80* and sunny!

I know that the drought is bad for the environment and the crops and the population, but I do love hiking in 80* weather in March!  Today I went to Robert Louis Stevenson State Park to hike Mt St Helena, the tallest peak around here (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=472).  It was an easy hike, though I gained a lot of elevation.  At the top, I had some pretty great views: 

I got to watch a hang glider for about 5 minutes, which was pretty cool.  Might have to try that....

I had no idea Napa was so close and so pretty!

Tomorrow is the St Patrick's Day concert with the Chorale.  Fun stuff!

xoxo

Quit taking my picture!

Beautiful Saturday

Can you guess where I was yesterday?

mmm...Sunday....

I got going <fairly> early Sunday to make the 90 minute drive to California's oldest state park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park for a hike.  It promised waterfalls, solitude, and (obviously) redwoods!  I was pleasantly surprised to see that the waterfalls were flowing, given the drought.  What a beautiful day!

 Soo thankful I've been rock climbing: this part of the trail ran directly next to the waterfall.  Having sure footing and a good grip on the wire railing was a must!  Do you see the people waaay at the bottom?

This one was hard to show scale for the picture, but it is probably three stories high!

http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/bigbasin/waterfallloop.html

xoxo

Great Saturday!

Happy February and Happy Birthday Alex!  Today was as good as it gets in my book: got things done, was super active, talked to family, and spent time with my bridge and my ocean at Crissy Field and Baker Beach (http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/baker-beach.html)

I do love muscles...

My bridge!

Low tide tree

I can't believe I get to live here!

And then I read this, which made me chuckle.  I'm glad to know I'm not the only one...
http://www.buzzfeed.com/haleyc13/13-things-only-perpetually-cold-people-will-unders-jiey
xoxo

What?!?

Sorry: another test

Testing....

Trying to link my new phone.... With a funny cat photo

Tiny shoes, long journey

I recently bought climbing shoes to improve my toe grip on the rock climbing wall.  Much like the toe shoes in ballet, climbing shoes are thought to be most effective when your foot is extremely uncomfortable!  As you can see, this is the smallest pair of shoes I've ever purchased!

I think it is official that we're staying in Oakland: I've bought furniture and dishes!  Pootz, of course, claimed the chair immediately and thanked me profusely for finally giving him someplace to sit.  It took me a while to get here, but I'm glad for the trip!

Full moon rising over the lake and city

Singing!

I went to my first practice with the Rockridge Chorale last night.  It was really fun!  We sat in the director's living room and plowed through a few songs, which slowly sounded better.  Afterward, snacks and small talk.  I think it'll be great to be involved and be singing again!

I haven't checked out their website, but was told it could use some updating.
http://www.rockridgechorale.org/

xoxo

Hiking. Sunshine. Ocean. Happiness.

About as good as it gets in my book!

Rock cave, ocean puddle

Atlas Girl

Did I mention that it is January?
And I'm not all bundled up?
And that I love Oakland?

















xoxo

Sunday Funday!

Didn't rest much this weekend, but it was well worth it!  Sunday I went to church at Grace Cathedral, which turned out to be Episcopalian (oops!) and one of the most beautiful churches I've ever been in.  This installation http://www.gracecathedral.org/cathedral-life/latest-updates/cathedral-news/detail.php?nid=178 is coming down soon, and I'm so thankful to have seen it again.  The doors of the church were open this time, which is why I took the videos.

After church, my friend Adam and I drove up the coast to Hog Island Oyster Company and ate fresh oysters looking out at the water.  Really?!  This is my life??  So cool.

I love Golden Gate Bridge!

Hog Island Beach

 Hog Island Oyster Company

Did I mention that it was 70* on December 29?

And then a pod of porpoises came to say hello.  That was pretty neat.

My favorite person


xoxo