San Ramon and the various towns and cities close to and surrounding the greater Bay area are most attractive, especially the adjoining mountains. Once a person has reached a good vantage point, the views of parts of the bay, the cities and surround are most pleasant on the eye. Outside of summer, the hills are lush, the wildflowers colorful, all providing an upbeat feeling when negotiating the steeper positions. Moving further east by way of contrast, Lake Havasu, part of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, might give the impression of being in a harsh, dull and an uninteresting environment. While both regions enjoy colorful winters, in a sense, the summers are similar in coloring, but the temperatures differ by wide margins.
The concept or point is while one would expect vibrant colors in San Ramon et al, in the Sonoran Desert one would anticipate a harsh and colorless environment. This is not true. Deserts outside summer can range from fascinating and colorful to spectacular. In addition, with the Colorado River flowing through many deserts in the west, this seemingly paradoxical situation is to be grabbed with both hands, lapped up, found refreshing and enjoyed immensely.
We have interspersed the San Ramon group of hikes with some perspective from Lake Havasu, Arizona.
On the short side, but very steep.
"Alexa! Play Misty for me...okay, please."
A contrast: Not bad coloring for a harsh desert...water, too.
Jen is close to the ridge at this juncture.
Leaning into the slope at Havasu.
Once we reached the highpoint on the ridge, despite the lack of clear air, San Francisco appeared. We really like the city...but only from distance. The real danger of the City from this position includes coming between a cow and its calf, slipping on dung, or passing out from steep climbs.
"Alexa! Play Misty for me...okay, please."
A contrast: Not bad coloring for a harsh desert...water, too.
Jen is close to the ridge at this juncture.
Leaning into the slope at Havasu.
Once we reached the highpoint on the ridge, despite the lack of clear air, San Francisco appeared. We really like the city...but only from distance. The real danger of the City from this position includes coming between a cow and its calf, slipping on dung, or passing out from steep climbs.
Fields of dreams and cattle, too.
A desert region with an amazing amount of water as Jen returns from the river bank, forgetting to have brought her swimsuit. (She did have a debit card though.)
Photographs of the same San Ramon park a week later; the approach is from another quarter, a different town/suburb, via Chamise Trail.
The tower is usually approached on a previous hike (opening pictures), from either end, via the path on view or a mile left of it.
Different part of the mountain, looking away from San Francisco.
Calm, watercolor and rugged.
From the top of the lighthouse rocky platform/hill.
A desert region with an amazing amount of water as Jen returns from the river bank, forgetting to have brought her swimsuit. (She did have a debit card though.)
Photographs of the same San Ramon park a week later; the approach is from another quarter, a different town/suburb, via Chamise Trail.
Different part of the mountain, looking away from San Francisco.
Calm, watercolor and rugged.
From the top of the lighthouse rocky platform/hill.
The hills seem to flow...maybe more so when the snow melts should they ever get the 'cold, white stuff'.
Lovely to see California so lush, green and colorful.
A few from the Madrone Trail.
Jenni being tested up an extremely steep incline...but surrounded in color.
Jen takes front-and-center from the right.
Californian 'SweetPea'...oops, 'poppy'.
Cheers,
Jen takes front-and-center from the right.
Californian 'SweetPea'...oops, 'poppy'.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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