Golden Gate Bridge Facts

Opening celebration began 5/27/1937 and lasted
for one week. The day before traffic was allowed
200,000 people crossed by foot and roller
skates.
The color of the bridge is called international
orange. The color was chosen because it
blends well with the natural surroundings
yet enhances the bridge's visibility in fog.

Big Sur coastline before current fire

The sky was cloudy the weekend I made this trip.
Which in some of the pics could resemble smoke.


California Hwy. 1 is literally on the edge of the cliff.
There are some guardrails to make you feel a little security.

Jail Birds

Western Gull

Egret (Snowy?). I am not sure if this is the snowy
egret for sure. These birds have a peculiar call
sound they make. It almost sounds like someone
gurgling water.

Sparrow

Bryant's Cormorant (Setting on Nest.)

These are just some of the birds that
inhabit Alcatraz Island.

Alcatraz Island and Lighthouse

No trip to San Francisco should be without a
tour of Alcatraz Island. It is a self guided tour
with headset which allows you to go at your
own pace. The story that is told is very interesting.
It is hard to imagine having to spend time there as
a guest back in it's day. The island is home to many
different birds for which the island is now a sanctuary.
Pics of the birds will come soon as a post.


I have neglected showing the Alcatraz
Lighthouse. It is the first lighthouse that
I saw when arriving in the bay area.

Seals

This just does not look comfortable.

Seal baby nursing.

The seals were laying on the rocks that you see
in the bottom third of this picture. This is near
Point Bonita Lighthouse.

Baker Beach

To get to Baker Beach you will travel through
the Presidio.

Strangers to each other, these two dogs had a really
good time frollicking on the beach.

The famous view of the Golden Gate Bridge from
Baker Beach. Just on the other side of these rocks
was the nudist section of the beach. I told Gina, that
if I could find that section of beach that I would dress up
in my birthday suit and go for a stroll since it was on my
birthday that we were visiting there. LOL.

CPR

Sorry folks, no pics. today. I spent the evening in Berekely getting my re-certification for BLS.
I will fax a copy to Resources ASAP.

Have a great day everyone.

Stay tuned..........

Presidio of San Francisco

"Presidio" is another name for Fort. The Presidio
was used to defend the San Francisco Bay.

In 1850, President Millard Fillmore established
the Presidio for Military use.

The San Francisco National Cemetery is a U.S.
National Cemetery. The cemetery is sometimes
referred to as the "Arlington of the West."
Only those who served in the military and their
families are buried there.

Entrance marker to the Presidio.
You can read more about the Presidio at
the following link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidio_of_San_Francisco .

Point Bonita Lighthouse

Located in Marin Headlands which is north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

It was a cool and windy day on 6-14-08 when this photo was taken.

These last pictures were taken 6-21-08. The temperature was about 20 degrees warmer than the previous weekend and there was no fog in the sky. The lighthouse is the little white speck on the arm sticking out into the ocean. Below is a telephoto from the same spot the above picture was taken.

Golden Gate Bridge

Check out the difference in the weather from one weekend to the next. The first picture was taken on 6-14-08, the temperature was about 57 degrees. The second picture was taken today, 6-21-08 and the temperature was 77 degrees. I feel so blessed to have a job that allows me to be able to travel and see this great country of ours. The San Francisco Bay area has alot to offer in the way of sight seeing. Today, the Golden Gate Bridge looked so majestic in the bright sunshine. What an awesome feeling!!!

Muir Woods

I have yet to see the Sequoia tree and I hear that it is bigger than the Redwood tree. Muir Woods is a very nice National Monument to visit. Admission is only $5/person and you can enjoy mother earth all day for that price. If you have neck problems then I don't advise looking all the way up the trees because they are REALLY TALL !!!! LOL. Seriously, you will nearly bend your neck 90 degrees looking all the way to the top of these trees.
Redwood creek runs through Muir Woods. Salmon spawn in this creek.
For more information on Muir Woods click on this link: http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park.asp?park=64 .

What type duck is this?

On my first visit to Muir Woods, I saw this duck and have searched to find what type it this is but have been unsuccessful. If anyone out there knows what type duck this is please let me know. You can reply by clicking on the comments tab at the bottom.

Olema, Ca.

Olema was the epicenter for the great earthquake of 1906. Check out this link for more information on the Olema Valley, http://www.pointreyes.org/olema.html .

This area of California is very interesting and there is alot to see. If you are in the area be sure to check out the Golden Gate National Park area.

The meeting in the bath tub

Buddy on the left, Cheeto on the right and Lilly in the middle. Gina sent this picture to me tonight and I just had to post it.

Mt. Tamalpais State Park

A beautiful state park. These pictures were taken of course from Mt. Tamalpais. The sun rays are shining on Stinson Beach. The fog was setting in at the top of the mountain.

Sun Rays over Bolinas Lagoon

Gina took these pics as we were making our way to Mt. Tamalpais State Park. The sun was sinking low in the sky coming through the fog as it was setting in for the night.

Point Reyes National Seashore

302 steps down to the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Gina and I considered this our "stress test" for this year. No chest pain after ascending the steps, my calf muscles wanted to go on strike though.

Stinson Beach, Ca.

Gina came out to spend my birthday weekend with me. We saw many places and had a wonderful time. We went to Muir Woods on Sat. and then on to Stinson Beach. It was getting to be about lunch time and we were getting rather hungry. We happened to see the sign for the Surfer's Grill which is located right on the beach. Fish and Chips sounded appropriate and very good at the time. The owner was having lunch at the next table. She is such a nice person. She offered information about the sights in the area and answered a lot of questions that we had. I highly recommend the Surfer's Grill at Stinson Beach. Check out their website to see the menu and definitely stop in there and have lunch, http://www.surfersgrill.com/. You won't be disappointed.

As you can see the tide was coming in and there is no way you would see me in the water with the possibility of "Man eating sharks".

Stay tuned, there will be more posts on the birthday boys' weekend...........

Happy Flag Day !