Boating on SF Bay

Last weekend was unusually warm and calm, so on the spur of the moment, we decided to take the Whaler out for a long overdue boating adventure on the San Francisco Bay. It was glorious. The water was incredibly calm, there was no wind, and the temperatures hovered around 70 degrees - not your typical late January weather!

We had a blast as we toured various hot spots around the bay and beyond the Golden Gate Bridge, but I felt sorry for the numerous sailboats as they tried to make their way across the calm waters; it was very slow-going for them. (But I guess that's why they're sailors!)

We also coincidentally timed it perfectly to watch the Costa Deliziosa depart from the dock along the San Francisco waterfront. She's the sister ship of the infamous Costa Concordia, and she was headed to Honolulu on her around-the-world trek.

Ready for a ride? Put on your life vest, climb aboard, and hang on...

The Launching Facility in Alameda, right next to the Coast Guard Station...

That's the city of Oakland beyond the sailboat masts...

Here's Old Faithful - Bad Boy the Boston Whaler...

Approaching San Francisco and the Bay Bridge...

The Ferry Building and Nob Hill...

Costa Deliziosa...

Point Bonita Lighthouse...

The Golden Gate Bridge...

Lovely Sausalito...

Mt. Tamalpais...

Angel Island...

The NEW Bay Bridge span...

The busy Port of Oakland...

You survived our little boating adventure!

Anacortes Revisited

During my recent stay in the PNW, the skies were probably covered with heavy gray clouds more often than not, but the sun did come out in spurts. And when it did, I made sure I took advantage of it. Anacortes, my favorite little corner of the world, is full of stunning natural beauty, and when the rain, fog, or dreary skies relent, it really turns into a photographer's paradise! Come take a look at a few scenes my Nikon and I found on our outings...

Anacortes on Fidalgo Island, also known as the Gateway to the San Juans, really should be one of the places you see before you die!

Photo Mosaic 2011

A year in photos...

(click on mosaic to enlarge)

Created with ShapeCollage.com

First Hike of the New Year

The state park system in Washington tries to hold a first hike of the year - weather permitting. This year I joined a group of eager hikers and participated in a New Year's Day hike at Deception Pass State Park on Fidalgo Island. There was quite a good turnout of adults, kids, babies, and even dogs. We met at the parking lot at Bowman Bay where a ranger greeted us and gave us information about the local natural habitat. Then he led us down the trail...

We walked along the beach at Bowman Bay

toward Lighthouse Point...

A search and rescue dog even came along - just in case...

View of Lottie Bay...

The emerald waters of Lottie Bay

with Deception Pass Bridge in the distance...

The deep, still waters of Deception Pass...

Deception Pass Bridge connects Fidalgo Island with Whidbey Island...

The end of the pier at Bowman Bay...

A resting seagull...

View of Deception Island from Rosario Head...

A sailboat leaving Bowman Bay...

View from Rosario Head...where sky meets water...

View from Rosario Beach looking toward Lopez Island...

An old log washed up on Rosario Beach...

Kayakers enjoying the last hours of daylight...

Dramatic skies end our day and hike...

The skies may have been gray and overcast, but they did not disappoint especially since they didn't shower rain upon us! Thanks to my blogging buddy at Fidalgo Island Crossings for suggesting this wonderful hike at one of my favorite state parks.

Happy New Year 2012

Wishing you a wonderful new year

filled with frequent visits

in nature!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!