Categories
California travel

Accessibility at the California State Fair

If you know me, you know I love going to the California State Fair! This year I wanted to pay close attention to accessibility at the Fair. In particular, I wanted to find out what challenges wheelchair-users have encountered.

Categories
US travel

Arizona Desert Spiritual Retreat

The sky in the northern Arizona desert is beautiful and ever changing.

Landscape view of dramatic clouds over desert vista.By day, the clouds are pushed around by the wind, sometimes briefly bringing a rain shower or offering a respite from the sun. However, the sun soon regains dominance until it sets in brilliance.

Brilliant, colorful sunset over Arizona desert.

Categories
US travel

The Alamo | Remembering Texas History

My history-loving son recently moved to Austin, Texas, which gives me a new travel destination! As we discussed things to do during my recent visit, he suggested going to San Antonio to see The Alamo.

He told me of his first visit there, and how much it moved him. He described the battle and the loss of lives, and spoke of the bullet holes still visible in the chapel.

He remembered standing next to his buddy, a veteran who became so filled with emotion that he had to leave the building.

Categories
California travel US travel

Native American Heritage | Southeast Alaska

In the United States November is recognized as National Native American Heritage Month, and November 23rd is recognized as Native American Heritage Day.

It is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Alaska Native and American Indian people.

Categories
California travel Visit Sacramento

California State Fair 2018

I love the California State Fair!

In the 30 years I have lived in Sacramento – California’s capitol and the home of the California State Fair – I have faithfully attended nearly every year.

Categories
California travel

Tulip Gardens at Crystal Hermitage

Water cascading down a rock wall at Crystal Hermitage, with many colorful tulips in the foreground.
Water cascading down a rock wall, warm sun and beautiful flowers create a peaceful setting for meditation.

As part of a photography group, I recently visited the tulip gardens at Crystal Hermitage, which is part of the Ananda community located about 15 miles northeast from Nevada City (California) in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Categories
California travel Visit Sacramento

Sacramento Street Art – Wide Open Walls

Street Art | Sacramento | Wide Open Walls | Artists | Mural Festival | Visit Sacramento
Mural created by Franceska Gamez and Shaun Burner for Sacramento’s Wide Open Walls Mural Festival, 2017.

For the past two summers Sacramento has invited street artists, both local and international, to paint larger-than-life murals on buildings, walls and alleyways within the city.

Categories
California travel

Point Arena Lighthouse

Lighthouse, Point Arena, wheelchair accessible, Mendocino County, Northern California, Images by RJM“Situated along the rugged Mendocino County coastline adjacent to the town of Point Arena, is the 1,665-acre Point Arena-Stornetta unit of the California Coastal National Monument. The first shoreline unit of the Monument offers spectacular views of coastal bluffs, sea arches, the estuary of the Garcia River, and sandy beaches and dunes with eight miles of marked paths.”

(National Conservation Lands’ “Point Arena-Stornetta Unit” brochure)

Categories
International travel

Christmas in Cabo!

Cabo San Lucas | Baja Mexico | Christmas | Resort | Hacienda Del Mar | Sheraton Grand Los Cabos | wheelchair accessible
The Murphy Clan in Cabo

While many people fully embrace “the holiday spirit,” my children and I do not. So rather than feeling Grinch-like this Christmas season, our gift to each other – and ourselves – was to spend a week at my daughter’s timeshare in Cabo San Lucas. 

Categories
US travel

Zion National Park | Utah

My First Visit to Zion

Although I grew up in Utah, my first visit to Zion National Park did not occur until I was in my early 60’s.

We were an outdoorsy family, and our vacations usually revolved around camping, fishing and boating. But our destination was always in the north and/or northeast part of the state, and it wasn’t until October of 2017 that I finally visited Utah’s first national park.