Today’s hiking destination was Water Wheel Creek in the Montebello Open Space Preserve. The cool, sunny weather made for a day of comfortable hiking with clear views of the Coastal Mountains and urban communities lining the edges of San Francisco Bay.
Looking out over the Stevens Creek Valley towards Skyline and the Coastal Range.
A spring along Water Wheel Trail, where water cress grows.
Rock outcroppings visible from the trail.
Today our walking group enjoyed gorgeous clear weather, and a hike in Edgewood Park, known for its spring wildfowers.
Blue-eyed grass grows along the meadow’s edge.
Here we can see the salt flats, the bay and Mt. Diablo in the far distance.
This live oak, a landmark on the ridge overlooking San Carlos and Redwood City, marks the perfect spot for lunch.
A cluster of Indian Warriors (pedicularis densiflora) with fernlike foliage.
Indian Warriors blooming at the margin of an oak thicket.
More Indian Warriors.
A memorable day.
Our friends from Washington State, Brenda and Nancy paid us a visit last week.
While they were here, we took them on a hike to Huddart Park.
On the weekend, we took two of our grandchildren to a performance of Nancy’s son’s rock and roll band, at the Children’s Discovery Museum in San Jose.
Lennon got to appear onstage with Brian during a song about space.
The band was well-received by their fans in the bay area.
Brian Waite, representing the Statue of Liberty and Abe Lincoln.
Today our hiking group explored a park that has been constructed along the Guadalupe River, starting in downtown San Jose near the Children’s Discovery museum, and extending toward the airport.
Our walk started north of downtown where the path is bordered by a restored riparian area, designed to support the salmon and steelhead which spawn in the river.
As we hiked south, toward downtown San Jose, the riverbanks took on a more sculptured look, designed to please the eye, prevent flooding and provid habitat.
The river winds through the center of town, where it is flanked by tall buildings.
Here is a restaurant high above the river channel.
Snowy egrets, Canada geese and grebs feed in the Guadalupe River.
The river walk is attractive to office workers and hikers at lunchtime.
Paolo’s, a longtime favorite Silicon Valley restaurant, is now situated on the river.
At the end of the trail, we find the Veterans Memorial with soldiers’ moving personal stories, photos and white flags.
Park Avenue, lined with palms.
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