Travels with L (and sometimes Z & F): October 2008

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Ghoulish Neighbors

Halloween is almost here. Have you bought your candies yet? Have you carved the jack o lantern? Will your home look welcoming to little trick or treaters this coming Friday night? I have to admit, my house wouldn't exactly win a prize for best decorated Halloween haunt, but one particular residence several blocks away would certainly win such honors. This morning I peddled my bike over to the best haunted house in San Ramon. Every year this home hosts various ghoulish creatures - much to the delight of the neighborhood tikes. Take a look at who's hanging out at the haunted house...

The Purple Witch

A Zombie

Your friendly neighborhood Postman

Some cool dudes...

My new biking partner

Can we find this bride a mate?

Don't forget to buy your candy...

Even the candidates made an appearance...

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Autumn Colors in the Backyard

The colors of autumn are thriving in my backyard right now...come take a peek...

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Morning Stroll to the Pumpkin Patch

Have you visited a pumpkin patch for Halloween yet? This year Forest Home Farms in San Ramon has devoted one of its fields to a charming little neighborhood pumpkin patch. I got up early this morning and decided to stroll over to check it out. Luckily I got there before it was overrun by little kiddies in search of the perfect pumpkin. Take a look at what I saw...

A neighborhood tree displaying its golden leaves...

A weathervane pointing me in the right direction...

San Ramon's very own historic farm...

The pumpkin patch in the early morning sunshine...

The entry to the patch...

A cute scarecrow welcoming the pumpkin seekers...

Come on in and select your holiday pumpkin...

The fruits of autumn...

A colorful window display...

Mini pumpkins...my favorite...

Morning solitude in the pumpkin patch...

Pumpkins waiting to be taken home...

Crazy about tractors? Check out the tractor museum on the farm grounds...

Warning! Tractors in the vicinity...

More autumn displays...

Beautiful leaves along the pathway back home...

The season's final rose blossoms...

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Ardenwood Park

Yesterday we attended a very special and beautiful wedding at Ardenwood Historic Preserve in Fremont. The ceremony and reception took place in the serene gardens next to the Patterson farmhouse. It couldn't have been a lovelier setting for an autumn wedding. Here are a few shots from the old restored farmhouse that once belonged to three generations of the Patterson family. It began as George Patterson's bachelor farmhouse built in 1857 and was expanded with a Queen Anne addition in 1889 to accommodate the growing family.

Moments before the wedding started: the Patterson family farm house...

Mosaic tile work on the turret...

It's all in the details...

Moments after the ceremony: the house basking in dusk's final moments...

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Yosemite National Park

established October 1, 1890...

When was the last time you went to Yosemite? It's only three and a half hours from our home in the Bay Area, so we finally made a trip there last weekend with the gang. What a wonderful place to spend a few days. We had fabulous weather: clouds, rain, mist, light winds, and brilliant sunshine...but the soft, warm autumn temperatures kept us outdoors where we hiked the gentle trails, viewed the scenic wonders, watched crazy rock climbers, strolled around the village, visited the information center, ate, drank, and shot off a ton of photos. At night we returned to our spacious rooms at the Yosemite View Lodge, which is only about 20 minutes outside the park in the tiny community of El Portal. Once back at the lodge, we soaked in the steaming hottubs, devoured far too much pizza, and partied until the wee hours in the Carlson's suite. All in all, it was the perfect weekend getaway in one of the most beautiful parks in the world. Take a look at what we saw...

View from our room at the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal...