New Year's Resolutions

Well, the new year is almost upon us, so I guess it's time to make some resolutions. Now, generally I don't make resolutions, because I know I'm very unlikely to keep them. However, in the case of this blog, I will certainly make an effort to follow through.

I think my very first resolution would be to write more blog posts. California is a very large and diverse state and I have been there many times. I should be able to write more posts about places I have been, places I will be going, and places I'd like to go. I have a lot of pictures that I've taken, so should be able to post a lot of new photos, as well. After all, if a picture is worth a thousand words, then my thousands of pictures could tell an epic tale.

My second resolution will be one that I will try to keep as much as possible, but is dependent on vacation time from work and $$$. I would like to take more trips to California, or at least more than one this year. I will be going on another trip in less than three weeks. I am so looking forward to it for a variety of reasons (time away from work, time away from home, and my birthday.) So, if I have both the time and money available, I will certainly try to keep this resolution. After all, there is so much more I have to explore in California.

My third resolution will be to go to new places and see and do new things on my trip (or trips) to California. I've tended to go to the same places and do the same things on my various trips. I mean, if you find something you like to do or places you like to go, then why not go there and do those things? However, I know that there are so many other places I can go, so I should definitely start exploring them.

Well, there you have it, my New Year's resolutions for myself and my blog. Let's see how well I do at keeping them.

The Sea Lions are Missing in San Francisco

Just a month or two ago there were record numbers of sea lions at Pier 39 in San Francisco. Now it seems they are all gone. I've been to Pier 39 when there have been lots of sea lions, as well as when there have been not so many. It's my understanding that the numbers are seasonal as the sea lions migrate for food or mating. However, the current situation seems to be unusual, since there don't appear to be any sea lions.

Pier 39's website has a live sea lion cam, however it is currently not operational as there are no sea lions to view. When you go to the sea lion cam page you get a couple photos of the sea lions and the following message:

Thanks for checking out PIER 39’s live sea lion web cam! Our sea lion friends are temporarily seeking out alternative food sources, but we expect them to return very soon. In the meantime, check out some photos we took of them over the past few months, and make sure to check back as we await their arrival back to PIER 39!

The sea lions were fun to watch and quite the tourist attraction. Pier 39 is home to the Sea Lion Cafe which is adjacent to the docks the sea lions normally habituate. I hope the sea lions return to Pier 39, because they are certainly not a sight to miss and one that will be missed if they don't return.

The Countdown is On...20 Days to Go!

Well, in only 20 more days, I will be back in California. I'm looking forward to the visit for a variety of reasons, not least of which is that the weather will be somewhat better than in Ohio. Today, the temperature is going to be barely 30 for a high...well below the low for the day in San Francisco. So, whether it rains or shines for my vacation...I know it will always be better than home.

Researching Mendocino

Based on the recommendations of @PreppyDude on Twitter, I am planning to visit Mendocino County on my next vacation to California. So, I am currently doing some research on what Mendocino is all about. Mendocino is a Northern California coastal county in the heart of wine country. Besides wine, Mendocino is also known for crabs, whales, and mushrooms. Both wine and crabs are celebrated every January during the Mendocino Crab & Wine Festival. Mendocino is home to Ft. Bragg and has also been the home to legendary racehorse Seabiscuit and Jessica Fletcher--the main character on TV's "Murder She Wrote" (which was filmed in Mendocino.) One of the sights I am hopeful of seeing is the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, which is a 47-acre public garden located with direct ocean frontage. While I will be in California during the time-frame of the Crab & Wine Festival, I am doubtful that I will partake of the festivities as I don't really care for wine, nor do I eat crab. However, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Mendocino, so that I won't be missing out if I don't go to the festival. I look forward to exploring this new area and reporting back on what I see and do. Most of all, I look forward to capturing some of the wildly beautiful scenery and sharing it with you.

California's On the Horizon...Where Should I Go?

I will be making a return visit to the Bay Area in January and am looking for some new places to go. I've been told that I should go to Mendocino, so I definitely plan to check it out as I have not been that far north yet. I am, as always, looking forward to my trip (especially since California will be nicer than Ohio in January). This time, I'm especially excited, because I plan to visit the deYoung's exhibit: Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs. I'm also excited, because I scored a ticket with frequent flyer miles, making my trip more affordable. I plan to spend the next month or so before my trip researching new places to go and new things to see. If you have any suggestions, let me know. I also plan to visit my favorite Taco Bell in Pacifica since I haven't been there for a while.

Help Keep California Parks Open

As reported in an earlier post the California State Park system, like the rest of California, is in a budget crisis. On November 3, Save the Redwoods League and partners filed language to put a measure on the 2010 ballot that would ensure stable funding and protect wildlife in the chronically underfunded California state parks.

As part of state-wide budget cuts, nearly 60 state parks will be shut down part-time or will have reduced hours of operation. It is expected that more budget cuts (thus reducing operations even more) will occur next year. It is extremely unfortunate that at a time when usage of state parks has increased, funding has decreased. Due to personal budget constraints people are staying closer to home for vacations, thus using the natural resources available to them at home...such as the California State Parks. It is extremely important, not only for California residents, but for future tourism in the state, that the parks are kept open and available for use by the public.

In response to this major issue, Save the Redwoods League, California State Parks Foundation and The Nature Conservancy prepared the statewide ballot measure called "California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010." If the measure is passed by voters it will provide funding for the state park system and wildlife conservation through an annual State Park Access Pass which will cost only $18.

So, if you are a California resident, get involved and help save your state parks. You can visit the websites of the various organizations supporting the ballot measure to find out how you can help. If you don't live in California, but respect the natural resource that is the California State Parks, then donate to one of the organizations supporting the ballot measure. These organizations work to preserve our natural resources and conserve wildlife. As a traveler to California, I appreciate the natural beauty of the California landscape and look forward to having the opportunity to enjoy these resources. If funding is not reinstated to the California State Parks, then the opportunity for anyone to enjoy these natural resources will be severely limited, if not eliminated.

Gavin Newsom Withdraws as Candidate for California Governor

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has withdrawn from the race for governor of California. His official statement follows:

It is with great regret I announce today that I am withdrawing from the race for governor of California. With a young family and responsibilities at city hall, I have found it impossible to commit the time required to complete this effort the way it needs to — and should be — done.

This is not an easy decision. But it is one made with the best intentions for my wife, my daughter, the residents of the city and county of San Francisco, and California Democrats.

When I embarked on this campaign in April, my goal was to engage thousands and thousands of Californians dedicated to reforming our broken system and bringing change to Sacramento.

I would like to thank those supporters, volunteers, and donors who have worked so hard on my behalf. I have been humbled by their support and am indebted to their efforts. They represent the spirit of change and determination essential to putting California back on the right track.

I will continue to fight for change and the causes and issues for which I care deeply — universal health care, a cleaner environment and a green economy for our families, better education for our children, and, of course, equal rights under the law for all citizens.