Daily Oakland Sunset on Instagram

Wow it's been a while! And that while has been crazy, I must say! I'll get into what's been going on this past year in future posts...maybe...or maybe I'll just say I'm happy to be back and looking forward to the future! Now that that's out of the way, I wanted to dedicate this post to my new project, and tell everyone a bit about it. Ever since Instagram finally developed an app for Android, I've been hooked. After some time I noticed that a majority of my pics were of the absolutely gorgeous sunsets that we get almost every night here in the bay area. Sooo, I created a new account specifically for those shots so I could share what I loved with people who love the same thing, and feature their shots as well! In under just 8wks we're already over 750 sunset lovers strong, and 2 of my contributors have been chosen as Photo of the Week on an Oakland Tourism site visitoakland.org ! Its pretty awesome! It's been really fun for me to see all the different perspectives my fellow East Bay artists have when capturing their sunsets every day. And dedicating that little time each evening to finding somewhere to shoot, trying new ways of immortalizing the moment, and just consciously chillin out and watching Mother Nature at work has been so relaxing, and fulfilling. I'm grateful for everything around me on a daily basis, which has been a long time coming. :-) Feel free to come join us on Instagram: @dailyoaklandsunset

Views from the Bay Bridge

A couple years ago, I got stuck on the Bay Bridge with hundreds of other morning commuters as a deranged gentleman ahead of us threatened to throw himself into the Bay, and blow up the bridge behind him. The police set up a roadblock, stopped traffic, and handled the situation after a couple hours with the SWAT team and plenty of news coverage...and no harm to anyone. We weren't being evacuated, were told not to be alarmed, but were pretty much stuck. Being stuck in the middle of the Bay Bridge didn't really afford us much to do except mill around and snap pictures. But, in retrospect, (given that the gentleman did not end up hurting himself or any other person), what a unique opportunity! I'll probably never get a chance to stand on the upper deck of the Bay Bridge again, as it's not pedestrian friendly. Looking back at Oakland.. And out towards San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.. Just another reminder of how to turn a crappy situation into something better :)

Rainy Oakland

Some shots from a recent rainy walk through our hood...

(PS, finished shots of the door table and all the other projects I've got going are soon to come!)

Tilden Regional Park

Took an afternoon hike around Lake Anza in Tilden Regional Park above Berkeley and Oakland. It's been pretty unseasonably warm around here..perfect opportunity to get out with the dog and wander around the woods for a few hours!

Sutro Baths

The ruins of Sutro Baths. Haunting. Interesting. Beautiful.

Mulford Point, Marina Park - San Leandro, La Estrellita - Oakland

Mulford Point, on the North side of Marina Park in San Leandro. Not done exploring this park yet :) On the lower side is this really amazing looking walking trail that curves waaaay out into the bay. It looked like a huge, curved, manmade pier or wave break. There were a quite a few people walking with their families, dogs, friends and the wind!!! Being surrounded on all sides by the San Francisco Bay pretty much guarantees you'll be windblown, but the views and the experience of feeling like you're walking on water must surely trump all that!Hoping to make it out there to take the long walk as soon as possible!








Day 5, July 27th: La Estrellita - Oakland

Checked out a new-to-me margarita spot a few blocks from where I live in downtown/Lake Merritt are Oakland. La Estrellita is a favorite happy hour spot for Jenn and Gretchen, and the fact that they can bring their dogs makes it that much better! I'm a fan of supporting little local restaurants, especiallhy when their staff is extra friendly! Many pitchers and many laughs were shared and enjoyed!