34th America's Cup, San Francisco, California, USA - 21st and 23rd September 2013

An America's Cup right here in the SF Bay Area - this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I couldn't pass up! While I'm no expert and wouldn't call myself a die-hard fan, I found myself captivated by the sport's dynamic blend of natural forces, physical grit, and the scientific precision behind the engineering of the AC72 Catamarans.

At an event of this scale and prestige, the presence of luxury brands was impossible to overlook. It seems sailing and high-end living go hand in hand - like milk and cereal, bread and butter, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream. I hope to see more young people (regardless of background) find their way into this remarkable sport.

In any case, the upbeat, electric atmosphere at the America's Cup Park at Piers 27/29 was contagiously uplifting. I paused to reflect on the men who take up the sport; their dedication to their craft was nothing short of inspiring. Despite the physical demands and high-stakes pressure, they poured their effort into creating a spectacular showcase for their team, sponsors, and spectators. All in all, a true class act.

May the better team claim the "Auld Mug"!

Below: Race 16 on Sep 23, 2013

Below: Team USA, Winner of Race 16 on Sep 23, 2013

Below: Team New Zealand in Race 16 on Sep 23, 2013

Above left: Oracle Team USA; Above right: Emirates Team New Zealand

Next post: 34th America's Cup Final Race, San Francisco, California, USA - 25 September 2013

Previous post: Pinnacles National Monument, California, USA

Pinnacles National Monument, California, USA - 25 March 2012

Pinnacles National Monument, established in 1908 by President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, was a spectacular place to visit. Created millions of years ago by volcanic activity, her unique spires, monolith rock formations, and caves become both the natural playground to people and home to the wild alike. While rock climbers scale the sides of crags and young children and adults explore the cool and dark caves, raptors nest and raise their young on the rock formations and bats roost, hibernate and raise their little ones inside the caves.

With a broad geographic scale of 26,000 acres, diverse flora and fauna thrive in Pinnacles National Monument. The park has the greatest number of bee species per unit area of any place ever studied. It is also a natural habitat to 14 of the 24 bat species in California, and since 2003, is home again to California condors. Chapparal vegetation form about 80 percent of Pinnacles' flora. Chapparals are drought-tolerant, highly flammable and non-deciduous (non-leaf-dropping) woody shrubs with hard evergreen leaves.

We were blessed with great weather (considering that the day before, we had heavy downpour in the Bay, which I have to say was most welcome after months of drought). Many of us really enjoyed walking inside the dark Bear Gulch caves. These talus caves were formed when huge boulders fell and lodged themselves between the crevices at the lower part of the rock formations, creating these maze-like, narrow passages for people to walk through. An underground stream flows through these caves as well making the walk extra interesting. The Bear Gulch Cave Trail from the parking lot to Bear Gulch caves was an easy walk (about a mile's hike each way) and highly doable for youths and young children. We found our way to the reservoir and had a pleasant picnic lunch there.

Directions to the Pinnacles' east entrance from San Francisco Bay area (~1.5 hours each way):
Take Hwy 101 south through the city of Gilroy to Hwy 25 south. On Hwy 25, go through the town of Hollister and continue about 30 miles to Hwy 146. Turn right on Hwy 146, then turn left into the Pinnacles Campground to check in at Pinnacles Visitor Center. There is a day fee of $5 per vehicle to enter the park. From the campground, the Bear Gulch Area is 3.5 miles further into the park along Hwy 146.

All glory and praise to God for a wonderful day in nature with the children! :)

Above left: Passing a farm on Hwy 25 en route to Pinnacles National Monument

Above: Wild flowers at Pinnacles

Above left: A beetle; Above right: A lizard

You may also like: Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve; Negative Tide @ Half Moon Bay

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