Is that snow in the first picture? It sure looked and felt like it…

It is only 0.5 miles long, and at the first junction you get to Temescal Ridge Trail. I kept right and then on the next junction I went left. I actually did the same route (purely by accident) as in the link above, and I ended at the top of the hill, with really good views of the city and the ocean. I dont know what the elevation gain is, but it is a pretty good workout. Here are some pics:

The trail is partially in shade, and partially exposed with great views towards the city and the bay.

What is this on the right. It was a little creepy (I really, really, really cannot stand snakes), it did not move at all, just stood like that frozen. Is it a lizard? But I could not see the legs. A snake? It does not really look like a snake. I wanted a closeup picture, but I did not want to go too close, so I extended my camera and shot blindly, hoping for the best.

A scream? A hiss?

These were taken over the last few months during my bikerides, which are supposed to be regular but are really occasional. This is the first time I have seen thse towers painted since we have been here (10 years). It’s a nice change, just in time for Summer…

This is what they used to look like. Not very exciting, is it. This was taken in March.

In early May I noticed that they painted the the stairs and the railings in various colors – green, orange, blue, yellow and purple. I thought it looked very nice (even on a foggy day like this).

But then recently, they pained the cabin part too, and it looks really nice. I think each tower has a different design, mostly flowers, some geometric shapes. This was taken today, and since we are in June, most days (especially in the morning) are foggy (actually, it’s marine layer – it’s what’s called June Gloom) so you cannot really see the brightness of the colors, but trust me, it is very colorful and very bright. Oh, and this tower is actually the same one as in the first picture.

Ah, June Gloom. Just to give you an idea of how gloomy it is, I leave you with this:

***Update: Just to see that the morning June Gloom can turn into a beautiful day. The following is the picture of the same building, same day, around 4 pm.

The pictures…

more here…

Now that I have the new camera, I like to take it (and the dog) for a walk. And I take pictures. Here are the ones from today.

A gorgeous gate. Old wood, rusted metal. I just realized that I have not changed my ISO setting, so all these were shot at 400. Not a tragedy, but 100 would have been better.

I almost missed this one. Can you guess what it is? A handle on another gate.

Beautiful orange flowers on a huge cactus. I usually don’t get to see a flowering cactus, or I see it when it’s all over.

On the way back, I took a stroll through the Canals. It’s always nice to walk there. I have not seen too many ducks today.

But there was this guy.

I wish I were sitting under one of these, on a beach, sipping a coctail.

I know there are thousands of pictures of these flowers out there, and much better than this. But, oh well, this is mine and I like it. So there.

Tuesday was a foggy day.

I am really looking forward to these Thursday morning hikes, but I will have to be more prepared. The is getting warmer and I will need a hat, some light hiking clothes (long sleeves and pants) and shoes, definitely better shoes; light hiking boots or trail running sneakers.

I did not get the map beforehand, so I did not know that the trail is a loop and I returned the same way. I will have to do it again (there are more trails around there too), because apparently the other side is even better, but I did get to see the little waterfal. It’s a nice hike, elevating gain about 1000 ft, and great views rom the top (on a clear day) – you can see the city, the ocean (towards Malibu) and the mountains further north and east.