It's been a year since I've posted anything, a year filled with hikes/camping, cooking/baking and graduation. I finally finished my course in Geography last Dec. What a thrill! I was ready to conquer the world. Then what a let down when I couldn't find a job, not even an internship. 2009 is probably the worst year for graduates in the USA. And a forty year old one at that (I know I know, I don't look it). I had to come back to the Philippines sooner than I thought, but I think it would have been the right thing to do regardless. There is so much to do, so little time.
I have ideas about what I would like to accomplish and have verbalized it to a few close relatives I knew have the same interest. Now there is no turning back. I'm very much in the early stages of conceptualizing and trying to get people to join me in my worthy endeavor. But at this stage I already have a very clear vision of what it is I would like to accomplish. I'm also very aware that it will be a long and hard road ahead. Am I up for the challenge? Do I have what it takes? No choice now but to move ahead.
Gorgeous scenery. We hiked through winding, steep hills and valleys starting from the Miwok trail off Bunker Road, on through Wolf Ridge, up the coastal trail, on to Green Gulch where we ended our hike. We ate a late lunch at Pelican Inn. Afterwards, most of the group continued hiking a loop back to Bunker Road. I was exhausted, this being my first high elevation hike. I made it though and I would do it again.
Hiking the Shoreline Trail was a truly pleasant experience. I languidly walked the 7-mile trail, taking it all in, stopping many times to observe the hazy colors of the landscape. We started out at 10am which is the perfect time to take pictures on a sunny day. The warm breeze tickled my face as I started out briskly following the 30 some group. Not very long afterwards, about 3-minutes into the hike actually, I fell behind barely hearing the distant chatter of my group. I couldn't help having to take a slow walk from that point on as I gazed at the splash of earthy colors surrounding me. I felt warm and fuzzy. Later on we crossed two bridges. One long rustic wooden bridge with fading blue-green paint and one art deco (?) metal bridge. I don't know what it is about bridges that fascinate me. Especially old rustic ones. The trail led us through mud flats, salt marshes and grasslands usually abundant with birds. Early morning was a peaceful, languid landscape. Caught two birds snoozing in the sun. As we walked back in the early afternoon, the tide was low and birds were all around feeding on the tiny creatures in the mud. Bikers, joggers, more hikers, fishermen and children dotted the scene. We walked approximately 3 miles of the 7-mile trail. I'm thinking of moving to Hayward.
The Shoreline is one of very few areas in SF bay remaining that are protected. As a consequence these protected areas have become a haven for common and endangered birds.
Eating food that grows naturally during the season and is grown locally not only saves the earth by not requiring more energy to grow and transport, but also tastes a lot better. I bought some juicy ripe cherries and strawberries yesterday at Rainbow Grocery. There is nothing like eating fruit that was picked ripe.
Here are several guides to summer's produce:
CUESA: Vegetable Calendar (there are links to the season's fruit, nuts, flowers, plants, meats and cheeses as well)
The New York Times' Escapes section featured San Francisco farmer's markets, I had no idea there were that many, four to be exact. I sometimes go to the Ferry Plaza especially when fresh beans are available. I bought 5 pounds of fresh lima beans for $9 the last time I was there. Lima beans are a pain to prepare but really worth it in the end if you make a big batch. I fully intend to explore these markets as soon as I finish with school, which is a week from now. Here's the schedule:
Saturdays - Alemany Market on Alemany Blvd. (6am-5pm) Wednesdays (7am-5:30pm) & Sundays (7am-5pm) - The Heart of the City Farmer's Market at the Civic Center Thursdays - Crocker Galleria Market (11am-3pm) Saturdays (8am-2pm) & Tuesdays (10am-2pm) - Ferry Plaza Market
Together, National Geographic, the IPCC, the UN and the UN Foundation produced a new short film outlining the facts, showing the impacts and providing a way forward in combating catastrophic climate change.
Tabukol is a wonderful oasis in Negros, one of the Philippine plantation capitals of the country, and a sanctuary for endangered endemic wildlife such as the Visayan Taritic Hornbill and Philippine Leopard Cat. Tabukol was once a dry, barren land before the Sagemullers reforested and consequently brought back to life a natural spring which now irrigates the farmlands that sprouted in the area. It took about 10 years for the forest to regenerate. Not bad and a prime example of the viability of reforestation. A great article in the Inquirer this week tells us more. An important thing to note is in order to successfully reforest an area one must keep in mind the use of native species.
I do wish more reforestation would happen in idle land. Aside from the environmental aspect of reforestation there is a social aspect as well. The two almost always goes hand in hand.
Environmental issues can be overwhelming for most people. How we can help and make a difference is a question that is not easy to answer. Sometimes the simplest things are what can make a huge difference. Earth Hour is one of those things. It doesn't take much effort and collectively we can make a huge difference by simply turning off our lights for one hour.
I am planning to host a candlelight dinner for Earth Hour which is on March 29, 8pm. Ok, have to go and make my lists for grocery, guests, menu...
The Shoreline is one of very few areas in SF bay remaining that are protected. As a consequence these protected areas have become a haven for common and endangered birds.
