Legends of the Guardians

Two thumbs up on this good vs. evil battle of owls over who controlled; rather was the superior owl kingdom. Its packed with love, laughter, blood and death. I recommend viewing this animation film in 3D IMAX....amazing. See you at the show:)

DECOMPRESSION 10-10-10

Owe YEAH!. The entire burning man experience is such a spectacular community of peace, soul and good spirits. The burner people always put on a good show and the visual talents are endless. If your looking to let loose and get a little wild.....then get ready for next years events.

http://www.burningman.com/blackrockcity_yearround/special_events/decompression/decom2010.html

Upper Haight House!

Up off of Haight Ashbury street looking towards south city Bay View area. There is an awesome park overlooking Haight Street called Buena Vista Park.

SF ZOO

I have wanted to go to the Zoo forever and finally went. Its fantastic! They have over 250 species of wildlife. Its not a glamorous zoo like the San Diego Zoo, but it has enough wildlife to keep all visitors going. The first Wednesday of every month is FREE, but don't forget to leave a donation:)

I enjoyed the Grizzle Bears from Montana, the monkeys and baby gorilla, cat that looked just like AJ, and the Black Rhinoceros that was walking in circles for hours. The male lions were sweet. One of the lions was indoors at the lions exhibit building and you could totally hear him roaring and snarling. it was amazing.

A little background one the baby gorilla. The birth mother rejected the baby and would not tend to it so the baby is now being raised by one of the other mature females in the group. Just recently, the birth mother has started to make contact and play with the baby.

SF ZOO link:

http://www.sfzoo.org/openrosters/view_homepage.asp?orgkey=1859

Russian Battle Ship Visits S.F.

I almost had the pleasure to board this active Russian warship when it was docked at Pier 30 in San Francisco in late June. We waited in line almost 2 hours and never boarded. The touring hours were only from 10 - 1pm not giving people much time. It was still fascinating to see the ship and all the Russian Americans and others that came out to welcome it.

The ship was built to basically destroy aircraft carriers and what ever else it desires to. It is equipped with 16 missile launchers that are capable of hitting targets 3400 miles away. It was bad ass!

Rattle Snake

watch out! Its always good to hike with your head up and head down in rattle snake country. This one had to be almost 5 feet long and was found beneath the Ahwiyah Point Rock Fall area that is not to far past Mirror lake, just a few clicks.

Mirror Lake @ Yosemite Valley

Mirror Lake is a great short hike on the far east side of the valley and easily access able. The lake reflects the massive rock reflections from almost all angles towering above. The water flows from a strong mountain run off of the Tenaya Creek and deadens into the still waters of Mirror Lake.

A Beautiful Day in Yosemite!

Got to love this parking spot in Yosemite Valley. You are looking at Upper Falls from the valley floor. I started with a 1 hr bike session through the valley and camp sites then ventured of to Mirror Lake for a hike.

Pinecrest Lake, California

Pinecrest Lake is sweet camping spot located 30 miles East of Sonora just off Hwy 108 at an elevation of 5600'. This year I went with the Mattos family and friends and had a wonderful time. The best thing to do while staying is to hike around the lake and up to Cleo Bath which is upstream where the Sierra runoff flows into the streams and lake. The hike is only 3-4 miles and has some advanced terrain, but take it slow and its well worth it. Also some great rock jumps. The fishing is decent if you go to the right spots and is stocked in the summer with farm trout. http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Pinecrest_Ca/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70541&topTabIndex=CampingSpot

Presidio Golf Course, San Francisco, CA

This course is my favorite local course in the city. They have amazing residency and Bay Area residency rates. The scenic course is well managed and has some awesome views. Check it out.

http://www.presidiogolf.com/golf/rates/

King Mackeral from the Atlantic

This sweet catch was delicious and fed 5 people for two very nice dinners. Caught off the coast of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina in May and measure 36 inches weighing 26 pounds. Definitely the largest fish I have caught so far.

The Year of the OX

Chinese New Year Parade and Celebration. China Town San Francisco California. Last weekend of February. The two day annual event brings in over 500,000 attendees and a whole lotta Chinese culture. San Francisco's Chinatown is one of the oldest and largest in North America. I like the shops and they have some dynamite restaurants. This dragon image was one of my favorites this year.

Before the Ice Age! and Extra-Terrestrials!

I saw this on the history channel and its kinda crazy.. The Piri Reis map is a pre-modern world map compiled in 1513 that is way way way to far advanced for its time that there is no logical way the map was created by humans. Or at least humans on planet earth. The map has been used to claim an ancient knowledge of an ice-free Antarctica, transmitted either from extra-terrestrials or an Ice Age civilization. These beliefs are supported by ancient civilizations that have painted spaceship like images in caves and other sites such as burial grounds. very interesting stuff.

HAIGHT ASHBURY

The land of the hippie streets and new age punk tourists. Well not all punks anyway. If your in California it's definitely an area to explore. There is a lot of history here. The 1960's gave the Haight it's reputation as a place for love and peace. Bands like the Grateful Dead originated here and was a melting pot for music and drugs. Today it still hold a creative vibe and has great shopping. Check out this site: http://lovehaight.org/

The Sea Lions have left Pier 39

After 20 years living of at Pier 39 the Sea Lions have left and have relocated south. Over 1,700 sea lions were counted just a few months back. Nobody knows why they left or if they will return? This picture was taken down south somewhere between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz.

NIGHTLIFE @ The California Academy of Science

I have to say this is the only way to experience the Academy of Science. 21 and up, DJ music, cocktails, wine and beer. I think its cheaper too! Only $12. The fish tanks are great, the albino alligator looks like he's dead, fossils are huge, I always miss the dam space exhibit but there's always next time.

Avoid attending on the weekends if you can . The place is overwhelmed with herds of families, baby strollers and long lines. I give the academy props for for allowing such a cool event to happen.

http://www.calacademy.org/events/nightlife/

Beautiful Buffalo, New York

My home town. 201 Walton Drive, Amherst, NY. 1977 to 1989. Once a booming industrial economy and 8th largest city in in 1900. Leading up to 1990 the city 's fortune took a turn and retracted to the same population as it did in 1900. Today Buffalo has about 300,000 residents. If you do go there you must go to Niagara Falls.

TREASURE ISLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL

Guess who? that's me standing in the crowd. What a trip. This was published in the San Francisco 7X7 magazine, a great read on local restaurants and events. With the beautiful city scape in the foreground and multiple stages of rocking bands, this is truly killer show.

SUNSET @ HALF DOME YOSEMITE CALIFORNIA

The Doobie Brothers @ BR Cohn Winery Sonima, CAli

The owner of BR Cohn Winery was a longtime road manager for the famed Doobie Brothers. Annual fundraiser concerts are held at the winery in Sonoma California. The hillside vineyard amphitheatre is a great event for the summer.

Nature's Fire Falls @ Yosemite, Cali

The fire falls are a natural effect of the sun. Photo by John Harrison.

MIDNIGHT MISSION

OBAMA Gets Caught Lookin

Looks like he's about to do some sort of gyrating dance move?

Lake Chabot Ride

Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley, California. I think the mountain trail is 15 miles and kicked my ass. We also continued through a night ride and road from Castro Valley towards the Oakland Zoo. The city lights were amazing and we encountered a friendly heard of cows. They are a lot bigger in the dark than the are in daylight from the other side of the fence.

Drakes Bay

Drakes Bay is absolutely awesome. Just follow HWY 101 North and head west towards Stinson Beach. The oyster filled waters and thick layer of fogg make this a kayakers heaven. Keep an eye out for bat rays with 5 foot wing spans.

I LOVE CRANES

ITS AN ANGEL!

Niger Trigger

Welcome to the tank! U batch! Within the first week this little bastard ate Mr. Strippers, my favorite coral banded shrimp that I have had for nearly three years and a few damsels. We will miss you shrimpers!:( Even though I lost a few friends, I now have a new one. He seems to be getting along with the rest of the tank and I don't see any more fishes getting wacked.

SUTRO BATHS - sweet scenic mile 49

Sweet Scenic Mile 49 found along San Francisco's 7x7 square mile border has the best hiking. My favorite section starts just south of the Golden Gate Bridge at Lincoln Park Golf Course at the 9th hole and wraps around the point to The Cliff House restaurant at the start of Ocean Beach. Plenty of parking at each end. Imaged is the ruins of the Sutro Baths built in 1896. At the time they were the worlds largest indoor swimming pool offering both fresh and salt water baths at different water temperatures. In 1966 the baths burned down and were abandoned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutro_Baths