Sunday, May 24, 2015

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Hiking Contra Costa - Mount Diablo In The Clouds

Mount Diablo in the Clouds
A Contra Costa hike was the perfect way to meetup and visit with new acquaintance, Lynn. We trekked first up a few steep hills above the lovely village of Danville, then along past playwright Eugene O'Neill's old place, and ended up walking back on a portion of the Iron Horse Trail, a Rails to Trails project that runs forty miles through nine towns and two counties. Along the way I got to pet a number of happy dogs and visit with their human companions. 

What better way to introduce ourselves to each other?

Next time we get together in Contra Costa County, I hope we'll have time to hike Mount Diablo State Park.

Monday, May 11, 2015

San Jose: After the Ballet

A Ballet San Jose Cinderella performance, was a Mother's Day treat for me, as well as many children,  who dance just as beautifully on their own as any professional.

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Hiking Windy Hill - California Buckye In Bloom


California Buckeye is in business on Windy Hill * serving up fragrant blooms to hikers, native bees and butterflies, like the Pale Swallowtail butterfly. This shrubby tree, found over much of the Western United States, is a great wilderness plant counted on by many natives. Before European contact, it was also a food source for native peoples, following an extensive toxic leaching process.

It's not a good neighbor in the  suburbs, however,  since there it may come into contact with non-native bees. That's because it's pollen, though extremely appealing to the European immigrant bees, is toxic to them.

So . . . we love it, but we don't plant it.
*Windy Hill is close to - Silicon Valley, Within the San Francisco Bay Area , is  nearby the 280 freeway
On my Flower-Lovin' Hiker's Bookshelf