talking to trees November 4, 2009
Posted by Sarah in Blogs, My 2 cents, Outdoors, Photography.4 comments
During my first week back in the busy-ness of work, I snuck out to walk along the bay trail, sit in the sun, and absorb nature as I slowed my thoughts down to a manageable level, so I know exactly the feeling captured in this post. I’m also intrigued by the author’s completely sold-out e-course, “Unravelling, Ways of Seeing Myself.” Enough so that I might embark on my own version of the course…Hm.
Pinnacles! September 16, 2009
Posted by Sarah in Hiking, National Parks, Outdoors, Vacation.1 comment so far
I rounded up a few friends for a weekend trip to Pinnacles National Monument, only 2.5h away from San Francisco. The weather report promised cool night temps in the mid 50s and daily highs in the mid 70s. Perfect weather, I thought, since I thrive in the cool and the fog and my friend is five months pregnant.
The weather report lied. It was hot as hell during the day – 104 the day we arrived and 97 the day we hiked all over the damn park. (All over being a short 5mi hike, not a literal hiking all over the damn park, which would have been more of a death march and less of a hike.) Fortunately, we found a pleasantly cool and shady spot for lunch and enjoyed another cool down in the talus caves.*
My friends mustered the energy to hit the pool apres hike, I simply passed out in the tent until things cooled down a bit.
Despite that little misunderstanding about the temps, it was still a really fun trip, especially the parts where the sun had set and temperatures dropped to pleasant levels. We saw lots of bunnies, turkey vultures, deer, quail, mice, raccoons, one of the park’s famous condors, and get this city dwellers – the Milky May, some shooting stars, and a bunch of satellites. Click here for a few of my pics.
Fuzzy critters and night sky theater aside, I’m still amending my I’m amending my “No Pinnacles in the summer” rule to read “Pinnacles might be nice in December, but only if we bring an RV with air conditioning.”
*Baby’s first spelunking experience!
SF Botanical Gardens September 4, 2009
Posted by Sarah in Outdoors, San Francisco.add a comment
I made a spontaneous trip to the botanical gardens earlier this week, and happened to roll up right as the daily guided tour began. It was cool hearing a bit about the history of the gardens, behind the scenes activities, and the general love our guide held for all things growing.
I think this might be one of the favorite pics that I've ever taken.
Can you see the baby quail? There was only one chick, which means sad things for this quail family.
Nom!
For the rest of the set, click here.
Rose garden August 3, 2009
Posted by Sarah in Outdoors, Parks, San Francisco.add a comment
After a particularly rough day last week, I swung by the rose garden on my way home. I only had my phone camera with me, but you can see a few of my pics here. Unfortunately, red saturated out the phone, so I deleted most of the red rose pics. In any case, the garden is in full glory right now and worth a visit, especially if you need a reminder of the beautiful things in life.
not long enough in Lassen July 8, 2009
Posted by Sarah in Hiking, Outdoors, Parks, Vacation.add a comment
I made a quick 4th of July trip with some of my favorite people up to Lassen, and I kinda wish I was still there!
My highlights:
Laughing. I cannot remember the last time I laughed so much.
Being able to ice my feet in a snow bank after a hike.
The bear! The bear! Fortunately, it was not interested in us, despite that whole rearing up on its hind legs to get a better look at us thing that it did.
Big quiet open space.
Swimming in alpine lakes.
San Bruno Mountain January 20, 2009
Posted by Sarah in Outdoors, Parks.add a comment
Alex and I hiked San Bruno Mountain earlier today. Here’s a view from the benches on the Ridge Trail through the lens of my iPhone. It felt so good to be out in this weather, surrounded by nature.
Urban hike January 11, 2009
Posted by Sarah in Hiking, San Francisco.Tags: Hiking, San Francisco
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A fuzzy iPhone pic of last night’s bridge to bridge (and back) full moon urban hike, and my longest hike ever at 12.5 miles. The company, views, wine and snacks were all lots of fun, but I’ve made the following mental note: cycling and skating fitness do not help with the foot pounding of hiking on concrete.
Sand castles October 15, 2008
Posted by Sarah in Outdoors.add a comment
I spent yesterday building sand castles on the beach in Half Moon Bay – and got paid for it! Nothing like a little team building on a sunny, warm day.
The thing that really struck me was that you can make a living travelling all over the world to play in the sand – check out our instructor’s web site for some amazing examples of his work. I really should have a word with my high school career counselor for failing to share this career path with me.
Maiden voyage September 21, 2008
Posted by Sarah in Food, Mountain biking, Outdoors, Parks.add a comment
My first mountain bike ride on my brand new baby!! I met a group of friends at China Camp yesterday to ride the trails. I give two big thumbs up to the Kona and can’t wait to learn all kinds of crazy ninja mountain biking skills. I do plan never to ride China Camp clockwise again – lots of walking up super dusty rocky hills. Counterclockwise is a much better ride, just so you know.
After the ride, we stopped for burritos at Taqueria San Jose. Their seafood is really, really good. Good enough that I’d vouch for it even if I hadn’t arrived there in a ravenous state. ;)
Yellowstone – me September 17, 2008
Posted by Sarah in Outdoors, Parks, Vacation.2 comments
K just got her pics up on Flickr and T posted his on Shutterfly. Their sets are certainly worth a gander, but here’s a quick look at the shots that I star in.
