Childhood revisited

The Sunday before Christmas, Lastech and I braved the unruly masses and went grocery shopping. Once we got home, and put away our supplies, Lastech told me to get ready to go out again and to grab the camera. The next thing I knew we were headed across the Bay Bridge.

He wound up taking me to Tilden Park to ride the steam trains. Redwood Valley Railway was established in 1952. It uses a small scale steam engine that runs on 15 inch track. The track is a bit over a mile in length and winds around through redwood trees that were planted there back in the 50s.

Naturally, I just had to ride the train. πŸ™‚ I felt like a little kid again. Here are a few of my pics. Forgive the quality. The lighting was bad as it was late in the day.

#7 getting ready to take another load adventurers around the track
#7 getting ready to take another load adventurers around the track
We sat in one of the open cars. The Kids in the car ahead of us were excited
We sat in one of the open cars. The Kids in the car ahead of us were excited
The back half of the train had covered cars and a caboose
The back half of the train had covered cars and a caboose
Off we go
Off we go

TrainE.jpg

Yep, there was even a tunnel
Yep, there was even a tunnel

The ride was over too soon. The next time we go, we’ll leave home sooner so that we can ride it more than once. In addition, there’s an even smaller gauge steam train adjacent to this one. It had just made its final run when we got there, so that ride will have to wait.

On our way back out, we made a point of stopping by the roundhouse where they work on the different engines.

The roundhouse
The roundhouse

Lastech and I plan to go back again soon. πŸ™‚

Here’s a video that shows the train in action.


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Angel Island: Part 2

At the end of October, I posted about our trip to Angel Island. I only posted the fog and harbor pics from that trip.

Now I’m going to share another batch of photos. While we were there, we took the tram circuit around the island. While it was frustrating because I wanted to step out and explore, it was also good since we could see just where we wanted to go when we go back. And we certainly will go back at some point.

Angel Island
Angel Island

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Angel Island: Another date with Karl The Fog

I’m not sure if Karl The Fog is confused or if he just loves us too much to go on vacation. This is supposed to be our sunny month. Instead, Karl has been hanging around wreaking havoc on visibility and forcing me to turn on the heater. πŸ™‚

Tuesday, we were invited on a trip to Angel Island.

This photo was taken a couple of months ago when Karl was dancing around the island. Follow along below the fold for more.

Angel Island
Angel Island

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Sunrise with a bridge and birds

Now that Lastech is working days and has to get up early, we rise before the roosters on his days off to go adventuring. Sunday was no exception. We headed out around 0530. First we went out to Treasure Island. The new east span of the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge just opened. The view from the island won’t be pretty during the day until the old span is removed, which is supposed to take about 3 years. It looks lovely in the dark though.

San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge
I love it. You can just see a bit of the old span in the background.

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Birdy, Birdy, WTF? Birdy?

These past couple of days have been frustrating, thanks to business providers. In order to put me back in a good mood, Lastech took me to the park and then the beach. We saw many birds and here are are some of them.

I call these parking lot birds. They are either brown headed cowbirds or Brewer's blackbirds. I'm not certain. They're everywhere.
I call these parking lot birds. They are either brown headed cowbirds or Brewer’s blackbirds. I’m not certain. They’re everywhere.
Sanderlings? I'm not sure. I just know that the lead bird had the noms and the other two wanted them.
Sanderlings? I’m not sure. I just know that the lead bird had the noms and the other two wanted them.
I love empty beaches. Ok, not quite empty as there were plenty of birds. That haze is sand as it was a tad windy.
I love empty beaches. Ok, not quite empty as there were plenty of birds. That haze is sand as it was a tad windy.
These teeny weeny birds were fun to watch. Sanderlings, I think.
These teeny weeny birds were fun to watch. Sanderlings, I think.
synchronized nom hunting
synchronized nom hunting
Sea gull has noms
Sea gull has noms
WTF?? No, not even sea gull noms. These were too big. Lastech decided I needed some good Zen this morning, so we went to the Japanese Tea Garden. I love the Koi
WTF?? No, not even sea gull noms. These were too big. Lastech decided I needed some good Zen this morning, so we went to the Japanese Tea Garden. I love the Koi
Sea gulls having an argument over noms. The gull on the lower left has the crab in question
Sea gulls having an argument over noms. The gull on the lower left has the crab in question. Photo by Lastech
You got the noms? No I don't have the noms! There over there! Damn!
You got the noms? No I don’t have the noms! They’re over there! Damn! (photo by Lastech)
Ha Ha! I got the noms! Photo by Lastech
Ha Ha! I got the noms! Photo by Lastech
Bird butts in triplicate
Bird butts in triplicate
Gulls on the beach
Gulls on the beach
Synchronized bird butts
Synchronized bird butts

Note to self: Do NOT go to Ocean Beach when the wind is blowing. I’m still finding sand in my ears and other assorted nether regions. Baker Beach is safer in the wind. Yes, we knew it was bad when Lastech turned on the fan in the car and sand was blowing out of the vents.

That was the pleasant part of our adventure for the day.

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Sunset with Karl

One evening we were out and stopped by Bernalwood to walk around the hill and enjoy the sunset. It’s located just north of us here in San Francisco. It was a beautiful evening.

Bernalwood Sunset
The colors were gorgeous

We were slowly headed back to the car when I looked up and saw that Karl (The Fog) was moving in wispy tendrils along the top of Bernal Hill.

Bernalwood Sunset
Karl was aglow

I must confess. I’m having an affair. Lastech is well aware of it and he even helps me to indulge. You see, I spent the first 37 years of my life in the desert. While the desert can be beautiful, fog, rain and greenery are NOT plentiful. I simply adore Karl The Fog. He is one of my favorite things about San Francisco. I pine for him when he’s off somewhere and happy when he comes back. He was in a hurry and moving fast that night. Lastech and I hopped in the car and raced over to Twin Peaks. It was worth it.

Twin Peaks sunset
As you can see, Karl was magnificent.


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Early morning at Stow Lake with a bit of Karl (The Fog)

Summer has arrived in San Francisco and with it comes Karl The Fog. I got all the sunshine I needed after spending more than half my life in the desert. Now I just relax and enjoy the fog. Karl hangs around on Twitter and to quote him:

Here are some photos from a recent trip to Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park.

Stow Lake
Stone bridge
Stow Lake
Flappity flappity
Stow Lake
Still napping

Stow Lake

Stow Lake
Remnants of Karl

Stow Lake

Stow Lake

Stow Lake
Squirrel!
Stow Lake
Ballet practice

Stow Lake

Stow Lake

Stow Lake
Red winged blackbird
Stow Lake
Geese by Lastech
Stow Lake
Stone Bridge by Lastech


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