National Seashore- Point Reyes, The beautiful coast

Point Reyes National Seashore is one of the gems of San Francisco bay area. Point Reyes peninsula is surrounded by the peaceful Pacific ocean. The seashore is just not a beach where one can hangout, it is an array of habitats for marine wildlife. Beaches, bays, lagoons, estuaries, tide pools and so on ... The  National Seashore was established to protect the delicate wilderness and ancient tribal culture and now it is a natural sanctuary for hundreds of plants and wildlife and also to the human spirit. The seashore offers long stretches of sandy beaches, hiking trails many other recreational activities. One of my favorite places where I went looking for photo-opportunities, inspiration and solitude!

Random Thoughts- Why do people travel?

Why do you travel? is one question everyone around me and everyone I meet ask me. As I have mentioned in my 'About me' page that I have an 'intense internal compulsion' to travel. When I say this some people get suspicious and some think I am crazy. Whatever the case may be I become a mysterious woman ... but then isn't it a valid and interesting question- Why do people travel? And we definitely get different personal opinions on traveling! There might be many posts in many blogs on this. I thought of putting my perspective together on this topic ... 

Hawaii- Iao Valley and the Needle, Maui

Iao Valley state park is one of the landmarks in Central Maui. This natural beautiful sacred valley is home for the iconic 1,200ft high Iao needle. The needle stands among the green towering cliffs guarding the valley. Mostly the top of these cliffs are covered with a blanket of fog enhancing the natural beauty of the valley. A short walk from the parking on a paved path  leads to the lookout. It was too windy when I was there. 

Random Thoughts- Travel Quotes, My Favorites

Once I had been on a 10mile out-and-back hike to the summit of Mt St Helena (don't get confused with Mt St Helens in Washington). The trail begins at Robert Louis Stevenson State Park in California. Robert Louis Stevenson, the famous author of Treasure Island, spent his Honeymoon here in 1880. The wooden cabin where he stayed at that time is non-existent now, but the spot is identified by a memorial. In the dense dark forest a memorial- a stone sculpture representing a book which talks about Robert Louis Stevenson.

Hawaii- Waterfalls along beautiful Hana Highway, Maui

Isn't it wonderful to drive on a ever winding road in the thick rain forest with countless hairpin bends, viewpoints and waterfalls?! One such great experience I had was on the popular Hana Highway on the eastern coast of Maui, the best Hawaiian island. Being a waterfall-oholic I went crazy! I had to stop at every waterfalls to take pictures. Rain allowed photography only at some places. Here are a few of them.

Colorful Skies- Golden Gate Bridge behind the clouds

San Francisco Bay is very popular for its ocean fog! At times the fog creates a beautiful view of landscape around but, many times disappointingly obstructs the views. One such case is view of the world popular Golden Gate Bridge. Tourists flock this place just to see this red beauty which is one of the modern day architectural wonders and often get disappointed. The fog covers the entire bridge! This is how my family saw Golden Gate Bridge when they visited San Francisco! One September morning!

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Waterfalls- Columbia River Gorge, A National Scenic Area!

Ponytail Falls

American north-western states are very popular for the gorgeous waterfalls. I haven't visited all these states but have seen few waterfalls in Oregon. One of the most beautiful area in Oregon is Columbia River Gorge National Scenic area. The gorge runs on the border of two states- Oregon and Washington. There are 77 waterfalls on Oregon side alone!! They are of different heights, volume, widths and shapes. No waterfall will disappoint you. Most of them are easily accessible and several other may need a short or a lengthy hike to reach.

Colorful Skies- Sunsets from my terrace

We often go looking for vista points for watching a sunset or sunrise taking all the pain of driving or hiking early in the morning, be it bone biting cold or mosquito season. We just ignore the beautiful sky while at home. We never think of gazing at the sky from our own terrace, garden ... blah blah ...

Call of the Wild- Denali National Park, An abode of Grizzly Bears!

Early rays of Sun on Mt Denali

Home of North America's highest peak Mt Denali (20,320ft), Denali National Park is a vast wild land of high alpine tundras and snowy mountains. The highest mountain, more popular by the name Mt McKinley, is the 'roof' of North America. Denali means "the high one" in Athabascan native language. It seems only 20% of the total visitors happen to have a glimpse of this mountain! And I am one of them!

Oceanscapes- The deep blue ocean

Hawaii beaches are amazing! You will find white sand, black sand, black pebbles, volcanic rocks and whatever you think of :) Well, sand beaches were crowded so I thought of shooting here. The solidified volcanic flow made a nice foreground.

Birds- Cormorant Expressions

In one of my earlier posts I had mentioned about cormorants. I repeat again ... I love to interpret their expressions ... Anticipation ... Don't these cormorants look like they are waiting for something? I think so :)

Call of the Wild- National Chambal Sanctuary, The river of Gharials

Gharial

Well, I was in Gwalior and the time wasn't right. There was a lot of tension in Gwalior ... Travel agencies advised me not to venture out. And I wanted to visit the National Chambal Sanctuary which was very few KM away from the epicenter of all the tension- Morena. Next morning, I thought of giving a try than sitting in the hotel room. First, I reached Morena (38KM). I enquired in that dusty bus stand about reaching the sanctuary by public transport. Well, people were very helpful and I boarded another bus. Looked like everyone in the bus knew that I was getting off at the boating terminal. When the bus arrived at the place most of them spoke out ... 'yeh chokri, yahaan utar jao' (get off here) ... Well, I got off ...