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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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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Together

As the group of ten made its way up from China Cove, we saw a couple cross us on the precarious stairs.

A minute ago, there was a lot of noise in that small space with three generations trying to communicate over the waves. Once we crossed over, the couple went and sat on that log.. and we caught them enjoy that moment, for a fleeting few seconds before we moved on.

Told San that someday when we feel that our nest is empty because our kids fly away, we will be that couple!

Now, if you are ever ever planning to go sit on that log or on that cove, or on any other coves along this most amazing coast, please...

Thank you!

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A day on Route 1 - Lets make that A fathers day on Route 1

We spent Father's day on Route 1, with my in laws and the cousin family.

Just tired and sunburnt after a long day at state parks and beaches. The sunburn mostly happened while sitting in the van in very slow moving traffic on the freeway with no access to sunscreen. Should start carrying a "dupatta" like the ladies to cover my face in situations like this.

Here are some pictures from the trip (more follow if time permits later this week)

First, a portrait of a Seagull.

Manged to get up close and personal with a few of the gulls on Bird Island in Point Lobos State Park..

Two more gulls, got real close at Sunset Beach (which was off of Route 1 in Watsonville).

The trick to getting them close seems to be :

1. pick a nice spot
2. park your butt there
3. select gull
4. wait patiently for it to do something
5. (ignore cries of kids and wait for gull to cry instead)
6. keep gull constantly in focus
7. click, click, click..

Finally a photo of one of the chicks, from daddy's own little nest..

We had a great father's day, with every kid on every beach, trail, state park parking lot, wishing all the dads in our group, a happy father's day.

The girls made sure that every adult male on the path was wished. It was hilarious to see them wish a boy who just sprouted a mustache (possibly doing a summer job)"happy father's day!".

Steve jobs threw a small spanner in the works, but all said and done, today was a day well spent. Three dads enjoying the company of mothers and kids, especially mother nature! Hope all the dad's who read this had a nice father's day as well.

Here's to being Daddy!

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Please save state parks in California

A virus has infected the laptop and that has translated to a day of gardening.

Had to borrow the wife's laptop for this urgent post.

All those trips to route 1 might become nasty experiences.

The Governer is now cutting down 80% of the state parks and wants to "close" them!

If you can pack a quick lunch and want to spend <30$ on gas, you could have a real good day trip along the beautiful coastline within 2 hours of the silicon valley area for a park fee of 6 dollars today.

This is a lot better than spending 60 bucks a ticket to some theme park!

Please please please support the save the parks initiatives. Please contact your local politicians to get this thing repealed.

Click on thi link to send a support email or use any other initiative that you know of.

Please...

We do not want these nice forests with redwoods, creeks and beaches to be trashed. Sometimes I feel that the only good thing we are leaving behind for future generations is these state parks. Now that is also at risk!

Pleasssseeeee...

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