LIVING ON THE EDGE

This is the bridge over the Merced Wild & Scenic River, between Yosemite and Mariposa.  It's one lane as you can see; it's waaaay above the river canyon; its suspenders are low-lying; the ingress on *both* sides are at right angles; there is no red light/green light to curtail oncoming traffic; and there is NO option (or space) for backing up anything but a small passenger vehicle!

The bridge is crossed by buses with trailers full of rafts and rafters, by gold dredgers in motorhomes larger than mine, and intrepid, half-baked adventurers like me.  I'm assuming that's the reason BLM has not posted ANY vehicle length limitations!

This young woman halted traffic, helped me maneuver around the corner, under the suspenders, over the river and around the corner on the other side.  Where was she when I first crossed this bridge?  Hmmmm, that probably explains the appearance of a new bumper bite on my Lazy Daze!

 

She's paused from signaling so I can take photos.   

The river, campground and beaches were outstanding.  Overwhelmed by anxiety over the re-crossing, however, I left my idyllic spot after just two days.  A wimp after all!!!

BELLS OF IRELAND

HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY, a day late,
even to those who only WISH they were Irish for a day!

I HEART THE SANTA CRUZ BOARDWALK...

...especially when it hosts the annual Chowder Cook Off, when the eatin's good, and the local characters come out to play!  And eat.

You definitely won't have a problem spotting the "character" in this beach scene!

Boys to men?  Nah -- still just boys...

...starting earlier and earlier it seems.

Doesn't matter how many quarters I deposit here, the cards' message never seems to vary:   "You will meet a handsome, single brain surgeon from Beverly Hills who LOVES zaftig women in their seventies."  Well OK then ...  soon, I hope!

When you hit one of these targets...

...this guy comes to life.  One of my favorites!

These two are still smiling -- must have just started dating!

A Santa Cruz icon...

...as is Mariani's Sweet Shop

Tasting booths are invitingly decorated...

...some staffed with colorful characters in costume.

My son the flirt -- costumed as himself!

At day's end, culinary artisans hope their clammy concoction will be voted a winner.

The view from up there.

And did you know that one of the Boardwalk's two roller coasters, the all-wooden thrill-ride, is a National Monument?  Honest and truly!

Next up...the Chili Cook Off.  Count me in!

HAPPY HEARTS' DAY!

RE-DISCOVERED GEMS - BAJA SUR, MEXICO

This is the first in a series of photographs taken before I started blogging and right after I started using my first digital camera.

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First Stop:  Playa Coyote (a little south of Muleje):

These are Mobula Rays (or Devil Rays or flapjacks or little black kites!).  These rays are  breathtaking to watch when dozens of them at a time fling themselves out of the water to flip and flop and splash then settle down again.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi2C4f12U_I

There are differing opinions for this behavior, but some romantic locals believe it's part of a mating ritual.  This pair glided right past me, in calf-deep water, not a care in the world, and slowly enough for me to capture them "on film"!

No self respecting Baja beach would be without its share of Pelicans.  Watching them dive for food was the daily entertainment.  And this one was a little more colorful than the California Brown Pelicans I'm used to seeing.  Note the mohawk styling!

Still ensconced at Playa Coyote, one Springy night the beach community was treated to a lovely eclipse of the moon.

The shy creature down in the hole has no idea what remarkable, abstract beach art it has created.  A monochrome Jackson Pollock wannabe!

In spite of the smooth skin, those prickly spines don't invite touching!

This is one of several marvelous geologic formations imaginative guides like to show off during visits to Isla Espiritu Santo, off the coast of La Paz.  Pretty scary, eh?

Todos Santos Big Foot Pepper Tree

Although way off the beaten track, Bajia de los Suenos (Bay of Dreams), formerly a quiet,  hidden fishing village, has been discovered.   When we visited, however, the area was still quite rustic, and despite signs of construction for another Baja mega resort, no-frills, beachside parking was available.

Guerrero Negro, on Baja's West coast is one of two large Gray Whale nurseries.  Re-finding this photo, gave me goosebumps all over again.  What a thrill to see this mom nudge right up to our boat to catch a warm shower from the outboard motor's spray!

Scammon's Lagoon is also the location of Guerrero Negros's salt mines (visible on the horizon...

...and home to dozens of Osprey nests elevated on specially-built mounts along the roads throughout the town.  Look closely at this nest to see the junk this mother scarfed up to provide homey comforts for her little one.  OK, not so little!  Good mom bird!

Stay tuned for more Baja magical discoveries.