Weekend Wanderings (3): La Jolla Cove and Torrey Pines Gliderport Canyon

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Though I have not shared my February 8 weekend wanderings yet, but I am now here jumping to the most recent weekend that had passed. :) I guess the Feb 15th weekend was more exciting because my cousin from LA joined us here in San Diego. I will share our February 8 wanderings later when I get a chance already to convert our pictures to JPEG. I take pictures in RAW which needs to be converted first to JPEG before it could be read in most computers or in any online photo sharing.

Here are images from our wanderings on Saturday. :)

After breakfast, we started our wanderings at La Jolla Coast Walk.

La Jolla Coast Walk Trail
( cousin in orange, me in purple )

From La Jolla Coast walk, we continued walking South towards La Jolla Cove.

La Jolla Cove

What is a walk at La Jolla Cove without stopping to enjoy the Cove's wildlife, such as sea lions, pelicans and cormorants. I know, our morning wandering was very much similar to 2 weekends ago, but then, I probably will not get tired seeing the balance of nature and man at La Jolla Cove.

Nature and Men @ La Jolla Cove

From La Jolla Cove, we continued walking South towards Windansea Beach, where we did a little bit tidepooling.

After Windansea, we turned around and headed back North towards La Jolla Coast Walk. Before reaching La Jolla Coast Walk, we stopped by at Little Korea near La Jolla Cove for our lunch.

Korean Food @ Little Korea Restaurant, La Jolla Cove

After lunch, we continued our walk back to our car which was parked near La Jolla Coast walk. From La Jolla Coast walk, we drove to Torrey Pines Gliderport for a hike down to Dike Rock tidepool via a slot canyon South of Gliderport. 

Hike Down to the Beach via a trail South of Gliderport passing through a slot canyon

This is our third time taking this trail, the last two times with my more adventurous cousin. :) The trail here goes down a very interesting slot canyon. Though it is small compared to the slot canyons in the desert, but nevertheless, it was still fun navigating through it.

Going Down the Slot ( fun, fun, fun! )

Emerging out from the slot, the trail became more challenging as it was very steep, narrow and slippery on some parts. Notice I looked like almost crawling in the picture below. :) Actually, this is the trail where I would do a lot of butt walk, walking in five! Only I butt walked though, hubby and cousin had very clean hiking pants, haha! :)

Emerging from The Slot

Thanks to my cousin and hubby for boosting my confidence by lending me 4 hands. :) As I said before, I am always the weakest link in family. Though I may be the weakest or cautious, but I always try hard very carefully, haha! All for the love of exploring nature, and experiencing the Great Outdoors, as close as we could get. I am not saying most of my family are not careful, they just have more balancing and maneuvering skills, and more flexibility than I do, making them more physically equipped. I guess their strengths benefit me a lot. Though I grew up sickly ( migraine + asthmatic ++++) and weak but I took inspiration from stronger members of family so I won't be left out in all kinds of family fun.

After the canyon, it was time for us to hike back up to Gliderport. When we passed by the trail with the vertical cliffs South of Gliderport, the low afternoon light was giving the cliffs some golden glow (though not very golden because of thick clouds as well), so, we grabbed the chance to have some more photo opportunities. :) I simply love bringing home the wonders that I see, even if they may be very local. :)

Vertical Cliffs South of Gliderport

The vertical cliffs in the above picture were probably some of my favorite scenic spots in San Diego for scenic photography. Also, the picture has that deceiving look of being at the very edge of the world, but we were safe enough on the trail several feet away from the edge. :) There was a family there who were waiting for sunset at the spot above. After we had our time taking photos, we headed back to Gliderport for sunset. 

@ Gliderport

 Gliderport is usually the place where I would bring visiting friends or family who would want to have some taste of Torrey Pines scenery without the hike. Gliderport is our trailhead for the hike down through the slot canyon in the above pictures. Notice that the trailhead is scenic enough, that most people who would go here don't really take a hike but just breathe in the inspiring scenery of badlands and ocean. This area usually starts to bloom this time of the year, but sadly, we are in worst drought this season that wildflowers were not able to grow at all. Hoping for some rain so we could have some spring wildflowers still. Otherwise, I would re-live the spring wildflowers of last year and the previous years. :) Haha!

It was another wonderful weekend wanderings in San Diego. Until next weekend wanderings. :)

Top 6 Cities with Incredible Night Skies

The Milky Way

Not everyone is looking for skyscrapers, hustle, bustle and noise when choosing a new hometown. Some people crave Mother Nature's simple beauty and incredible night skies. Check out these six cities (or the best places to live if starry displays are high on your livability list) with incredible night skies.

Saint George, Utah

Saint George is a comfortable mid-sized city (population about 75,000) only a short drive away from Cedar Breaks National Monument where you’ll see one of the most beautiful night sky displays in the world. Its remote location and 10,000-foot elevation virtually eliminate the light pollution that dampens most night skies. The nightscapes are so glorious, the park throws free Star Parties every Saturday night all summer long—telescopes included.

Boulder, Colorado

Take a quick trip to Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park for a breath-taking winter sky. Park rangers say the combination of elevation and atmospheric conditions transform the stars into twinkling clusters that illuminate the dark skies. The University of Colorado in Boulder has a robust astronomy community, and hosts Friday night stargazing at the Sommers-Bausch Observatory.

Key West, Florida

If winter snow and mountains aren't your cup of tea, the warm autumn skies in Key West will delight you. Even if you aren't a sailor, you can still see the Southern Cross, a small but beautiful constellation located in the southern sky, where you can search for your astrology sign. These wide-open stellar displays are unique in the US, and are closest to an equatorial view. The balmy Florida weather means you can stargaze year-round in comfort.

Mackinaw City, Michigan

Mackinaw City is home to one of only ten dark-sky parks in the entire world, a designation that recognizes special measures to prevent light pollution. Headlands International Dark Sky Park, along the shores of Lake Michigan, is open all night for uninterrupted viewing of the Milky Way. The best time to see meteors and shooting stars is after midnight, so bring a warm blanket and come watch the starry display.

Elmira, New York

Elmira (population about 30,000), is a quaint rural town that offers easy access to one of the Northeast's darkest sky parks. Just across the state line in Pennsylvania, Cherry Spring State Park, the night sky is so clear, the Milky Way occasionally causes a shadow. Stargazers say Cherry Springs is one of the best places to see the nucleus of the Milky Way galaxy.

Borrego Springs, California

Anza Borrego State Park, Borrego Springs, California

This desert destination is a great place to see galaxies, constellations, meteor showers, planets and the moon.  Not even the metropolitan lights of nearby San Diego interrupt the black sky that erupts in light and color after the sun goes down. For a truly unbelievable experience, watch the moon rise over the desert badlands. While the Anza-Borrego State Park is a popular nighttime destination, with over 650,000 acres of desert, you'll never feel crowded.

Kalispell and Swan Lake, in northern Montana near Glacier National Park, and in southeast Maine near Acadia National Park earn honorable mentions for spectacular night skies. If you have suggestions for amazing stargazing, leave a comment below!

Las Vegas: The Start of your Grand Circle Adventure

Is Las Vegas just all about the Las Vegas Strip?

The Strip @ Las Vegas Blvd 

The Las Vegas strip is about 4.2 miles of Las Vegas Blvd (above picture ) where it has many of the world's largest hotels, resorts and casinos. This vibrant city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. 

I still remember when I was just visiting the US, and I was entertained by my fellow Filipino friends. My first day was going to Disneyland, and the 4th day was going to Las Vegas.

Though there is so much to do in Las Vegas other than gaming, but my friends told me that: "you have never been to Vegas if you have not played in the casino and/or the slots!" So, following their advise, I used our hotel's coupons to get some coins, and whoa! I won $4.00!! My friends asked me to continue, but I told them, I am so happy with my $4.00, and if I stay longer inside, I will be very sick. I frankly can't stand staying indoor, much more inside a smoky casino ( gives me bad headache and migraine), especially when on vacation.  

Fountain @ Belagio choreographed to light and music

I was the visitor, so, despite my friends wanted to continue playing in casino but their generosity made them go out with me to explore the "alive" and "vibrant" Las Vegas. We cruised the strip, and walking the 4.2 mile long Las Vegas took too long a time because we had so many stops.

That time, being an unknowing tourist, I was simply following what my friends told me that Hollywood, Disneyland, Las Vegas, San Francisco and New York are must do for US trips. So, I went to all of them! Haha! When I shared the must do list coming from Philippines to one of my friends (also a Filipino) but who mostly spent her years in US, she felt very sad and disappointed that that's how most outsiders see US, more in the side of commerce than in the side of natural treasures. For her, the real beauty of US and "must do" are: "Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Big Sur, Big Sur, and Big Sur!" Haha! Actually her list was supported by my colleagues and students when I was in Connecticut. They were surprised that I have not been to "Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Big Sur, and Big Sur". 

One of my students in Connecticut before told me, "You've been to Las Vegas but have not been to Grand Canyon? You should really see Grand Canyon! That place, MADE ME CRY!" For them, it was like, "how come you can go to Las Vegas, but skipped the most glorious part of US, the Grand Canyon?" Most my colleagues back then in Connecticut told me when I left for California, "Elizabeth, see to it that you experience BIG SUR! It's a must see and must experience, Heaven on Earth! "

Grand Canyon. Yellowstone, Yosemite, Big Sur and Big Sur

I did not understood them back then for I haven't been to those places, and saw only mostly the "city" parts of US. Only when hubby showed me those places that I understood the passion behind their words when they say: "You haven't seen the real beauty of US if you haven't been to Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Big Sur, Big Sur, and Big Sur!" I must admit, I am now a "Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Big Sur, Big Sur, and Big Sur!" kind of gal. 

Like those special people who first introduced to me these places, I wish, those who visit US would spend also some time to experience these marvelous creations.... the priceless beauty of Planet Earth. 

My hubby showed me what I failed to see when I was just a tourist in this country before: the magnificence of the desert landscapes around Las Vegas. 

Las Vegas Backroads Desert Wonderland

Weekend Wanderings (2): La Jolla Cove and Lake Hodges

Torrey Pine Cliffs from La Jolla Cove

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Initial Plan: Relaxing walk at La Jolla Caves towards Windansea Beach for surfing photography in the morning, then, tidepooling at La Jolla Shores Dike Rock Tidepool in the afternoon.

How The Day Went: 

We started at La Jolla Caves as planned. However, the waves weren't that very flattering for photography, unlike the previous weekend  ( weekend wanderings 1 ). Our walk to Windansea Beach went fast because we did not take any surfing and wave photos as planned. We were back to La Jolla Cove area fast and focused more our fun on La Jolla Cove's scenery and wildlife.

Green Mossy Rocks @ La Jolla Cove

With The Sea Lions

Revisiting Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Petrified Wood @ Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Visiting the past, that's how it feels like at Petrified Forest National Park which has preserved plants and animal fossils of the Late Triassic period going back more than 200 million years ago. The park is best known for globally significant Late Triassic fossils, attracting geologists, paleontologists, archaeologists, historians, and biologists, just to name a few. Its mind boggling and stark beauty is also a haven for those searching for scenic vistas, wilderness, hiking, dark skies, and beautiful, vast landscapes.

Come, let us revisit this geological wonderland must see.......

Fossilized Woods and Badlands @ Petrified Forest National Park

Where: Petrified Forest National Park is located in northeastern Arizona, about 50 miles from the New Mexico border on Interstate 40. Nearest major airports are in Phoenix, Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

There are also smaller airports in Flagstaff, Arizona, and Gallup, New Mexico. From the airport, you may want to rent a car to drive to the park. For private planes, there is a small airport located in Holbrook, Arizona.

Sights to See: Fossilized Petrified Woods and Colors of The Naked Earth.

New Year's Day Tidepooling

January 1, 2014

I know, this is more than a month late, but I guess, better late than never. :)

The low tide that day was at 3 pm, so, we actually first went hiking and birding at Lake Hodges in the morning. We only went to La Jolla Shores for tide pooling after lunch.

Before going down the tidepool area at Dike Rock in Scripps Coastal Reserve, we stopped first at Scripps Biodiversity Coastal Reserve on top of the bluffs, which is commonly called the "The Knoll."

@ The Knoll

The Knoll is one of the places that we love to watch the world below us. :) It is not really at high elevation. The coastal bluffs are just about 400- 500 ft above the shore. It is here where we often see hundreds of leopard sharks below, playful dolphins, and migrating whales. On that New Year's Day, we were entertained by dolphins, one of  the awesome New Year's gifts we got from Nature.

Playful Dolphins, as seen from the Knoll

About 2:30 pm, we left the Knoll for tidepooling. It was at negative low tide that day, so I knew I would enjoy the exposed tide pool creatures a lot. From La Jolla Shores Kellog Park parking area, we walked North towards Dike Rock, which is North of Scripps Pier. 

Scripps Institution of Oceanography Pier

New Year's Day was family day at the tidepool 

( all those people you see are walking towards tidepool )

Tern on the Shore Oftentimes unnoticed by others

 Everybody's Favorite, especially kids ( tidepooling )