Sunol Regional Wilderness

I just recently moved from Los Altos across the bay to Newark, California. A straight shot to work with the added benefit of driving across the Dumbarton Bridge and starting my day with a beautiful sunrise on the water.

My first full weekend here I found the imporant places like Trader Joes and Target.

Ok, so I'm set!

Then on Saturday I ventured off to the Sunol Regional Wilderness, part of the East Bay Regional Park District.

This is a 6,858 acre wilderness that is shared by the park district and ranchers.
It was a gorgeous day with many hikers out and about. I took the Canyon View Trail, it was an easy hike that led to the valley's "Little Yosemite" area. A small granite canyon with a stream and small water fall that I will be sure to go back to after a rain.
As mentioned, the land is shared with ranchers and the cattle share the trail with any that may walk through.
This path was on the way back down the trail- the views were incredible. High cliffs that seemed to touch the sky.
It was another beautiful day in California!

Check out the East Bay Parks and the Sunol Wilderness at: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/sunol

2008 Vacation, Northern California and the Oregon Coast

Accomodations

Our first night, we drove to Crescent City, California and stayed at the Curly Redwood Lodge. The entire motel was made from 1 (one, uno) Curly Redwood tree back in the 50's. The current owners keep the motel just like it was- literally like walking into your living room from 1965- with the same lamps and chairs. Very clean, well kept, and a delight to stay at.Check out the history of this great location at http://www.curlyredwoodlodge.com/
Our beach house was rented through Bayshore Rentals in Waldport, Oregon. Wow, what a great little house-all the great amenities of home.

If traveling the coast, check out their web site for some great selections (and prices) for a beach house.

http://www.bayshore-rentals.com/

Welcome to Redwood National Park

Spent a day in the Redwoods, right outside of Crescent City, California. This is one area, that if you have not been, must put it on your list of top things to do. There are no words to describe the incredible awe you will feel when visiting. Aside from very large trees you will see the largest forest ferns ever. We have ferns on our mountain in Tennessee- but they are nothing like these.
This is clover-- um hum, it is also very large! Too bad the cows can't have the pleasure.
The speck in the middle is me.
And this speck is Dave

Putting the Redwoods into perspective (Click on this link to find out more about the Redwoods)

We hiked almost 3 miles in to the Redwoods- destination was Fern Falls. Not a hard hike, you really had to take your time in order to see it all and to listen -- to the silence. It was incredible. Every few moments you were looking up, and up, and up. Some of the Redwoods can grow to a height of nearly 370 feet with a base diameter of 22 feet. Now don't you feel insignificant?
In addition to the Redwoods there were the Giant Sequoia's. Not nearly as tall, only up to 311 feet tall but with larger bases- nearly 40 feet in diameter.



Oh yes, we then hiked the 3 miles back out-- and slept well that night. I wouldn't have missed this for anything.

Beach Friends, Sunsets, and Sunrise

The coast was abound with sea and wildlife- we saw and very clearly heard Sea Lions, basking on the rocks all along the coast. Seals- the seals loved to be close to the coast line and the fishing boats for obvious reasons. One evening, sitting ourside the house, I watched about 7 seals, just out for a good time. They were fun to watch. Double click on my friend here to get a close up of his cute face.

Nothing like being on the Pacific Coast to watch the most incredible sunsets.


How about an early morning rise and looking out your window at the beautiful colors of dawn.