Love this little family of mine.

Roy's Redwood Reserve

It's a little hard NOT to be among Redwood's when you're in NorCal. These amazing trees can be found everywhere here in Marin, and we recently came across a park with a 2.5 mile hiking loop just filled with Redwoods!

It's a little difficult to see on this map, but Roy's Redwood Preserve can be seen as the second-top park on this map. Looks like we have many more parks to explore!

Marin Evening Hike

After Geoff dropped me off at yoga one night, he went exploring the trails of San Anselmo with Alpie. One thing I love about this area, is that as soon as you hike a little away from the trailheads, you feel like you're the only person around - with million dollar views!

Labor Day at it's best!

Happy Labor Day! Alps and I hit the trails...

All in the name of ALS research!

If you havent heard of the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS research, then here's the scoop:
Basically, the idea is that you dump a bucket of icy water on your head and encourage donations for it all in the name of ALS research (Amyotrphic Lateral Sclerosis). In many ways, this neurological disease is very similar to MS, but it always, always results in death. Politicians, movie stars, prominent figures in society have all jumped on board with the challenge and together, the world has raised $95 million within the last month!

So after you are nominated for the Ice Bucket Challenge (by way of another person who did it), the idea is to film it, post it on Social Media, and then nominate 3 other people.. kind of like a chain letter..so here's my entry. Enjoy!

My First Major Earthquake

Well, this morning at about 3:30am, the Bay Area got the largest earthquake - a 6.0 - they've had since 1989. I found out about it through Geoff, who sent me an email to see if I was ok.

Needless to say, I think that hurricanes have de-sensitized me, as I slept through the whole affair. Napa and Sonoma have had a lot of destruction though - major property damage and two injuries but no deaths. 

http://news.yahoo.com/northern-california-struck-6-0-magnitude-earthquake-120200248.html

San Fran gets even more Crucians! (Cruzan?)

Look who stopped by in San Fran today and hand-delivered a big box of my possessions from St. Croix?

I was so happy and excited to see our good island friends, Donnie and Charleen, who were staying in Alameda (East Bay) and were here for a big birthday bash. 

Road trippin'.. on FOUR wheels!

Adding a couple of shots from Alpie's and my road trip yesterday out west to Inverness and Point Reyes. A simply magnificent day for putting the new wheels to a test with over 100 miles for the afternoon. New sights, new smells....ahhhh... this is just the beginning of MANY more road trips for our little family in our new home.. stay tuned!

Inverness, CA:

 For some reason, I could not draw myself away from this haunting, but beautiful, shipwreck in Inverness. I'd love to learn more about the story behind this perfect photo opp that I just happened to stumble upon.

 Point Reyes Station - note the ears in the back seat?? :)

Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

This time last week, I joined 2000+ walkers, who together raised more than $4mill towards the cure of breast cancer. They walked approximately 40 miles throughout the streets of San Fran and surrounds with such energy and positivity (despite the miles!) that I have never experienced in my life. Hats off to the San Jose volunteer police department, sidewalk supporters and the little Chinese grandma in Chinatown who fist-pumped us as we marched by!

Marin Shenanigans

Yikes, the new job has certainly been keeping me busy, which has meant little time for uploads.. but, never fear.. my camera (phone) is always close by. As of next weekend, I'll have my friend Nikon by my side again, which means - stay tuned for some nice pics of this STUNNING countryside!

Spring is still a little bit alive in Marin County!

Alpie just loves our daily walks in the open space areas:

Shayna and I in Santa Rosa at a party, about an hour north of San Rafael:

Hiking with friends in Fairfax:

San Rafael Night Market/Farmer's Market:

new climate ~ new job ~ new culture : new home

Alps and I said our farewells to our island, which has been our home for the last (almost) 5 years. Goodbye to the humidity, to the abundance of mangoes, to the warm, clear waters of the Caribbean and most sadly of all, Geoff - and boarded the plane to a new adventure and our new home - San Francisco, California.

Nikon was left behind, so you'll all be getting pics from my phone - but I think any device couldve captured that smile on Alpie's face!

Last beach day with the kidlets!

Going to really miss my Applebabies (three shown, the fourth was probably hanging off Geoff at the time).

Between the beach volley ball and horseshoe games, cupcakes and wine, yoga-retreat planning, Vegas trip planning, a charcoal-covered dog (yes Alpie got into it good), a buffet worth of snacks and lots of laughter, I had a wonderful last farewell beach day with all of my closest friends. 

Memorial Day Weekend

With the moving countdown on and just 8 days to go, I needed to get as much beach time in as possible! Thanks to a long weekend, I not only got in an extra beach day, but also an extra day in with Geoff, who just happened to have it off in among his crazy shift work schedule.

Teres Veho, a cute little SUP (Stand Up Paddle boarding) and beach bar area on the west end, has become our favorite spot to hang out as of late. They also make Hawaiian-style shave ice, offer corn hole (FUN!!!) and make a mean Painkiller (Black-strap Molasses rum, orange juice, pineapple juice and cream of coconut shaken to perfection), among the water sport rental gear and simply amazing snorkeling reef right there at the beach. And one of the best things? It's not only dog-friendly, but dog-embracing.. so many people bring their pooch there to the beach and let them run around among the other dog-lovers.

Sunrise Yoga at Point Udall

Point Udall, the most eastern point in the U.S. has always been a popular most among tourists on the island to visit during sunrise. There's just something special knowing that you're one of the first to experience it, and what better place, than the Caribbean, where sunrise's are always incredibly beautiful?

Some of the girls from yoga class and I decided to take our mats along and do sunrise yoga (5:30am), which was indescribable.. we were a small group, only 5, but it was so serene and peaceful that it was the perfect way to start the day (although it's only 1:30pm now and I'm exhausted!). Still, for this sunrise, I would get up at any hour of the morning and do it all over again...

Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to all the yummy mummy's out there!! I was spoilt with this adorable card I got from my little one this morning. 

Australia 2014

A wedding, appointments and of course - family led us to Melbourne this year. It was a beautiful few weeks spent in Kilsyth with various outings, lots of good food and LOTS of animal spotting. 

Yering Station wine tasting with Tanja and Jens

 The famous "Clover Cottage" was finally experienced one Sunday lunch time and what a feast it was! From seafood to salads to soups and one of the best beef wellington's I've ever had. I still remember rolling myself out of there...thanks again Omi, for a wonderful meal!

Tanja and Jens's Australia trip wasnt complete with the obligatory fish n'chips in St. Kilda!

The real life "Angry Bird"..and what a bully he was!

A day trip to Philip Island proved to be quite adventuresome! Churchill Island National Park was as pretty as ever with its vast array of animals and bird species. (And some really cool trees!) 

Travelling up north to the country for Cat's wedding

The day before: Set Up

Over 100 people at this delightful country wedding!

The beautiful bride

A stop back on the way back to Melbourne at the trout farm always promises a yummy dinner. Tonight: baked trout with butter, garlic, rosemary and lime.