The Wilds Of California

Lily pond. There are about 7 different species in this pond, lots of redwoods etc. Wonder little place.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Inspiration for a nano aquascape Tom?

Have you ever been to Alaska in the Summer? Now there is a truly inspiring part of the world.

Dave.

I use to live in Kenai, AK.
My son was born, raised there and still lives there.

So I do know the area

Our state fish, the endemic golden trout, the highest elevation trout species in the world.
It's a two day backpacking trip to get even close to their native range neat Mt Whitney.
We also have the 3 oldest tree species , the largest and the tallest all within a day's drive.

What's weird, there are aquatic plants in the middle of the deserts(water speedwell), near the tops of peaks(Sago pond weed) and other unlikely locations.

That is a Bristlecone pine at 3400 meters growing on dolomite soil.


Regards,
Tom Barr

I`ve still got my Kenai Fjord T shirt. I bought it when we went to Seward to go Humpback Whale watching.

My greatest memory is white water rafting down the Chickaloon River. The snow capped mountains were epic, and the wildlife was stunning. I spent three weeks at Elmendorf AFB just outside Anchorage.

Then you might like this, my long passion is mountaineering.
CA has beaches, deserts, rainforest and mountains. And too many people, fires, earthquakes and overpriced. But I still like it

Awesome...

Is that you tom? Crikey!

see i really liked this post until the mountain top pic!!

i'm terrified of heights, even looking at that has made me feel sick

He`s now got that rock in his latest behemoth Iwagumi!

You folks want rocks?
Why sheeeit, we got rocks

Yosemite valley is a place everyone must see before they die.

http/images.google.com/images?hl=en&...mages&gbv=2

As is Highway 1 which I seem to be on a lot these days, I must have driven the entire length on CA several times now:

http/images.google.com/images?q=HWY+1+Bi...art=40&sa=N

Here's a nice one of the other famous water fall, somebody use to have their house right at this view years ago:
http/images.google.com/images?svnum=10&a...G=Search+Images

One of my personal favorite coastal spots:
http/pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/

The coast has a very interesting rock formation, often with nice blasalt rock formations call "tafoni":

http/images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...l%3Den%26sa%3DX

Please note, all these places are but 3 hours drive or less
And SF is right in the middle.
I use to live in Marin county not far, just on the other side of the Golden Gate bridge, once school is done at Davis(About 1 hour away, ) I'll move back.

Oh redwoods:
http/images.google.com/images?svnum=10&a...G=Search+Images

And in the south, we have deserts and all sorts of rocks as well, serpentine is also an interesting rock we have a lot of here.

Few places on earth can match the inspiration as this place and still be able to get around easily and have the comforts of home. And I've been around too

If you like mountains, here's some I've climbed as well, I climbed Popo not Oriziba in Mexico when I was 14. I've climbed Shasta several times, on Mt Hood, several people have been killed recently.

http/images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...l%3Den%26sa%3DN

I want to climb a few more:

http/images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...l%3Den%26sa%3DN

Get out and see the world!

Regards,
Tom Barr

Wow, amazing photos! Now I want to take off for the redwoods.

I'm originally from southern CA, there really are some great spots in this state, especially if you like hiking. My favorite area would have to be the Channel Islands, some fabulous areas for diving or snorkeling and the islands themselves are beautiful. Currently exploring the northern part of the state, those three hour or less trips are oh so very tempting.

Tourist board would be proud of you guys!

Looks great though especially like the rock formations, only ever made it to the east coast of America, haven't made it out to the wild west yet.