How to get to my favorite hiking/boating spots:
Just past Meyer's Grade, a curve going up and away from Twin Bridges and Strawberry is a little private family camp facility on the out skirts of National Forest Land. Large road signs give you input on where you are... past the town of Apple Hill all the way to Meyers. Keep your eyes peeled!
Horsetail Falls and Pyramid Creek:
Horsetail Falls (not to be confused with the one in Yosemite is a dramatic waterfall leaving Desolation Wilderness and flowing under the freeway before it joins the South Fork of the American River. Just past the Twin Bridges Townnship sign, is a large and well kept parking lot ($5, 2011 prices) with large well maintained concrete outhouses. The upper reaches of Horsetail Falls and entering wilderness country can be exciting if you are prepared and dangerous bouldering if you are not. But you don't have to go all the way to the top to be up close and personal. Infact, only a 1/2 mile walk toward the water will allow you to visit the biggest parts of the falls as the decrease in steepness allows the water to spread out into a dramatic, wide whitewater slide. If you choose to go up, remember to leave yourself a trail, or follow someone else's, on the granite parts by leaving rock piles called cairns or duckies. Ask me if you are going in the off-season as some rules change with weather and time of year. This is a there-and-back-again hike so go as far in as you would like. It is almost impossible to get lost as the valley empties down and out across Highway 50. If you keep going down... you will eventually see the highway if not cross over it.
Pyramid Creek and Bryant Road and Mount Huckleberry
I have three secret hikes nearby here for people that would like that information, please let me know... I will tell you over the telephone or if I ever get a chance to type the specific markers for you or note the exact coordinates.
Strawberry Lodge is one of the oldest establishments in Northern California. Ask Mike or Robin for a brief tour of the historic lodge and rest stop for the Pony express. Stawberry Lodge was a trading post for hunters, trappers, and mountain men. It sits ideally under Lover's Leap and across from another beautiful hike for the agile adventurer not afraid of heights, called Sugarloaf. Kasey and I stop in Strawberry Lodge as an adventure tradition. For her and I, there is ice cream. You may be more interested in the bar!
Lover's Leap Campsite near Strawberry Lodge:
There is a campsite that climbers congregate to at the base of Lover's Leap. To find this.. go down the road on the back side of Strawberry Lodge. Just past the bridge, there is a T intersection with a white house with a steep roof line reminicscent of a church. Make that left turn and it will end in less than a mile at the campground. I have always called it Lover's Leap Climber's Campground... I don't know of the official name.
Lover's Leap Hike:
Park on the outside of Camp Sacramento. (There is also parking/camping on the north side of Highway 50) Walk into Camp Sacramento while smiling. As you enter the front guest parking area for the Main Lodge, pass it and go toward the side and front of the Lodge. It is quite ok for you to ask directions to the trailhead. There are signs to it, but other signs and the apprehension of feeling that you are trespassing can be overwhelming. If you are well behaved, the locals will more than welcome you and set your coarse and heading. From the start, it is a moderate 45 minute hike on a gravel trail to the top to dramatic vistas. Kasey did it when she was six and enjoyed every minute of it. We did it one year with a group of people to watch the Persied Meteor Showers on a new moon night hike!
Echo Lake:
Just past my favorite place to ski and snowboard, Sierra at Tahoe(Not coincidentally, also where I ski patrol), is a road called Johnson Pass. Make a left here before passing Little Norway and Echo Summit.
After making that left turn (North of Highway 50) make another left turn onto Atwood Road which will also be Echo Lake Road. Keep driving until you see the Echo Lake Chalet and marina. Boat rides are available here for about $10 on demand of three or more. They are a very friendly lot with kind hearts and peaceful tidings. This place is boating and swimming friendly so bring your floaty toys! http://www.echochalet.com/
Lake Angora:
Possibly the coolest and most tucked in little known lake is Lake Angora. Cliff Jumping, children swimming and splashing. SUP and kayaks and row boats available for rental. And the best lemonade stand in the world!
Drive past Echo Summit into South Lake Tahoe and at the "Y" of Hwy 89 (Emerald Bay Road) and Hwy 50 (drifting rightwards towards downtown South Lake Tahoe) is a sharp left turn onto Lake Tahoe Blvd. Travel on this road for a little over one mile passing the road on the left, called Sawmill Blvd. Make a well marked right turn onto Tahoe Mountain Road. It ends in a T intersection, make a quick right onto Glenmore Way Road and then a quick left onto Dundee Circle and another left onto Tahoe Mountain Road once more... These roads are either circular or without an outlet, so getting lost may happen... for about two minutes... but you will easily find yourself again. About 500 feet into the Tahoe Mountain Road is a small hidden left turn that is easily missed. (Turn on GPS unit here!) < plug in this longitude and latitude on www.maps.google.com 38.903625,-120.038295 > or continue until you see a Y in the road which leads to Fallen Leaf Road (Left to Fallen Leaf Marina, Right to Camp Richardson/South Lake Tahoe.) This Y intersection is about 700 feet away from the turn that you missed! The road is called Angora Ridge Road. It starts as a gravel track for about 500 feet complete with pot holes and rugged turnouts. Keep going! The road soon becomes well paved and climbs out of the forest and onto a ridge that separates Tahoe Basin to the left and Fallen Leaf to the right. If it is safe, stop and have a walk for a quick peek at the vistas. You will pass the historic Angora Fire Lookout Station. We use satellites now, so see earlier post to rent similar lookouts for star studded dramatic wilderness vistas. Keep going until you get to the large parking area of Angora Lake. It is $7 to park. (2011 prices). At the far end of the second parking lot is a small (Lower Angora) Lake and the trail head to your destination (Upper) Angora Lake. It is wide, sandy and about one mile with a few easily stepped parts. Welcome! and kick your feet up and chill in the wonderful gift of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Due to the sandy path, bikes and strollers are not optimal
Fallen Leaf Lake:
Just past Camp Richardson from South Lake Tahoe, is a well marked road to the left called Fallen Leaf Road. There is a large campground here as well as many trails leading onto the shores of Fallen Leaf Lake. The road is one lane. See the bottom of this posts for hints about driving on one lane roads. The road ends at a marina just after the volunteer fire station. The market and marina are perfect little places to chill and relax. I take Kasey crawdad fishing here! It is as easy as a small 1/4 slice of bacon, kite string and a rock. Google it or ask me via email. One year, a group of friends went kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding here during the Perseid Meteor Showers.
Wright's Lake
Wright's Lake is an idealic shallow and beautifully placed lake.
From Highway 50 pass Pollock Pines, Whitehall and Kyburz. The road is a well maked left turn onto Wright's Lake Road. Follow the road up to Wright's lake! Bring mosquito repellant, Kasey and I were attacked the last time! The loop trail and small waterfall should not be missed. Dark Lake and Beauty Lake are also great nearby destinations for you to walk to and enjoy.
Icehouse Reservoir and Union Valley Reservoir, Loon Lake
Past Pollack Pines is a very long and scenic road going up to Ice House and Union Valley Reservoir. Combined with Loon Lake and several smaller lakes and reservoirs, this area is home to many spring time waterfalls and wild flower hikes and meadows. Stay on paved and well maintained roads here unless you have a detailed map of the area. The ranger stations and visitors' centers offer a host of good insider information. also see http://www.waterfallswest.com/
Bassi Falls:
Warranting it's own write-up, Bassi Falls is a very easy and incredibly beautiful waterfall to hike to. The way to get there is best described by pictures on my facebook photo album of the same name... feel free to friend me or google this information. (Terrain maps and regular maps are equally suggested as well as checking in with the ranger station.) The hidden turn off is immediately on the opposite side of Big Silver Campground. The last time I was here, there were about twenty tents set up. It would have been an ideal area for a first-time and or a family backpacking trip! You will really feel that you got away from the hustle and bustle of city life. When I lead a group here several years ago, several families brought children's umbrella strollers. There is another trail here that leads you to the top of Bassi Falls.
and this is my album of beautiful pictures in and around Sacramento
"Within 150 miles from home"
OK.. that's all for now... that should get you started... remember to time your hikes with constellations, migrations and berry picking for cobler...oh, and winetasting (Placerville and Gold Country).
Tips on driving on one lane roads:
Tail-gating and multiple cars make using turn-outs difficult. You will only get there twenty seconds before or after the next car... so turnout and enjoy the journey without the destination getting in the way. Give a lot of space when following other cars. Traffic going uphill have the right of way (therefore Downhill traffic should yeild) as vehicles going downhill have better control and view when backing up (UP the hill). You are probably not one of the locals... Please be cognicent of your dust and noise as you would not want someone blazing flames in your own neighborhood. Livestock doesn't know it is Saturday.
Always bring about $20 in one dollar bills (parking fees, ice cream, lemonade). Tell someone where you are and when to expect you back. Leave a map with a general location of your whereabouts under the front seat of your car. A supply list (I use the one that I used to prepare for my trip) of what I have also allows would-be rescuers some knowledge of who and what they are looking for and how prepared I am to spend the night or weather out a storm. Rescues generally happen the day after one is billed as missing. I realize that what will probably hamper my return is getting lost or an unforseen injury. If you are that prepared, think the next step: What would you do if you ran across an injured person on your hike?
Last year's (2010) blog has info about Santa Cruz/Big Sur Butterfly migration, Thule Elk Rutting in Pt Reyes and Biolumnenescent Paddling in Tomales Bay!
Please refer to last year's blogs for that information.
Much more to come... Pacific Crest Trail, Grover Hot Springs (near Kirkwood), Jenkinson Lake (at the end of Sly Park near Pollock Pines) and Iron Mountain (closed) Ski Area...That does not include all of the coastal destinations. Oh, I could go on and on and on...
Still want more pics? Here is my other working album...
Travelscape, Amazing places in the world:
www.outsidejay@gmail.com
Cheers!
OutsideJay
~Jay Gosuico
If you find this information useful, please click (and share!) this, and the link below...
http://www.rozsavage.com/
03 September 2011
23 August 2011
just a reminder:
I post with the changing seasons, so scroll down to last year's August 2010 posts for other ideas. Have fun. Roz is still looking for sponsors at http://www.rozsavage.com/
20 August 2011
October 6-11, 2011 Fleet week!
http://www.chiff.com/articles/san-francisco-fleet-week.htm
October and September are the best times of the year to be in San Francisco. Colombus Day is a huge celebration with an additional boost of Fleet Week and The Blue Angels Air Show overhead.
Some Ideas:
Bike alongside the Bay from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito and then take the Ferry to Angel Island. Spend some time in Tinburon. Head over to the Marin Headlands and Point Bonita Light house. Spend the day at Chrissy Field. There is so much to do! Let me know if you want even more ideas that are more consistent with what you are looking for... Like sea kayaking in Sausalito or taking the 49mile drive to see all of San Francisco's tourist and scenic areas. Point Reyes and Olema are beautiful and rich with migration wild-life.
Please scroll to may last year's post about fall for mor information or email me at outsidejay@gmail.com
It's a beautiful world ... get to know it.
October and September are the best times of the year to be in San Francisco. Colombus Day is a huge celebration with an additional boost of Fleet Week and The Blue Angels Air Show overhead.
Some Ideas:
Bike alongside the Bay from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito and then take the Ferry to Angel Island. Spend some time in Tinburon. Head over to the Marin Headlands and Point Bonita Light house. Spend the day at Chrissy Field. There is so much to do! Let me know if you want even more ideas that are more consistent with what you are looking for... Like sea kayaking in Sausalito or taking the 49mile drive to see all of San Francisco's tourist and scenic areas. Point Reyes and Olema are beautiful and rich with migration wild-life.
Please scroll to may last year's post about fall for mor information or email me at outsidejay@gmail.com
It's a beautiful world ... get to know it.
03 August 2011
Holy Mosquito Trap, Batman! The bats of Davis August and September at sunset.
Holy mosquito trap Batman!
The Bats of Davis
Did you know you live very close to one of the biggest colonies of bats in the world. They live under the Davis-Sacramento causeway and come out every night in summer nine minutes after sunset(you are able to set your watch to it!). If you are able to, schedule a tour using the information below.
http://daviswiki.org/bats
http://www.yolobasin.org/events.cfm
sneak peak: Bat Ribbons consist of millions of bats.
http://youtu.be/zGL-2SYIN4A
Here are some helpful hints.
It gets dusty following cars on gravel, don't wash your car prior. (see "drains to river" when washing car)
Bring a flashlight for when heading back home in the dark.
Bats LOVE mosquitoes, but bring repellant just in case. I doubt that you will need it.
It is a good bike ride.
If you are into marsh lands this place is cool.
Next up: University Falls, natural rock slides and waterfalls.
Roz is day 92 in the Indian Ocean
www.RozSavage.com
Petition for making the 2012 London Olympics Plastic bag free!
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/2012-plastic-bag-free-olympics.html
My friend Kyle of Surfing for Change with SurfRider Foundation, Story of Stuff and Jack Johnson... all helping me out!
http://youtu.be/q1Pb6cEC_gw
You may be the leader you are waiting for!
OutsideJay@gmail.com
more good stuff on my facebook under Jay Go
The Bats of Davis
Did you know you live very close to one of the biggest colonies of bats in the world. They live under the Davis-Sacramento causeway and come out every night in summer nine minutes after sunset(you are able to set your watch to it!). If you are able to, schedule a tour using the information below.
http://daviswiki.org/bats
http://www.yolobasin.org/events.cfm
sneak peak: Bat Ribbons consist of millions of bats.
http://youtu.be/zGL-2SYIN4A
Here are some helpful hints.
It gets dusty following cars on gravel, don't wash your car prior. (see "drains to river" when washing car)
Bring a flashlight for when heading back home in the dark.
Bats LOVE mosquitoes, but bring repellant just in case. I doubt that you will need it.
It is a good bike ride.
If you are into marsh lands this place is cool.
Next up: University Falls, natural rock slides and waterfalls.
Roz is day 92 in the Indian Ocean
www.RozSavage.com
Petition for making the 2012 London Olympics Plastic bag free!
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/2012-plastic-bag-free-olympics.html
My friend Kyle of Surfing for Change with SurfRider Foundation, Story of Stuff and Jack Johnson... all helping me out!
http://youtu.be/q1Pb6cEC_gw
You may be the leader you are waiting for!
OutsideJay@gmail.com
more good stuff on my facebook under Jay Go
26 July 2011
Starfire time of year!
This weekend Friday and Saturday nights July 29 and 30th 2012 marks the beginning of the Perseid and Delta Aquarid meteor showers. Coupled with the new moon (no moon) It should be a nice little light show not to be missed.
The Earth in its orbit travels through two large asteroid belts every year. We will soon be traveling thru near center of the largest one The Persieds.
Last year I took a large group of people to the top of Lover’s Leap just above Strawberry. We used the Strawberry Lodge as a staging point for the hike. We brought wine and cheesecake to enjoy the night sky in deluxe splendor.
Better yet finding a kayak in campground like the ones in Lake Sonoma and Cherry Lake, Wright's lake, Echo Lake and Fallen Leaf Lake are best for this but any area clear of trees and lights can make this an unforgettable show. Lake Oroville has floating campgrounds that you kayak to.
Maybe a fire look out station for those who don't like water. We use satellites now so many of them have turned into remote camping destinations. http://www.buckrock.org/
I suggest using google maps to find local airstrips if you are not near a granite peak void of trees. http://www.maps.google.com/
Observatories like the one on top of Mount Livermore are also perfect places to stargaze.
Bring warm layers, flashlights, mosquito repellent, a thermos of Vietnamese or Japanese noodle soup and down load google sky map or similar star chart on your smart phone.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/07/110725-double-meteor-shower-sky-show-space-science-perseid-aquarid/
http://www.blogger.com/goog_15511046
Squaw Valley will be hosting an annual meteor shower campout event at high camp just above the tram ride: on August 12th with the full moon.
http://www.theskichannel.com/news/skinews/20110725/Campout-for-the-Perseid-Meteor-Shower-at-Squaw-Valley-USA
***Bonus information: when to look for satellites (an hour after sunset)
We (the earth) is in the shadow. The Satellites are still in high orbit and reflect the suns rays down to us via their solar wings because high up, they are still in the sun's direct path.
And finding constellations (often too difficult due to the shear number of stars above) can now be done thru apps such as starwalk for iphones and google skymaps for androids. It took me twenty years to learn what Kasey downloaded in 8 seconds for free
http://www.theskyscrapers.org/me
http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/
http://www.moonconnection.com/moon_phases_calendar.phtml
I have now put this information as easy links on my facebook. Feel free to find me via my email address
outsidejay@gmail.com
Enjoy and thanks!
The Earth in its orbit travels through two large asteroid belts every year. We will soon be traveling thru near center of the largest one The Persieds.
Last year I took a large group of people to the top of Lover’s Leap just above Strawberry. We used the Strawberry Lodge as a staging point for the hike. We brought wine and cheesecake to enjoy the night sky in deluxe splendor.
Better yet finding a kayak in campground like the ones in Lake Sonoma and Cherry Lake, Wright's lake, Echo Lake and Fallen Leaf Lake are best for this but any area clear of trees and lights can make this an unforgettable show. Lake Oroville has floating campgrounds that you kayak to.
Maybe a fire look out station for those who don't like water. We use satellites now so many of them have turned into remote camping destinations. http://www.buckrock.org/
I suggest using google maps to find local airstrips if you are not near a granite peak void of trees. http://www.maps.google.com/
Observatories like the one on top of Mount Livermore are also perfect places to stargaze.
Bring warm layers, flashlights, mosquito repellent, a thermos of Vietnamese or Japanese noodle soup and down load google sky map or similar star chart on your smart phone.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/07/110725-double-meteor-shower-sky-show-space-science-perseid-aquarid/
http://www.blogger.com/goog_15511046
Squaw Valley will be hosting an annual meteor shower campout event at high camp just above the tram ride: on August 12th with the full moon.
http://www.theskichannel.com/news/skinews/20110725/Campout-for-the-Perseid-Meteor-Shower-at-Squaw-Valley-USA
***Bonus information: when to look for satellites (an hour after sunset)
We (the earth) is in the shadow. The Satellites are still in high orbit and reflect the suns rays down to us via their solar wings because high up, they are still in the sun's direct path.
And finding constellations (often too difficult due to the shear number of stars above) can now be done thru apps such as starwalk for iphones and google skymaps for androids. It took me twenty years to learn what Kasey downloaded in 8 seconds for free
http://www.theskyscrapers.org/me
http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/
http://www.moonconnection.com/moon_phases_calendar.phtml
I have now put this information as easy links on my facebook. Feel free to find me via my email address
outsidejay@gmail.com
Enjoy and thanks!
24 July 2011
Berkeley Kite Festival 2011, July 31 and August 1
http://ellen.warnerbros.com/show/respond/?PlugID=433
I have made it super easy. Just click on the above link and put www.RozSavage.com in the comment section of the narative.
Here's what's coming up...
see http://www.highlinekites.com/ (Highline Kites)
for the Berkeley Kite Festival. a free and must see event. This year will have over 100 house size kites (as big as parade baloons and derigibles) Free shuttle and easy to take public transportation... bring windbreakers and an extra layer.
Upcoming posts will have the Bats of Davis and the beginning of migration patterns including the monarch butterflies, salmon as well as tule elk. Fleet week and how to bike around San Francisco Bay in one day.
It is time to start planning your adventures in autumn. you should know of the fire look out stations and light house hostels that you can stay at.
All free information if you would support my friend Roz.
Roz is halfway through her Indian Ocean row and can be easily found on facebook, her website or via twitter.
more fun stuff on the way!
I can be now found on facebook under
Jay Go outsidejay@gmail.com
I have made it super easy. Just click on the above link and put www.RozSavage.com in the comment section of the narative.
Here's what's coming up...
see http://www.highlinekites.com/ (Highline Kites)
for the Berkeley Kite Festival. a free and must see event. This year will have over 100 house size kites (as big as parade baloons and derigibles) Free shuttle and easy to take public transportation... bring windbreakers and an extra layer.
Upcoming posts will have the Bats of Davis and the beginning of migration patterns including the monarch butterflies, salmon as well as tule elk. Fleet week and how to bike around San Francisco Bay in one day.
It is time to start planning your adventures in autumn. you should know of the fire look out stations and light house hostels that you can stay at.
All free information if you would support my friend Roz.
Roz is halfway through her Indian Ocean row and can be easily found on facebook, her website or via twitter.
more fun stuff on the way!
I can be now found on facebook under
Jay Go outsidejay@gmail.com
04 July 2011
Rock Wind and Very Hot Air
Rock, wind and very hot air
“The wind in San Francisco doesn’t blow it sucks”
The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer’s day in San Francisco. (Wrongly attributed to Mark Twain)
Hot air rises. If you think about hot air balloons, and sky lanterns, this phenomenon is easily understood.
From Redding all the way to Mexico is a desert. In summer time hot air rising (over the desert) sucks in cold air from the sea. Even before the Golden Gate Bridge was built, two mountain tops created the perfect funnel for cool air mass. Mount Tamalpais to the north, in Marin County and Twin Peaks, the top of San Francisco, direct this air towards Berkeley and up the delta while simultaneously squeezing the cool air mass as it passes the narrow channel between Fort Point and East Fort Baker. Squeezing is synonymous with condensing and therefore condensation, more locally known as fog.
June, July and August are not good for being a tourist in San Francisco. September and October, due to the lack of temperature gradient are far better times to view the incredible sights in The City. However, if you are into wind sports like sailing, para gliding, kite surfing, wind surfing, kite flying, hang gliding, etc. This is the time of year to blossom.
Wind travels in circles too. Picture the arms of a hurricane with “s” shaped patterns coming out from the eye. Sometimes you are able to work yourself up(north) or down(south) the beach to catch off-shore or on-shore winds. If you are a surfer, winds can help you or make your day more challenging. An offshore wind blows out to sea from the beach and holds up a wave when it breaks forming better curlers. It may also blow your kayak out to sea so pick your toys wisely today. An onshore wind blows from sea to beach and “blows down” a wave pushing it down instead of holding it up.
Gusty winds are more difficult to learn sports like windsurfing and kite boarding. You will want consistent winds of about 10mph. You will want a beginner board that is wide and long and a beginner sail that is small and light. Pack plenty of energy and hydration. The learning curve is pretty steep.
Winds can affect your touring kayak greatly and is often more dangerous than the cold water. Most people think that wind will turn your kayak into the wind or away from it. That is, so that you are either getting a face full of wind or the opposite, you are getting slapped squarely in the back between your shoulder blades with each gust. However, wind actually turns your kayak sideways to it. Wind will then be coming from directly left or right depending on which side of the boat the wind is on. At about 15mph you will want to be thinking about another plan as you will be spending some energy paddling against the wind that wants to turn you sideways to it. At 20mph you will want a rudder. (more on this on kayaking blog) At 25mph you will be seeing whitecaps where there is no current. The wind is actually picking up water and dragging it around with her. An astute paddler can see wind gusts do this over the surface of the water. Hint: if you see the windsurfers unfurling their sails, you might want to keep your kayak close to land. I can almost always expect the wind trying to push me back up river at the take out after a day of river paddling. It usually gets stronger until the sun goes down and then disappears quite rapidly with nightfall. Again, it is the remnants of hot air rising and the Delta Breeze
My learning how to surf blog has more information about beaches and wind.
Other stuff:
Hot springs are geothermal activity that happens in volcanic areas throughout the world. They are common in the Sierra Nevadas. Links Below.
http://www.hotspringsenthusiast.com/California.asp
http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/topcalifornia/a/ca_hot_springs.htm
http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/casierraseast/a/hot_springs.htm
Teepees and Victorian homes:
The native American Indians knew about hot air rising and had built it into their teepees. They had very tall 18-25’ teepees. They would build a small fire in the middle, and then open up the bottom side vents causing a “venturi” effect.
If you go to the old Victorian homes in the southern states like Mississippi and Alabama you will notice the domes with the turret of windows up top. Then look lower, at the base of the dome, you will see gas jet nipples all around. If you ask a docent what they are for, they will tell you that they light them in the summer time, like the teepees, the hot air rising sucks cold air from the base level windows. The shrubbery around the base of the house is a source of cold air coupled with the morning dew that rests on the leaves, it creates a swamp cooler effect, through convection and evaporation.
Fort Funston:
Where hang gliders and para-gliders literally jump off a cliff and are swept up by the winds. It is also a very large dog park, for the large and not so large breeds and although has incredible expanses of beaches, rarely do people make the 10 minute walk down to the beach.
Head North to Novato or West to Walnut Creek:
Almost always where the fog stops and the sunshine persists. Fog is always in battle with the sun as evaporation and higher in-land temperatures will ultimately be the cloud’s demise
Delta Breeze:
The after effect of strong fog is a back lash. It is the after effect from the fog and winds caused by the hot air rising. The Delta Breeze often rolls in during early evening times here in Sacramento becoming the welcome rescue from very hot days. I always recommend spending your days in coastal or river waters or up at cooler elevations and heading back to the valley for an evening in the garden or patio.
++++++++++++++++++
The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer’s day in San Francisco. (Wrongly attributed to Mark Twain)
http://www.snopes.com/quotes/twain.asp
Link: Reno hot air balloon festival
September 9-11 in Reno
http://www.renoballoon.com/
Link: Sky lantern festival; I don’t think they will fly in the US
http://youtu.be/4tHphYapiUs
Don’t miss the free Berkeley Kite Festival, it’s just one of those things that are too huge to get pictures of. It is an all day event. Bring backpacks and wagons!
http://www.highlinekites.com/pages.php?pageid=21/
Chrissy Field, in particular the warming huts that you should know about.
http://www.parksconservancy.org/our-work/crissy/
Fort Funston, hang gliding and dog park
http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/fort-funston.html
Crawdad fishing; tie a piece of bacon to a rock and have a kid’s blast!
http://www.azcentral.com/families/articles/0819fam_waystoplay1.html?&wired
Days are starting to get shorter so you better jump on in it!
After the summer solstice sunlight begins to diminish. So plan your trips now! It is your last chance before winter time hits and you will have not ventured much.
Do your own youtube or google searches on these:
Concerts in the park, dive in movies, swimming pools and swimming holes, escape the heat. Remember these are just starters for your imaginary pleasure. There are so many things out there to do. Get out there!
Today Roz is a little over two months out at sea, alone and self supported she continues to battle rogue waves and equipment issues. I started this blog so that you may support her in her mission to spread awareness and continue to do small actions to reverse some of the ecological blights we have unleashed onto the world. Here is a quick link to help me out. All you have to do is put www.RozSavage.com in the comment section. Thanks, it is worth a go!
http://ellen.warnerbros.com/show/respond/?PlugID=433
“The wind in San Francisco doesn’t blow it sucks”
The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer’s day in San Francisco. (Wrongly attributed to Mark Twain)
Hot air rises. If you think about hot air balloons, and sky lanterns, this phenomenon is easily understood.
From Redding all the way to Mexico is a desert. In summer time hot air rising (over the desert) sucks in cold air from the sea. Even before the Golden Gate Bridge was built, two mountain tops created the perfect funnel for cool air mass. Mount Tamalpais to the north, in Marin County and Twin Peaks, the top of San Francisco, direct this air towards Berkeley and up the delta while simultaneously squeezing the cool air mass as it passes the narrow channel between Fort Point and East Fort Baker. Squeezing is synonymous with condensing and therefore condensation, more locally known as fog.
June, July and August are not good for being a tourist in San Francisco. September and October, due to the lack of temperature gradient are far better times to view the incredible sights in The City. However, if you are into wind sports like sailing, para gliding, kite surfing, wind surfing, kite flying, hang gliding, etc. This is the time of year to blossom.
Wind travels in circles too. Picture the arms of a hurricane with “s” shaped patterns coming out from the eye. Sometimes you are able to work yourself up(north) or down(south) the beach to catch off-shore or on-shore winds. If you are a surfer, winds can help you or make your day more challenging. An offshore wind blows out to sea from the beach and holds up a wave when it breaks forming better curlers. It may also blow your kayak out to sea so pick your toys wisely today. An onshore wind blows from sea to beach and “blows down” a wave pushing it down instead of holding it up.
Gusty winds are more difficult to learn sports like windsurfing and kite boarding. You will want consistent winds of about 10mph. You will want a beginner board that is wide and long and a beginner sail that is small and light. Pack plenty of energy and hydration. The learning curve is pretty steep.
Winds can affect your touring kayak greatly and is often more dangerous than the cold water. Most people think that wind will turn your kayak into the wind or away from it. That is, so that you are either getting a face full of wind or the opposite, you are getting slapped squarely in the back between your shoulder blades with each gust. However, wind actually turns your kayak sideways to it. Wind will then be coming from directly left or right depending on which side of the boat the wind is on. At about 15mph you will want to be thinking about another plan as you will be spending some energy paddling against the wind that wants to turn you sideways to it. At 20mph you will want a rudder. (more on this on kayaking blog) At 25mph you will be seeing whitecaps where there is no current. The wind is actually picking up water and dragging it around with her. An astute paddler can see wind gusts do this over the surface of the water. Hint: if you see the windsurfers unfurling their sails, you might want to keep your kayak close to land. I can almost always expect the wind trying to push me back up river at the take out after a day of river paddling. It usually gets stronger until the sun goes down and then disappears quite rapidly with nightfall. Again, it is the remnants of hot air rising and the Delta Breeze
My learning how to surf blog has more information about beaches and wind.
Other stuff:
Hot springs are geothermal activity that happens in volcanic areas throughout the world. They are common in the Sierra Nevadas. Links Below.
http://www.hotspringsenthusiast.com/California.asp
http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/topcalifornia/a/ca_hot_springs.htm
http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/casierraseast/a/hot_springs.htm
Teepees and Victorian homes:
The native American Indians knew about hot air rising and had built it into their teepees. They had very tall 18-25’ teepees. They would build a small fire in the middle, and then open up the bottom side vents causing a “venturi” effect.
If you go to the old Victorian homes in the southern states like Mississippi and Alabama you will notice the domes with the turret of windows up top. Then look lower, at the base of the dome, you will see gas jet nipples all around. If you ask a docent what they are for, they will tell you that they light them in the summer time, like the teepees, the hot air rising sucks cold air from the base level windows. The shrubbery around the base of the house is a source of cold air coupled with the morning dew that rests on the leaves, it creates a swamp cooler effect, through convection and evaporation.
Fort Funston:
Where hang gliders and para-gliders literally jump off a cliff and are swept up by the winds. It is also a very large dog park, for the large and not so large breeds and although has incredible expanses of beaches, rarely do people make the 10 minute walk down to the beach.
Head North to Novato or West to Walnut Creek:
Almost always where the fog stops and the sunshine persists. Fog is always in battle with the sun as evaporation and higher in-land temperatures will ultimately be the cloud’s demise
Delta Breeze:
The after effect of strong fog is a back lash. It is the after effect from the fog and winds caused by the hot air rising. The Delta Breeze often rolls in during early evening times here in Sacramento becoming the welcome rescue from very hot days. I always recommend spending your days in coastal or river waters or up at cooler elevations and heading back to the valley for an evening in the garden or patio.
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The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer’s day in San Francisco. (Wrongly attributed to Mark Twain)
http://www.snopes.com/quotes/twain.asp
Link: Reno hot air balloon festival
September 9-11 in Reno
http://www.renoballoon.com/
Link: Sky lantern festival; I don’t think they will fly in the US
http://youtu.be/4tHphYapiUs
Don’t miss the free Berkeley Kite Festival, it’s just one of those things that are too huge to get pictures of. It is an all day event. Bring backpacks and wagons!
http://www.highlinekites.com/pages.php?pageid=21/
Chrissy Field, in particular the warming huts that you should know about.
http://www.parksconservancy.org/our-work/crissy/
Fort Funston, hang gliding and dog park
http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/fort-funston.html
Crawdad fishing; tie a piece of bacon to a rock and have a kid’s blast!
http://www.azcentral.com/families/articles/0819fam_waystoplay1.html?&wired
Days are starting to get shorter so you better jump on in it!
After the summer solstice sunlight begins to diminish. So plan your trips now! It is your last chance before winter time hits and you will have not ventured much.
Do your own youtube or google searches on these:
Concerts in the park, dive in movies, swimming pools and swimming holes, escape the heat. Remember these are just starters for your imaginary pleasure. There are so many things out there to do. Get out there!
Today Roz is a little over two months out at sea, alone and self supported she continues to battle rogue waves and equipment issues. I started this blog so that you may support her in her mission to spread awareness and continue to do small actions to reverse some of the ecological blights we have unleashed onto the world. Here is a quick link to help me out. All you have to do is put www.RozSavage.com in the comment section. Thanks, it is worth a go!
http://ellen.warnerbros.com/show/respond/?PlugID=433
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