Friday, November 28, 2008

Daytripping around Niles Canyon

Today was supposed to be spent on the beach in Davenport, but plans do have a way of changing. Instead, I (and my two reluctant traveling companions) decided to visit the Sunol Water Temple, which I've been trying to get back to for years. However, everytime I go there, its gates are locked. Alas, today I found myself locked out once again, so all I could do was view the recently restored temple from afar. The water temple dates back to 1910 and is owned by the San Francisco Water Company. I guess I'll just have to make another trip to it some other time, but in the meantime, here are two shots...

An old engraving flanking the main entry gate...

A water fountain at the main entryway...

So, after our short and disappointing visit, we decided (or I should say I cajoled my two buddies) to head through Niles Canyon and take a look at the Historical Niles District. The roadway through the deep canyon is extremely curvy and flanked by colorful autumn foliage, but it's a quick drive and you pop right out in the small town. Niles was established in the 1850's and was a junction point of the Southern Pacific Railroad lines from Oakland to San Jose. It has a delightfully restored commercial area with antique shops, boutiques, eateries, and a quirky variety of other stores. Since my two companions were becoming increasingly impatient with my shutterbugging, we made a quick tour of the downtown, which happened to be preparing for a big holiday parade - we passed on that. Here is a quick look at a few interesting sights...


Hand painted holiday banners lining the street...

Typical Californian architecture...

If you like antiques, there are loads of them here...



You have to take a look at what's inside this place...

An old carving...

Lots of red, white and blue in this town...

Sundown was approaching so we sped back through the canyon, but I insisted on one more stop. Being so close to the small town of Sunol, I convinced my companions to make a quick pit stop and stroll around the one-block downtown. Because of the ready access to Sunol by the railroads, at one time Sunol developed into a thriving vacation and recreation area for city dwellers. Today there is not much left of its historical past as much of it has been consumed by fires. The Niles Canyon Railway begins here and hoards of people were lining up to take a holiday train ride through the canyon. Come take a peek...

Of course, more banners...

The town's name is written all over...

Bosco's Bones & Brew, a restaurant named in recognition of 
Sunol's "unofficial" mayor - Bosco the dog...


Lovely shimmering autumn leaves...

One of the antique stores...

A window display...

Antiques for sale...

The town clock...

In case you forget where you are, there are constant reminders...

The city park...


They even have their own post office...

Sitting area outside the P.O.

Memory bricks...

The railroad tracks heading toward Pleasanton...


The holiday express...





Ivy leaves...

Yes, we're in Sunol...
If you want to get a glimpse of California's past, I highly recommend a visit to these colorful places. 

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thanksgiving Day

Tomorrow is my favorite American holiday, and I'm wishing you a ...

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for?

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Bishop Ranch Regional Open Space

This morning after my coffee and newspaper rituals, I headed over to the regional open space near my house. Since is was such another spectacular sunny and still morning (when will we finally get some rain?), I wanted to take advantage of the colors and lighting and shoot off some photos before the autumn haze made its way back into the valley. This trail is a fairly steep climb from the valley floor to the top of one of the ridges, but its a short hike up and back and can easily be done in an hour. Of course, if you want to enjoy the beautiful vistas, oaks, and meadows, you might need a little more time. Come take a quick look...

Parking is no problem - just park along Morgan Drive...

It's pretty much just straight up the hill...

Along the way you get various views of the neighborhood below and Mt. Diablo...

Oak trees, young and old, line parts of the trail...



But watch out where you step...this is afterall happy California cow territory...

Sometimes the fields are full of grazing cattle - I only spied one...

As you approach the top of the ridge, the views get more spectacular...

That's San Ramon Valley below with the Bishop Ranch office complex...

The sky was deliciously photogenic with its wispy clouds...

This is almost at the top and end of the trail...

All around you you'll see the classic California landscape...



Heading back down the trail...

The last of the remaining oak leaves...

Taking a break under an oak tree...

The bark of the oak tree...

Looking straight up at the oak tree canopy...

Fallen leaves along the trail...

Back at the street and the entrance to the park...
This is a great place for a quick but vigorous hike. It definitely gets your heart pumping! Next time I'll come back in the late afternoon so that I can shoot off photos in different lighting.