Traveling with K: March 2008

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Dedicated to all my fellow quilters!

So, it is no secret, I have become very involved with quilting. I have some wonderful quilter buddies in Norfolk, Virginia and many in other states as well, that I have bonded with over the last couple of years. I miss them all so much- but here I have found one (yes only one) quilt shop in Sunny Vale which is great. In looking through the newspaper on Thursday I found that there is a quilt museum in San Jose- so my Saturday ventures took me there. A very beautiful quilt museum that is now 30 years old, started by the Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association. They have one room dedicated to vintage quilts and some fascinating exhibitions. Ok, imagine a quilt that has roots from the 60's called Peripheral Visions! Or how about some geometrical shapes? In addition to quilts they currently have an exhibition of weaving, now I'm not talking about just weaving-- how about photographics that are woven? To see the current display check out www.SJQuiltMuseum.org

Mountain View

Mountain View is a community just south of where I am staying. Today I thought I would take a walk around downtown. Some cute little shops but mostly eatery's. In fact, most all of the communities around cater to the stomach. El Camino Real, also known as California 82, has so many restaurants that you can't even begin to try them all. I was startled by the food area in Mountain View- I heard a couple talking about how they could not get a table at the Thai restaurant the evening before so they "Just had to try it for lunch" Donnie Bilger would defintely get a kick out try the cusine around here! Oh, so check out the web link for Mountain View, I think you might find it interesting. http://www.ci.mtnview.ca.us/

And if you are still hungry, well there is more!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Big Basin Redwood State park is about an hour south of Palo Alto. The drive was beautiful- winding roads up the mountain with some breathtaking sites along the way. Good thing I am comfortable with driving State Route 31 in Tenneessee--hairpin turns, back tracking and narrow bridges to get there. It was fun!

So starting out- next to the Rangers office take a look at that
Redwood! And that is one of 1,000's on the property!

Big Basin Redwood state park is host to over 81 miles of trails. Some are short but many are over 11 miles. Hiking and camping along the way or tent, rv camping or tent-cabins as well. Over 18,000 acres located in the Santa Cruz mountains.

How large are the Redwoods?

To understand the size and age of these magestic giants, there is a display of a cut. Just read through the following pictures. I think you will be amazed!

This tree fell in 1963- it is located to the side of the park's arena. The seats are made of felled redwoods. Sit back and look at the size of the one that fell-- listen to it fall.

Can you feel the earth move?

Views from the Sequoia Trail

There is no possible way to show you a single tree-- they are too tall! The only way to realize the awesome beauty and majestic trees and surrounding forest is to see it for yourself.

To take a look at the California Redwoods and state parks, visit http://www.mountainpark.org/

In perpective

Tried to give you an idea of the size of the Redwoods in comparison to a human-- little hard when you attempt to take a picture of yourself. But I think you get the idea.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Welcome to Fisherman's Wharf

The architecture of San Fran

The one advantage to walking is the beauty of the buildings. Down Powell, I passed from the busy shopping area of Union Square, through Chinatown and some amazing sites looking "down" the hills

Means of transportation

Those of you that know me well know that I don't do roller coasters. Well no one told me that riding the famous San Francisco Cable cars would be just like a roller coaster! I have no idea how anyone can stand up in one when you have to hang on for dear life! It was great fun- went from Fisherman's Wharf to downtown Union Square

They still operate the electric trolley's. All were well kept and beautiful

So aside from the congestion of cars- people just walk. And walk I did from Union Square back to Fisherman's Wharf-- good thing I work out-- the uphill walk was, shall we say, a "Cardio" workout!

Are you hungry yet?

Ok, so I was sort of good-- ate one piece of chocolate at Ghiradeli Square, but then made up for it at the Wharf-- fresh Dungness crab with cold shrimp and deep fried clams. Yum- I was in heaven. There must have been 15 places right at pier 43 1/2 that were steaming the crab outside. Topped off the food frenzy at the famous Boudin Bakery- home of the original sourdough bread. The bread is baked fresh every hour of the day, you could stand there and watch them--Hey Molly the smell was heavenly!