Foothills & Monte Bello Open Space Preserves

On Saturday D. and I went to Foothills Open Space Preserve because we'd never been there before.  We've passed it countless times on our way to other open space preserves but we'd never bothered to stop and see it, primarily because it's so small (212 acres), and there's only one trail and not much to ( Read more... )

Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve

When we were there earlier this month on a docent-led walk, we enjoyed Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve so much that on Saturday D. and I returned. Here's some of the pics I took.

The pond near the abandoned buildings.


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Stevens Creek County Park

Saturday D. and I returned to Stevens Creek County Park to walk along the Stevens Creek/Tony Look Trail on the east shore of the reservoir. Here are some of the pics I took.

Coyote mint and bee at the trailhead.


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The Baylands, Palo Alto

On Saturday D. and I went to the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto to talk a walk in the marsh. Here's some of my pics.

A view of the marsh from the parking area.


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Coal Creek Open Space Preserve

On Sunday D. and I visited Coal Creek Open Space Preserve to take some pics. The closer we got to the preserve, perched up on the side of the ridge, the more fog we saw rolling in from the coast. We wondered if it was going to be socked in with fog when we got there. Read on to find out (with my pics first, then D.' ( Read more... )

Windy Hill: Return to Lost Trail

On Sunday D. and I decided to return to Windy Hill Open Space Preserve and walk the section of the Lost Trail we didn't have time for the last time we were there. Here's my pics, followed by D.'s pics.

We began at Gate No. 3 on the other side of the preserve, to walk the trail from the other end.


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Thornewood Open Space Preserve

On Sunday D. and I went to Thornewood Open Space Preserve. Thornewood used to be the private summer home of a rich guy named Thorne in the 1920s. Eventually Thorne sold most of the land to spice baron August Schilling (for whom the preserve's Schilling Lake is named). Currently the Thorne house and immediate grounds ( Read more... )