Alabama - June 2012

OK, everyone knows the song, and it is even on the license plate. Alabama is only a 2 hour drive from Atlanta, so I took a day trip to my 35th state. Speaking of which, apparently speed limits are just an annoying suggestion in the South. NASCAR makes everyone a speed demon down there. This trip completes my tour of the old South with a trip to Birmingham and Talladega.

Birmingham, AL has a challenging history. It was founded after the Civil War, yet was the most segregated city. I visited the Civil Rights Institute in downtown which was a moving experience on the plight of blacks in the South. Slavery is our original sin, and even after the war and constitutional amendments, discrimination still abounds.

It is difficult to visit the South without commenting on racism. The region has such a strong history, it is impossible to escape. The Civil War did great damage to the South - economically, socially, and psychologically. The aftermath of the war created many of the problems still faced today and should serve as a warning for future conflicts on how to rebuild while avoiding the massive problems. It is a complicated problem with even more complicated solutions, but we owe it to ourselves to keep trying.

On the way back to Atlanta, I stopped at the Talladega Superspeedway. This massive racetrack has the highest banks with a 33 degree pitch and a hall of fame museum. I caught the last tour of the day and had the bus to myself. It was interesting to see and worth a stop even when 200 MPH cars are not flying by!

Enjoy the rest of the pics below:

Savannah - June 2013

So, you are probably wondering why I am starting my blog on Savannah, GA with a picture of a BMW. Upon arrival at the Atlanta Airport, I headed to the rental car agency and was handed the keys to a BMW X3 at the discounted Costco rate. Needless to say, this was an unexpected surprise that went a long way on my Deep South tour!

Savannah is one of the last great Southern cities in the United States with roots to Colonial times and lots of history. The town is on the Atlantic coast and is still a port with connections inland and overseas. All the history and old style makes this a perfect place to visit, although the open container laws and party atmosphere also attract many party people.

My flight arrived in the afternoon, then it was a 4 hour drive to Savannah. It was hot and humid the entire trip which was expected. Southern heat is a different kind of heat for a boy raised in the desert, but fortunately A/C is everywhere. To help fend off jet lag, my first night was spent on a night ghost tour. Savannah is a very haunted city with lots of spiritual activity. I did not see any ghosts or orbs, but there is an undeniable energy in the city with lots of pirate, slave, and bizarre activities.

Most businesses in the South still observe the Sabbath and are closed on Sundays. This makes for a perfect beach day. The above picture is from Coligny Beach on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Savannah is right on the border, and the beach is very popular with the locals. The facilities were amazing, although the lack of lockers prevented a full dip in the Atlantic. For those not familiar with Atlantic beaches, they are usually wide, shallow, and warm making for near perfect conditions. The water is much warmer than the Pacific which was a treat for my tired feet.

You have to pace yourself in 90 degree heat when the humidity is amazingly high. The above riverwalk picture shows downtown Savannah. The place is much like Pier 39 for those familiar with San Francisco. The historic area is very compact and easy to explore on foot, however after a few hours of sweat - and a massive thunderstorm - I headed back to the Atlantic ocean, this time to the local Tybee Island.

Savannah is also home to a Single A minor league baseball team, the Savannah Sand Gnats. Mondays are dollar night with $1 tickets, $1 hot dogs, and $1 Natural Light beers. Since I already had some excellent BBQ - see my separate Southern Food posting for more info - I spent my $5 on a ticket and beer. Unfortunately the game was called due to the storms, but fortunately I did not lose much money.

I am glad Sherman spared Savannah. The rest of the South now awaits! Below are the rest of my pictures for you to enjoy:

Hidden Falls Regional Park, Auburn, CA - May 2013

About one hour east of Sacramento lies Hidden Falls Regional Park near Auburn, CA. This place is a real gem for those living near Sacramento and was recently expanded with new trails and excellent hiking facilities. The park contains several canyons with year-round rivers and waterfalls. It is in the California foothills with the oaks and hills typically found in the region. There are hiking trails for all activity levels and is popular with families. And it's free!

The drive to the park takes you past several Satsuma orchards along the Placer County Wine Trail outside of Auburn. Once you finally get there, the park seems pretty small with a parking lot and a small trailhead. However, most of the part is literally over the river and through the woods. The first hike is either along the service road or the easier trail pictured above. Once you climb down the first valley and cross the river, you have many options.

There is a great hike to the actual Hidden Falls overlook, but for this trip I explored the new area. The access road takes you over several fire breaks and into a side valley with another set of falls. These falls are not as impressive, but Placer County installed a nice overlook gazebo and bridge which were worth the hike. You will not get to the actual falls without a major hike, but the main trails will take you close enough for some cool pictures. Plus the hike there is very nice too.

You will get dusty on this hike. The trails have lots of fine red clay which will stain white clothes. BRING WET NAPS! There are several portable toilets along the hike, but water is limited, so pack some extra fluids for the trip. It is a very nice hike for everyone and very close. Pack a change of clothes if you want to hit up some wineries on the way back. Enjoy the rest of the hike below.

Yosemite National Park - May 2013

It has been about four years since I last visited Yosemite National Park. I have wanted to go for a while, and the weather and waterfall forecasts were perfect. The drive takes about three hours from Sacramento which is a very long day trip - although I always recommend an overnight trip, especially when combined with the amazing Ahwahnee Sunday Brunch. This is one of the oldest and most beautiful national parks in the United States, if not the entire world.

The first stop was Yosemite Falls in the middle of the park valley. The park valley is surrounded by sheer granite walls with massive waterfalls pouring over the sides. Yosemite Falls is in two parts with the most visible upper falls pictured above. You can walk up to the base of the lower falls which is especially strong (and loud) during the spring melt. There are many challenging hikes around if you have the right shoes and no fear of heights!

After a nice picnic lunch and some shopping, it was time for a wine break in the lobby of the Ahwahnee Hotel. The hotel is gorgeous in the style of a craftsman lodge with amazing detail in stone and wood. The dogwoods were also in bloom which made the valley even more beautiful. Guests from around the world can stay both in luxury and rustic camping within walking distance. The valley is always busy with foreign tourists speaking many languages but always with the same amazed look on their faces.

This weekend was the first opening of Glacier Point which overlooks the entire valley. The road is long and winding, but the views are incredible. It is possible to hike the four miles from the valley floor, but most people take their cars instead. My iPhone has a great panoramic picture capability which was used extensively in such a beautiful place.

Yes, that is me saying goodbye to Yosemite after a wonderful day. After a brief stop overlooking the valley one last time, I took Highway 140 back to Merced. This highway was subject to a landslide in the last few years, and the effects are still eerily visible from the highway and temporary detour. Another great day in a great place! Enjoy the pictures.