge?! But, the promenade presents a scintillating experience for a evening walk.

The Crocker Art Museum

A river meandering through the city surely adds to it character and charm.

PS - All photos from iPhone.

Afternoon Siesta - II

2011-06-22T00:59:00.003+05:30

During my initial months in California, I was super excited about getting a chance to see Seals. There was even this instance where I made the Hubby drive miles and then walk a couple, only to catch a glimpse of Elephant Seals, which were visiting the West coast of US for their breeding season. But soon, the Seals became such a common occurrence all along the coast, that I have outgrown the fascination.These pics were when I got to see them for the first time ever.

Bacchanalian? The sign board was confusing, not sure as to who they are addressing.

This one was huge, slimy, awkward and was enjoying its afternoon siesta on the scaffolds of the bridge, and it reminded me of our ex-PM from Karnataka. And I have named it after him too :)

Standford Walking Tour - II

2011-06-06T01:04:00.005+05:30

Even after numerous visits, we have never got a chance to visit the church at Stanford. We have always witnessed a sign ' The Church is closed for public access. Keep silence, Wedding celebrations in progress'.

What a place to get Married!

The wedding gang at Stanford Oval at the photo shoot.

The Church entrance.

One other interesting aspect in the above picture are the copper tablets inlaid in the flooring. A tablet is laid commemorating every graduating batch. Starting at the entrance of Stanford Memorial Church this runs all around for the place. Another interesting bit is, as to what goes under this tablet? A piece of memorabilia from that batch, which the student community get to choose themselves.

Wedding Photography

why travel?

2011-06-04T00:35:00.004+05:30

Some times I start questioning myself. "Why Travel?", and then I suddenly wake-up only to realize its a dream! I see those people in pity, who ask me these questions.....

'Why all the pain, risk, cost?'
'Why not sit at home with big bowl of home made soup?'
'Why not lay on bed and watch, watch and just watch Television, and enjoy sleeping in your own bed with clean sheets?'

But, where would you get time for yourself and a chance to reflect? Learn new aspects of countries and cultures and of-course start thinking about your next trip. There was a phase where I kept away from such people and absolutely detested their thought process. But, after years, I have started to respect (if not accept) their reasons.

This reminds me of my Cambridge trip. One which I had dreamt of from School days and planned for years now. The harsh winter and bad weather forecast hadn't allowed me to finalize upon the travel date. But with every weekend rolling by, I was only getting closure to my departure dates. I couldn't have gone home without ticking off this from my list, as I had already given up on my Scotland road trip. On a Friday evening I get the Hi bookings, and the next morning I am up by 3AM, cooking and packing food, to suffice for the next 3 days. Camera and a few other musts enter my backpack and I land at the Train station dressed like an Eskimo (its harsh snowy weather in London borough) by 5:15ish - only to learn that the entire Train n/w has been shutdown! I wait there praying for some onward train to run, as I am anyway not returning the same day. I realize nothing would change and start back home from the frozen and deserted station. I am at home by 6:30ish totally disheartened and cursing the NationalRail. The only ray of hope were the Trains as the roads are frozen. I learn that, Train network would come alive the very next day. The next morning, I am up by 4 and at the Station by 5ish to catch the 5:30 AM Train. The next 3hours roll by quickly and I finally am at Cambridge.... And the the next days, were simply spent with me, myself and my backpack. A trip to remember as my last solo trip before marriage.

Whats on my mind now?
US Road Trip - The most popular means(or should I say only?) and a fulfilling activity here, in this public transport devoid country.

Pic from our recent SFO - Mexico Road Trip.

Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, CA

2011-05-27T10:28:00.001+05:30

Santa Cruz is all about winding roads, foggy red wood forest, brooks, lakes, chirping birds, pristine nature, beaches, beaches and beaches. In short its a great place to escape from bay-area.

Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz, a California State Park. The park features a 'bridge' like rock formation and hence the name. For the hubby, 'the State Park is a over hyped placed with hardly anything to see, and are sources of revenue generation for the State'.

This is one of the few remaining arches, after the remaining two being washed into the sea.

Beach House?? ....Any day

Santa Cruz has some alluring factors. The beach, the roads, the people (read non tourists) and the sun.

The Promenade .........

A day at the beach

Birds from California

2011-05-19T23:04:00.004+05:30

Red Capped Woodpecker @ Point Reyes National Seashore Park, CA

All the trees along the Woodpecker trail were filled with holes.The woodpecker family had turn the tree trunk into an art-piece. The tiny spots on the body are the wood splinters after the tree was pecked.

Western Scrub-Jay @ Stanford Park, CA

Nesting Cormorants @ Santa Cruz Beach, CA

Afternoon Siesta - I

2011-05-16T11:34:00.002+05:30

While the mother Duck quietly enjoy its afternoon siesta, the Ducklings are all over her. This goes on for hours from noon to evening. The little ones are jumping, playing, climbing and swimming throughout. Hyperactive ducklings!

Stanford Walking Tour - I

2011-05-10T06:03:00.002+05:30

Stanford tour was on my mind for long and kept getting put-off as the Hoover Tower is closed most part of the year. Back in UK when I visited Oxford and Cambridge, it was vacation time. The student led tours are suspended and also I had never got a chance to go up the tower to have a look at the University camps both times, and this time I wanted to go up the Hoover Tower and also experience the student led tour. But, travel goddess had different plans and we moved from the capital city to the Bay Area where our new place turned out to be just 12 mins away from Stanford!

Student led tour - There is always something about the student led tour -The great introduction to the highlights of Stanford's beautiful campus and more importantly the skill of walking backward and talking for an hour!

The Main Quad

Stanford Memorial Church

Hoover Tower

White Plaza

Old Stanford Union

From School of Education to Science and Engineering Quad

From the top of Hoover Tower

Its so enticing that very visitor, friend, relative who visits us are taken around Stanford. The vicinity, ample public parking, 8000 acres of roaming area, meager tourist population, the lush green garden, university building, ample cycling area, the maverick student population, birds, flowers, museums.......the list goes on. Adding to this, is the hubby who has accumulated a potpourri of information from Google and our first student led tour and is a perfect guide now. What more?

But, its a must to check the calendar for open seasons.

The summer of 2011

2011-04-20T09:49:00.008+05:30

The much awaited Summer is finally here. But, the transition wasn't smooth. 20 days of un-stoppable rain and all the action and reaction towards the Tsunami waves and radio-active particles that traveled all the way from Japan to reach the West coast of US. Someone rightly said, "Americans over-react, because they can afford to do so".

The onset of Summer, and we had all these guests visiting us.

Mallard in the backyard

Canada Goose

Cherry Blossom in full bloom

Plenty of activity

The Humming Bird which decided to nest in the Cherry Blossom tree.

The little ones finally arrived. I did some reading and learn t that, it would be at least mid March when the chicks are introduced to water. I kept waiting patiently. And finally on a beautiful Sunday morning, I saw the Female Mallard coming out of their hideout, and helping each chick hop into water. And thus the first swimming lesson.

While the Mallard chicks were tiny and dark, while the Canadian Geese duckling were wooly.

Canadian Goslings - The most adorable ones.

Truly a summer to remember ...........

Strangers

2011-02-07T09:07:00.002+05:30

I am especially careful when focusing the camera at unknown people around me. But, sometimes its simply irresistible. The person, expression & nonchalance instantly captures my curiosity, forcing me to turn the lens towards them. Nonetheless, I have had experience of people giving me strange looks, glance turning into stares and repeated turn-back-looks. But, haven't got anyone to yell at me yet. But, some of them have definitely demanded money. The most strangest of all is, when people stand in front of you and you being forced to take their pic!

In the pic: Father-Son-duo @17-mile-drive, CA.

What are your experiences while roaming around with the Camera?

The British Library, London

2011-01-29T11:11:00.004+05:30

Before you strain your neck to see what the tall structure standing in front of you is, the gate told it all.

London Underground

2011-01-27T10:57:00.001+05:30

Experience London is incomplete without hopping on and off the underground transit system. Planning a travel would mean following the lines on the map and working on the shortest path with minimum jumps. Its such interesting that, a transport system would add so much of character to a city.

I sneaked this shot from my phone, as there was a photography prohibited sign.

The University Tour

2011-01-24T11:02:00.002+05:30

Years ago when my first UK trip materialized the first thing I went about was not preparation for work, but planning the Oxford and Cambridge Tour!

I could not do Cambridge the first time and thus there happened a second time when the magnificent Cambridge was finally covered.

The next thing had to be Stanford tour. I have been planning it for almost 6 months now and that too living just 20mins away! How we take those obviously near places for granted......

Tide pooling

2011-01-08T23:32:00.055+05:30

A visit to the Point Reyes National Seashore was planned, but Tide pooling was not. The guide at the visitor center handed over us a map and suggested activities for the next 2 days explaining the weather conditions.He pretty much asked us to keep away from water at all times due to high tides and as only one of the days had low tides in the noon, and thus a possibility to go Tide pooling.

What is Tide pooling?

Exploring the zone where the ocean meets land — The intertidal zone. During high tides and rough weather this area is covered with sea water and when the water recedes during low tide, the intertidal zone presents us with the fascinating organisms that it hosts; Those which have specifically adapted to the unique conditions in the particular zone. Those creatures with amazing survival skills that allow them to stay alive when (twice each day) the tide leaves them exposed. The best times for tide pooling are the extreme low tides of the full and new moon days.

Rocky coastlines and depressions in the rock which hold seawater after the ocean recedes allows animals to survive until the rising tide floods in again. We already saw visitors and naturalists going along the shoreline peeping into depressions. They said,"watch and walk carefully". Yes, we have to ensure both we humans and those creatures are safe.

The pools which form a microcosm of life, hosts incredible diverse flora and fauna. Its a real fun activity. We did not find a variety of flora and fauna, but still the experience was exhilarating. As we walked down a warning sign read, 'While its important to check a tide chart at the same time keep an eye on the ocean, as a sneaker wave can pop up anytime'.

And here is what I could capture....

This spotting was a prized one for me. In the clear waters of the north Pacific.....

The sad part is that, the exposed creatures are at times destroyed due to harsh sunlight and predators animals and birds.

After the first experience, I am now on a constant lookout for shores and low tide days to see much more of the marine life....

2011 Travel plans

2011-01-01T03:17:00.002+05:30

2010 was a 'hopping year'. An eventful year with UK, India and US travels. Packing bags (read relocation) was always with mixed feelings - The anticipation of new, the nostalgia, those last days in the town which has been you home for sometime, the present, past and future. The packing, unpacking, repacking, throwing-away-stuff, praying the travel goddess to make your baggage weigh less, and not to mention the resolution to live light and travel light.

2010 gave some biggest misses as well - Hawaii and Scotland! Grrrr.... Visa goddess was unhappy for the first and the Weather god for the second. While the 2010 stories and photos are still awaiting to be published, the 2011 has began with grand travel plans. Wishing everyone a joyous, travel filled 2011.

The Lone Cypress Tree, Pebble Beach, CA

Halloween 2010

2010-12-24T03:53:00.004+05:30

The Pumpkin patch visits starts early in October. We were done with Pumpkin patch visit and Pumpkin collection event. But, what for actual Halloween? After looking up for events around, it narrowed down to the Folsom fest.

'Historic Folsom Night of 1000 Pumpkins' is what the event said. 1000! that was a lot. The week flew by and it was finally the the day.

@ Sutter Street, Historic Folsom, CA

Folsom is a city in Sacramento county of CA. Well known for the Folsom Prison, Folsom Lake, hydro-electric dam and the Fall Fest. The venue - historic Sutter street was a street similar to the old Sac street.

The finest carving...

Trick or Treat...

A lantern depicting the effects of smoking and the one on the right, showing the aftermath.

With the Sun going down at 5ish the timing was right. By 6, the entire street looked so amazing with the lit-up Jack-o'lanterns. We were amazed at the myriad subjects that was chosen to carve the lantern. People continued to walk-in to drop off their Pumpkin lanterns. Halloween costumes, Spot lantern carvings just added to the festivities.

Along with the Jack-o'lanterns, the yummy pumpkin pastry and the pumpkin bread is what I'll remember.

A typical day in UK

2010-12-23T11:58:00.002+05:30

Every-time I stepped out, even to check the mail box or to bid a quick 'bye', I had to greedily grab the woolens and furs, without which I would have turned into a Snow-woman. But, this was after years of yearning to live in a snowing country. I felt how much lucky we are in India, and how much the glorious sunlight was taken for granted. It gets dark by 4p.m and the lack of sunlight so much saps out the energy in you. For someone like me, who would want thermals even for a UK summer, the severe winter was unexplainable. Fellow Indians braving the cold to make the most of the magical destination was a common sight. The shops are closed at 5! Only a few shops open in the mall (i am thinking they are open extra hours, wanting to meet targets before year ending) all play the song, 'Let it Snow, Let it Snow' continuously, as if the Snow outside is not enough!

The funny phenomenon - The year 2009, southern England in general witnessed the highest snowfall in the last 2 decades. Being from the tropics I always were praying for a Snow experience - read Snow fall. But, it came in as an Ocean of Snow! People responded to initial occurrences without much preparation. But, later on even when there was a hint of bad weather, everyone in the city/community rushed to the food store to stock up on milk, bread, fruit, veggies etc. It is a funny phenomena! There were days, where we saw stores with empty racks. People had cleaned the shelves. But soon, we too started living life like that of a Chipmunk, which stores food for the worst weather. Looking up for Yahoo and BBC weather, rushing to Tesco/Sainbury's and pushing home cart loads of food was a regular ordeal, as driving in those conditions was next to impossible.

I am craving for those sunny days again....

The Bread Store

2010-12-21T04:21:00.003+05:30

Veggie Sandwich anyone??....No, I love their wall art better.

Location - Sacramento, CA

Go Greek....

2010-12-21T03:08:00.001+05:30

On this cold December evening we wanted to go out for a walk. December came with temperature in single digit and the sun calling it a day at Five in the evening! The hubby's all time favorite place is the downtown. Down-towns being area full of activity and non monotonous like the freeways, are perfect for visits anytime of the day. Walking down random streets, in no time we were walking down in the restaurant street or the culinary corridor, I should say. As we walked down, this Greek place was the most enticing of all.

The choice of Veggie food was 15% of menu card (most times its b/w 0 and 10!). Elated, we settled in for the, 'Mediterranean Pikilia' - A Vegetarian platter.

There it came - tyropita, spanakopita, vegetable souvlaki, dolmades, feta cheese and Greek Olives, Rice Pilaf, tzatziki sauce and pita bread. We loved the food, specially the Greek Olives and the delicious Dolmades aka stuffed vegetables in grape vine leaves. The rest being heavy on Cheese was a real feast too. It ended as, a meal to remember.

The first Snow

2010-11-19T12:02:00.037+05:30

When I drew the curtains off my third-floor room window, it was a just another day for me. Morning ablutions, cooking and packing lunch, getting ready to work and rushing yo see my Client on time was all that was running in my head. Somewhere, at the back I was secretly wishing that my friend/apartment-mate was already up and gotten busy in the Kitchen. The opaque window screen needed some more effort and I pushed it aside to see if the UK Sun was already up, or if I was blessed with few more hours of sleep. And........... I see a sea of white.......... I rubbed my eyes and tried recalling where I had slept the previous night?! Southern England and a Sea of Snow in November?!? Unbelievable. While I still kept my eyes and mouth wide open, my friend shouted in excitement saying, "See outside, see outside the window".

And the next second, I laid hands on the camera (not warm clothes!) and we scrambled out of our rooms towards the Balcony. The view far and wide was just beautiful.The Door required some initial effort, due to the accumulation of the Snow. And there it was the first snow, fresh and clean, soft and fluffy and in loads! We were thrown back to our senses soon, as we were not only in thin layers but also bare limbs.

We spent the next hour playing in the Snow and clicking numerous photos. When a sleet and shower, blessed us with a work-from-home-day, a heavy-snow obviously kept us at home. We completed equipped our self and got down to the ground floor. The Snow was boundless. It was like they had transported extra loads to our Apartment ground for us to play. Polar Bear, Penguin, Snow Man, Snow Castles and what-nots where created in enthusiasm. And, when we actually realized that we hadn't even brushed our teeth it was noon!

The rest of the work-from-home-day was blessed with Onion Pakoras, Carrot Halwa, BBB (it also has a wiki page!) and washed with loads of hot coffee and chitter-chatter. And now I write this enjoying the California rainy day and recalling the previous November. The only think common is, its a work-from-home-day this day too.

More Pumpkin colors

2010-11-13T04:08:00.004+05:30

The Pumpking Patch Visit

2010-11-13T03:51:00.003+05:30

When I bought my SLR, it came with a colorful brochure of the colorful Halloween Pumpkins, and now I got to capture them in real.

The month of October was Halloween, and most of our weekend travel was centered around it; as we didn't wanted to miss any of the happening in the offing. We had two choice, either to visit Dell-Osso or Cool-Patch. We quickly decided, 'Not again..... lets keep away from the freeway which we take to work everyday, and so lets head to Dell-Osso'.

ATM sounded a bit unusual....

Colorfully stacked...

Rows and rows of huge colorful Pumpkins never ceased to end...

And we bought some home too...

There were plenty of activities, including a Train that took people around the perimeter of the Pumpkin Patch!

Wild Flowers - 1

2010-10-18T07:58:00.013+05:30

I think this post would lead to a series of the kind. As the list of hikes never would cease and so the fascination for wild flowers.

I had this habit of collecting wild flowers, while I went trekking and hiking in India. I have been doing that from the age of eight! All the dried flowers would then go into the scrap book, with pages labeled with place-&-year. Being myself, I spend the week dreaming wild flowers and planning the scrap book........Only to learn later that, forget littering....even collecting flowers or feathers is prohibited in this country and would incur a hefty fine! So, the only solution was to click them.