Halloween Going to the Dogs and Kids

Welcome! Enter here if you dare.
A neighboring town held its first annual dog and kids Halloween costume contest on Friday.
It is always nice to see the community coming together to have some fun.

Scamp, the dog, leads the way in the costume parade.
Hmmm, I'm not sure if Scamp really needed a hula skirt and bikini top.

Coffee lovers take notice.
This is a cute homemade costume! Mom is even holding the coffee spoon.

Happy Halloween if you celebrate it!

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday - Red Bench

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- Karen

Other Encounters

Continuing on our hike...
It started off at a trail that is closed to the public because of the creek bed that runs by this path. The creek is completely dry now, but I was told that when the rainy season is in full force, this creek fills up and the water runs into the nearby reservoir.
On this special hike, we were escorted by the local ranger.

You can see the filled Calero Reservoir where the water from the creek flows into.

What do you think this is growing on a tree we encountered during our journey?

Someone cut it up and said it is an avocado that is still growing. Well, I guess not anymore since it's been cut.

Last, but not least, a tarantula greets us by the side of the road. It wanted to hitch a ride with one of us, but each of us said "No!".

- Karen

Encounters

On my hike last weekend, we came across a few wild turkeys crossing the road.
They must have been in a hurry to get somewhere because they would not stop to give us directions.

This unidentified laid back arachnid was too entangled in its own affairs than to give us the time of day.

Can you hear the screams? They are deafening!

Little Orange Creature screams: "Run, run, ...the giant humans are coming!"

Giant Humans scream: "Run, run, ...the little scary-looking orange creature is coming!"

Happy Friday,
Karen

Wordless Wednesday - Feed the Can

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- Karen

Notes to Steve

It has been almost 2 weeks since Steve Jobs passed away, but the tribute to him still stands at this Apple store in Steve's home town of Palo Alto, California.
I made my way there last Friday after hearing on the news that all the little notes written by people would soon taken down. Some of you might have seen similar tributes close to where you live.
The California Governor declared today, Sunday, as "Steve Jobs Day". A private memorial service for him is to be held tonight at Stanford University.





- Karen

Vasona Lake Park Bridge

Even during this overcast day, this brightly colored bridge illuminates the center of Vasona Park in Los Gatos, CA (approximately 50 miles south of San Francisco).

A popular place for photographers and joggers alike.

Even pigeons use it as a place to get a "birds-eye" view of the people below.

Have a nice weekend!

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday - Conversations

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- Karen

Falmouth, Jamaica

Here is the coconut vendor standing not far from the juice vendor in my previous post.
I didn't see him cutting up the whole coconuts so customers can drink the juice.
As a tourist without carrying a heavy-duty knife, I would not know what to do with a whole coconut with the exocarp (outermost layer) and husk still attached.

After the juice and coconut vendors, tourists can peruse the boards along this paved walkway.
The boards explain the history of Jamaica and the the town of Falmouth where our ship was docked.

As I come to the end of the walkway, I noticed this board. I didn't realize the 3-time Olympic gold medal winner, world record holder, and now the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, grew up not far from here.

After you leave the port area, you come to the edge of town where a policeman directs traffic.
To come back into the port area, you have to show an ID to prove you are either a passenger or a port worker.

I like all the colorful merchandise and island wear.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

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- Karen