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Key West : Southernmost point of Continental USA

2009-12-04T08:31:00.000-08:00

27th November 2009

I was so excited about the drive to Key West. Key West is the southernmost island among Florida Keys. In fact it is southernmost city in USA. When I saw the Google maps it looked like I would be driving over a 100miles long bridge. I was excited about driving on that bridge in a convertible! After the complementary breakfast at the Motel I started at 8:00AM Florida City.

The drive was okay ... Half the way it was just like on any other road. I could see Key This and Key That ... I was not able to see any water around. The roads were lined with trees. I could only see were restaurants advertising about seafood, relaxing, boat rides etc. I was wondering where are the bridges? where is that jade colored water? But then there I reached the Seven-mile Bridge, it was nice. There were several state parks where one can snorkel. I wanted to visit Long Key state park, Bahia Honda state park and Ligumvitae Key Botanical state park. But, I planned to visit them on way back and the plan didn't work. I was too excited about reaching Key West.

(Southernmost Point Buoy)

The places to see list was Butterfly sanctuary, southernmost point of USA, lighthouse and few other popular mansions of historical importance. When I reached the Duval Street I was taken aback by the crowd and the traffic. I was wondering where to park. I found a place near Butterfly sanctuary which charged $8 where I could park till 5:00PM.

First thing first. I went to see the southernmost point on continental USA. There was a big crowd. Taking a picture with less people was difficult. I waited patiently. I sat there looking south ... The breeze was cool. It was all surrounded by ocean but there were no beaches. There was no sand. Something disappointing huh?

(Key West Sunrise)

Then walked towards the South Beach. It was a small patch of sand with a big crowd of people. Looked like bunch of mussels changed to humans. The overflow was sitting at the dock adjacent to the beach. I too sat there for some time ... I had to get used to the crowd. I started walking again ... I looked at the Southernmost House Inn. It looked like gingerbread house. Most of the houses and hotels were all resembling gingerbread houses. Most of them were coated with white paint. It seems the real estate titles date back to King of Spain.

(Bridge over Keys)

I was looking for the Key West Butterfly Nature Conservatory. I was looking for a big building with a very big covered garden which contained thousands of butterflies and hundreds of birds. Then I saw it ... it wasn't big ... it was my expectation that was big! There is an entrance fee of $12. I had a coupon for $1 off and I paid $11 plus tax. In the advertisement they say the place is magical ... I could only say crowded! Very touristy! There are a lot of butterflies may be couple of hundreds. But, there are more visitors than butterflies! I tried to take pictures of butterflies.

I exited when I was done. I was greeted by a nice lady and she stuck a plastic butterfly to my shirt as a gift. I looked around ... it is a Gift Shop. People were all around looking for buying gifts. There was a line at the counter also. People were buying those expensive fine art gift items as if they are buying groceries at Trader Joe's. I was standing there with a $3.75 key chain. There was a senior couple ahead of me in the line with a big bagful of items to purchase. I had a coupon for 10% off on the murchandize and I was buying something worth $4. So, I thought it would be nice to give it to the senior couple. When I told my good intension to the old lady she snapped. I was a bit taken aback! But, then I re-relayed my good intention to the old man. He obliged and thanked me profusely. Anyways, Here is my Key chain ... Key West Key Chain :)

Key West Lighthouse here is not like few other lighthouses. It is more inland than on the cliffs where the ocean waves crash. There is a $10 entrance fee to enter the lighthouse. I passed that part.

I thought of having lunch in one of the restaurants serving native cuisine. Since most of the native cuisine is seafood I had to look for a place where I know I get vegetarian food. I went on ... on the Duval Street. I saw Denny's and thought of Bocca burger and those big fries. I didn't have second thoughts. When I ordered the burger the waitress gave me a thoughtful look. Oh my God! I am hungry and I don't want to hear there is no Bocca burger! When I was done the waitress asked me how that BOCCA burger was, because she has never tasted it and she had never served it to anybody earlier. I said it was fantastic!

(Key West Lighthouse)

I walked end-to-end on Duval Street. Southernmost House Historic Inn at South Beach to the other end. Checked some antique shops, jewelry shops, fine art and photo galleries by unknown artists. Seafood cafes and grills were everywhere. The houses around had a lot of decorations, may be it was Thanksgiving. Wanted to check Sloppy Joe's Bar, Lazy Gecko's something on Greene street. There were few Key Lime pie factories. I ate a chocolate dipped Key Lime pie while window shopping. On the side lanes I could see old and restored mansions.

At sunset time went to Mallory Square. Waited for the light show which didn't start for quite sometime. I didn't want to stay by myself where the night life is intense which I am not used to. I saw some street performances but had to pass. I took pictures of everything. The houses, marina, shops, restaurants, key-lime pie, signboards, performances and so on ... But, I won't be able to post any of them here ... As I said in my previous post I lost my camera on the last day of the trip ... sob sob ... sniff sniff ...

Now I had to look for a place to spend the night. I thought of camping in the popular Boyd's RV campground. It was nice and also the camping fee was nice $75 per night! Some cars were occasionally coming in and out. Sad that I couldn't have a campfire. It was too windy and the waterfront campsite was right on the way of the wind. I could see most of the campers sitting inside their cars than outside. It was cold, yes freezing cold in Florida! I was walking on the boat docks. It wasn't made of wood. It looked like plastic. It made a sound with every step. I sat there on it swaying up and down with every wave crashed the rocks. I watched the moon, bright and white shining ... The palm trees were shaking heavily with the wind creating fast moving huge shadows. It wasn't full moon but couple of days before full moon. The wind coming over the bay was cold and damp. It kind of took away the heat from my body which was accumulating all the way driving and drifting around on Duval Street. I sat there until my nose and lips went numb. I cannot explain the peace that comes from being away from the noise of downtown.

I hear some splashes in the water ... as if some one is walking in the water. I wake up. But, then it is nothing, may be a bird. Empire of sleep ... It is a strange world. People from far away places visit you there ... sometimes bad things happen to loved ones ... good things happen most of the times ... the thought about next day's trip to Dry Tortugas passed my mind. Now, I was too excited to sleep. I slept to the lulaby of the water slowly crashing into the rocky shore.

Everglades National Park : Walking the trails with Alligators

2009-12-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

26th and 30th November 2009

Florida:

This post which narrates my first trip to Florida experience and Everglades National Park. I had never visited the east side of the USA. Not exactly east coast but definitely Florida is South-East. I had been to Chicago that was all about east for me until now, again it is not East but North-East :)! When I decided to visit Florida I felt excitement and also concern about the unknown land ... concern was that nothing was planned and booked. I wanted to do it as things went. I wanted the flexibility. And so I was wondering what adventures await me for next 7 days ... One of my hiking partners in Bay Area was making fun of me ... are you going ... hunting pythons ... wrestling with alligators ... encounter with Florida Panther ? ... hehe ... It is always my habit to tell myself that no harm will come to me. What I am going to do is just to see the God's beautiful creation and so God will always protect me.

Journeys always start with a cab-ride from home to airport. From San Jose I flew to Miami International Airport with a stop at Las Vegas. Lately, Las Vegas airport has become so familiar to me. I almost know places (inside the airport) to have lunch/dinner :) I had a sandwich at Quizinos Subs for lunch at Las Vegas. After a long flight of 5 hrs I was in Miami by night. Once out of airport I realized the chill of Sunnyvale is far away ... from the humidity of Miami. To be frank I hate hot and humid places. I feel uncomfortable; I get small blisters on my head, nostrils and ears. I feel like puking! I was wishing it will be cool in winter ... I prayed it wouldn't be like my Uncle's wedding in Gokarna (a small religious place in west coast of India). It was so hot that people who came for wedding got rid of their expensive clothes and bought towels to wipe sweat and ate shave ice. Ahh it was a memorable wedding!

But, Florida in November wasn't as hot as Hawaii in December. I watched outside from the car rental shuttle ... looked like it was raining heavily few hours ago. I sent another prayer to God that there shouldn't be any rain next few days ... at least no lightening or hurricanes! Yeah, I can only wish and hope that my wishes come true :) After completing paperwork at the kiosk I went to get the rental car. Oh! the guy there tells me to pick a mini van. Are you kidding? He spoke Spanish and I didn't understand what was he saying. After a little conversation in sign language with him, I went back into the office to talk to that charming guy who helped me at the kiosk. He came out with me to the yard, spread his arms high up to his shoulders in the air and said,

Take whichever car pleases you!
Well, I will take that white convertible I said mockingly.
It's waiting for you then! He said!!!!!!

Ahhh how nice? I book a economy car and I get a convertible for driving in Florida ? Yey!!! So, I fixed up my GPS and set out. Checked-in to nearby La Quinta. I had not booked any accommodation for this trip so that I could spend nights anywhere convenient. Wanted to check how this kind of flexibility and freedom feels. With each trip I am trying to know each level of freedom. Going by myself was one thing. I don't have to do what I don't want to do. The problem with travel companions is conflict of interests. Not that I don't like people, I do like people. But, there is something very special about being alone! It gives a kind of peace of mind. I can stop and go as I please. I can eat anywhere I want, I can camp or look for a motel. Expensive room or cheap ... who cares?! There is no comparison for being free of obligations and annoyance. Be the leader in an one-man team. Nobody to look over my shoulders or step around. If not anything I can have a peaceful sleep; there nobody around snoring!

Another thing about this trip was no hiking! It was just riding the water ... on boats ... on ferry ... and on my own ... I didn't even take out the hiking shoes ... no blisters on the feet ... no pain in the ankle or knee ... I wore my sandals all the time and they left a nice tan-pattern on my feet. It just gives me an idea how dark is the tan on this trip!

Everglades National Park :

26th Nov ...

So next morning, I had complementary breakfast at the Motel and started my way to Everglades. I followed my GPS and was driving in an agricultural development area. I didn't see anybody around except one or two trucks parked on the roadside. At last I saw an old man who gave me a curious mixed with suspicion look as if I was a lost alien. I drove past him as GPS directed me. I had to break as the road came to a dead end! But My GPS kept saying Go straight ahead. After spreading out the AAA maps I realized I was lost. I stopped a truck and asked the driver where I was? He came out of the car and explained excessively about directions and also gave his phone number! Later, I found that there is a seasonal entrance Chilika, to the National Park on a road parallel to the road I was driving. It would open only on the 1st of December anyway. At last I was there at Everglades Royal Palm Visitor center.

Royal Palm area :

After talking to the nice lady ranger officer I went to Anhinga and Gambo Limbo Trail to see anhingas and alligators. Like a camel I carried the big backpack full of camera gear. It was an experience to see the alligators from so near that I could count their teeth. They pretended to be asleep but they were keeping an eye on each human passing by. They had a cynical smile on their faces all the time! May be they were thinking ... oh! this one looks delicious ... mad creatures, what do they have in hands that they point to us?! ... ahhh! annoying people, they don't even let me sleep! ... or so on ...

They reminded me of evil Jacala in Jungle Book. They were so many. Sleeping, swimming, relaxing, smiling and watching! Some of the alligators were massive, may be they are grandpa-grandma of the family. Their size so near was kind of intimidating. At one point when a grandpa started walking I got goose bumps! I had carried so much of camera gear but when I saw the alligators I was just happy to see them and didn't care to photograph much.

Anhingas were everywhere. With their necks extended and mouths opened as if they were about to be kissed. They opened their wings to the wind to dry, just like cormorants. But I couldn't find any anhinga in a place where they were not partially blocked by bushes. Some how the classy shot anhinga I was expecting didn't happen. I saw anhinga nest too. The breeding plumage of these birds is wonderful. The copper sulphate blue colored ring around the eye is so beautiful.

There were cormorants too. They were playing hide-and-seek inside the water and then peeping out of the water. Their fishing technique is so classy. Saw some night herons too on the Gumbo Limbo trail. If there were not many people thumping on the board walk I thought I would have seen much more wildlife there. It is really an incredible place. I sat there on the boardwalk looking at an alligator that was happily swimming. The wooden slab on which I was sitting made a creaking noise. That caused a thread spring in my thought process.

(Anhinga)

Having seen too many shark, dinosaur, crocodile or giant spider movies it made me little uncomfortable. What if some crazy sceintist from Florida experimented his magic potion on one of the alligators here and that made the alligator an intelligent man-eater? And what if that alligator breaks the boardwalk beneath my butts and pulls me down?! hehe ... So, I started walking back to look for anhingas. I saw a couple hush-hushing and pointing to the grass. I saw nothing but, they kept saying there is something which will eventually come out. I stood there until my feet hurt but, nothing came out. Left the couple alone wishing them luck silently. Drove to all other view points before I reached the Flamingo. I felt the power of nature.

Flamingo Area :

When I reached the marina at Flamingo I was hungry like a monster. So, eneterd the store and looked for something vegetarian that I could eat. There was a lot of food but not for me. It hurt a bit. I was so happy and felt like I found box of gold coins when I saw frapuchino! I bought a bottle and drank that sweet milk to the last drop. I bought a ticket to a backcountry boat ride and soon lost the ticket. And I realized that while I was boarding the boat. After a little bit of running around, witnesses that I purchased the ticket and some drama I was allowed inside the boat. Ahhh!

(Buttonwood Canal)

The backcountry ride takes the route through the lush mangrove forests (Buttonwood Canal) to the Whitewater Bay and back. Quite a ride ... it went slowly, stopping at each egret, anhinga, great heron, little heron, blue heron, buzzard and so on ... it was nice. We met couple of canoe-ers. I like the idea of canoeing between those mangroves. I should do that once. We passed the coot bay and then the boat darted through it. It was nice fast ride. After going around a bit in whitewater bay it slowed down. We saw a bunch of Royal Terns. As we approached them they flew of at once.

Coots were all over the place in Coot Bay. The sun starts sinking beyond horizon and the boat changes the course and heads back to the dock. I saw a cormorant taking off ... as it flew into the air it left a trail of ripples in the water. It was returning home. Far away on a tree top, on the top most branch was sitting a buzzard, looking forward to something in anticipation. If I could only read its mind. The slow moving boat, the wet air brushing the face and the water way between the lush mangroves felt great. I wondered what all creatures might be living in those dense mangroves. The waterways in those mangrove forests look so alike it would be so difficult to find the way if they were not marked. Day was almost fading into night when we were back at the dock. The marina-store was closed.

Time to go back and find shelter for the night. My plan was to spend the night in Florida City. I had to hit the road to Key West early morning. When I checked into a motel in Florida City, I got 20% off on Denny's purchases. Now there was a Subway right there. When I entered a young girl in her early twenties may be, gave a bored look, as if she was not pleased to have a customer.

She asked, Do you want the bread to be toasted ?

Yes, I said.

She replied, there is another Subway couple of miles away. I have shut down my oven for tonight!

I ask with a sigh, Is there anything more I should know before I order my sandwich?

Now, her look is not only bored but mixed with annoyance, together it looked like she hates me. she replies with a question and with all that hate in her voice too, What do you want?

I say, a Veggie sandwich, 6 inch put everything you have.
I needed energy to drive to all the way to Key West. I was thinking taking that 20% off on a Dennys Boca burger would have been a good choice.

Shark Valley area :

30th Nov ...

I took two days break from Everglades before heading west. I Had a nice trip to Key West and Dry Tortugas National Park before I returned to Everglades again. I saw may airboat safaris on Tamiami trail. Oh! What is Taminami trail? It is state Hwy-41 which connects Tampa in the west and Miami in the east :) A road I happened to see a lot of water birds and buzzards all along the drive. I had breakfast at one of the Airboat safari companies. Not sure it was good, I was hungry. But, the waitress was extremely sweet.

When I reached the visitor center I was greeted by a young and plump ranger officer with red cheeks and I learned from him that there is a tram, which goes along all 15 miles trail, leaving in 20mins. One thing about Everglades National Park is that, You have to pay the entrance fees (at some visitor centers) and then buy tickets for the rides too. Over that you will be politely requested to pay generous tips to the guides. Not like in Yosemite, Zion or Grand Canyon where you have a free shuttle and drivers don't ask for tips. Anyway, I bought a ticket and got into the tram.

(Wood Stork)

We had a female driver and a female guide. The guide was a senior, may be in her mid-sixties or more, had curly, unmanageable bushy hair. She had a loud voice and she was using it at max volume. She tried her very best to entertain the people. We saw Wood Storks and some more water birds on our tram-ride. The guide gave hints how to recognize the birds. Not sure how many were listening to her. People who were sitting beside me, ahead of me and behind me didn't speak English and they smiled all the time. You know when people cannot express in words they express in a smile.

Half way through there is an observation tower from where we get a vast view of Everglades. There was a 15 mins break here. Either you have to use restrooms or climb up the tower to observe! Definitely all opted for the later. From the observation tower it is fun to see the alligators ...

When we were having the last stretch of the tram ride the guide started telling how alligators have sex. Aggressive female selecting strong contender male, who will be on top and how many times and so on ... she looked very happy to talk about the alligator porn. When I was listening to her ... I kind of visualized that old woman turning into an alligator ... but somehow her bushy head remained human and saw her in action of her own story. I smiled at my own thoughts ... God forgive me! After she was satisfied of telling us about alligator adult life she told us to be generous in tipping her!!

After the tram ride I went on foot for some distance where I saw a bunch of alligator kids resting one over the other. Looked like they were brothers and sisters very close to each other. In a small pond I also saw a young mother alligator with its tiny babies. It was too sunny and hot and I returned. Resting in the shade of a tree near parking I ate my sandwich sitting on a bench. I drank water as I wrote my journal. It was time to get back on the road to check Big Cypress Natural Preserve before heading to Golf Coast visitor center.

Big Cypress National Preserve :

I actually wanted to drive through the alligator alley here. But somehow the bald cypress trees didn't appeal me. I visited the Visitor center went for a short boardwalk where I saw the giant alligator. I saw many crabs and snails but no frogs in the marsh. That wonders me. I was very happy with my decision of not camping on this trip. I just could not imagine fighting with bugs on long nights.

Gulf Coast area :

It was very deserted place when I arrived at the visitor center. I wanted to go for a boat ride to Ten Thousand Islands. I bought a ticket for boat ride and learned that I was alone for the trip. After waiting for a few minutes a young couple joined us. It was very calm and silent trip with occasional talk by the captain. As we moved slowly faraway lands were nearing and then were left behind. After passing many islands we were looking at Gulf of Mexico which looked endless. The ocean looked blue and silver in the sunlight. It glittered as the waves moved. Buzzard was sitting on the top of a tree looking for a prey or may be waiting for its partner to head back home! Florida wind was blowing my hair back ... it cooled my cheeks, nose and forehead.

(Gulf of Mexico)

We saw a bunch of white ibis resting on a tree branch. As we moved ahead the captain spotted a manatee .. we can only see the nose of this massive sea cow, followed by big movement under water. As we waited for it to come up again to breathe we also saw a Bald Eagle perched majestically on a tree. Looked so graceful like it was meditating. It was alone and on an old lone tree. I felt like it was a very noble old man in fairy tales. Manatee didn't come up might have moved away.

We continued and then it was time for the show ... Bottlenose Dolphins!! They were hanging around near an island. We saw the way it goes in circles and creates a mud puddle to confuse the fish and then hunt. There were two of them. Ahhh! I saw a dolphin in wild! It was very exhilarating experience. I couldn't know how time passed that day. I wanted to be there for more time on the boat and wished spotted some more of wildlife. But, no we had to head back ... bye bye dolphins ... bye bye Bald Eagle ...

Darkness was falling and we reached the boat dock ... It is cold on water and the moment I was on the land it was hot and humid. I paid the tips and started towards Naples where I thought would be good to spend the night. It was a bit of a drive in the dark and had a hard time to find something to eat until I reached Naples. Found a La Quinta there inviting me. I was heading to Sanibel Island next day.

I had a great trip in Florida covering all national parks, national preserves and national wildlife refuges. Had fun spotting and photographing wildlife, had fun in the water and driving. But, at the end I was so heartbroken when I realized that on the last day, just before boarding the plane, I lost my point-and-shoot camera. I lost a part of my journey with it. All those underwater pictures and my pictures where my pretty face is sticking were all gone! I remember reading "Lament no memory; Cling to no dream; Life would be complete"!!!! But, still I loved my little camera and those precious moments I had caught forever ... they are all gone ... but the sight I beheld in my eyes will linger forever.

Losing that camera totally shifted my perspective of my little journeys ... I feel like I need to attain another level of freedom. There is no meaning carrying the burden of camera gear that makes me lose track of other little things ...

Mt St Helena : Ten miles of walk

2009-10-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

25th October 2009

Mt St Helena sounds interesting huh? Not that big huge volcano Mt St Helens ... This mountain is actually in Sonoma County, California. Part of Robert Stevenson State Park, it is a 4,343ft high mountain. The hike is 10 miles long with elevation gain of around 2,000ft. It is not a butt-kicker but, a long uphill walk over a fire road.

The trail initially starts in a wooded area with a gradual climb under the shade of the trees. After a mile or so there is a memorial of an English poet Robert Stevenson where he spent his honeymoon in a cabin. The cabin is not there but, you will see a monument. This trail ends at a fire road to the summit. This road is wide and all exposed. There is hardly any shade. The October Sun was mild and the wind was harsh. In summer this exposed trail might be very difficult to climb. Difficulty is not in the climb but is in the exposure to heat.

As we climbed up, we saw many of the rock formations. Most prominent and popular one being the bubble rock. As we continued we saw a big group of hikers. May be a family gathering or friends and families ... many parents with small children. After passing them we continued. The climb wasn't hard but, the blowing wind was bringing chill. I thought only if this cold wind stops blowing!

We passed south peak and East Peak before reaching the highest North Peak. The craggy peak was all occupied by some towers ... The peak itself wasn't beautiful. The views were nice though. I could see Mt Diablo and Mt Tamalpais from there. The wind was howling and blowing away whatever came into its way. We found place behind rocks to finish our lunch. I really couldn't have anything but drinking some water. After a watching the valleys and towns beow we started to head back.

(Rocks on north peak summit)

(North Peak from East Peak)

(North and East Peak from South Peak)

(South Peak from East Peak)

We then climbed East Peak, which had some more towers on it. The views were almost same and nice. I saw a helicopter circling over the Palisades area. I know Plaisades has a narrow trail on the edge of high standing cliffs. It was circling as if some rescue/search was going on. Then we climbed the South Peak which is not that worth as there is no proper views from there. Most of it is closed. Now, the Sun was on top of our heads. As we descended the force of wind also reducing. We took another small break to Bubble rock. Now there was a rock climbing couple. We watched them rappel down before heading back to the trailhead.

(Bubble Rocks)

At the trailhead there were a two firefighter trucks and paramedics. I don't know what happened but, they were there. I took of the hiking shoes off thinking about another peak in Bay Area is in my bag. God, it feels really good to free the feet out of those hard hiking shoes! Drove back on Silverado trail looking at some fall colors and vineyards along the way. Nice hike!

Echo Lakes Trail

2009-09-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

27th September 2009

After the Mt Tallac hike we had half of the Sunday for another moderate hike. I wanted to hike but also wanted to take it easy. After browsing through two books back and forth we settled on the Echo Lakes trail to Tamarac Lake and back, which is 8.1 miles long and not much of elevation gain. This is a part of backpacking trail to Lake Aloha in Dessolation wilderness.

The trailhead is at Lower Echo Lake. A lot of parking available. The water in Echo Lakes is emerald green ... they should have named as Enerald Lakes :) The trail climbs up 200ft or so initially and then becomes very flat. The views of Echo Lakes from the top is really great. Early morning when there is no wind the water is like mirror, the reflections are picture perfect. I went on looking left at the waters all the time. Half the trail is beside these Echo Lakes until we enter the Dessolation Wilderness.

On the way this juniper tree was standing right beside the trail ... the shape of its trunk indicated it was all twisted and turned around by wind ... As I took its picture I imagined sitting under this tree under the Moonlight with cool air brushing my arm ... I felt that I was sitting there taking the pictures of the star trails ... A sense of peace passed my mind and body.

I saw there were many cabins which seemed not in use. But, they added some kind of rustic beauty to the trailside. I was looking for a restroom which I didn't find for all of the trail. It was all sun and shade kind. I could see some motor boats darting around in the lake.

After passing the Upper Echo Lake I entered a wooded area where I saw few backpackers resting with their dogs. All dogs had socks (or something resembling socks) on their feet. Dogs were looking very cute with those socks on and walking little awkward :) I asked someone why those socks? and later realized that the paws of the dogs are sensitive and the heat of the rocks could damage the skin. I saw one dog really in bad shape and the owner was carrying that big dog in his arms along with his 50-60lb backpack on his back!

When I came out of the woods I saw the granite every where. Rocks ... small and big ... rounded and sharp ... all shapes and sizes. The presence of rocks made the air hot. After walking a mile or so we were at the Tamarac Lake. It wasn't as beautiful or big as Echo Lakes. It was small with green water ... the huge granite around it and the trees made it a nice place to rest. After the lunch I had a short nap. Granite was amazingly cool under the shade of the trees. It wasn't hot at all. Short naps in such heavenly places make me over come emotional whiplashes, if any. I felt my Mother whispering in my ears.

Way back there were many hikers. People who camped at Lake Aloha were returning with their backpacks. At Lower Echo Lake there is boat taxi too. I could have tried that for experience sake, but I opted to walk. It was very hot when I reached the trailhead. The drive back to Bay Area was under the hot sun. Temperature was in mid 90's. With Mt Tallac in plan the trip was a success!

Great Hikes : Mt Tallac!

2009-09-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

26th September 2009

Always wanted to hike this black mountain! Happened to do it now. Had been to Tahoe several times and every time I saw this high standing peak and had thought ... I will be on top there some day ... ahh worth it!

Started with a hiking partner Friday night and camped at Fallen Leaf Lake campground. We started hiking early in the morning and took the moderate climb from Glen alpine trailhead. The well marked trail is shaded until we reached the Gilmore Lake. This lake feels like a small heaven on the earth. Deep blue clear water ... keeps the shore cool ... after all the climb sitting beside this piece of paradise for a snack break felt great. There was a tree log big enough for me to lie down. From here the trail climbs steep up to the peak.

I went slowly. Not with pain or fatigue but, the elevation. After 8,000ft it was hard to breathe and climb. I stopped after climbing every 100ft and looked up at the destination. Rocks were hot and spreading heat around. The absence of hiking poles was very much felt. I continued with one step and then another then another. I realized many hikers climb the peak with the regular trail which is a bit shorter but much steeper than the one I was on. So, I saw very few hikers on the trail. I reached the base of that rocky peak where the regular trail merges. Then I saw many hikers coming from the other trail. Scrambling up the rocks to the peak was hard as the rocks were kind of hot. And there I was on the peak.

At the top there was a big crowd. People took turns to sit on the peak for pictures. I laid myself there flat and covered my face with the sun-hat. Surprizingly it wasn't windy on the peak. It wasn't too hot or cold. We took pictures of 360 deg around the peak. The views were fantastic. Lake Tahoe spread the blue all over ... I could see the Emerald bay and Cascade Lake. Then on the other side I could see the Fallen Leaf Lake. And there were the Gilmore Lake and Half Moon Lake. Ralston Peak was standing high behind the Half Moon Lake. Ahhh ... what a view.

Going down was fine. I saw a sandgrouse. I heard few hikers saw a Mommy Bear and two Baby Bears. Wow! Plenty of wildlife to view but ... when the hike is hard nothing else matters but covering the distance! We took a long break at Gilmore Lake again. I took a small nap on that log! I was glad I did it and my feet were happy that it was over! Wonderful hike ... Another peak down!

Bryce Canyon National Park

2009-09-12T13:31:00.000-07:00

7th to 9th September 2009

Bryce Canyon National Park is a land of beauty. Full of delicately carved colorful sandstone towers everywhere. Just before reaching the national park there are few state parks we pass. As wonderfully red as the Bryce Canyon. They play as prologues to the beautiful story of Bryce Canyon trip. As I passed those red sandstone towers I was excited. More pictures HERE.

(Bryce Aphitheatre)

First day I went driving to all the view points. There are several of them. Sunrise point, Sunset point, Bryce Point, Natural Bridge and few others. I took time enjoying each point and took a lot of pictures. When I was at Sunrise point I could see the trails down the canyon and I could see the hikers as small as needles. I watched them curiously moisturing my dry lips with the moisture of my mouth. My plan was to hike down the Queens Garden trail and then take the Peek-a-boo loop and back up the Navaho (Wall Street) trail.

(Queen Victoria)

I was contemplating ... Sometimes, somethings look difficult than they really are. I could see people on those trails and so I thought I could be there too. Until you go there you won't know if it is easy or otherwise. There is always a way if you are willing to take chance. I decided to take the chance. As I went down the the trail I looked around the high standing red towers and then I was lost ... I was lost in the beauty of the canyon ... until I reached a flat trail surrounded by trees. For a short distance I started imagining myself walk, walk and walk that had no end in this endless beautiful canyon until I disappeared into the sands of its serenity.

As I had heard from the Ranger Officer at the visitor center the trail was uphill followed by downhill several times. Until I reached the Bryce Point trail intersection I had seen only a couple and a woman. I looked for a corner to sit down and have my lunch. There was a place very convenient for rest ... a tower with a little grove at the bottom. The grove was as big that I could stand, sit and sleep. I sat there and opened by backpack for food and water. As I ate a boiled egg seasoned with pepper and salt I started thinking ... what if this part of the tower collape ? I looked up and to my amusement of being right ... I saw a big crack right above my head. I abandoned my idea of sitting there for long time enjoying the shade and peace. Peace of mind ... never to be found ... That boiled egg along with a big gulp of water fuelled me with strength. I was trying to understand the language of this dry land, language of the landscape could be understood with right eyes. I spoke out loud to God to thank him for creating such a wonderful world and providing me with strength, safety in all my little jouneys.

When I reached the top rim of the canyon I saw crowds of people. They looked as if they were just out of spa. I was sweating. The sweat mixed with sunscreen had attracted lots of dust from the canyon, together they formed a thick layer of dirt on my skin. My shoes were soaked in the red sand. I walked like a monk in the Sun beside all clean looking people. After a shower near Sunrise point I was ready to venture more of the canyon. At visitor center I learned that there is a waterfall in the national park and there is still water in the waterfall! So ... I drove to the trailhead. It is a short 1 mile roundtrip hike to a cave and this waterfall. The water flows in a man-made canal called Tropic Ditch.

(Wall Street Trail)

As I walked in the hot sun I heard the hiss of the water. The waterfalls was near then. At the second bridge I saw the waterfall. In the midst of the dry red landscape there was clear cold water flowing. The mossy cave didn't have any moss in it and it looked too confined. There was nothing interesting to see anyway. I walked back to the waterfall. Went down to the stream and started walking in it. The cold water was healing my aching feet. I wanted to sit there for some time. But the burning sun wasn't merciful. After few pictures of the waterfalls I returned to the parking.

(The hoodoos as seen from the bottom of the canyon)

After another sunset and one more sunrise I departed from this beautiful land. The sky was clear. There were no purple conical clouds or the lightening. Another lone journey was ending. I was thinking ... what next? In which direction the wind of my travel would take me. With a smile I blew to see the haze of my breath in the cold. Started humming some song 'Chal chal mere sung sung ...' (walk with me ...) a prayer to the Mother Earth ...

Nature's Subway : A hike to remember

2009-09-10T15:47:00.000-07:00

6th September 2009

Hiking the Angels Landing half the mission in Zion National Park ... the other half was to hike up to the Subway ... A place from another planet!

(More pictures)

After finishing the morning formalities very early in the morning I started driving from Hurricane to the Kolob Reservoir road. Parked at the Left Fork trailhead and saw few SUV's and people getting ready. I was happy thinking that I will have a good company of people and thought of talking to them. I approached and said a 'hello'. They looked at me curiously as I do not have a perfect build for a dedicated hiker :) They said they were hiking from Wildcat trailhead and just waiting for the shuttle to pick them up. Well, I started my hike alone.

Initially the trail is flat and easy. When I reached the edge of the cliff of the canyon and realized how steep down the trail was to reach the river. The only thought was ... how hard it could be to climb it back after the 9 miles of rock hopping. The cliff looked like the lip parted and I was going down the throat of the canyon to reach the water. It was a bare and rocky trail with no shade and there were cacti around. I continued to walk down the slope ... still the river looked far away down ... at last I was there ... I could hear the (Left Fork of) North Creek ... humming to herself. Sounded nice and the air felt much cooler.

Canyon walls were massive cliffs, making me feel so small ... so small as negligible ... I followed the canyon with my eyes as much as I could see ... I could see miles and miles of high standing cliffs ... some dark and some red ... thinly covered with trees ... As I walked towards the far away subway I could hear the bird calls. Mostly like alerts than a singing note. It made me feel like I was the intruder! I walked farther and farther inside.

The water level was very low. I saw rocks everywhere ... rocks surrounded by rocks ... small and big ... very well settled where they were ... they didn't move with my weight as I hopped over them. At times the canyon would close itself with huge boulders at places ... it got narrower and I had to walk in the water ...

After walking a couple of hours I reached a place seemed like dead-end. I was standing on a massive boulder and there was no way beyond it ... looked like nice stop for rest ... for a sip of water or a snack. I sat there thinking from where did this boulder come? May be it rolled down from the top of those cliffs. May be it was thirsty, wanted to drink water and couldn't climb back :) I didn't understand why there was a well marked trail to this huge rock. May be in case of flash floods one could climb it up to safety! I left the rock as I had to reach the subway in time ... so started walking in the water itself. As I walked I was building a sort of relationship with the canyon. I was not scared of anything ... flash flood ... mountain lion ... black bear ... only thing I was thinking was Subway!

After two and a half hours I was there! Ahh ... it wasn't like I had seen the pictures ... water wasn't blue. Made me think those pictures were heavily post-processed! The walls of the subway were yellowish ... kind of golden ... perfectly symmetrical ... extremely slippery ... mystical ... beautiful ... strange ... I cautiously walked over the thin wail of water over that red-yellow floor of the canyon. Water was flowing over the natural steps and each step had a pot-hole. Water flowed into the pot-holes and overflowed out and filled another pot-hole. It was something like a machine built by nature. I took pictures of everything I saw. I climbed up those steps and walked further to see another pot-hole, a big one and deep one. I checked how deep it was by dipping my fully extended tripod. I thought little above my waist ... and jumped in ... resting my camera bag on my head. Then the canyon was narrow and in zig zag shape. Soft and smooth sand on the floor mixed with the cool water flow was very soothing to the naked feet. And there it was the waterfalls ... falling over the keyhole!

I was curious to check what is behind those falls. I covered myself with a poncho and hid my camera inside it. Walked below the waterfalls ... it was a great feeling. It was a spacious chamber. It looked like a great composition to take a picture from inside that dark chamber. When I clicked the first picture from inside out I heard a loud thud outside and I saw a big shadow of something heavy falling down. It was a loud sound in the isolation there. I thought flash floods! A cold chill traveled from the bottom of my spine to the neck. I waited for the downpour of the deluge. But, no! It was man who had come down from other side of the trail which needs rappelling. He saw me with some mixed or complicated expressions which I couldn't read. It was neither surprise, nor annoyance. It was a question mark with something. There was not even a faint smile. He said nothing. He just waited for me to clear off so that he could take a picture and moved away. After that I didn't see any human soul until I reached the parking lot at the trailhead.

Way back I was excited about the fact that I saw the subway and the keyhole falls. My shoes were soaked and with each step there was a 'swatch' sound. Now the heel was hurting and the soaked skin was loosing life. And I remembered my sister asking me 'why do you hike?' with a wrinkle on her nose. It is a frequent question from her. 'Your feet looks ugly because of shoe-bites' ... 'you have permanent tan on your face and arms' ... 'after all why walk so much and get sick?' Oh well ... I never try to explain her ... for I know she will never understand!

I walked in the land of sudden changes. It was something I did knowing that the chances of flash floods were maximum in September. Isn't it exciting ? fascinating? I consider this to be a hike to remember!

Where the Angels Land ...

2009-09-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

3rd September 2009

Zion National Park is a land of cliffs and canyons. Whoever goes to Zion National Park wonders about a hike ... all the national park personnel talk about it ... and most of the visitors would like to hike it ... and that is Angels Landing! It is an exciting hike indeed until you start hiking the last 1/2 mile to the top. As everybody started I too did, but I started late.

The trail goes all uphill, steep uphill and winding switchbacks, like walking on the back of a worm. Felt like path of pilgrimage ... never-ending. Not sure how many stories behind this trail. How many casualties? ... I knew people have died here but, then people have died hiking up Half Dome in Yosemite National Park too. I didn't have a faintest idea what it is ... I came to know only when I saw it! As I scrambled up I felt the width of the entire cliff was same as of my own hips! I am not saying I am 5ft wider but, the trail felt so narrow :)

And there it was ... the dead-end! felt like I was flying, scarry and open. This side or that side, it is more than 1000ft fall. I couldn't stand there for long. The view was great but not making me comfortable. I was seeing the bright white-silvery clouds changing to black and purple in an instant as if they had some personality disorder. Last thing I wanted to see was that cruel smile of nature again ... the lightening. I had to start going down ... and I did. Scrambling down that 1/2 mile was much more scarier than going up. I slid at one place and I froze for a moment. I sat there for some time to breathe normally again. Love for life is great I thought. And also death is scarier. I felt left out and pushed my way staggering carefully down. For the first time in life, a short lived thought of loneliness passed my mind ... My spirit of "I am alone but not lonely" shook a bit ... till I reached the Scout's Lookout. Then, what the heck ? I did it! Woo Hoo!

I sat there to drink some water. And I heard "hey stranger, you made it ?" I turned back and I see the stranger who got off the bus with me for this hike. A tall, fit, fat-less, heavily sweating, no shirt ... so on ... he was really HOT ... I said "yeah, I did". He had finished the hike a while ago and was relaxing ... He asked me back "still alive?" and I replied "I guess so, I am talking to you". Even later, on the hike, twice again he passed me and every time "hey stranger" conversation went on ... nice huh ? :) See you are not alone ... there are many others too who are alone :) And such strangers bring us out of emptiness to a stable ground.

Coming back was very interesting ... every other turn there was at least a couple or a family asking about "How was the hike?" or "How difficult it is?" or "Is it true what others say?" ... so on ... Yeah ... Life ... I took the shuttle back to the Visitor Center and started walking to the Watchman Campground. By now the clouds were dark and their dark shadow was all over. And so there was that tungsten line of electricity ... which melted the dark coulds over the National Park. It rained and rained all the night. My small tent was shivering against the blowing wind and the rattling sound of rainfly wasn't pleasant. Over that the heavy relentless rain-drops hitting on the nylon. The light of the lightening was intense and sound of thunders was very loud. But, the performance of my little MSR Hubba Solo tent was great. Not one drop of rain water inside! Even though it rained so heavily it was warm!

Whole night I was wondering the last 1/2 mile to Angels Landing. Did Angels really land there ? weren't they scared ? Or just crazy we climb it up ? ... unapproachable piece of Earth! ... now in my memory!

Zion : A Peaceful Sanctuary

2009-09-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

4th to 6th Septemeber 2009

It seems this year Zion National Park completes 100 years ! It was first called Mukuntuweap National Monument before it became a national park. The meaning of Mukuntuweap is straight canyon. I believe Zion means a peaceful or a perfect place ! Yes, indeed it is ! This is my second visit to Zion National Park, first being driving through it. The high standing cliffs made me feel like I was in Yosemite painted in red ! With this visit I fell in love with this place and will return again to the River Virgin !

When I visited Zion NP last time I didn't have much time to spend in there. I was awestruck by the soaring towers of monoliths and the incredible canyons. That moment I had decided I will return back. I did some research on the park later and I couldn't wait anymore. And so I was going there ... again ... The plan was to spend 3 days in Zion, with two major hikes and some touristy things. The flight to Las Vegas was eventless. But, due to long weekend rental cars had long lines ... even after finishing the paper work at the counter, I had to be in a long line for the car. Anyway, I got one ... PT Cruiser again ! I did some groceries shopping at WalMart Supercenter and headed to Utah ...

I was all excited about the hikes and photography ... As I entered Utah I could see the pinkish, purple-ish dark clouds melting and descending back to Earth ... ufff ... thunderstorm ... and I could see the lightnening ... all over ... it was bit scarry ... the crucked lines of electricity seemed like cruel-wicked laughter of the nature. I was jumping at every lightening and thunder as I passed through the storm. It rained heavily and then everything was clam and cool ...

It was breezy when I reached the Watchman Campground. There were tents everywhere. After pitching the tent I had a peaceful sleep. Next day, I went for Angels Landing hike. Still the nature was showing her wickedness. It rained heavily all afternoon and night. I could hear the 'tap tap tap' of raindrops on the rainfly of my tent. The sweeps of wind brought more raindrops and a bit of chill. In the morning I started for the tour of the park. I took the shuttle from visitor center. Went for Riverside walk. It is a pleasant two miles RT walk along the Virgin river. It is a paved trail with wildflowers lining the trailside.

Emerald pools, is a 2.6 loop steep uphill and then steep downhill hike. The pools might be great during spring. In September, it was nothing but a dirty ditch. Pa'rus trail, is a bicycle trail which gives access to the river. It also has great views of the canyon. It is very exposed and I found only ground lizards other than me on this trail at 2:00PM.

Drove east up to the Checkerboard Mesa. Very interesting landscape. Love the massiveness of this giant. Driving here through the tunnels is a wonderful experience.

Collected my backcountry permit for my Subway hike next day. By afternoon the silvery clouds turned into dark, malicious mass, as if they had MPD. I thought it would be nice to get a room in a nearby motel. I had to drive 30 miles to Hurricane. All the Motels near the park were full as it was long weekend. I can't believe that I paid $100 per night for a room at Travelodge ! But, hot shower after the hikes, AC when the outside temperature was 90F-100F, bed to sleep on ... felt good.

3rd day in Zion, I woke up very early in the morning. Prepared for my 10 miles RT backcountry out-and-back hike to Subway. I had seen the pictures on flickr and had heard so much about it and also about the flashfloods in the month of September. It was a hard hike of rock-hopping, river-walking, bush-whacking. It was a hike to remember. After the hike I appreciated the Travelodge and had a deep relaxing sleep.

Eureka Peak : Unexpected !

2009-08-24T07:56:00.000-07:00

23rd August 2009

After the Sierra Buttes hike I camped at Plumas-Eureka State Park with a meetup group. This group campground, called Camp Lisa, is wonderful. Hot water showers only for the group campground ! Nice hike, hot water shower, hot dinner and campmates with a lot of juicey stories felt very good :)

(Eureka Peak from trailhead at Eureka Lake)

Next day, I went for Eureka Peak hike with the group. It was quite fast paced and was uphill. Since all in the group was in kind of competition and so all in the group were almost running. Anyway, so we finished the hike soon :) The hike from the Lake is only 3 miles loop. But, the road to the lake from the paved parking is around 1.3 miles. Me and my carpool did not want to drive on dirt road and so the hike became around 6 miles. Longer the hike is better for me.

(Sierra Buttes as seen from 'false' Eureka Peak)

There were two unexpected things which happened on this hike. First, the hike as wasn't easy as eating a banana (as we thought). Second, the camping organizer Sekhar, whom we used to think is A Lazy Old Man, was almost flying uphill like Batman and the three Amazon Women (my carpool) were having trouble keeping up with him. Why not ? they had walked 1.5 miles more than rest of the people. So, he commented "Retired Amazon Women". Crazy !

(Eureka Lake from Eureka Peak)

Anyway, back to the hike ... On the loop trail, it is relentless uphill climb either way. There are two peaks here on the this trail. We need to scramble on lose-sharp rocks to be on top of both. While climbing down these peaks I was praying that I wouldn't slide and fall on those razor sharp rocks. The way back was easy and fast.

Great short hike :)

Sierra Buttes : A long time wish !

2009-08-23T23:29:00.000-07:00

22nd August 2009

Two years ago I had read the article on Sierra Buttes when I was checking for interesting hikes around Lakes Basin Recreation Area. I climbed up Mt Elwell then but I couldn't go for Sierra Buttes hike. Disappointed, I saw them from far standing high to dominate the whole landscape around. And now I did it ! One more PEAK out of the list :)

When I saw meetup group has organized a camping meetup at Plumas-Eureka State Park I thought I could go for this hike. After few email exchanges, managed to get interested party to hike with and a carpool. Plan was to drive Saturday early morning from Bay Area, drive 5 hrs to the trailhead, hike and then reach the campground which is an hour drive from the Sierra Buttes trailhead. And so we 4 women (Dominique, Carina, Laura and me) started ! Thanks to Laura for driving safe both ways in her Honda Element.

We parked at the trailhead took some rest for few minutes. It was breezy in the hot afternoon. We started on Pacific Crest Trail. The trail is pretty easy. It goes steady uphill and flattens a bit before the final ascent. But, somehow we missed the way and hiked down towards (but not to) Tamarack Lakes and then climbed the steep uphill trail to reach the proper Sierra Buttes trail. That made our hike a bit strenuous :)

At a view point we have this view of Young America Lake and Tamarack Lakes. So very beautiful. After few pictures here we proceeded to reach the 4WD road to reach the base of the lookout.

At each switchback of this road there is a view point, the crags make best subjects for pictures.

The only wildflower at this time of year !

Base of the lookout and start of the steel ladders ! Nice experience to climb the partially hanging ladders while the wind is blowing !

The Upper and Lower Sardine Lakes from the lookout.

Happy, contended faces on the way down ... Laura, Carine and Dominique.

Sundial Bridge : Beauty of its own

2009-08-05T06:28:00.000-07:00

26th July 2009

Mid-summer, NorCal, Redding ... the thought comes to my mind is HEAT ! But, there are many other things to think of :) Like Sundial Bridge at the convention center.

It was hot afternoon, the temperature reading was 100+ F that day. I went down straight down to the river. The shade and the cool of the river was soothing and I took this picture ! Should go there again when the light is perfect !

Burney Falls : Queen of Waterfalls

2009-08-02T22:33:00.000-07:00

26th July 2009

Magnificent and one of my very favorite phoenomenon of nature which is uncomparable ... Burney Falls at McArthur-Burney State Park. I had been there earlier but, it is a place where I want to go back to. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in California. It is very easily accessible and so as the hours pass by you will find crowds of crowds.

The underground springs fill the Lake Britton and then flow down to create this majestic falls. The waterfalls flows at the same rate year around even in hot summer. The force at which the water falls creates so much of mist and gives the waterfalls a dreamy look. Mystical ...

Lassen Again

2009-07-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

24th and 25th July 2009

The nostalgic trip down the memory lane was the waterfalls Paradise-Columbia River Gorge which made me go for some more waterfalls ! Visited Lassen Volcanic National Park for third time ! Just to shoot the Kings Creek Falls. The plan was to cover Mill Creek Falls too, but some how every time that doesn't happen :( Recently I have gone all alone for most of the trips. I thought of finding people to go with me this time. So, I called for a meetup and was joined by three other photographers, but not hikers !

We started from Bay Area at 2:00PM expecting to arrive at National Park by sunset. But, Friday traffic added three more hours to the five hour drive and so we were ready to hit the sleeping bags ! The sky was clear and the stars were numerous ... the sky looked like a black veil studded with diamonds. The darkness smelled cold. Next day, plan was to start by 5:00AM for sunrise and some reflections and the group was ready by 4:50AM !?! And we witnessed a gorgeous sunrise. It was worth all the planning, parting with that early morning delicious deep sleep ... and for all that effort we appreciated the miracle of that sunrise.

The dawn was dark with a tinge of red in it ... with seconds it changed to dark orange and then shades of red and bright orange ... with the light that sun brought with him the landscape opened up ... the mountain with a little snow patch on it ... the road we drove on to reach this spot ... the green of the trees ... the rocks and then ... it was morning ... I took few pictures ... but for me witnessing that scene was enough ... I could hear other photographers clicking and talking about HDR ... exposures ... polarizer and so on ... but for me , the spectacle of the sunrise that mattered !

We headed to Lake Helen as planned ... for the reflection of Lassen Peak on the silvery morning waters of the lake. But, the ripples in the water were already active ... So what ? it still makes beautiful picture ! Early morning lakeside was a great feeling. I have done this so many times but still every time it feels so refreshing. Early morning in the absence of the crowd this place looks so surreal and so out of the world.

After having a brief breakfast we headed to the kings creek falls. The trail was as steep as a rocky ladder ... the small clouds of dust raised as the group walked kicking the ground. Kings Creek, even in late July was flowing full, fast, twisting and wild. The cascades had full power and roar. Going down the steep rocky steps was a bit of challenge as we had to carry few expensive and heavy stuff on our back and also with our hands. The thing about American creeks is that they carry melted snow over the granite rocky beds and so the water is always white and the pools are blue. In India, or any nation with high rainfall, the streams and rivers carry a lot of mud with the heavy flow and hence the water is brown. They have their own earthy beauty.

At times the companions are a challenge. While two youngsters chattered nonstop, another did quietly his own thing. People join even when they donot have interest in half the things planned. Like, people want photoshoot but not the hiking involved. So, the cribbing and commenting was going on. And some patiently suffer. Well, in a group it happens, stick to your plans !! I went on hiking up the rocky trail while my back painfully ached under the weight of my backpack. Sun was quite strong on us.

In my opinion, people are excited to see something different than what we usually see. Just something like Bumpass Hell in Lassen. At least for me it is so. The ladscape opens up something amazing like acidic, hot blue pools, boiling mud pots, boiling lakes is something interesting to see. But surprizingly, my group thought otherwise ! Anyway, everybody has their own preferences and differences :) Sun was hovering right above our heads and the sulphur in the air wasn't pleasing either. Landscape was amazing again !

After the hard, hot day there was no possibility for soft bed or long shower. While others took rest in their tents I went for a short walk but, with each passing hour the number of mosquitoes was increasing. They were not much but, enough to take away your peace. I wasted no time in closing my eyes and falling into deep sleep. With that the idea of shooting star trails was forgotten.

Both ways we had food at Subway ... unlike my last few other trips where I had dinner with highest percent of grease at either Chinese or Thai restaurants, or Indian if we happened to find one ! Oh I was so hungry and I ordered a footlong ... I could not take a bite of that 7th inch of bread !? But, at that moment I wanted to eat spicy channa batura (deep fried Indian bread with spicy chickpea curry), or Malabar parotha and kurma (layered Indian bread with spicy vegetable curry) or strawberry shortcake, coffee icecream etc ...

Columbia River Gorge : A Waterfaller's Paradise

2009-07-09T21:13:00.000-07:00

2nd to 5th July 2009

More pictures here :) More to come.

Being a cancerian I love water. I like the sound of it, I like the look of it though I rarely get into it. I can spend hours looking at the waves of ocean and listening to the music they create. Same with the waterfalls. The flowing water inspires me. It flows through all the obstacles, rocks, trees, mud or dirt. It finds its way through and in time carves everything the way it wants. I keep checking waterfalls pictures on the net which is my favorite passtime. Specifically waterfalls of North-West which are considerably easier to reach. What excited me was Columbia River Gorge in Northern Oregon. And Independence Day weekend was fast approaching and so :) When you have a destination and when you have a plan then you should not wait. Just do it ! That is my attitude :)

Multnomah Falls

From San Jose I took a flight to Portland. It was very hot. At rental car station an older sweet man asked me if I were a student. When I told him that I was there to visit the gorge he said "Dear, you have come on the hottest day!" At Safeway I did some groceries shopping for next 4 days. It felt little amusing, every employee of Safeway who came across me wished me "Good Morning" and smiled as if they knew me for some time. I am not saying Safeway-employees at Sunnyvale, Santa Clara are not friendly, but none have wished me a Good Morning :) And then I started driving to Colombia River Gorge. My first stop was at Bridal Veil falls. While looking around for the trailhead I started a short conversation with a senior lady. Every time when she referred me, she said "Honey" with a sweet concern, which made me feel so sweet !:)? With that I didn't feel that I was away from home and I was a foreigner !

Bridal Veil Falls

Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area is a stretch on the Historic Columbia River Highway and nearby are few State Parks, picnic areas and campgrounds. This highway is narrow and at the bridges it is very narrow. Few waterfalls are visible from the road and some need hiking steep uphill trails. On any trail, you will find several beautiful waterfalls or cascades every now and then. Hiking up to each waterfalls is so refreshing. Multnomah Falls is an Icon. It is the symbol of Columbia River Gorge. Anybody visits the gorge will atleast see this waterfalls and eat the fudge at the visitor center. On the other hand, there are much aloof and mysterious waterfalls like Metlako where you want to some how reach them. Punchbowl is as refreshing as a fruit punch on a hot summer day. On the trails I met people. One lady even hiked with me. Telling about the hikes to several waterfalls, how are the names of these waterfalls pronounced, where which bridge is broken, and some obscure stories where I just nodded without understanding, stories of her friends from Portland and so on ... She was surprised to know that I was alone by myself ... that came from California ... hiking and camping ... She asked me for tips and said she might try as well ... Yey ...

Wahclella Falls

To get good pictures I had to be there at waterfalls before Sun rose a bit high up the horizon. As these waterfalls are quite high sunlight could reach them early in the morning. My days started as early as 4:30AM. I camped at Memaloose State Park, which is a wonderful campground on the banks of Columbia River. Long evening walks along the river and watching the sunset in solitude was wonderful. Only problem with this campground was the distance from the gorge. Around 50 miles. I wandered around in the gorge area like a waterfalls maniac. I visited most of them. I may go back again for better pictures of few waterfalls.

Hike to Wahclella Falls was memorable. I started my hike at 6:00AM. It is a short 1 mile hike in the thick green forest. The trail runs all along the Tanner Creek. It was too early in the morning and I didn’t see any other car parked and realized the whole trail was reserved only for me. As I hiked I was experiencing the pure nature … cool refreshing morning air … welcoming music of the water … the leaves spluttered with the moving breeze … it sounded as if Ents were whispering “here we have company” … I stopped at places to inhale more and more of that fresh air … feeling greedy that I may not get this air once I was on Hwy-84 … The trail went a bit of downhill and the whole view opened up … there was the magnificent waterfalls … So big and so much of force … white surfing water … it looked like an elated angel … if there is any paradise then this place has to be part of it. Photographing this waterfalls wasn’t easy or I would say I didn’t get a good shot at all as this angel was throwing a big cloud of mist at me and my camera every second. I sat there soaking myself in that mist and enjoyed it the most. That was a spirit reviving feeling. Words can only say part of the experience :)

Tripple Falls

But, there are times where you feel a need for a buddy. I felt, once for a change, especially when I was about to wade into the Oneonta Gorge. In fact, I was so enthusiastic about this small adventure and had prepared a lot. I had heard at places the water would be waist high for an average American. So, I thought for me, who is short even in Indian standards it would be chest or neck high. So had a waterproof bag for my photo-gear. As I started to go towards the tunnel I heard paramedics and someone being rescued. I kind of got me off. Next day, again I went there. As I approached the gorge parking I saw paramedics already busy and another big ambulance coming with 2 van-full of officers. Ahhh!! what a luck ? I was on a trip, not on a survival contest that I had to win. At times the beloved milky, misty, romantic, cold water might turn into a cold hearted murderer. But, I will go again :) Already one semi-stranger (a flickr-buddy) has already promised to join me.

Hiking Eagle Creek historic trail was great. I went up to Punchbowl this time. Next time I will go up to Tunnel Falls. The front view of the Punchbowl Falls is mesmerizing. I was standing the stream feeling the water moving. It kind felt like a long unnamed unexplainable thing is sliding down from the cliff to reach me. The muted colors of the rocky bowl makes this waterfalls just wonderful. But everything has a price. In the excitement of shooting the waterfalls I dropped my polarizer into the water. Water level there was higher than knee level. Still I dipped my head completely with open eyes in the hope of finding it. I found it ! When I picked it upthere was only the ring my hand. So, I paid an expensive Hoya ... At Startvation Creek I paid the remote shutter release ... Quite an expensive trip huh ?

I drove over Mt. Hood Scnic byway. Magnificent Mt Hood stood so much dominated the landscape there. Granite partially covered in snow looked like devil hidden behind the haze. Last day before heading home I visited Oregon Gardens at Silverton. Huge garden with lots of flowers, yeah gardens are always full of flowers :) It was very sunny and the walk in the fields of daisies kind of got me headache.

Best part of the trip was over, then comes the time for misadventures. I was done with Oregon Gardens a bit earlier than I thought. Drove to Portland and had a great meal by then it was dark. I thought I might get an earlier flight so, returned the rental car without even checking. After standing in the long line to check-in I learned that no flight had a seat for me and I had to wait, wait at airport in the night. There were few more people like me so I thought it was okay, just for 3-4 hrs I don't have to hire a cab, and rent a motel room. I saw that couple, an Indian woman and a white man. They were going to Seattle. While the guy stared at the laptop screen the woman read a book. Don't know why they kept on changing their seats in the lounge. Every time the woman dragged all those heavy suitcases in 2-3 trips while the guy only carried his precious laptop. At last they dragged two more chairs to make sleeping arrangements. Looking at them few others too did the same and felt comfortable.

I might have dozed off ... I woke hearing some loud voices ... Walking on those cool, green shaded trails, getting drenched in the mist of those dreamy waterfalls, long evening walks along the Columbia river at sunset was over. The other reality of travel was here ... COPS !!! They asked all of us if were travelling that morning. They were checking if there were any jay-sleepers. They found two out of nine people though !! When I realized that all the people in there were not passengers I couldn't sleep.

I was sitting there at the airport lounge and was thinking ... My brother says I am addicted to travel. My Mother says I am destined to travel. My colleagues who know me less say that I am not married so I travel. My Father says do whatever you like :) So, why do people travel ? What makes a traveler different than a tourist ? Why do I get into some misadventures ? What is that between me and airport that always I have something to remember?! Then, I was at Gate 12. All I needed was 2 hrs of sleep. I looked around ... Monday morning ... almost all the passengers there were commuting executives may be ? In fresh, neat clothes. Fresh faces enjoying coffee and muffins while their eyes were stuck on those laptop screens. May be they were checking emails, or getting prepared for their presentations, or meeting agenda, a demo ? or just looking at their family pictures on slideshow ? I was the only one sleep deprived, in wrinkled clothes, dirty hair and hungry. Ahhh how much I needed sleep. I remember getting into the plane and the seat #8A and then was woken up by the air hostess at San Jose airport !

I inserted the key in the keyhole and turned it with intense happiness, I am home !! There is nothing like coming home :) back to that routine ...

Point Reyes National Seashore

2009-06-19T09:05:00.001-07:00

6th and 7th June 2009

I had been to Point Reyes National Seashore few times. But, it was just a hike to Alamere Falls or to Tomales Point. Never happened to do any extensive exploring. So, I thought of taking a two days trip staying a night at hostel in there. When you have a plan why wait ?

Day-1 : Drove from Sunnyvale to Bolinas and started my hike to Alamere falls. Yes, I again I hiked to Alamere Falls, scrambling down to the beach. There was a group of youngsters ... they were engaged in their own fun ... eating, taking pictures of each other, playing frisbee, chasing one another and so on ... I leave it to your imagination ! It was a sunny afternoon and low tide so it was okay to sit there to relax. The waterfalls were looking great with the wildflowers lining the pools ... the experience there was like eating a chilled dish with honey and paprika :) The cool breeze, burning Sun and pleasant landscape !

After the hike I headed to the hostel. I spoke to the lady at the reception and she gave a tour over the hostel. About silent hours, how to use the bathroom in silent hours, about potential users of the bathroom, kitchen etiquette, different thrash bins, the process of cleaning the dishes used etc. The bed was clean and tidy, the bathroom was clean, the kitchen was clean, the patio was wonderful where I had my dinner and headed out to Lighthouse for some night photoshoot. It is a long drive on this mostly silent road. I saw herds of elks and deer ... many of them ... As usual you find the lighthouses at lands-end.

Sun was sinking on my right ... I waited looking at the lighthouse ... waited it to glow. Few people came and they went. I tried to talk to them and told them it would look great when the lighthouse glows. But, nobody seemed to buy my idea. They wished me luck and left. Now, I had the company of Sea Lions. I spent some time listening to their calls along with the zoom of the chilly wind. Then I saw slowly the lighthouse glowing ! It was wonderful ! When I walked to the parking I saw my car faintly glowing in the light of stars. I started driving towards the hostel. In the lonely night the distance seemed doubled and the those Historic Ranches looked ghostlier than ever ! I didn’t see even one car passing by. My thought was Point Reyes Lighthouse was a popular place and I was expecting a lot of crowd there on weekend. That is what travel throws at us … unexpected surprises ! Otherwise what is the point in traveling ?

When I reached the hostel back all other inmates were snoring. It was full and I felt it was over-crowded. But, it was right in the heart of Point Reyes National Seashore and was much better option than backcountry camping.

Day-2 : The next morning I headed out to Tomales Point and Abbott’s Lagoon hikes. It was so wonderful … the trails were lined with yellow lupines and the birds were singing all my way. Blackbirds, sparrows, California quails and few more birds were in abundance. I did some bird photography.

There was a meetup scheduled that day by East Bay photography at Duxburry reef specifically the tide pools. It was disaster as the tide came in earlier than expected. Instead of any tide pools I got few dead fish. Oh, well all the time meetups are not great. Sometimes I get a feeling that the whole day was just waste of time. Anyways, I am not here to complain about meetups But, next I had to make best use of my time. I spent sometime strolling on the Drakes Beach . The cliffs here are one of a kind and the way the waves crash on the beach makes a flowery design ! Also spent some time at McClures Beach. Last, I headed out to Inverness. Bought flavored soy milk and a big muffin, enjoyed the taste of both :) The Point Reyes boat was waiting for me at sunset. Ahhh … wonderful ! Sometimes the abandoned and useless things look so good and make such great pictures !

At the end of two days, I still felt I have so much to see there. I didn't visit Chimney Rock yet, I haven't strolled in North and South Beaches. I still have to be there at McClures Beach for that colorful Sunset, still have to visit sculptured beach. Eh ... there is no end :)

Waterfalls in Tahoe BMU

2009-06-05T20:37:00.001-07:00

22nd to 25th May 2009

On Memorial Day weekend I went camping near Fallen Leaf Lake. It was sometimes fun, sometimes stupid, sometimes solitude and always beautiful. I filled my days with wildflowres and waterfalls ...

I started from Bayarea on Fri at about 6:15PM to avoid traffic. We think so, in reality can you ? I had a long wait at the intersection of CA-237 and I-880. From Mission Blvd exit on I-880 to I-680 uptill Pleasanton I was driving in 10 mph. Later some more delay on I-580. Ahh ... I ran out of patience ... but then what to do ?

On Saturday, I thought I will try to climb Mt. Tallac. My idea was if there is a lot of snow then just go up to Cathedral Lake and return. The rest of the group was also doing the Cathedral Lake hike and so I planned to join them. It was a steady climb with lots of snow patches on the way. Mt. Tallac looked so dominant in the whole set up with carpets of snow on it. I made it up to the Cathedral Lake easily as most of us did. The group organizer had a loop hike planned, with Fallen Leaf trail as return trail. As I always say ... life throws unexpected situations ... Fallen Leaf trail turned out to be a nasty beast to beat ... very steep right down to the lake ... the trail was unmaintained, narrow, rocky and steep ... very steep. At the end of it I felt like my ankles and knees were dislocated. That was not enough we had to walk accross two waterfalls ! Not on the top or bottom ... right in the middle !! It was not very scarry but was of concern as the water was flowing with a considerable force.

On Sunday, the organizer had another ambitious hike from Lake Aloha to Lake Lily which I didn't join. Later in the day I came to know they had FUN. I have different definition for fun though. I went looking for waterfalls ... and I visited Upper and Lower Glen Alpine falls. Lower falls is on the roadside and much more beautiful.

For Upper falls a mile hike is required. We can see it from a distance. When I was at both falls everything was all me alone.

Then I went driving around Lake Tahoe, YES the 71 miles perimeter. Stopped at several State Parks. It was nice though not wonderful. The stops I would like to mention are Sand Harbor on Nevada Side Popes beach on California side. You know Emerald Bay and few other popular places ...

On Monday, I hiked down to Lower Eagle Falls. It was so beautiful. So much of water with so much of force gushing down sprinkling the mist all around ... I stood there like heavely angel in the mist. Everyone has their own fantasies :) It was fun standing there as the cloud of mist covering me. Unfortunately, it covered my camera too. It was just impossible to avoid the waterdrops on the lens.

On the way back I saw Horsetail falls from a distance ... It wasn't a great long weekend trip but, I am happy with my Glen Alpine Falls picture. And the experience of hiking down the Fallen Leaf trail was something :)

Zion National Park

2009-05-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

11th and 12th May 2009

It was a last minute dicision to visit Zion National Park. I didn't have much time to visit a National Park but, I had lot of time just to spend it on nothing :) So, I decided to go ... When I reached the park it was later in the day ... Sun was setting ... and in that golden light the gigantic rocky peaks and walls were looking so out of the world ... I was so happy about my dicision ! I kept on smiling to myself. The road here inside the park is so well maintained and it has so many varieties ... it winding uphill and then all downhill you enter so long tunnels ... tunnels have windows ... absolutely beautiful.

I drove around before I could settle for spending a night there. I was so excited to see such beauty around and I wanted to stay longer ... even when it was getting dark I simply drove around till the last ray of light was masked by the darkness of the night ... When I looked for campsite for the night stay, only I could get to see were "FULL" plaques. Then I drove a quarter of a mile out of the park and found a RV resort where I got a place to pitch my tent. It was fully equipped with flush toilets and showers which was a relief. I slept thinking about how to spend those very few hours next day in the park before driving to Las Vegas.

In Zion, we cannot drive to reach the viewpoints, we have to take the free shuttle and from the bus stop take a shot hike. I had time either to take one hike of few miles or take the shuttle ride to all the view points. I chose the later option as I was all worn out by my Grand Canyon hike, driving and so on. The only very short I took was to weeping rock. It was okay something different but I know Zion has mush more exciting places :) I am not posting any pictures :(

I will go back there ... very soon ... I already have plans :)

Wupatki Ruins and Sunset Crater

2009-05-27T15:51:00.000-07:00

10th May 2009

Wupatki National Monument wasn't a must see destination in my trip plan. I thought when I had some time between two important places I will check this out ... I exited Grand Canyon National Park from east side and drove down around 100 miles on Hwy 89 to Wupatki Ruins. Along the way it was amazing to see the changing landscapes of Arizona. Unimaginable ! At one place it is all red sand stone mesa, next few miles ashy boiling bubbles, or just red sand all around ...

To enter the National Monument I took a left on Scenic Hwy 545. It is around 39 miles on this scenic hwy which covers both Wupatki and Sunset Crater national monument before joining back to the Hwy 89 again. In Wupatki National Monument, there are three ruins which belong to three different tribes. Lomaki and Nalahiku seem to be smaller and there is hardly anything to see, but Wupatki pueblo is the largest and there is a $5 entrance fees.

When I was hiking at Lomaki ruins I saw a mountain boomer or common collared lizard. It was so sparking fluroscent green and was very swift. I was so exhausted of the heat in that place and my movements were very slow and since the lizard was startled by my presence it moved away in a second and vanished in the near by bush. No luck ... if it were 20 degrees less heat I would go behind it for a shot ... the heat was drying my fluids out and the energy along with it ... I returned feeling fortunate to have seen that colorful creature ...

Then I drove towards Nalahiku ruins. As I went around I saw the strong side winds. These are so unexpected ... I could sense it only with the sound it makes. 'chatt chatt chatt' ... all the bushes and trees on its way swayed at high force and a lot of sand and dust in the air ... rest of the place seemed still and unmoved. It was like an army of ghosts charging at something invisible ... I thought it would be nice to be inside the car than in an open place ... Not sure why did these tribes take all the pain of building something to live there ... such a harsh place with no water, no shade ... I can definitely understand the reason for them to abondon those pueblos and moving though :)

Made my way to the major attraction of the National Monument ... Wupatki pueblo ... surprisingly here there were no sidewinds ... in fact, there was nothing moving ... it felt like making the way through a block of hot dense still air ... after talking to a Ranger Officer at the Visitor Center I explored the ruins ... The booklet I picked up at visitor center explained the history and archeology of the place ...

I wondered the roads are so well maintained here ... and I saw many visitors ... In that unbearable heat people were discussing about the Hopi tribe and trying to understand and guess the reason why Hopi's might have left that big mansion ... I continued my journey towards Sunset Crater National Monument ... It is a protected area and hence we can only see the cinder from the bottom but, cannot hike up to see the crater. At one view point I saw painted dunes far way ... considering the direction, may be it was Painted Desert of New Mexico ... :)

All along the drive through this area I was blessed with the sight of Humphrey range. It is a view to behold. May be the Hopi tribe spent their days of despair watching this view. People who like history and appreciate archeology may like to visit Wupatki Ruins ... I like history and archeology but, sometimes I feel not so strongly ... if you are around this place then you can explore more ... driving 200 miles may not be ... well, this is just my opinion !

I was back on Hwy 89 now ... made my way up to Page ... after driving about 70 some miles ... the sky was becoming deep pink ... sign of setting Sun ... and when I glanced at my left ... I saw a Mustang ... may be there were few more as I could see light dust raising up ... I saw a lone brown mustang standing with the background of pinkish orange sky ... just like in fairy tales ... the tail lightly moving ... it was wonderful ... as if a wish come true ... It was Hwy and I could not stop for a picture ... but the picture of it is caught in the camera of my eye and is saved in my brain forever ... and so I would never forget this trip to Wupatki Ruins ...

Scenic Hwy 89A ...

2009-05-27T10:19:00.000-07:00

11th May 2009

After the fantastic photo tour at Upper Antelope Canyon I wanted to drive by myself to Lower Antelope Canyon to get some more pictures. But, I heard that the drive would be on a gravel road which I would never try alone. Now, the change of plan was to drive up to Zion National Park. And I took the Scenic Hwy 89A (alternate) instead of the Hwy 89. This hwy is the route to the North Rim of Grand Canyon.

I started ... I drove over all high rocky cliffs ... and few vehicles around ... Navajo women selling jewelry ... I stopped at the Navajo Bridge to see the mighty Colorado on its way to carve Grand Canyon. Actually Marble Canyon is the starting point of Grand Canyon. I sighted some condors with the help of a Novajo girl who is doing a research on these birds. I visited the NPS visitor center before I continued my journey towards Vermillion Cliffs ...

It was very scenic drive ... the red cliffs all along were so beautiful ... I was thinking ... the world is so beautiful ... notice it ... I was wondering how many cliff dwellers were hidden there ... far away and far up in the cliffs ... would their souls still linger around ? ... and then I reached the Cliff Dwellers ... There was one car and a Navajo man with the jewelry shop and there was another car with a young couple who were tourists ... I took pictures of those weird looking rocks and the abodes ... and the young couple left ... I lingered around still trying to take shots of some more cliffs in different angles ...

Truth of travel is always unexpected ... I started to realize that the Hwy was scenic indeed but it was extremely lonely too ... miles and miles together I didn't see any traffic except that a ruined truck behind me ... it was a bit of concern ... then it was a one lane road so ... with the sheer force of will I continued ... As I entered the Kaibab National Forest I saw few more cars parked at a view point ... may be they were coming back from North Rim. I too stopped at that view point to see the view of the cliffs and the road I drove all the way ... and the truck went away ...

As I drove, I noticed completely different landscape now ... there were no cliffs and there was no barren red anymore ... it was all green trees and black volcanic rocks ... but the loneliness on the road lingered along ... At Jacob Lake I filled gas ... it was nice to see people around for once ... and a hotel ... This is the place where the road forks into North Rim Parkway. I continued with my journey ... drove past Fredonia ... entered Utah ... passed Kanab ... the landscape again changed ... the red in the landscape returned ... the cliffs looked much rocky and much higher and there were bushes around. The presence of green made the earth look much cooler ...

When I had started my road trip, my first and foremost hope was to experience the freedom of travel solo ... and I did ... it was total freedom ... I felt the peace and knowledge i was looking for ... I felt like a new person. With a I sigh of satisfying exhaustion I turned left on to UT-9 towards Zion National Park ...

Antelope Canyon

2009-05-18T22:07:00.001-07:00

11th May 2009

More PICTURES :)

My another small wish among those of my millions of little wishes ... to photograph Antelope Canyon with these precious sunrays ... It happened to be very easy I must say ... that's all I can tell you at this moment.

Situated in Arizona, Antelope Canyon is accessible only through the guided tours. The guided tours are available from Page. We cannot explore by ourselves taking our own sweet time. We will have an hour or two hours and half depending on the type of the tour we take ! So, I had booked for a photography tour, morning time and so I had two-and-a-half hours. I had seen this slot canyon in the pictures on Flickr and other image galleries. I was exhaustingly enthusiastic about this photo-tour. My idea of visiting places is to enjoy, feel and be satisfied with my visit there, not to cover so much in one day running around everywhere, clicking some artless photos in a hurry, without enjoying anything in the process. So, I had a very relaxed schedule, right time allotted for photo-shoot.

To reach the mouth of the canyon we have to ride a desert vehicle. It had 8 high rising wheels on that an open truck, with secure railings for us to hold while seated. After all of us boarded the truck roared into life and once we were in the permit area the strange looking truck moved with a considerable speed and force, made its way through the desert of red sand. It was a wonderful ride along the way to see were the red rocks ... We entered the canyon and I was so disappointed to see a canyon filled with people. But, then these guides are clever ... they co-ordinate the groups very well that everybody gets a chance to shoot people free pictures.

So, at every photo-point we set up our camera and people were moved away so that we could take pictures. At the first such point, I set up my camera wondering what is it ? As the faint beam of sunlight entered and slowly grew stronger, I was so excited, after few minutes it fainted away. Words in black and white cannot explain my emotion at that time, I was so happy that I witnesed it. I took pictures over and over and each picture looked more beautiful. I was the only one in that group of professional photographers (which I am not) who is short and had a super wide angle lens. I was always placed in the front row and it made me feel good.

I took some time to feel the place, I looked so small in the whole setting, I walked in the narrow slots with the canyon walls raising so high beside me, seeing it at all angles, I felt really attached to this place. The place is so photogenic ... so cool ... and I wished I had more time to spend here ... In two-and-a-half hours I barely got the taste of it … it was time to go back … I had a last sight of it and were heading back on that strange looking truck … the 10 minutes of desert safari was fun … got some free suntan also … I will go back there very soon …

Horseshoe bend

2009-05-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

10th May 2009

I have many little wishes ... one of them was to photograph this bend ... wonderful nature huh ? or amazing River Colorado ? The Colorado river winds much more than thousand miles (1,450 miles) while carving mysterious canyons and takes this magnificent bend ... This is another coolest creation of Mother Earth ! It looks so neat that River Colorado was determined to create a piece of art, with so much of precision she has carved this bend ... it almost looks like a circle !

When I was photographing this bend I had to stand on a red rock keeping my tripod on the tip of it, over the sheer cliff ... a thought passed my head ... that somebody mentioned ... Camera destroys your life !! I know camera makes you poor ... but when I was standing there, completely sunburnt skin, swollen lips due to sun burn, tired and looking shabby, on the edge of life and death, I realized what that someone meant ... if you analyze a bit more there is much deeper meaning to it ...

Lands of Canyons

2009-05-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

7th May to 10th May 2009

More pictures ...

It is my lifetime wish to go on road trips ... months and years ... like a nomad ... and till now it never happened ... not sure it will ever happen ... and so I went for just 6 days ... felt good ... had adventures and misadventures ... am sure I will go for many more ...

I had only 6 days of vacation as I mentioned earlier, from work including a weekend. Now-a-days we are forced to work on weekends and so weekend also seems to be a vacation :) The thought of going on a roadtrip itself was very exciting, though it was short. When I was sitting in the cab to San Jose airport I was smiling to myself ear-to-ear. The short flight to Las Vegas was okay. I saw the aerial view of snow capped Sierra-Nevada range and the Mono Lake beside. After that it was all barren lands of Nevada before I saw the Vegas Strip. When I was walking towards baggage claim I was looking at the picture showing a line of muscular men with pierced nipples and thought I will be long away from the insanity of very popular Vegas.

Okay, I started my roadtrip in a rented economy car ... I was so eager to reach the Grand Canyon and so drove fast. You know what happens if you drive fast huh ? You get an expensive speeding ticket. If you drive verrrrry fast then you get verrrrry expensive one ! So expensive that it is much more than the cost of the whole trip itself. Anyways, then the cop will say 'Drive safe' !

Then I was there at Grand Canyon National Park ... the magnificent work of art, of the rocks, the river and the time ... The Mather campground is good, like a small community. Except for that you are sleeping in the tent it almost feels like a village downtown. I didn't need a flash light to pitch the tent, the next day was full moon. Moon provided all the illumination ... Slept peacefuly pushing away the thought of speeding ticket ... I could see the cool moonlight through the tent.

I was eager to see the canyon and also had to hike down ... my plan was to go down to Plateau Point and back. I did it ... going down was very fast ... When I stood at the tip of the Plateau point my legs were shaking. The view down was good, I could see the mighty Colorado river which carved this amazing canyon and then diminished itself at the bottom of the canyon. Sun was burning me relentlessly as if he was on a mission to bake me like a potato in the furnace called Grand Canyon. Coming back up was a lot of effort. Every step I climbed I drank a sip of water. Backpack felt so heavy initially, later even clothes felt heavy. Sad part was ... that there were all old couples hiking along and were much faster than me. After reaching the trailhead I relaxed for some time eating pita chips with sea salt. My feet were in so much pain that I doubted my shoes were secretly and slowly eating my feet away. My skin looked like a black leather bag.

I waited to take few shots of sunset at Hopi point. People were lined up at the fence and I happened to sqeeze myself in and then opened up my tripod pushing people aside very gently, anyway there is something called 'excuse me' ... :) Everyone was clicking and clicking ... pictures of sunset, of sunset over the canyon, of their picture with sunset over canyon, with the sun and without the sun, with canyon without the canyon, solo, with family, with friends, hugging each other and not hugging, and so on ... I too did ... I wondered among those thousands of clicks what percent of the pictures were really good ? The haze of the Sun was over the canyon all the time from dawn to dusk. Now with Sun going down haze had made friends with darkness, whatever visible of canyon was not visible now. But still everyone clicked pictures. I felt funny when some tall guy (anybody stands beside me is tall) standing beside me with massive tripod mounted with Canon EOS-1D Mark (i or ii or iii) was complaining about his 24-105mm L lens that it is not performing well, he said "its all hazy". I silently said "Thanks for the new information".

I was so happy to be back at the campsite. Hot Madras Lentils (ready to eat packed Indian style curry from Tasty Bite) tasted divine. The ginger cookies were heavenly. I gave myself a foot massage. My feet were happy about it but instantly my back and arms protested. Well, I remember the soft moonlight through the tent before I was alseep in an instant thinking about the sunrise tomorrow. I slept like there is no more of a night to come !

Took the shuttle to Yavapai point early before dawn. As the Sun rose from horizon the golden light was partially illuminating the rocks. It was a sight to behold just like yesterday's sunset. But there were not many people around. If you have observed, always people prefer to watch a sunset than a sunrise. You can guess 'why?'. If you can't then you are a NERD. Sunset and sunrise looked the same ... only difference was the sun was on the east now. After few shots of sunrise and then taking few pictures for couples with their camera I returned to the campground for a shower and breakfast.

Today's plan was to visit every point mentioned on the map. I took red route first and then blue route points. I hopped in and hopped out of the shuttle. Looked around the gift shops selling Navajo tribal jewelry and artifacts. And then I reached the Bright Angel Point from where I had started my hike previous day. I thought I will be back here again and will backpack to Phantom Ranch soon. I walked up to the Lookout studio there and perched on a rock looking at the canyon. The shade of the wall was cool. Sitting there a little higher than the lookout fence gave me a great view of the canyon as well as people. It was a wonderful experience to be able to look at the canyon and also the tourists.

Far away I could see a temple not sure if it were of Brahma or of Buddha. I wondered if the ancient Navajo souls lived on these peaks ... just wondered if any soul is sitting on top of one of those numerous temples and watching us ... wondered what that good soul might be thinking looking at us ... will it be amused or angry ? ... Is it watching all of us tourists crazily taking pictures ? ... If it is watching then for how long ? ... I was sitting there for 2 hrs watching the canyon slowly sipping on the cold Starbucks coffee, little worried about 300 calories it contained and also munching on pita chips ... I watched the people ... there were all types ... in fact, tourists are crazy ... I don't think tourists are not the same people how they are in everyday life ... they behave a bit different ... since there is no one who knows them around ... As I sat there and watched, people took pictures of themselves with canyon in the background. The same routine with different faces ... in software world the canyon was a constant and faces were variables ...

Then I saw a condor flying. It perched on a small protruded rock on the face of a deep cliff. That magnificent bird looked so small in the hugeness of the canyon. It was free to fly from rim to rim or end to end of the canyon effortlessly. It sat there for a long time immersed in a deep thinking. It was a wonderful sight as it was my first sighting of this bird.

Today's sunset point was Mather Point ... again there were a lot of people ... more than the sunset, I was looking for the wonderful moonrise ... the time management today went a little wrong and I didn't have time to get back to my car to fetch my fleece jacket. It was getting cold ... the wind was blowing now ... the zoooooom buzz of the wind was soothing but the chill it brought along wasn't that pleasant ... the sunset crowd cleared ... it was completely dark ... I sat there curled up hugging my folded legs ... stomach was growling ... I sat there saying to myself 'few more mins' ... and after 30 mins the moon showed up ... I was so excited ... but none of the pictures seemed the way I wanted ... It showed my inexperience in night photography ... the harvest moon was rising up and up ... all disappointed I looked down and saw the telephoto lens sleeping in the bag ... and took a shot ... and it made me happy ... the yellowish moon with scars looked great and I asked Moon 'are you worth all this effort ?' ... not sure Moon heard me or could I hear his answer ...

Tonight Madras Lentils tasted okay. I slept looking at the moonlight through my tent ... planning the activities for t'row.

Today sunrise was at Yaki Point and a brief stop at Mather point. After a brief breakfast in the morning and packing, I drove along the desert view drive and then left the Grand Canyon National Park ... with the promise that I will return to camp at Phantom Ranch ... Till then ...

When someone leaves ...

2009-05-01T21:33:00.000-07:00

Many times we have heard this and also most of the times we wonder why is this ? ... Why do bad things happen to good people for no reason ? ... Why is life so uncertain ? ...

Today I received an email from the company I once worked for. It was a broadcasted email to convey the sad news of my ex-colleague's demise. I could not believe it for a moment ... after being in constant denial I had to accept it with damp eyes. He was a good person not at all old to die, who loved his little daughters. He would only help others through out his life with a smile. He is gone.

May his soul rest in peace ...

Elephant Seals at Ano Nuevo State Reserve

2009-04-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

25th April 2009

More pictures here.

Actually this was supposed to be my waterfalls weekend at Whiskeytown. But, my car was due servicing and I was a bit paranoid about driving another 600 miles on it. I was very disappointed to miss the waterfalls trip. Got the car serviced ! I wish I had some time to do it earlier :) Ahh no worries ... there is always something to do ... You know what ? When people say 'World is small' with whatever context I feel so funny ... world is big and I like it that way ! And so I made my way to Ano Nuevo State Reserve to see Elephant Seals. The reserve is open from 8:30Am to Sunset and there is a $7 parking fee.

The best time to visit the reserve is December to March, as the males will be performing at their best to get the female attention to mate and so days will be filled with action ... Now in April, mating is over, seals are taking rest. The pups are adorable and they are sleeping shhhh !

The way these seals get into and get out of water is fun to watch.They drag their heavy bodies one foot at a time and then move with the waves. They went in chocolate brown covered with all mud and sand on them and came out black and clean. They look dark when they are wet.

Most of the seals I saw were female or juvenile. There was one young male little far way. The big nose was very prominent. Most of the pups were moulting. You see the patches of the skin missing around the eyes and back ?

The reserve is very well maintained and both view points, South Point and Beight Beach, are guarded. The gaurds answer any questions visitors have. They are there all the time watching the seals. One way of recognising them is, they were a red jacket with a smile or a grin on their face. Another way is by behavior, they do not do 'ooh ahh' 'so cute' 'look at that guy' routine or they will not be clicking photos.

The 3 miles out-and-back hike was great. The scenic coast was irresistable. I sat here on the bench to have my lunch watching the waves and rocks.

Wildflowers were at bloom everywhere. The long grass infested with wildflowers swaying with the wind, like some group dance was going on with music being the sound of wind. California poppies were mostly bright yellow here unlike the deep orange usually they are. Indian paintbrush added a red to the colorful atmosphere there.

The reserve is fantastic and worth $7 and the drive on CA-84 ! (I drove there from Sunnyvale).