Day 4 of my parents visit.
Stanford
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San Jose Rose Garden
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Mini-golf
When I was a teenager living in Paris, my dad and I would often go to the Bois de Vincennes in Paris to play mini-golf. I have fond memories of those outings because it gave us a chance to do something together.
We took a trip back in time today and went to play at our local min-golf.
Alcatraz
A beautiful day visiting Alcatraz with my parents that arrived from France the day before.
The tour is really good with the opportunity to learn about the history of Alcatraz, the famous inmates and escape attempts as well as the customary jail cell photo-op.
And on a good day like this one, you get an awesome view of San Francisco’s skyline from the island.
The School Of Athens
We completed a puzzle depicting the ultra famous fresco by Raphael: The School of Athens. It was easier than the previous one we did during the holidays except maybe for the upper corners.
We hung it right next to my desk so I can look at the master polymaths when I need some inspiration.
Holiday Spirit
This holiday season, we enjoyed the holiday spirit at Christmas in the Park in San Jose and Union Square in San Francisco.
We shared good time and memories with dear friends and thought about everybody else that could not be there.
We ate some yummy treats, like this chocolate soufflé from Chez Jacqueline.
And we built something beautiful together (though credit for the beauty belongs to Van Gogh).
Wishing for more of those for 2012. Happy New Year!
Vegas!
Zombie Runner
Found this picture while cleaning up my phone so I thought I would post it and give a nod to a store Alicia and I both like to visit every time we are on California avenue in Palo Alto.
The best thing about Zombie Runner is that it combines our two biggest addictions under one roof and does a great job at both! Cool running gear and the best coffee drinks around. What’s not to love?
Rafting the American River
After some solo tubing in June, we went back to the river last weekend for some more good time rafting down the South Fork of the American River.
On the menu, some class III rapids with names like Satan’s Cesspool, Bouncing Rock, and Hospital Bar.
Nothing too mean. Just enough to raise the adrenaline level and leave with a grin.
Yosemite National Park
After last year’s trip to Sequoia National Park and our two previous trips to the Redwoods State Parks, it is natural to complete what I consider California’s golden triptych by visiting Yosemite. The one reader that follows this blog might comment that we came to Yosemite last year when we backpacked to Rancheria Falls. The truth is that Hetch Hetchy does not offer the same feel than the Yosemite valley.
We joined some friends that managed to get one of the extremely sought after spot at the Lower Pines campground. Conveniently located on the East side of the Yosemite Valley right along the Merced river, this campground offers great large and flat campsite though not  much privacy. Similarly to LodgePole in Sequoia, there is a convenience store, restaurants and other niceties close by making it a viable option for a longer stay.
Thanks to a late Winter and abundant rainfalls, all the main water falls of the park are still active. Quite a treat for late August.
On Saturday, Alicia and I hiked around the Valley floor. We first checked out the lower Yosemite falls, then went for a long stroll along the river including a dip in the ice cold water, and at the end of the day, we joined another group for a short hike to the bottom of Vernal falls.
On Sunday, we drove all the way up to Glacier point to take a full vista of the famous Half Dome, Nevada fall and Vernal fall on one side.
And Yosemite falls and the valley on the other side.
On the way up, we got into a Bear-jam as the fellow bellow had been spotted not far from the road. (Original picture taken by Aurelie. Most of the other beautiful pictures on this page as well).
I have been in the Yosemite valley several times before hiking to the top of Half Dome two times, to upper Yosemite falls from the Valley another time, and to El Capitan on yet another occasion. Thing is I had never really taken the time to explore the Valley and some of the vista points. That was definitely enjoyable and we are looking forward coming back again soon.