More King Tide Before and After
Daily Archive: December 1, 2012
King Tide Ride 2012
King Tide – an unusually high tide that occurs only once or twice a year. So its the highest tide of the year. A time when the sun, moon and earth are aligned and closest together. When the tidal pull is strong! A normal high tide around these parts is 6.5 ft.- whatever that means. This week’s King tide was supposed to be 10.3 ft! So, since we are always riding out the bay, we have a pretty good idea as to what high and low tides look like. So we made plans to do a little King Tide Bike Ride Thursday to see what is up, literally! Barb, John and myself took a nice easy ride from parking lot of Coyote Hills park over to the creek trail and to the end of the bay. When we made that first turn to where we could see Alameda Creek where it empties into the bay, we knew it was a VERY high tide. The “creek” is really a flood control channel that must me 200 feet across. Water was from side to side (which is NEVER is) and pretty high. Stopped and took a couple of pictures, then headed the short 2 miles to the end of the trail. The water line was about has high as I’ve eve seen it. Still not as high as I thought it would be but still pretty pretty high. Took the loop back via the (somewhat muddy) bus stop. To see water lapping up on the levy road as something that rarely happens.
Here is before and after shots of Alameda Creek – King Tide Style
It\’s Christmas time in the City
Kelly is up for Christmas, and Barb bought us tickets to go see the Lion King at the Orphium Theater in San Francisco. Last night was the big night and it couldn’t have turned out better. Our plan was to drive and park. The weather was iffy all day and traffic was pretty bad getting up to the city (95 minutes going up, 35 minutes going home) but we left early and got there with plenty of time to spare.
Parked at the Civc Center Garage and walked the short two blocks to the Orphium. The weather was cooperating. It had been raining all day, but as we walked to the theate,r all was clear. Brought the umbrella and only needed is a little on the way back to the car. There was definitely a hustle bustle in the city. Families dressed in Christmas best hurrying to see the Nutcracker at Davies Symphony Hall. Tourists like us were out taking pictures of City Hall bathed in Christmas red and green. Two block walk and we met the sellout crowd waiting at the theater. After ten minutes the doors opened and….let the show begin!
I’ve heard about the broadway production of Lion King. Barb had gone to a production in San Jose a few years ago. Even though I knew what to expect, it was still amazing. The cast, the “costumes”, the lighting, the stage, the music, all came together to tell the story. Just like the movie! We all liked it. Loved it!! The Orphium is something to see itself. Old style theather that first opened in 1926. We pre-ordered drinks for intermission (cool!) so we didn’t even have to wait in line. After the show it was a quick rainy walk back to the car, but not before taking one final shot of city hall, this time standing in middle of street (thank God for little traffic and a long “walk” signal). City Hall, with it’s Christmas Tree out front, made a fitting end to the fantastic night. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Grandma\’s Tree
Way back in the 80’s, when my parent’s were retired in Rohnert Park, my mom took a ceramics class. The result was a plethora of ceramic goodies that she created. I’m not sure what all is involved, but one result was a beautiful little Christmas tree that lights up. The Tree stands about two feet tall, has the wierdest,longest light bulb going up the middle, then holes to put in the light like ornaments. We have put this tree up over the years and even kidded the girls that we would forgoe the traditional “live” tree and instead go with Grandma’s tree. The best thing about the tree is what is etched into the base
So this year Grandma’s tree is up in all its glory. Thanks MOM and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
