The Tower

The tower of morning glories in my garden, taller than anything, even the bananas. The ladder is shown for scale.























From below:

It's Raining!

Northern California is officially in the midst of its first rainstorm of the season.

I just went outside and was amazed to see the rain coming down in sheets (not hard sheets, mind you, just light). Everything is wet, the water is tricking down the gutters, and when you walk on the brown grass it doesn't crunch underfoot.

Any other Northern California bloggers out there who are enjoying this rain?

Redwood Forest

Redwood Regional Park, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Another photo from today's visit to Redwood Regional Park. This park is just minutes from Oakland, and a short drive from the inland East Bay.

It was 98 degrees inland today; at Redwood, it was 83. Talk about relief from the heat!

In the Woods

In the Woods, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Walking on the Stream Trail in Redwood Regional Park.

Although located a mile from Oakland, this park seems a world away. Huge, 150-foot+ redwoods stand majestically along the trails.

You will be craning your neck most of the time...

Multicolor Rose

A fluorescent rose in my garden.

Cairo Apricot

My new 'Cairo Apricot' hibiscus bloomed!

Significant Rainstorm Coming Next Year (Well, Next Week, Anyway)

The National Weather Service is saying that a huge storm is coming to California later next week. It looks like we may get several inches of rain, and the Sierra Nevada may get ten feet of snow.

Ten feet.

That's quite a bit of snow.

Hopefully this storm will recharge all the streams, waterfalls, and rivers in Northern California, which will make for some great photo opportunities...

In The Shadow of Giants

These huge redwoods are awe-inspiring.

Redwood Waters

A small stream tumbles through a redwood forest.