California

San Francisco Zoo

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I finally made it to the San Francisco Zoo.  Have you ever tried to go somewhere and wind up starting to go half a dozen times before it actually works out?  I have even driven here a few times and couldn’t park or it was closed etc.  Well, we finally made it, and the weather was fine.  It was a lovely day to visit the famous beachside zoo and botanical garden.  Many of the animals were doing what they do best and what I wish I was doing, napping.  Some of the enclosures were smaller, darker, and more older fashioned than I would have expected at a zoo this large and famous and frequently visited.  But, toddler temper tantrums aside it was a lovely visit with the highlights being the hippo, the giraffes, the penguins, the koalas (thinking of their friends down under), and the gardens.

*My son would like to note his favorite part was the bubbles and the garbage cans.  So, there you have it, a solid three year old review of the Zoo.

Lovely gardens here at the Zoo and the weather was fine
Hello Bear!
Sleeping birds
I love me some giraffes
Pretty shot of the aviary
Up close and personal with some penguins

Wide Open Walls 916 – Sacramento larger than life

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Whenever something brings me downtown it’s always fun to try and find some new murals. After a few years of the festival murals are everywhere ripe for the picking. Murals wrap every side of this building making it far more interesting than it likely was before! Do you have any good street art where you are?

Wanna see the front door?  Check out my Thursday Door post!

Tacos on the Beach

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I will let you in on a secret.  This is not my first visit here.  Many years ago a friend asked me to drive her and her family to the ocean which I was happy to oblige.  I left it up to her to pick the beach.  She said to me sheepishly, “Well, I heard there was a Taco Bell on the beach, we kind of have to try that, right?” Hey whatev.  I am game.  how bad could it be?

Well, this Pacifica Taco Bell certainly has the best Taco Bell location anywhere.  The beach is spectacular any day of the week.  And as far as Taco Bells go it’s pretty fun.  *Note the fireplace with picture window out to the waves.

After a recent visit to the San Francisco Zoo I found myself with a napping toddler in the car so we drove South and landed here in Pacifica to play on the beach a little bit.  I couldn’t resist posting about the Beachside Taco bell, sandy floors and all.

Unexpected Icicles

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A visit to the old Donner railroad tunnels, up in Sierra snow country, proved colder and icier than we expected. I visited here once a long time ago and hiked through all the tunnels to the end. At the time I was blown away that the tunnels even existed, that people could walk through them, and that people took the time to make street art within them.  I wanted to visit again to share the place with my small son who was excited at the prospect of walking on railroad tracks without “worrying a train would come.”  I was also excited to share such a random find with all of you.

Well, it turned out the snow, slippery ice, and enormous icicles prevented us from going all the way without crampons, hard hats, and more courage. I’m glad I packed our snow gear “just in case.” At least what we could see was super cool and enhanced by the Bond Villian-esque icicles.

These old railroad caves/tunnels can be found off of the employee parking lot at the Donner Ski resort. They are such a cool and random place to visit. I’ll have to come back in the spring and update the post with some additional photos when we can actually make it through without risking broken ankles or the occasional hibernating bears!

It does not get prettier than this.
I never go to the Donner area without thinking of the ill fated party who tried to traverse this during the wrong season. It is unthinkable.
That is some serious icicle action!

 

Waiting for spring

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It’s that time of year again where mother nature is toying with us by giving us a few nice weather days.  But, experience shows we have some more wet weather and snow before it’s all said and done.  I am grateful for the reprieve. Cheers everyone.

Muir Beach, California

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My parents used to take us to Stinson Beach as kids.  I haven’t been back in some time.  Who knows why.  Do you ever remember something from childhood and want to see it again to see if your memory is correct or not or to see what may have changed?  Well, I stopped by Muir Beach on the way to Stinson with my son and it turns out it is nothing like I remember.  Either that or it has changed so much I don’t recognize it.

Regardless Muir Beach, situated just north of San Francisco outside of Larkspur and Mill Valley, was spectacular and my son had a blast playing in the sand.  He certainly thrives on the beach as do many of us.

California’s beaches are typically very cold and windy year round in the north part of the state opposite of what many people think.  But, that didn’t stop the surfers in their dry suits who make me cold just looking at them.  We ended up spending the better part of a morning at this beach because my son didn’t want to leave.  Who can argue with that?

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I never get tired of the craggy rocks in the surf found commonly on Northern California beaches
No for sale signs here sadly
Relics from an era gone by. Back during war time places like these dotted the San Francisco area coast. This one in particular housed a telescope which helped the military look for threats off of the coast which might threaten our precious Bay
Land’s End
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Beautiful sea view and beautiful view of my happy baby digging in the sand.

Pacific Grove,California -John Denver Park

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A visit to Pacific Grove to see Monarch Butterflies in mass took a hard right turn and pivoted in to a day at the Beach.  Pacific Grove, California is known for its Monarch Butterflies who stop by every year on their migration.  YouTube shows videos of what looks like millions and millions of butterflies hanging off of the trees taking a rest on their journeys.  A butterfly sanctuary exists to protect, teach, and enjoy them.  I have wanted to stop by for years even researching the appropriate time to stop by.  Well, surprise, I finally made it when I was instructed to and we only saw a few butterflies…probably 20 in total.

Well, when life throws you lemons in California, you hit the beach. A two minute drive away was John Denver Beach.  Being both a fan of Mr. Denver and any beach anywhere I thought I would go and pay my respects.  In 1997 just beyond this beach John Denver crash his ill-fated airplane forever locking this beautiful beach with his amazing life and voice.  My son and I watched the waves crash while we collected seashells and watched the birds and the tiny crabs.  It was lovely and somehow fitting for Mr. Denver.

I’ll leave you with the lyrics to my favorite John Denver song; Annie’s Song.  Rest in Peace Mr. Denver.

You fill up my senses like a night in the forest,

like the mountains in springtime, like a walk in the rain,

like a storm in the desert, like a sleepy blue ocean.

You fill up my senses, come fill me again.

Come let me love you, let me give my life to you,

let me drown in your laughter, let me die in your arms,

let me lay down beside you, let me always be with you.

Come let me love you, come love me again.

Let me always be with you.

Come let me love you,

Come love me again.

You fill up my senses like a night in the forest,

like the mountains in springtime, like a walk in the rain,

like a storm in the desert, like a sleepy blue ocean.

You fill up my senses, come fill me again.