Life Post - Photos from Everyday Life 2014

These first two are actually from 2013.  My beautiful daughter shortly before she moved to L.A. to attend USC.

And the garland she made for me decorating our fireplace.

Of course every home life post has to have my fur babies!

I bought a used lens so I was testing it on my bookshelf.  This is the "fantasy" section.

An attempt to be artsy inspired by the red umbrellas at this building.

I do like this building...

Those claws though!

As a former military brat, I love aircraft of all kinds.  I get excited whenever I see an increasingly rare Jolly Green Giant fly over.

Driving down the River Road (Hwy 160) one day, the sun was setting over a field and there were bushes of wild "sunflowers" dotting the shoulder.  I felt like I found the treasure at the end of the rainbow.

This squirrel would sit in the pine tree just off the balcony and stare at my cats.  I think he was trying to decide if Chavy was a squirrel or something else. 

Blue hour...

More yellow treasure. 

xoxo

California Travelogue - Eat Real Fest and Oakland's Jack London Square 2014

"Seize the moment!  Remember all those women on the Titanic who waived off the dessert cart."

~~Erma Bombeck

Have I ever mentioned that I like food?  And, even more than liking food, I like trying new food.  It's a thrill to see a new Food Truck or vendor somewhere!  So I love "foodie" events, whether they be casual or a little bit (maybe not too) fancy.

Oakland has a wonderful event called Eat Real Fest.  One of the things that makes it great, aside from a huge number of vendors, is they limit the cost of each item so that you can try more things without breaking the bank.  Each item costs no more than $8

And!  It's held in beautiful Jack London Square, so there is amazing people watching and other things to see and do besides just walk and eat.

In case you didn't know, Jack London Square is located near the Port of Oakland.

I got there somewhat late since I had to drive an hour and a half, but I was lucky to find a parking spot not too far away.  My walk to the actual event took me past the port where I spied a pelican!

Along the way I passed the pier where the ferries come to collect your and whisk you away to other parts of the Bay.  I like this Catamaran.

I hadn't eaten anything all day (saving room!) so I headed for my favorite truck and the surely delicious food they always have!  
The Chairman!

I got two steamed buns!  Well that's what they tell me anyway. ;-}  Yum, steamed baos filled with delicious pork belly and turmeric-pickled daikon on the right and crispy miso tofu with baby bok choy on the left.

The pork belly is the best thing in the world. I'm telling you.

I was loving my awesome seat beside the harbor, watching the people and sailboats. Although there was a marine layer, it was a wonderful, warm day.

I want this pirate ship!!

I walked around for a bit and then decided to partake of some grits.  I love grits.  And when they come with fresh, local cheese they're irresistible!  These are from Sugarfoot Grits.

With all that creamy deliciousness in my stomach, I spent the next couple of hours walking around and checking out the sites. Including the trains that come right down the street.

And the flowers that grow here and there.

I wanted to get some "portable" desserts to save for later (I knew they were going to run out before I was ready to eat again!) so I made my way to another cluster of vendors.  I had been eyeing the Creme Brulee Cart - their "Golden Ticket" looked to die for.  And it was!

I also hit up Simply Mochi, which had a wide selection of interesting flavors.  I got creamy lemon and Nutella.  Yum.

With my portable dessert, I spent the next hour walking around taking photos. Lots of interesting sights at Jack London Square.

Like bicycles on poles!

And the beautiful Cheemah, Mother of the Spirit Fire.

This truly beautiful statue is part of a larger project by the artist, Osprey Orielle Lake.  This is one of three that currently exist.  The other two are in Hamburg, Germany and Majorca, Spain.

More artwork lines the walkways.  These colorful tiles were made by the community and speak to the heart and soul as well as the eyes.

Walk past the fountain and have a seat on the patio at Plank and...

 ...watch folks fling bocce balls!

And of course there are palm trees.  It's California!

It was time for me to head back.

I walked through ports and pillars...

...and past the boats of heroes.

And called it a very good day.

xoxo

Sacramento Travelogue-Walking the American River Trail - Lower/Upper Sunrise

I love a good little walk on a weekend morning.  To me, it's a form of meditation as well as exercise and, luckily, Sacramento is home to the beautiful Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, better known as the American River Bike Trail.  

This gorgeous trail is 32 miles of winding river with a fascinating riparian zone filled with gorgeous flora and fauna.  It certainly makes a morning walk a very interesting prospect. 

On this particular April morning, I decided to stick close to home and take a walk along what is known as the Lower and Upper Sunrise area, so named because the access and egress is off of Sunrise Boulevard in Rancho Cordova.  

To get there, take Highway 50 East (from Downtown Sacramento) to the Sunrise Blvd exit.  Turn left onto Sunrise to go North.  You will pass a Bel Air shopping center on your right (about 5 lights down).  Just after, get ready to turn right into the park entrance.  If you cross the river, you've gone too far.  

I decided to go left to the Lower Sunrise parking area to begin my walk.  From the parking lot, you cross a lovely little bike/pedestrian bridge over the river.  If you gaze through the spiderwebs, you'll see the cars going by on Sunrise Blvd. 

Reflections of a Cormorant

After crossing the bridge, you'll find a little meadow that is often home to critters such as the Canadian geese hanging out below. 

I turned to the right to walk towards the Upper Sunrise area as I wanted to get some photos of the Fair Oaks Bridge.  Because of the riparian zone, it's hard to believe that there is a serious drought going on!  

There were quite a few feathered friends hanging around.  Underneath the Sunrise bridge is a prime fishing area for the egrets.

Taking flight

Ahhhh, there she is.  

I just love the contrast of the bleached looking rocks against their mossy, underwater counterparts.  

I didn't catch any egrets snacking, but the evidence of past meals was hard to miss. Did you know that Chinook salmon have mouths full of sharp teeth?  Now you do. 

Duck butts

Shine bright like a diamond! The water reflecting the sun had so many cool textures!

Babies!!  One of the best things about April. 

I just love the silhouette of this sweet family against the sparkling water. 

And the colors and textures of these beautiful creatures rival anything else Mother Nature has to offer.

Overhead, a couple of egrets were circling, impatiently waiting for this intrusive human to abandon their hunting grounds.  

The thing I've discovered about the underside of bridges is that they usually have something cool.  This one has gorgeous colors. 

I walked back by way of a poppy filled meadow.  I couldn't resist trying to get some closeups of our brilliant State flower.

This is the meadow on the other side of the pedestrian/bike bridge.  With more geese.  They should change their name to California geese since we have so many here year round. 

Back on the bridge, I was treated to the sight of a flock of pigeons taking off from the meadow.  Having the little duck family in the background made it more special.

Under the bridge...

I wish this photo wasn't blurry.  I love the mirror image and I just caught the egret at the right moment. *cries* I had my manual lens on and couldn't focus fast enough.

A very common sight around the river, and even miles away from the river, are the wild turkeys.  I was happy to see this guy, because my walk just wouldn't have been complete. 

Walk over and chores beckoning, I reluctantly got in my car to head home.  As I drove out to resume life, two fat squirrels merrily sent me on my way.  Of course I stopped the car to take some pictures of them.  I love squirrels. 

xoxo