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

Visit other Wordless Wednesday participants here.

- 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

Happy Wordless Wednesday!
Click here to view other participant posts.

- 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

Visit other Wordless Wednesday participants here.

- Karen

Caribbean Cruise

A few weeks ago, I went on a 7-day Caribbean cruise with the family on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's newest and largest ship, Allure of the Seas.
The view you see is from Deck 16 looking down towards the back of the ship. You can see the balcony rooms facing each other. One guy on the upper right is looking through his binoculars.
Below is the "Boardwalk" on Deck 6 where you can see some outdoor restaurants and the Aqua Theater at the back.

On our 3rd day and our first stop is Labadee, Haiti, Royal Caribbean's privately-owned area. I read only cruise tourists and local merchants are allowed into this area.

What to do on this private resort?
Picnic & BBQ, relax, get some sun, nap, water sports.
For the more adventurous, go on the Dragon Breath zip line which starts at the top of the mountain and take you along the beach as seen here by a tourist's video I found on Youtube.
Or, you can go on the Dragon Tail roller coaster also seen here from another tourist's video.

This is the view of the beach as our ship sails away during the later afternoon. We were the only Royal Caribbean ship there at the time. The beach is now empty of any tourist.

Back in January 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti. The epicenter was close to its capital of Port-au-Prince about 250km (155 miles) away.
There are two points of view about stopping in Haiti. One is tourists stopping here help out the Haitian economy. The other view is how can people come here to enjoy themselves when residents are suffering.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

Welcome to Wordless Wednesday.
Check out other participant posts here.

- Karen

Chalk Festival

Talent, imagination, and patience were showcased this weekend at the local chalk art festival.
Buy a square and start drawing.

This artist draws a geisha girl with a gas mask and origami cranes on fire. It must be referencing the recent disaster in Japan.
Such a beautiful drawing, but with a somber mood.

Of course living in Silicon Valley, a geeky tech drawing is never too far away.

Look out, don't fall into the abyss!

Someone must love cupcakes and desserts.

- Karen

Inflation & Deflation

You have to be an early bird to participate or attend a balloon event.
Here a group is testing their balloon's torch and propane tanks 5 a.m. in the morning. All around the open field, pockets of torches light up the darkness.

It takes a team to inflate a hot air balloon.
The flames from the propane gas is hot and scary. Once the temperature reaches 200-300 degrees Fahrenheit, the air rises inside the balloon and makes it stand upright.
Anticipation for a great flight builds.

The fun ends when the balloon touches down. Here the "Wells Fargo Bank" stagecoach balloon comes to a halt and is being deflated.
Again, it takes a team to get the air out of the balloon and then fold it back up. You get a sense of how enormous these things are by looking at the people standing next to them.

This Smokey the Bear balloon is getting ready for hibernation by 8:30 a.m.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

Visit other Wordless Wednesday participants here.

- Karen

Balloon Races

Attended my first balloon race over the weekend.
Despite the early hour start time to see the balloons get inflated, I was not disappointed.
A little after sunrise, the official balloon of the Great Reno Balloon Race launches with the the playing of the national anthem playing in the background.

Within 30 minutes, the sky is covered with beautiful balloons.
I can't say I quite understand the rules of the race, but it was an awesome sight nevertheless!

I will be out of town next week. Hopefully, I shall return with more photos to share. Have a good week!

- Karen

Remembering September 11th

Remembering September 11th on this 10th anniversary.
These are local memorials paying tribute to those passengers who lost their lives on United Flight 93 on their way to San Francisco back in 2001.

- Karen

Modern Farm

This farm is either hip or has a sense of humor.
Its scarecrow sure looks like Justin Bieber.

I do not keep up-to-date with the latest teenage heartthrobs nor am I a fan of Bieber's.
I wonder if the image is meant to attract teenagers to visit the farm or to scare away the birds?

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

View other Wordless Wednesday posts here.

- Karen

Calliope

Have you heard of a calliope?
Well, I hadn't until I did research for this post. You might have heard of the steam organ which is another name for it.
In the olden days, steam was sent through the pipes to produce the sounds like a train whistle according to Wikipedia.
This calliope playing at a festival yesterday projected its loud happy music throughout the park.

What does it sound like? Click here* to find out.
Think of a carnival, parade, circus, or an amusement park. I am sure you can think of other places you might have heard this kind of music.

After almost 2 weeks of not blogging due to an extremely busy schedule, I am back, but only temporarily until I'm out of town later next week. I will attempt to catch up on everyone's blog soon! Thank you for returning to read my posts.

*"Margie" performed by Jon Tschiggfrie. Music was found on Wikipedia.

- Karen