Sand Francisco Art

Last weekend was the 27th Annual Leap's Sandcastle Contest in San Francisco. 20+ teams competed with 4 hours to build their masterpieces and to help raise money for local schools. I could not stay long enough for the judges to announce the winners, but here are a few samples of their artwork.

60's Flower Power van from the Haight-Ashbury district.

AT&T Park, home of the 2010 NL West Division Champion San Francisco Giants, including the Coke bottle slide.

A hungry seal, crab, frog, and shark waiting to snack on the unique San Francisco landmark, the Transamerica Pyramid.

The hills of San Francisco including Alcatraz and a real crab.

A local Muni bus most San Franciscans and tourists have probably ridden one time or another. It took several hours before the team was able to build up that impressive mound of sand.
The people who built it were in the background ready to take their team photo.

Giant crabs with big eyes taking over San Francisco.

Seal and sea birds by San Francisco Bay.

San Francisco landmarks along with the Transamerica Pyramid, Coit Tower, and countless cup-sized houses.

Rolling hills of San Francisco including sand cars.

Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world.

- Karen

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- Karen

Weekend Hobbies

It is already October! Where did the time go this year?!
Anyways, these fun garden flags reminds me the few remaining weekends of the year is here, so whether you plan to sleep-in, drive to your favorite destination, or whatever, ...enjoy it!

- Karen

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Get Noticed

There is always something interesting to see while walking through the Mission District of San Francisco.
Suddenly out of nowhere, a parade of fancy cars drove by honking their elaborate horns to sound off their arrival into the neighborhood.
Everyone takes notice...

- Karen

Pedal Pals

What is more fun than having your buddy traveling along side with you?
I hope you are taking a journey with your favorite friend(s) this weekend.

- Karen

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- Karen

Trojan Horse #2

Why are these people dressed like Greek warriors and pushing a 13-ft. wooden horse through the streets?
This event was for designers to showcase their creative and artistic environmentally-friendly vehicles. I'm not sure this is a practical way to commute to work...
But, if you missed seeing the original Trojan Horse during mythological times, here was another chance.

To find out a little more about this project, watch this short video.

- Karen

Street Vendor

Business is a little slow for this street vendor in San Francisco. I think he was more interested in reading his messages on his phone.

- Karen

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Remembering 9/11

Remembering 9/11 on its ninth anniversary yesterday with a 1 mile Freedom Walk through downtown Santa Clara, CA.
The event put together by Operation: Care and Comfort, an organization which sends packages & letters to deployed troops.

- Karen

Santa Cruz Treasures

I am not sure what these round things are, but they remind me of eggs yolks. There is an inscription, but I could not make out the half-faded words which were flooded in bright sunlight.
If anyone knows, please enlighten us.

This life-size gray whale model is outside the Santa Cruz City Museum of Natural History.

Enjoy your weekend,
Karen

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A Day at the Lake

A few photos of a trip from last Spring.
Spending a lazy day drifting on the lake.

Many boaters took advantage of the summer-like weather to enjoy the outdoors.

You might never have guessed you were in the middle of busy Manhattan unless you looked up and saw skyscrapers.

- Karen

Sheriff & the Outlaws

A shootout at the ranch?
No cause for alarm!
It is just artwork at San Diego's Old Town area.

Do you feel safer now with the sheriff in town?

Have a great weekend!

- Karen

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Penelope

I was in San Diego this past weekend and encountered this unique sculpture named "Penelope" on my walk by Seaport Village.
Local artist, Michael Stutz, immortalized "Penelope" from the Greek mythology "The Odyssey" for waiting 20 years for her husband Ulysses to return home from his journeys.

The sculpture is created by the weaving of bronze strips welded together. Stutz spent 3 years in New Orleans building Mardi Gras parade floats which had an influence on his life to create large scale sculptures.

From the back side, you can imagine what Penelope sees day-in and day-out.

- Karen

Seaworld

Everyone guessed the location of my last post correctly. This one is easier. It's Seaworld.

These little fishes are called Silversides and are sold to visitors to feed the stingrays in a shallow tank.

Prior to the main show to begin, this mime entertains the crowd and mimics guests unsuspectingly as they make their way into the theater to find their seats.

- Karen

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- Karen

Bay Area Summer

I am happy to report that summer has officially made it to the San Francisco Bay Area, but only for a few days in the upper 90's.
We have been experiencing an unusually cooler summer season this year so I am glad it is finally here. Unfortunately, school starts this week so I imagine the kids are not happy with the tardy summer weather.

- Karen

Sun Screens

Just came back from Orlando for vacation.
While there, I spotted these colorful parasols vendors were selling at Walt Disney's Epcot Theme Park. They would come in handy to block out the scorching sun, but not the humidity.
I am happy to return to the cool San Francisco Bay Area weather.

- Karen

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Note to readers: I will be away on business/vacation in Orlando for the next week and will be too busy to post. Thank you for dropping by. I shall visit your post when I return.

Have a great week!

- Karen

Over the Creek

Not far from the pedestrian bridge I posted last, is this wooden plank bridge surrounded by lush greenery and follows a creek below.
If you are standing still on the bridge and someone walks by, you will experience a tiny bouncing sensation.
Hmmm, I wonder what would happen if lots of people walked by at the same time.

- Karen

Los Gatos Creek Bridge

A highly utilized bridge by walkers and joggers especially on the weekends, but for a moment, it stands alone in silence.

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Laid Back Afternoon

Another photo from my Photo Walk two weekends ago.
Spotted these Adirondeck chairs in front of someone's front patio. They do not look comfortable to sit on, but these chairs remind me of laid back afternoon just watching the world go by.

According to Wikipedia, here is some background about the Adirondeck chair.
"An Adirondack chair or Muskoka chair is a type of chair favored in rural, outdoor settings. The precursor to today's Adirondack chair was designed by Thomas Lee in 1903. He was on vacation in Westport, New York, in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, and needed outdoor chairs for his summer home. He tested the first designs on his family.
The original Adirondack chair was made with eleven pieces of wood, cut from a single board. It had a straight back and seat, which were set at a slant to sit better on the steep mountain inclines of the area. It also featured wide armrests, which became a hallmark of the Adirondack chair."

- Karen

Window Display

Last weekend was the 3rd Annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk. Photographers of all skilled level from all over the world gathered into their local groups to socialize and take photos.
Our group traipsed through the charming downtown & residential area of Los Gatos, CA and I came across this window display.

If you took part in this photo walk in your area, I would be interested in hearing about your experience.

- Karen

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Bicycle Pattern

When I am out taking photos or just walking about, my eyes and brain automatically look for patterns.

Look around you now.
Do you see a pattern of something? What is it?

- Karen

Creatures in the Woods

Went hiking and encountered these camouflaged creatures along the way. I was not sure of their intentions. Many feverish thoughts crossed my mind.
Were they friendly and coming out to welcome me on my journey? Were they hungry and hunting me for their dinners? Were they just as frightened and protecting their young?
I did not stay long to ponder the possibilities and relieved they did not chase after me.

- Karen

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A Thousand Cranes

I read that in Japanese culture when someone folds a thousand cranes (Senbazuru in Japanese), they can be granted a wish by a crane. Such a gift is usually given to friends or family to wish them a long life, happiness, luck, or well-being.

Here is a close-up of some of the cranes. They can be folded with solid color paper or those with designs like kimonos patterns.

Skilled origami artists can fold these miniature cranes.

Do you see the difference in size?
Click here to fold your own thousand cranes step-by-step.

- Karen

Old Firehouse

The town of Auburn, California grew during the Gold Rush days of the mid-1800's and this was where the volunteer fire department was housed until 1954. Tall and unique, this 1891 building is now their museum.
It was not open when I visited so this is what it looks like from the front.

This is the view from the back.
Am I the only one who would love to get onto the top floor and ring that bell?

- Karen

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