Hiking Pinnacles National Park
Spotting condors soaring the peaks of Pinnacles.
Recently camped a few days at the “new” Pinnacles National Park. Towering rocks, good hiking trails, big and dark caves to crawl through, blue sky, lots of condor pairs soaring high above the peaks. Turkeys stay up late and get up early in the mornings. Camping is pretty plain but there are flush toilets, which the mice appreciate. Not a light but the moon and not a cell tower for miles. Didn’t mind the mice but missed the Wifi/cellular.
Meeting My Travel Muse
I discovered Arthur Frommer via his “Europe on $5 a Day” while trying to find a room in Paris in 1972. He has been my travel muse ever since. I would rather leave my underwear home than my Frommer guides. Recently I got to meet the man who ignited my love for travel and influenced how I travel. Arthur was a speaker at the LA Times Travel Show. I still have my original Frommer Guide and brought it along for his signature.
Wisconsin Dining and Driving
Freighthouse Restaurant in
La Crosse, WI
Winter in Wisconsin would not top the list for most travelers, but that is where I find myself in November. Weather varies from evenings of snow flurries and 27degrees or less to sunny days of 46 degrees. I prefer the sunny days. I left home in California temps of 80. Snow is nice to behold but that’s about it.
Playing “name that road kill” Read more…
Scarecrow Festival in Cambria
It’s a wonderful time of the year in Cambria. Even though our temperatures are record highs this month, it is still ideal weather for coastal inhabitants. The foggy weather of summer has abated and given way to blue skies, cool nights, and best of all, our annual Scarecrow Festival.
During this month-long festival, local businesses and clubs go all out on ingenuity and artistry to create their scarecrow. Situated throughout East and West Village and along Moonstone Beach, over 350 displays range from Scary Habits (four nuns and a priest), Fess the Elephant Seal, Curtis the pumpkin poacher, Carmen Miranda, the Cycling Scarecrows (who actually are cycling), and a wonderful display of The Lion Witch and Wardrobe.
Lots of tourists in town and all busy taking photos of the scarecrows. And why not? It’s another gorgeous, perfect day in Cambria.
Sponsored by the Cambria Historical Society, you can find more information and a gallery of photos at: Cambria Scarecrow Festival | Cambria Historical Society.
For additional photos of scarecrows, visit my Cambria page for a 9-minute movie highlighting the 2011 festival.
PADOVA AND VICENZA – MEDIEVAL CELEBRATIONS
Clock Tower of Piazza dei Signori
9 June – Padova
For about the price of a glass of wine, I ride the punctual high-speed train with aria condizionata, electrical plug and WiFi to Padova. Entering what has been earthquake country since 20 May with a 6.0 and a 5.8 on the 29th. Centuries-old buildings are beautiful to behold, but shake them with a major quake and see them fold. I hope my hotel has been retrofitted. Read more…
TRIESTE – A CITY TO LOVE
Author James Joyce, past resident of Trieste
8 June – Trieste (aka Trst)
Arrived into the lovely port city of Trieste, just across the neck of the Istria Peninsula. What a difference a few miles make! The architecture is Hapsburg, the port is prosperous, sea breeze is cool, and streets are filled with activity. I walk about enjoying beautiful facades in the piazzas, climb the steep steps to the Castello di San Giusto, and then trudge back to one of many restaurants along the Canal Grande for a pasta dinner. Read more…
D’ANNUNZIO’S ITALIAN REGENCY OF CARNARO
Fiume or Rijeka – once a cruise destination
6 June – Rijeka Croatia AKA Fiume to the Italians
I start my day on “my bench” along Lake Bled. Mama duck and her 12 fuzz balls rest along the shore while two lusty swans create waves. They hiss at little helpless ducks yet squeak at each other. The crews are out practicing their rowing. I refrain from more photos of my gorgeous surroundings. Bled is idyllic and I hate to leave but Rijeka beckons – site of the first torpedo factory in the world. Read more…
Cambria Weather
CambriaMay 20, 2013, 6:03 pm
77°Freal feel: 80°Fhumidity: 29%wind speed: 13 mph NWsunrise: 5:56 amsunset: 8:06 pmPat’s Place
