Saturday, May 23, 2009

Paradise in San Ramon

They call it the beer garden; I call it paradise. 

Where can you find an exotic blend of colorful plants, whimsical artwork, and serene hospitality - in the Schwab's garden paradise, that's where. Once the cool days of winter give way to the longer, sunnier days of springtime and the plants start to blossom and thrive, the Schwab family will almost certainly insist on entertaining any of their many visitors outside in their backyard paradise. 

Why don't you come along for a visit?

Welcome!

A reflection of the house greets you 
when you enter the garden...

Take a seat in one of the comfortable chairs...

There's no dress code here...

Ice cold beer is always available...

Or wine if you prefer...

Sit back and enjoy the flowers...

And listen to the wind chimes jingling in the soft breeze...


A Moroccan lantern lights up the garden at night...

Tiles from Mexico brighten up the walls...

Another exotic wind chime makes its own music...

Sea turtles gracefully swim towards their destination...

A Calla Lily soaks up the warm sunshine...

Colorful reflecting balls are artfully displayed 
throughout the garden...

A string of chili peppers provides decorative lighting...

Fresh spring growth abounds...

Exotic colors and patterns can be found wherever you look...



A bejeweled fish hangs gracefully from a tree...

Soft shadows form their own artwork...

The hammocks are always popular with the guests...

Sometimes paradise isn't that far away at all! 

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Santa Cruz

On Mother's Day a group of us ventured south to the beautiful beaches of Santa Cruz where we shared the soft white sand, clear blue skies, and warm sunshine with many other beach bums...

We're almost there...

Here's the view from the parking lot...

That's our gang's territory...

The ice plant flowers were in bloom...

Don't forget a towel...and lots of sun screen...

Got to have munchies too...

You'll see lots of seaweed washing up on the shore...

An umbrella is a necessity to provide shade and protection...

The water was way too cold for the "older" folks, so they just watched...

There are lots of interesting patterns engrained in the rock formations...

A pleasant bike path takes you all the way into town...

There's a bird santuary on the rocks, so you can't climb on them...


We enjoyed the crashing waves...
 
These guys have a great view from their balcony - 
I wouldn't mind calling that "home"...

Here's the view looking east...

The bridge rock...

That's as wet as I was willing to get...

Natural Bridges State Beach provides picnic areas, showers, and easy beach access. No alcoholic beverages allowed, though, and the water's very cold so be prepared! Click here to read more about it.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Geese Revisited

After the showers this afternoon subsided, I went back to the lake where the geese hang out. When I got there, they seemed to be on some sort of a mission...

One of the gangs was paddling quickly across the water...

...as if they were in a race...

Suddenly they all climbed out of the water...



...and feasted on green grass...

A roving band of teenagers was very curious
about this onlooker...Is he calling for help??

...Oh, look what's going on over there...

Let's go check it out...

Hurry, before the cars come...


Will they make it across?

Only with the help of a concerned citizen...

Meanwhile, back at the lake, all is quiet...
Just another peaceful day in San Ramon...
and how was your day?