until suburbia!

A Story of Petrification. Sign at the entrance of the Petrified Forest in Calistoga.

See Petrified in Wine Country, Petrified Forest

January 6, 2017February 2, 2025Silvia

We went to Calistoga as kind of a pre-Christmas treat. One thing I know is that I have to come back! First, I did not get to try out the famous mud bath, (maybe I wasn’t ready for it?), the wine tasting rooms looked cosy and the lunch we had at the Culinary Institute was divine!

What we did do was go and see the Petrified Forest.

Over 3 million years ago a volcano erupted and covered the nearby redwoods in ash. Mineral rich water seeped down and the silica replaced the cells and made huge trees into fossils.

We did the self-guided tour that showed us not only the petrified woods, but also some other current trees, like the beautiful red barked manzanita.

This was a fun excursion, and I would recommend it to anyone visiting the wine country. Admission was a bit pricy, adults $12, Juniors $8, but we did have fun outdoors.

If you are looking for an interesting stay they also offer a vacation rental.

Have you ever seen petrified wood?

Welcome the Long-Distance Travelers, Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz

December 30, 2016February 2, 2025Silvia

The migration path of the monarch butterflies is quite amazing. They are the only insects that migrate to places that are 3,000 miles away. From October to January the monarchs visit the Bay Area. Last week I named Ardenwood, the historic farm in Fremont, as one of the places you can see monarchs.

Another special place to see them is the Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz. They created a boardwalk for people to observe and learn about the butterflies. For some reason the clusters are at Lighthouse Field State Beach, two miles away from the Natural Bridge State Beach.

In an eucalyptus tree hundreds of them bundle together and warm each other. They look like brown leaves, but when it gets warmer they start flying off. The monarchs need a temperature of over 55F to be able to fly.

Some monarchs live for only four to six weeks, while others live six to eight months and have to fly really far to escape the cold weather. What is amazing is that the fourth generation returns to the places the first generation came from.

Have you seen a cluster of monarchs before?

Entrance to Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont

See a Historic Farm, Ardenwood Historic Farm

December 23, 2016February 2, 2025Silvia

Sometimes I feel it’s worth to remember that we have an easy life. We can go to the store and buy whatever we feel like – even fruit and vegetables that are not in season.

If we just step back in time about 150 years, we can see that it was actually hard work to get food on the table.

The Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont is a great exhibit of early farm life, livestock and local history.

They have cute signs in front of the coops and stalls to teach and engage the little ones about the animals inhabiting them. There are a few varieties of chicken, little piggies and some unusual birds. This is a great place to bird watch, over 99 different species have been recorded. A Guide to the Birds of Ardenwood Historic Farm

During the winter month, from December to mid-February monarch butterflies overwinter here. In the summer they offer tractor rides and the train operates between the Ardenwood station and the Deer Park station. You can also see an original Victorian garden and visit the Patterson Victorian house.

There is a lot to see and to do, especially for little kids.

Entry fee is between $3 and $6, for special events $8.

What is your favorite time period?

Two interpretations of The Thinker in Stanford

You Decide: Rodin vs. New Guinea Sculpture Garden

December 16, 2016February 2, 2025Silvia

Stanford is famous for their large Rodin collection. In fact the bronze collection with over 200 pieces is amongst the largest in the world. Two of the best known sculptures are ‘The Gates of Hell’ and ‘The Thinker’. You can admire them inside and outside the Cantor Arts Center. They also offer docent lead tours Wednesdays at 2 pm, Saturdays at 11:30 am, and Sundays at 3 pm, rain or shine. Meet in the main lobby. Learn more

https://museum.stanford.edu/view/rodin.html

A different display of art is the New Guinea Sculpture Garden. As a modern / tribal collaboration project they mixed traditional stories with modern ideas. When they learned about the famous Rodin sculptures one of the artist proclaimed: ‘”I can do this – even better!’ Their versions of ‘The Gates of Hell” and ‘The Thinker’ can be found among a multitude of other sculptures.

Which is the better version will be in the eye of the beholder. If you are willing to judge or explore you can find the garden on the corner of Lomita and Santa Teresa. They also do a tour every third Sunday at 2 pm.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guinea_Sculpture_Garden
Which artist do you prefer?

Patrick Dougherty's Whiplash at the Palo Alto Art Center

Wander Around the Weaved Whiplash

December 9, 2016February 2, 2025Silvia

The latest public art installation in Palo Alto is a willow weaved whiplash from artist Patrick Dougherty.

This is his second work, the first one, also made from natural materials was dismantled in June. This new one, called Whiplash, stands in front of the Palo Alto Art Center facing Embarcadero Rd. and is an impressive construction, with multiple rooms and windows, that lead you into a courtyard.

It is made out of only natural materials and a very enchanting place. The smell of the willow was very strong on my visit, maybe because it rained? This definitely added to the experience.

I can see little kids run through the crafted arches, or play hide and seek. (I’m sure kids will be even more inventive!)

If you still need to satisfy your art hunger you can check out the sculpture garden and the current exhibits in the Art Center.

Have you seen Patrick Dougherty and over 60 volunteers work on this for three weeks in November?

Learn that Physics is Fun, The Physics Show at Foothill College

December 2, 2016February 2, 2025Silvia

It’s the time of the year again when most of us like to give gifts, not only for friends and family but also for a good cause.

One of these gift ideas that meet both criteria is The Physics Show at Foothill College.

We saw this show in September. Though my 7th grader said it was something he learned in 6th grade, we all enjoyed this spectacular display of physic experiments. Behind us was a family that had been to a previous show. They agreed that even though some of this had been in the earlier showing, it was still a lot of fun.

So, no matter if you are a returning visitor or a new spectator, this will be entertaining.

But let’s talk about the giving side of this event. The Physics Show also does weekday programs for title one schools. Not only do the children get to see the show, they provide transportation, a tour of the campus, and get a T-Shirt! Last year 3200 kids saw the show.

See the Mercury New article for further reading:

http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/09/15/physics-show-a-smashing-success-with-students/

Weekend shows are only $5 per person and this includes parking in lot 1. Tickets for the January events go on sale December 6th and you have to preorder them (only a few seats left at the door) at The Physics Show web site.

Saturday Jan 7, 2017

Sunday Jan 8, 2017

Saturday Jan 21, 2017

Sunday Jan 22, 2017

Have you enjoyed physics before?

*official logo for The Physics Show courtesy of The Physics Show

Eat Local Produce, Farmers Market

November 24, 2016February 2, 2025Silvia

One of many things I am thankful for living in such a beautiful area are the farmers markets. Mountain View has an especially large farmers market located near the Caltrain station, on Sunday mornings from 9 to 1. Lots of stands that grow what they sell.

A few bakers and butchers and the olive guy. Someone that will sharpen your knives while you shop. You can also buy some lunch or coffee and sit down for a while. The kids usually like the entertainment, the balloon guy and the music.

I especially like the vibe. People coming together enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables, getting their flower bouquet for the week, sampling some new fruits or old varieties. The sellers proud of their offerings are very knowledgeable.

Here is a list of all the farmers markets in the area:

http://www.cafarmersmkts.com/

http://www.mercurynews.com/2007/05/08/farmers-market-list/

What is your favorite farmers market?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wind Walk sign at Seal Point Park in San Mateo

See Which Way the Wind Blows, San Mateo’s Seal Point Park

November 18, 2016February 2, 2025Silvia

“When hot air rises, cooler air rushes in to fill the space it leaves, thus making wind at the land’s surface.” This quote is from an educational sign at San Mateo’s Seal Point Park ‘Wind Walk’.

This park is located next to the bay. I started the walk at the top, where you can also park your car.

The first sculpture there is a wind rose with multiple layers that spin. Next to it are three interestingly shaped sculptures.

One looks like two giant cymbals, one an organ and one a tree-like piece.

If you follow the lower path you will walk by three groups of three wind structures. Only one of the nine was moving when I was there. It might be that the wind was not very strong.

This is all built on a landfill. So, I congratulate the city of San Mateo to create a great retreat out of some rubbish. I’m not quite sure the sculptures work as proof of wind, but they are interesting to look at nonetheless.

Do you know of any wind sculptures?

Follow the Spiral/Spiritual Path, Labyrinth

November 11, 2016February 2, 2025Silvia

Walking a labyrinth is a tool for meditation and problem solving. One foot in front of the next in an ever bending path. It is hard to explain but it helps you focus, helps you find the answers within you.

When I explored my first labyrinth, I started with making photos of it. Someone from the church came out, took a look at me and said: “Oh, you are admiring it!” “Yes,” I replied “and I’m gonna walk it too!”

It is both the beauty of the shape as well as a humble, meditative experience. I love that there are so many different labyrinth around, ones with a grassy path, concrete, sand or brick. The labyrinth locator web site can help find one near you.

The Modern Labyrinth Movement was founded at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Here are two labyrinths, one inside, one outside, with interesting programs like: yoga in the labyrinth, and candlelit walks.

A copy of the Grace Cathedral labyrinth, which is itself a replica of the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth in Chartres, France, can be found outside of the Grace Lutheran Church in Palo Alto.

So, how do you walk a labyrinth?

There are many ways to walk a labyrinth. Will it be a playful, spiritual, or meditative journey?

For example: Take a few deep breaths, enter with a question. The first step in sets the pace for your walk. When you reach the center, stay there as long as you like; listen intuitively for the answer to your question, then walk out again.

Wikihow

Have you ever walked a labyrinth?

Here are a few labyrinths in Silicon Valley:

Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto
505 East Charleston Rd.
Palo Alto

Grace Lutheran Church
3149 Waverley St
Palo Alto

First Congregational Church
1985 Louis Rd.
Palo Alto

St John’s Lutheran Church
581-583 E. Fremont
Sunnyvale

St Thomas’ Episcopal Church
231 Sunset Avenue
Sunnyvale

Pet the Mayor Dog, Bosco

November 4, 2016February 2, 2025Silvia

In 1984, Sunol California, elected the first dog to be honorary mayor. He defeated two humans as a write in candidate and held the position until his death in 1994.

Sunol erected a bronze statue of Bosco, to honor the Labrador mix with his signature bandana.

Usually his duty as honorary mayor would mean that he headed the Halloween parade. In 1990 a Chinese paper commented on the fact that in the U. S. a dog was elected as a proof of the failure of democracy. This was after the Tiananmen Square protests.

So, Bosco was invited by local Chinese students to participate in a demonstration in front of the San Francisco Chinese embassy.

His favorite hang-out was a local bar. So it makes sense that there is a bar in town called Bosco’s Bones & Brew. Make sure to get a seat by the bar, where they have a stuffed dog “peeing” beer.

While this makes a cute story, please vote!

Have you voted yet?