Archive for December, 2007

San Francisco Step by Step

{ December 27, 2007 @ 1:09 pm } · { North America }
{ Tags: , , } · { Leave a Comment }

There is a lot to be said about San Francisco, but by far my favorite thing about it was walking.

I love to walk in a new city. You are able to find new things on the way to your touristy guide-book destination. One morning I stopped at the coffee shop in Union Square and found this lovely breakfast (or dessert), a mocha cappuccino with a chocolate croissant.almost too pretty to eat

 I also found pigeons inside the little restaurant! And sparrows waiting for a crumb outside. imgp0320.jpg

That day they were putting lights on the gigantic Christmas tree. It looked quite precarious, and this is the closest picture I could get. Proof that it is an ENORMOUS tree. Also proof that I need to work on my photography skills.  imgp0248.jpg 

As I sat drinking my cappuccino and watching the brave man put up Christmas lights, an art show started to develop in Union Square. Artists started bringing in easels and paintings, chairs and tables and filling the square with their wares. I certainly had no idea that I would be treated to an art display on a weekday morning during my visit. That, however, is the joy of walking, and the joy of leaving the hotel for breakfast!

Navy Pier, Chicago

{ December 23, 2007 @ 1:35 am } · { North America }
{ Tags: , , } · { Comments (1) }

dsc00177.jpg

This is an old visit, but on a blustery cold day like today, I was reminded of it.  October 2006 I spent a day in Chicago. I went for a business meeting, and had the afternoon to myself at Navy Pier.

Navy Pier is certainly a tourist trap or theme park type venue.  In early October it was cold and looked ready to rain at any second, but the Children’s Museum and stores seemed relatively busy. Many of the rides, restaurants and outdoor activities were closed, but one could tell it had potential to be packed.  The view of Chicago from Navy Pier is quite nice, and the plaza in front of the museum deserves a photo opportunity as well. With a cup of coffee from the Starbucks inside the mall area, I walked around the outer edge of the ‘pier’ looking out at the water.  There were several boats available for hire on warmer days, cruises, rides, a German beer hall, plenty of places to buy gifts and eat.  dsc00181b.jpg

If you have some time and money to kill, and don’t mind overpriced parking, try Navy Pier for a few hours. If you have a child or two, it could be especially rewarding as the Children’s Museum and the fast food are conveniently close to each other. 

Alligator Crossing at Brazos Bend State Park

{ December 17, 2007 @ 1:01 pm } · { North America }
{ Tags: , , , , , , , , } · { Leave a Comment }

The outdoors has always been one of my passions. Wildlife, fresh air, beautiful scenery, it’s difficult to find in downtown Houston. Luckily about 45 minutes away is Brazos Bend State Park, an often busy South Texas haven.

I last visited the park in February and it was COLD. You have to get there a bit early, or make reservations even on cold, wet days. RV-campers take up many of the prime spots, and if it rains some of the spots can get very soggy.  

The wildlife makes this park worth the visit. Birding is very popular, and the park delivers, with more than 270 species spotted in the area. If you are lucky you can also spot reptiles, amphibians and mammals like fox and raccoon (or maybe not so lucky!) 

imgp0418.jpg

 

There are some nice nature trails and hiking areas, in particular the Creekfield Lake Nature Trail, which is a leisurely walk around a lake that is nearly always filled with ducks and egrets.

I haven’t seen any alligators yet, but rest assured I will be on the lookout the next time I visit.