Seacliff State Beach - Day trip

This afternoon we decided to go to Seacliff State Beach along Route 1.

The water was cold but just right and the afternoon sun and breeze were perfect!

We let the kids play in the wet sand while adults played Frisbee. Did the usual "norukku theeni" (eat savories) and then came back. There is a "concrete ship" that was built in the early 1900's when steel was in short supply in the US. The ship is in a very bad state and we are not allowed on it anymore. Only the pelicans have visiting rights (you can go till the ship on the pier).

It was a day well spent.

We will strongly recommend this beach for a half day or day trip.

ps. Parking is 10 bucks and they accept checks or cash only. Don't forget to take sunscreen!

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Conservatory of Flowers - Photoblog

The pictures say it all, the carefully designed park with its nice ponds, rock settings, people, dogs, the conservatory with its amazing displays, the amazing exotic flowers which are being saved from extinction, not to mention Jr.'s new fashion statement of wearing sleeveless Salwar tops with black pants..

A day well spent. Strongly recommended for a half day or full day trip with kids.

Note:

1. Botanical gardens is free. The conservatory of flowers is 7$ for adults, 2$ for kids 5 to 11. Good news is they accept cards. It is totally worth it. Please note, it is like a sauna in there with a water mist automatically coming in every 3-4 minutes from the roof. Keep your lenses covered. Don't wear jackets inside.

2. Parking is very hard to find. For around 10$ you can park in the underground parking below the California Academy of Sciences and walk 10-15 minutes to the Conservatory.

3. There are three restrooms which are free. One next to the conservatory, one behind the amphitheater structure (between the Academy of sciences and the botanical gardens) and one near the entrance to the Botanical Gardens.

Note to self : Next trip..take a frisbee and show the kids how to play frisbee. The breeze was just right for frisbee throwing... well, next time!

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Clear Lake Clears up a few things, and 2009!

The family headed out to Clearlake to close out 2009. Something we have all been waiting for, a hope that next year will be better than this one!

We were joined by the cousins as usual and this time we saw the kids have a real blast just being with each other. There were no fancy rides, no legoblocks and all they had was four adults who were just happy to be idling away and letting them just hang out and they made the most of the opportunity.

The idea was to just go somewhere and chill. Stay home (err, in a rented house or cottage), watch a few movies, eat some snacks, drink lots of tea, play board games till the wee hours of the morning (like we used to before the kids) and if possible catch some scenery (Clear lake State Park) on the way back.

Check, check, check, check, and check!

It was possibly the best year end trip we took. Thanks to bb, we also had the kids do a 500 piece puzzle and enjoy doing it.

Here are some pictures from the trip..

You go lie down on the bed and you get a view like this!

You walk out to the deck and you see the lake..

Was cold and chilly but by noon it was just perfect outside.

The little one wanted to touch the water at every opportunity and throw pebbles back into the lake

My posing princess wasn't in the mood for pictures throughout the trip, but for once she decided to make me happy

We did visit the state park on the way back (there was no one there at the park and we pretty much were alone in the park). We walked up the Indian Trail for 30 minutes and decided that it was time to head back..

This park is so tranquil and serene that it will probably get another visit in summer..

Finally, a stitch shot of the lake...

On the whole, we had a quiet two days away from phones and work and got a chance to clear our heads a little.

Here is to 2010, to many more visits to nice places, better health and more quality time with family and friends and lots of smiles!

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Gooseography

Now for the Gooseography from the weekend.

This one came too close to comfort. This is the closest I got to any geese at the park!

Hobnobbing in the corner..

The entire gang

Finally, a photo of a little human walking the walk at Memorial Park (we all know she can talk the talk).

Feeling much better today after living like a monk. Water, thayir saadam, more water, more thayir saadam, and so it goes...

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Fantasy of Lights - Vasona Park

One of the local parks here (Vasona park in Los Gatos) has a Fantasy of Lights event where they put nice Christmas light displays and you drive through them at <5 miles per hour with the matching music to go on a local radio station.

The light displays were amazing! The kids were initially entertained, but they were not happy with the open passenger side window. While it accomodated the photo/videographer, it made the van too cold for their liking. This was followed by questions like

"how much longer do we have to drive like this?"
"are we going to stay here forever?"

etc. etc..

It is a good idea to teach your kids a few patience lessons before taking them on this drive...

Here is a video and some photos of the trip.

Thoroughly enjoyable!!

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