Historic Knight’s Ferry, California

I captured these images of Knight’s Ferry and buildings over the Stanislaus River. The covered bridge is the longest in the U.S. west of the Mississippi. The old buildings were first use as a mill and later converted to power generation.

Here are three more images that I captured on different trips and times of day to Knights Ferry via the Old Sonora Road.

Spring Drive in the Valley along California Highways 26, 49, and 88.

 

I took these photos on a drive through the Central Valley and Gold Country via California Highways 26,49, 88. I noticed blossoms almost everywhere.

Mini’s Take The States 2018

Here are a few pictures that I took on the Rally To The Rockies July 14 to July 22, 2018. With a friend of mine who owns a Mini Cooper, I participated in one segment of the Mini’s Take The States starting from Sacramento Raley’s Field and ending at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California. I had lots of fun on the rally and everyone else seemed to have lots of fun too. It was very colorful and festive.

Wilder Ranch Bike Trails

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I took some pictures of the coastline along the Pacific Coast Highway. I started at Wilder Ranch State Park taking pictures as I rode my bicycle along their bike trail. The bike trail follows the coastline along the edge of the cliffs overlooking the rocky coves and beaches. Later after eating a calamari sandwich on the pier, I took a picture of Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Then I decided to take the long way back to Stockton following US Highway 1 around the peninsular to cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Along the way, I stopped at a beach where people were flying kites to surf to take more pictures. On the last stop, I took a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge in the late afternoon. A great escape from the heat of the Central Valley this summer.

 

 

Lunch at Sam’s Cafe in Tiburon

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I took a few pictures of Sam’s Cafe in Tiburon, California and views from its back deck and dock where boats can tie up to eat lunch. Tiburon is also accessible by ferry boat from San Francisco. The view includes the skyline of San Francisco, Alcatraz, and Angel Island. I enjoyed eating crab cakes on the deck of the restaurant established in 1920 with awesome views of the San Francisco Bay.

Stormy Fall Weekend in Yosemite National Park

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I took these pictures in adverse weather in Yosemite National Park, California. Despite the stormy weather, I found some lovely spots to photograph between rain showers. Fall colors are beginning to appear along the Merced River. I used a rain parka and a Nikon D600 FX with a Nikon 35 mm 1.8 lens and a Nikon 70-300 mm lens. Yosemite always has beautiful views in any season or any weather conditions.

Guiding Light for Shipping

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Here are some pictures I took of a double drawbridge over the Sacramento River, the Old Sugar Mill located near the banks of the same river, and Pigeon Point Lighthouse on the Pacific Coast Highway 1. They all have water and shipping in common. I used a Nikon D600 camera. The water connection among the pictures intrigues me.

Mount Diablo Scenic Road

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Here are six pictures I took from the summit and scenic overviews  driving along Mount Diablo Scenic Road. I used a Nikon D600 FX with a Nikon 35 mm 1.8 prime lens. Great weather with blue skies and white puffy clouds.

Micke Grove Japanese Tea Garden

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This morning I visited the Japanese Tea Garden inside the Micke Grove Regional Park near Lodi, California. I took some pictures while there. It’s an unexpected lovely spot in the Central Valley. It’s almost hidden in a grove of valley oaks. I used a Nikon D600 FX with a Nikkor 50 mm prime lens and a tripod. A beautiful and tranquil place to visit.

Mobius Arch Lone Pine

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I took these five pictures of the Mobius Arch, Mt. Whitney, and Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, California. On Highway 395 in Lone Pine turn west on Mt. Whitney Portal Street. Turn right on Movie Road and follow it to the end where you see a parking lot. There’s a sign at the parking lot that marks the short trail to Mobius Arch in the Alabama Hills. I used a Nikon D600 FX with a wide angle 20 mm lens. I am intrigued by the many rock formations in the Alabama Hills. It’s easy to understand why the location was used to film many television and movie westerns.