Amy reminds us that “When winter melts away, spring brings a new beginning; colors begin to awaken under the warm sunlight, April showers, and gentle wind.” So our theme for this week is “Colorful April”.
Tulips abound at Crystal Hermitage Garden. It has been some time since I visited. This used to be an annual visit. Darn CoVid 19 gets in the way. Such a peaceful place set in “Gold Country”.
Colorful tulip path
Another place I used to visit was Daffodil Hill in Amador County. Its popularity caused this traditional Spring shoot to close. About six years ago I visited during a cloudy weekday. The daffodils provided a backdrop for the Seeing Eye puppy Labrador retrievers out for a day with their puppy raisers. The
These puppies have no problem posing!
2019 was the last year this family opened up this “gem” to the public. Hidden away the roads were not equiped to handle the traffic.
The last flower of the spring that I just love to photograph is the California poppy. Last weekend some friends headed up to search for a field of orange. Found these beauties in flower pots in Sutter Creek, and not in the wild as I had hoped.
California poppies showing off their bright orange color.
Spring has sprung here in Northern California. I would just love this mild enjoyable weather to stick around for a while!
I have accepted Beth’s (Wandering Dawgs)challenge to get out and look for a change of scenery. It is officially Spring, and that means the natural world around me is changing. This is especially true here in the Sacramento area.
Almond Trees blossom in the Capay Valley orchards.
Almond trees blossom anywhere from February to March
Camelia showing off its beautiful flower
We have some late ripening oranges ready to pick from our tree.
This year instead of planting tomatoes, squash, and peppers my husband is preparing to plant a lemon tree (very pretty), and a mandarin tangerine.
Mustard blossoms all around
My Subí Blue ready to search out a change in scenery!
A four day weekend presented itself last week, and my husband suggested a trip to the coast. Libby visited her friends at Carly’s, Alyssa went to her Mom’s and we were left to decide where to go.
Pacific Grove was fully booked, so I looked to Half Moon Bay and booked our accommodations. I last visited Half Moon Bay (HMB) 20 years ago. There we celebrated Joshua and Annie’s wedding on the beach. And exactly 20 years ago we also celebrated my Dad’s 80th birthday. With those two celebrations I did not visit the surrounding area so this would be a new adventure.
Got an early start, and stopped for breakfast in Davis. Solomon’s Deli beckoned us.
Travel should take about two hours, but unfortunately this was Fleet Week and traffic was tough getting through San Francisco. No problem. David brought along cds of rare Doo-Wops, and we only had to figure out what lane to stay in to pay cash on the Bay Bridge. Seems like other travelers were having the same problem with lane switching going on. We let this stranded car ahead of us, and when we got to to toll we were told the driver had paid for us. Nice!
Bored with traffic delays so I got out my camera and had some fun with my camera. At home I played around just a bit with Luminar 2018.
Yerba Buena Island Tunnel
Montara State Beach was the first beach we stopped at.
Found this rock left in memory
Single perfect California Poppy
Arriving in HMB we found our hotel, and with nice weather, a balcony overlooking the golf course I sat outside and read. Currently I am reading Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. Her words hit the paper beautifully. Drawn in slowly. Hints of a more powerful meaning are quietly dropped. I’m taking my time reading this novel.
View from our balcony
A swing and a hit
Explored the Main Street checking out the shops. Used my Fuji x100F for the street shots.
Main Street in historic Half Moon Bay
Since 1898. Imagine!
It is obvious that this town is gearing up for the big Pumpkin Festival happening next weekend. Glad we decided to beat the crowds. Plenty of orange happening.
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Sam’s Chowder House was our dining destination. Ordered New England Chowder, and a Lobster Roll to share. Added a glass of wine and Key Lime Pie for dessert. So good!
Such a great day on the coast. Part 2 – coming soon! Tomorrow I’m off with my friends and camera.