California

In March, thanks to Beth and Shine, Liza traveled out to California to visit with Ariel in Marin County, California. It was such a pleasure to escape the Chicago winter and to experience the early spring. The first morning, we went for a walk in the hills that surround Ariel's neighborhood. Here's a shot of the trails. To give you a sense of scale, note the two people walking on the right side of the frame.


A taste of spring:
The California State Flower - the poppy




We spent the next day hiking mount Tam with a spectaular view of the San Francisco area.

We had lunch at the top. As soon as we started eating, the vultures and crows started circling overhead.


Part of our hike led through a towering redwood forest:


After our hike, we drove through the rest of the park and found ourselves in Point Reyes, California. After walking through a powerfully scented eucalyptus grove, the trees opened to an amazing view of the California coast at sunset. Here's one of Liza's favorite shots:


Exhausted after a long day, we stopped at a local sushi joint where the chef made us a special maki that he called the "cutie" roll. Yummy!


The following day, we decided to explore San Francisco. The drive from Tiburon to San Francisco took us right across the Golden Gate Bridge.


An example of the hilly San Francisco streets:


Tea in Chinatown


Fresh crabs at Fisherman's Wharf


After our walk, we stopped at a famous little bar that used to be a beatnik hangout. We sat in the seats that may have once held Jack Kerouak, Allen Ginsberg and others.


Before heading to the airport, we went for a walk in Muir Woods, the magnificent redwood forest. These trees are absolutely amazing! It's a good reminder of how tiny and insignificant we are in this world.

Ariel inside a tree trunk.


Looking up at the giants


Liza hugs California goodbye before heading home to Chicago.