Apr 29, 2013

National Seashore- Point Reyes, The beautiful coast


Point Reyes National Seashore Tule elk preserve


Point Reyes National Seashore is one of the gems of San Francisco bay area. Point Reyes peninsula is surrounded by the peaceful Pacific ocean. The seashore is just not a beach where one can hangout, it is an array of habitats for marine wildlife. Beaches, bays, lagoons, estuaries, tide pools and so on ... The  National Seashore was established to protect the delicate wilderness and ancient tribal culture and now it is a natural sanctuary for hundreds of plants and wildlife and also to the human spirit. The seashore offers long stretches of sandy beaches, hiking trails many other recreational activities. One of my favorite places where I went looking for photo-opportunities, inspiration and solitude!

Apr 28, 2013

Random Thoughts- Why do people travel?



Why do you travel? is one question everyone around me and everyone I meet ask me. As I have mentioned in my 'About me' page that I have an 'intense internal compulsion' to travel. When I say this some people get suspicious and some think I am crazy. Whatever the case may be I become a mysterious woman ... but then isn't it a valid and interesting question- Why do people travel? And we definitely get different personal opinions on traveling! There might be many posts in many blogs on this. I thought of putting my perspective together on this topic ... 

Apr 26, 2013

Hawaii- Iao Valley and the Needle, Maui



Iao Valley state park is one of the landmarks in Central Maui. This natural beautiful sacred valley is home for the iconic 1,200ft high Iao needle. The needle stands among the green towering cliffs guarding the valley. Mostly the top of these cliffs are covered with a blanket of fog enhancing the natural beauty of the valley. A short walk from the parking on a paved path  leads to the lookout. It was too windy when I was there. 

Apr 24, 2013

Random Thoughts- Travel Quotes, My Favorites


Robert Louis Stevenson memorial state park travel quotes

Once I had been on a 10mile out-and-back hike to the summit of Mt St Helena (don't get confused with Mt St Helens in Washington). The trail begins at Robert Louis Stevenson State Park in California. Robert Louis Stevenson, the famous author of Treasure Island, spent his Honeymoon here in 1880. The wooden cabin where he stayed at that time is non-existent now, but the spot is identified by a memorial. In the dense dark forest a memorial- a stone sculpture representing a book which talks about Robert Louis Stevenson.

Apr 22, 2013

Hawaii- Waterfalls along beautiful Hana Highway, Maui



Isn't it wonderful to drive on a ever winding road in the thick rain forest with countless hairpin bends, viewpoints and waterfalls?! One such great experience I had was on the popular Hana Highway on the eastern coast of Maui, the best Hawaiian island. Being a waterfall-oholic I went crazy! I had to stop at every waterfalls to take pictures. Rain allowed photography only at some places. Here are a few of them.

Apr 19, 2013

Colorful Skies- Golden Gate Bridge behind the clouds


Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco Fog

San Francisco Bay is very popular for its ocean fog! At times the fog creates a beautiful view of landscape around but, many times disappointingly obstructs the views. One such case is view of the world popular Golden Gate Bridge. Tourists flock this place just to see this red beauty which is one of the modern day architectural wonders and often get disappointed. The fog covers the entire bridge! This is how my family saw Golden Gate Bridge when they visited San Francisco! One September morning!
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Apr 15, 2013

Waterfalls- Columbia River Gorge, A National Scenic Area!


Columbia River Gorge Oregon Ponytail Falls
Ponytail Falls

American north-western states are very popular for the gorgeous waterfalls. I haven't visited all these states but have seen few waterfalls in Oregon. One of the most beautiful area in Oregon is Columbia River Gorge National Scenic area. The gorge runs on the border of two states- Oregon and Washington. There are 77 waterfalls on Oregon side alone!! They are of different heights, volume, widths and shapes. No waterfall will disappoint you. Most of them are easily accessible and several other may need a short or a lengthy hike to reach.

Apr 12, 2013

Colorful Skies- Sunsets from my terrace



We often go looking for vista points for watching a sunset or sunrise taking all the pain of driving or hiking early in the morning, be it bone biting cold or mosquito season. We just ignore the beautiful sky while at home. We never think of gazing at the sky from our own terrace, garden ... blah blah ...

Apr 8, 2013

Call of the Wild- Denali National Park, An abode of Grizzly Bears!


Alaska Denali NAtional PArk Mt Denali
Early rays of Sun on Mt Denali

Home of North America's highest peak Mt Denali (20,320ft), Denali National Park is a vast wild land of high alpine tundras and snowy mountains. The highest mountain, more popular by the name Mt McKinley, is the 'roof' of North America. Denali means "the high one" in Athabascan native language. It seems only 20% of the total visitors happen to have a glimpse of this mountain! And I am one of them!

Apr 5, 2013

Oceanscapes- The deep blue ocean

Hawaii Punaluu Black sand beach Kona Coast
Hawaii beaches are amazing! You will find white sand, black sand, black pebbles, volcanic rocks and whatever you think of :) Well, sand beaches were crowded so I thought of shooting here. The solidified volcanic flow made a nice foreground.

Apr 3, 2013

Birds- Cormorant Expressions



In one of my earlier posts I had mentioned about cormorants. I repeat again ... I love to interpret their expressions ... Anticipation ... Don't these cormorants look like they are waiting for something? I think so :)

Apr 1, 2013

Call of the Wild- National Chambal Sanctuary, The river of Gharials


Chambal NAtional Sanctuary Gharial
Gharial

Well, I was in Gwalior and the time wasn't right. There was a lot of tension in Gwalior ... Travel agencies advised me not to venture out. And I wanted to visit the National Chambal Sanctuary which was very few KM away from the epicenter of all the tension- Morena. Next morning, I thought of giving a try than sitting in the hotel room. First, I reached Morena (38KM). I enquired in that dusty bus stand about reaching the sanctuary by public transport. Well, people were very helpful and I boarded another bus. Looked like everyone in the bus knew that I was getting off at the boating terminal. When the bus arrived at the place most of them spoke out ... 'yeh chokri, yahaan utar jao' (get off here) ... Well, I got off ...