November Afternoon Skies, Oakland

Over Eastmont.

Over Harrison Street and 20th Street.

Over East Oakland.

Over Fruitvale.

Over my house.

Monday Morning around Jackson Street, Oakland

Monday morning was a foggy morning.

About 17th St, looking towards that corner of Lake Merritt.

Looking up.

Looking out, from five stories up.

Already the Past – 42nd Ave, Oakland

42nd Ave under San Leandro St and the 880 freeway. I was lucky one morning and the stopped traffic was just right to snag a photo. Cleaned over now. We miss FROG. The guy’s pretty neat too.

I’m seeing GERMS tagging the BART pillars along San Leandro St, just the other side of High. But which germs?! Should I pull out my mask? (it’s a professional hazard, and a dose of contrary literal mind)

Walking East Bay Hills – Grass Valley Trail, Anthony Chabot Regional Park

I walked down the Redtail Trail until it met up with the Grass Valley Trail.

The willows along the creek were blooming, full of the heavy sound of buzzing bees.

The plums were in full bloom, scattered through the valley, with plenty of their own working bees.

A week later, the same plums finished blooming.

Walking East Bay Hills – Redtail Trail, Anthony Chabot Regional Park

A few weeks ago, I drove along Redwood Road until I found a likely trailhead at the Marciel Gate.

EBMUD watershed, view from Redwood Road

Redtail Trail, along the ridge next to Redwood Road.

Heading down from the ridge on Redtail Trail. There were so many circling raptors and scrub jays between the brush and the tower.

It looks lonely, but I could hear the motorcycle traffic of Redwood Rd on the other side of this hill.

Walking Black Point at Mono Lake

A few weeks ago, the Kid and I grabbed a chance to go to Yosemite for a weekend trip. The afternoon we arrived, we drove over to Mono Lake and hiked from a trailhead by Black Point. No marked trail. We got to bushwhack (and the bushes whacked back).

From the top of the hill we hiked up, looking down towards the lake.

We had a goal. One of our friends remembered finding fissures up here on her last visit. We found them again, and the adventure of looking for something, no trail, made for a very happy Kid. The Kid and friend were buzzed by a snow owl (“in summer!” said the Kid in amazement) cruising over them in a different fissure.

We ran down the black sand side of Black Point, switchbacking all the way. Looking back:

“Better than LegoLand!” said the Kid.

(We were sorely disappointed the next day. The Kid was sick, so he and I stayed in the cabin all day before driving back home.)

Walking on Wednesday

Wednesday I took myself for a walk up in the East Bay Regional Parks in the Oakland Hills.

I saw weaving.

I saw seed heads lighter than down.

I walked through fog, and sun through fog, and sun.

I picked the Kid up from school (yup, already) and dragged him to Alameda Beach. Poor Kid. Heh.

I’m on vacation at home this week. I like it.