Blogs from California, United States, North America - page 1035

. Would we or would we not climb Half Dome… That was the question we had been trying to answer. But, in the end we wouldn’t know until we got there, and after all it’s supposed to be all in the journey, not the destination? Statistics Starting Destination: Midpines, California Ending Destination: Midpines, California Ending Destination GPS: N: 37° 32.581’ W: 119° 55.374’ Elev: 2645’ Miles Driven: 87 miles Distance Hiked: 17 miles Total Elevation Change: 4,400 feet Total Vertical Feet Climbed: 4,700 feet Getting Ready This is where our Type A personalities really kicked in… The night before we made sure that we made lunches, filled water bottles, packed our day-packs and set out what we were going to wear. The hike is advertised as 10-12 hours; and 12 hours is just about all the ... read more

I decided today that I would not do anything too time consuming as I would be catching the BART later that afternoon to get to my hotel by the airport, so I decided to spend the day walking around Golden Gate Park, which is right at the bottom of Stanyan Street, so I wouldn't be too far from the house. It was an abosultely scorching day and I decided to go to a place called Strybing Arboretum, and more specifically the botanical gardens, as it was free and wouldn't involve any real sort of time commitment. There's not a lot more to say about that really, I just spent the day wandering through the park, sweating. Two things, though. The first is somebody could make a fantastic study of the homeless and general clientele of Golden ... read more

. Hopefully today some of yesterday’s questions can be answered… We are going to drive into Yosemite and find out! The sky is clear and the forecast is for 71 degrees (22° C), just perfect for riding the bike - and we might get a chance to do that too!... Statistics Starting Destination: Midpines, California Ending Destination: Midpines, California Ending Destination GPS: N: 37° 32.581’ W: 119° 55.374’ Elev: 2645’ Miles Driven: 101 Distance Walked: approx. 1 mile Distance Biked: 12.7 miles Average Speed on the Bike: 9.7 mph Rocks in the Wrong Place Midpines is about 30 miles from Yosemite National Park - so there was lots of road to be “open” before we reached the park. We followed the road up and over the local peak and... read more

Friday, October 20, 2006. A different bus takes us downtown SF to the financial area and we start our walking tour. Starting at First and Market, we begin up Market only to find we have walked into a film commercial for Kleenex. We were asked to sign (our life away0 releases and Bob asked to take pictures for himself, it was a Mexican standoff. Back to the walking tour, we go through Market Square onto Chinatown and North Beach (an Italian Section). We stopped at Sts. Peter and Paul, the church Marilyn and Joe DeMaggio had their wedding pictures taken. We continue up, up ,up to Coit Towers; residents purchased this lookout land and dedicated it to the California Pioneers, a beautiful view of the city. From Coit Towers we walked to Lombard Street, the ... read more

Is it written anywhere that all our travel experiences must leave us with that 'warm and fuzzy feeling'? If so, then with this page, I break the rule. Livermore, more specifically, Altamont, marked a turning point in my life. It was here, in December, 1969, that I witnessed an event that would change my life forever. As I look back today, I over corrected. I have since tried to find the right balance. Regardless, our experiences make us what we are, and mine have made me what and who I am, for good or for bad. Altamont, December, 1969 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which ... read more