Ulistac Natural AreaOn Saturday D. and I visited the Ulistac Natural Area in Santa Clara.  Opened to the public 10 years ago, it was Santa Clara's last 40 acres of open space preserved from development. It was originally inhabited by the Ohlone Indians, then by the Spanish missionaries, and later used as a pear orchard and a golf course. Once ( Read more... )

Arastradero Nature Preserve

On Saturday D. and I went to Arastradero Preserve, and I took these pics.

Yellow Fleur Is Yellow.


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Alum Rock Park

On Saturday D. and I went to Alum Rock Park. Founded in 1872, Alum Rock Park is the oldest municipal park in California. Originally it was a health spa where people went to take the waters in the canyon's mineral-rich springs (it even boasted a steam railway at one time), then a tourist-oriented amusement park. Eventually it was ( Read more... )

Sunol Regional Wilderness: 'Wish Upon a Stream' Tule Boat

Last weekend D. and I learned how to make a tule boat at the Sunol Regional Wilderness interpretive center.

Tules are plants that grow near streams, ponds and lakes. They can grow to over 10 feet tall. Their stems are filled with small chambers containing air. These pockets of air allow ( Read more... )