Weekend of firsts

A weekend of firsts.
After work, had spicy eggplant at Amarin Thai with S, H & M. Had Gelato ice-cream for the first time, and the owner actually kept out the one ice-cream without egg by himself. After the ice-cream was my 1st experience in a bar at night. There was muted lighting for ambience, loud but some good music playing, and it gradually got packed as the night went on. Gradually people started dancing, flirty et al. I had a good mix of aerated orangeade/lemonade mix.

Woke up early in the morning for a movie! Then, saw a preview show for the first time of Shrek 3 with R, S et al. Was a very imaginative & creative movie.

Visited Villa Montalvo and walked a bit with S. Villa Montalvo is a nice place to just hang around. Then, visited Saratoga downtown for the first time, had some specialty chocolate (how does Grapefruit honey sound). It is upscale & expensive; a spa store had a very expensive small body wash for $12, a body mist for $15 etc. A nice place to hang around, though.

Visiting Canada from USA

Point Reyes Travel Plan

March 17-18 007 (Saturday & Sunday)
Drive to Ken Patrick Visitor Center located at Drakes Beach and take the shuttle. For people over 16, fees apply. Shuttle tickets are available from 9 to 3.

Year Round Programs

On Shaky Ground: 2:00 pm, Every Saturday-San Andreas Fault-start of Earthquake train (1km-0.6 mile) walk

Kule Loklo Walk: 2:00 pm, Every Sunday-This lesiurely 1.3 kilometer (0.8 mile) tour introduces visitors to the Coast Miwok and their history and culture. Meet at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. Lasts one hour.

Lighthouse

A Look into the Lens: 2:30 - 4:00 pm, Thursday - Monday, April through December
See inside the Point Reyes Lighthouse and discover its history and function with a Park Ranger. Access requires a strenuous descent and ascent of 308 stairs. Stairs close when weather and winds are hazardous. The lens room is open with a Ranger present from 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Whale and Elephant Seal Season Programs

Journey of the Whales: 1:30 pm Weekends, January through March. Meets at Lighthouse Shuttle Stop if shuttles are operating. Otherwise meet at the Lighthouse Visitor Center. Join a Ranger to learn about gray whales as they migrate past Point Reyes. Learn about their habits and adaptations, and hope for a whale sighting from the Observation Deck. Lasts one hour. May require a 0.6 kilometer (0.4 mile) walk.

Experience Gray Whales: Date: Every Sunday Weekly & Every Saturday Weekly from 12/31/2006 to 4/28/2007 Time: 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM Location: Lighthouse: Details: Weekends January through April, weather permitting. Docents at the Lighthouse Observation Deck 11:00 am - 4:30 pm. View gray whales through binoculars and scopes. Volunteer docents available to answer questions about gray whales.


Woodpecker Trail: Near Bear Valley Visitor Center 1.2 km / 0.7 mi

Pierce Point Ranch and Tule Elk Reserve


Whales and Wildflowers
Date: Every Sunday Weekly & Every Saturday Weekly from 3/4/2007 to 4/28/2007
Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Location: Chimney Rock Trailhead

Details:
2 pm, weekends in March and April
Take a moderate 1.2 mile round-trip hike with a park ranger to a beautiful ocean overlook. Watch for gray whales as they make their northward journey and admire wildflowers along the trail. Wear warm clothing and sturdy shoes. Bring binoculars and water. In good weather you must take the shuttle. Inclement weather cancels this program.
Program lasts two hours.
Fees: Free

Contact:
John Golda
415-464-5143

Monterey-Recommended place to stay

SpinDrift Inn.

Go-Karting

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/ssaikuma/album/576460762392912692
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7261472@N07/sets/72157594578288860/

Go-Karting at VMware Team bonding event on Wed, May 8 2006.

Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge

From a friend...

http://www.fws.gov/desfbay/

We have gone to the one in Fremont. It is not too big and is right off Dumbarton, but there are tons of birds there. Baby season is good.

Bamboo Giant Garden, Aptos

15 minutes south of downtown Santa Cruz
Bamboo Giant Garden in a rock quarry
20 acre grove
5601 Freedom Blvd (Aptos?), CA
831-687-0100

Via Magazine: Nov+Dec 2006

Events in the Bay Area

http://www.pier39.com/Events/events.htm

http://www.ktvu.com/events/3834421/detail.html

Ice Skating in the Bay Area

http://www.icecenter.net/cupertino/index.html

Today, planned for late nite ice skating in the Bay Area with friends. Went to Vallco mall, arrived at 8:35, parked in front of Sears, and spent an hour trying to find the place before giving up. Even conflicting directions from some helpful people were of no avail.

It looks like this place is diffcult to find, and that we need to park on the opposite side, in front of JC Penny's.

Anyway, some other time. :)