Summer monsoon

The final instalment of my images from Southlake, Texas, in June 2023. The Kirkwood Branch was swollen and muddy, and although I could see a trail on the other bank, I had no temptation to wade across. I knew if I stayed on this side and kept walking, I would eventually find the Big Guy at whatever spot along the […]

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Sunset and shadows

During our coastal trip in mid November, our rented house was just off Highway 1 in Mendocino County, and we had been told that Manchester Beach was only “a short walk” away. I could see the ocean from our front window, so even though it was already 4:30 in the afternoon I decided to take a stroll and discover whatever […]

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Mendocino meandering

When I arrived at my chosen trailhead on this mid November morning, the “steam” vapor was still rising at 10:30 a.m. I was eagerly looking forward to exploring an unknown path; I’d actually checked this spot out on an earlier trip but only managed to get a short way before time forced me to turn back. Today I had plenty […]

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An unexpected detour

How is it possible that it’s been nearly three years since I last hiked at Doton’s Point, on Folsom Lake’s north fork? I can’t believe so much time could have passed already — but it was high time for me to get back out there. Or at least I thought so, until I arrived at Granite Bay and found Park […]

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Salmon Falls pine forest

Standing atop the hill some half mile from the Falcon Crest parking area, I can look down toward Folsom Lake and see another path (Brown’s Ravine Trail) that meanders through a stand of pine trees. I’ve visited this spot several times over the past few years and it remains one of my favorite viewpoints; with impressive ridges rising 1200ft/365m both […]

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Sacred spaces

I found so many amazing sights during my visit to Mission Dolores in San Francisco. Although I did have some trouble finding my way to the site of this landmark in the Mission District, once I arrived all that was forgotten; I wandered through the original mission, the “new” basilica — completed in 1918 — and the attached cemetery. Although […]

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Farewell to Flagstaff

My last group of pictures from our overnight stop in Flagstaff last June includes images from late afternoon on the forest path as well as a couple of views of the area which I shot the next morning. The scene outside our hotel room balcony was so welcoming that it was extremely tempting to stay over another night! But we […]

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Old Pacific Heights

I may have posted similar views of some of these Pacific Heights houses before, but I never get tired of gazing at this turn-of-the-century architecture — steep gables, enthusiastic gingerbread, rounded turrets, and vast covered porches. Even some of the less ornate structures exude a certain historic charm, especially when contrasted with the modern buildings surrounding them. Very few of […]

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