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Weird tree bark…shiny, mahogany colored bark, smooth to the touch

Weird roots…along some of the trail roots poked through the hillside and into the air

Many caves and hidden spots…signs for mountain lions, wild pigs, turkeys, and deer are everywhere. But, only the turkeys poked their heads up…and they didn’t even pose for a photo shoot.

Saturday started hazy with a marine layer over Napa…good for the start of a 5 mile hike.

Lake Marie Road wound through peaceful grasses, trees, and remnants of old stone buildings. Supposedly there is a fig tree that is over 100 years old. The somewhat rocky trail offered a moderate hike with sun and shade, as the day quickly warmed up.

Sharing the trail with mountain bikers and horses poses a small problem on some of the steeper curves. Patiently waiting for us to pass, the horses eyed our snacks of apples.

California wildflowers are abundant along the trail.

The final destination of Lake Marie. For a slightly different view on our return trip, we followed the Marie Creek Trail. Bushier and more narrow in spots, it’s still a moderate work out.

Did you know about this castle in Ione, California?

The “Castle,” built in 1890-1894, is the most significant example of Romanesque Revival architecture in the Mother Lode. It was built to house the Preston School of Industry, established by the State Legislature as a progressive action toward rehabilitating, rather than simply imprisoning, juvenile offenders. Doors of the 120 room “Castle” closed in 1960 after new facilities were completed.

Still…it’s impressive.

On a visit to wine country in Amador County last week-end we stopped by a local deli/market to buy lunch. You can save a few dollars picking up a lunch and eating in one of many vineyards.

Crusty bread and tomato spread complimented our Sangiovese and Zin wines.

These Zin vines produced the wine we were drinking. What a view…

I’m working on an Ebook (to be out soon) about traveling this summer. Tips for families, traveling smart in this economy, useful packing tips, week-end trips tips, and a whole lot more will be included in this guide.
If you want to share any tips you may have…please let me know at wvanhatten@travelsandescapes.com.
Stay tuned…

No travel tips today. It’s raining in northern California…and that ‘s a good thing.

Have a Blessed Easter.

The national parks of southern Utah each have their own bragging points. And the best time to visit them is May. Bryce Canyon is loaded with photogenic spires known as hoodoos; Zion offers imposing cliffs and lush hanging gardens; Capitol Reef has brilliant, colorful canyons and odd rock formations; Canyonlands wins in terms of overall size; and it’s pretty obvious what Arches is offers.

Much of Bryce Canyon is more than 8,000 feet high, and in early spring you’ll probably have to deal with snow and mud. Tourists flock to southern Utah in summer, so May is a good bet for smaller crowds, drier terrain, and more predictable weather.

One of the prettiest and most popular trails at Bryce combines parts of the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden trails (2.9 miles total) for great photo ops of delicately eroded hoodoos. You’re more likely to spot mule deer, elk, and dozens of bird species in the forest on the 8.5-mile Riggs Spring Loop. At one point the trail opens to spectacular views of the Pink Cliffs on the southern edge of the park. Hiking doesn’t have to stop when darkness falls; the sky is clear enough for full-moon walks, sans flashlight.

The terrain over at Zion is varied, with soaring cliffs, narrow canyons, and emerald pools. While it’s warm in May (often in the high 80s), you won’t encounter the three-digit temps of midsummer. To cool off, scamper up to Weeping Rock—the quarter-mile trail is shady, but steep in spots. In a grotto area, water continuously “weeps” down tall sandstone walls that are overgrown with hanging gardens. Real adventurers can take on the Zion Narrows, hiking in and along the Virgin River in a 1,000-foot crevasse. The water should be gushing and extra chilly in May; ask a ranger about flash flood dangers and water conditions beforehand.

When planning your trip for May…consider one or all of our National Parks in the Southwest.

Suppose you want to talk to someone in a different part of the world. And, suppose you want them to be awake and vertical.

You can see the time and date in any city instantly at www.timeanddate.com. This site can also help you find a time and date for a conference call when you’re dealing with multiple places.

Did you know there are 6,912 living languages in the world? I’m not sure who counted them but if you want information, check out http://www.ethnologue.com/web.asp

Let me know how many you want to learn to speak.