Month: June 2010

Anyone up for a boat ride?

This past weekend Bodega Bay’s blue waters beckoned. When it was hot in Vacaville…100…it was only 66 in Bodega Bay.

Morning fog lifted and turned into offshore haze as the day developed.

Waves still rolled in…never ending.

Boats and swimmers at one Tomales Bay.

On a hot day, it’s good to look at some cool mountains. And then remember we were just there…

Coming up…the temperature difference between Vacaville and Bodega Bay, CA.

After a day of skiing, in June, head to the bar and watch the sun set over Mammoth Mountain. It is June after all.

Freshly groomed snow awaits skiers. With the base close to 9,000 feet this is real snow.

And here they come. With several lifts still open skiers and snowboarders are on the mountain early in the morning.

Hard to read from here…the giant map tells us skiing at Mammoth Mountain will be going until July 5.

Yes, the lens is wet. Bridal Veil Falls, in Yosemite National Park, not only thunders 620 feet over the granite cliff. It soaks everything remotely close to it.

No spray here…just a good shower.

Approaching the falls you know by the amount of noise, you are going to get wet. With heavy snowfall this year…waterfalls are especially stunning.

Roaring as it drops, Bridal Veil Falls is a Yosemite favorite. And we really were soaked after just a couple of minutes. But it was so worth the view.

There are climbers on El Capitan, or El Cap as the climbers call it. Can you see them? We could with binoculars…but just barely.

Rising over 3,000 feet above the valley floor and 7.569 feet above sea level this impressive Yosemite landmark is the largest monolith of granite in the world. No wonder so many want to climb it.

El Capitan holds another distinction. It is almost twice the size of the Rock of Gibraltar. It’s truly an amazing icon no matter how you look at it. But I can’t imagine climbing that rock face.

Rising 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and over 8,000 feet above sea level Half Dome is a Yosemite icon. In 1865 a report stated it was totally inaccessible and would never be touched by human feet.

But you can hike it today…if you are in shape and up for the 14 mile round trip hike. Keep in mind you will gain about 4,800 feet on your trek. Rangers assist hundreds each year who thought they could make it. The last part of the ascent, about 400 feet, is over a series of pre-hung cables. Permits are required to climb this amazing piece of granite.

John Muir once said “everything is flowing” in Yosemite. This is definitely a year for that.

Heavy snows this year result in awe inspiring waterfalls…even those at a fair distance away.

Double falls in the Yosemite Valley are spectacular from high above at Glacier Point.

Don’t get stuck. Some roads opened as recently as last week…not due to tunnels like this, but to snow pack.

Icy water rushes towards a granite cliff where it will tumble to the valley floor.

As summer continues these streams will become smaller. For now they provide a surprise around every boulder.

This is a preview of more to come. Yosemite waterfalls defy description this year, due to heavy snow and on going melting.

Cruise ships regularly come to San Francisco, docking at Pier 35.

Can you imagine cruising under the Golden Gate Bridge?

San Francisco Bay