Time: 7:30 gathering at the Park'n'Ride till about 10:30 pm. Please note, new admittance policy in 2009: The Park entrance will close at 8:30 pm, so don't be late or you won't get in!
Admission: FREE!!
Location: Meet at the Park'n'Ride at I-280 and Page Mill Rd west of Palo Alto at 7:00 pm. From there we'll carpool to Foothill Park. Any car with a telescope or a Palo Alto resident aboard gets in free. Or you can just tell them at the gate that you are an amateur astronomer participating in the public star party. We will be joining the Peninsula Astronomical Society for this month's summer star party.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=i-280+%26+page+mill+rd&csz=los+altos+ca+94022
More Information: Contact Randy, 408.739.2881, or Carrie.
Shoreline: The crowd of hikers this morning was smaller than usual for such a beautiful morning. But maybe some thought it would bee too hot. It did get quite warm with the sun irradiating our backs on the way out to our "benchmark" and shining in our faces on the way back. But it was a "dry heat". On the way back, a falcon came flying by us on a bicycle! No kidding! Well, a guy was riding the bicycle, but he was wearing a falconer's glove and a white falcon was perched on his fist. The bird put one in mind of a dog with its head out the window of a speeding car. It had its wings spread and was gliding through the air. It really was a real live bird because occasionally it would flap its wings. You never know what you're going to see on these hikes, so come on out or you'll miss something!
Shoreline: It must have been just too beautiful a morning to stay inside today, because we had a huge group for the hike and for coffee after. There was at least one first-timer, and at least one first-time-in-a-long-timer. The conversation was cheery and varied about every subject under the sun. Which was smiling brightly on us all! Our bird diarist had to miss the hike, so she sent an email ahead saying to make note of the birds we saw so she could update the official bird diary when she arrived for coffee. Yours truly did my part by noting and reporting that we saw several light planes, a few airliners, two helicopters and a zeppelin. For some reason she didn't write those down...? Oh well. Join us next time and see how many birds you can spot!
Time: 6:45 pm. No RSVP required.
Cost: Dinner is $15.00.
Location: St. Lucy's Parish Activity Center, 2350 Winchester Blvd, Campbell, 95008
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=2350+winchester+blvd&csz=campbell+ca+95008.
More Information: Call the CSF event line, 408.535.0368, or email singles@stlucy-campbell.org.
Shoreline: In spite of raindrops on the windshield for many people on their way to the hike this morning, there was not a single raindrop on any of us. A few had umbrellas with them but none were needed. We had a pretty good group this morning, proving that either people are not afraid to walk in the rain, or they are just totally convinced the friendly skies of N. California wouldn't never rain on them. We walked out to our familiar "benchmark" and back and met a few first-time-in-a-long-timers back at the Café. There was also one first-time-in-a-long-LONG-timer there. And to highlight the morning, the word slipped out that one of our number was having a birthday. So we sang "Happy Birthday" to Carrie, and shared a delicious mousse cake, brought by Celia, to celebrate the occasion. That's it for now. See you next Saturday... rain or shine!
Los Gatos Creek: Report courtesy of hike leader Elise.
The hike was very good! Besides the regulars there, our most consistent hikers, there was one more. The day was just beautiful, not too hot. A great day for hiking!
Time: Dance lesson @ 7:30 pm, TerraJam starts playing at 8:00 pm.
Admission: $5.00. Bring drinks/snacks/finger food to share.
Location: Unity Palo Alto Community Church, 3391 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=3391+middlefield+rd&csz=palo+alto+ca+94303.
More Information or to Volunteer: Email Miki, mikimcal@yahoo.com or phone 650.464.5518.
Shoreline: There were many clouds this morning and they seemed heavy with wetness, but none of them were dripping wet. At least none directly above us. But the lowering visage of the sky may have been what kept our number lower than usual this time. One of our hikers had a pedometer with her and reported that, out to our "benchmark" and back is about 6000 steps. Assuming about 2.5 feet per step, that's nearly 3 miles round trip, which we do in about an hour... 3 mph. Even though the number of hikers was smaller than normal (about a dozen), we had one first-timer, and one first-time-in-a-long-timer. Our number didn't grow much throughout the hike and even back at the café, but the pleasantness of camaraderie and conversation was as great as ever!
Camaraderie at Lakeside Café |
Edgewood: Report courtesy of Josephine.
The hike at Edgewood Park began at 9 am on Saturday and lasted till 10:30 am. A mother deer and her baby were seen, along with lots and lots of wild flowers and butterflies. We're going to try to make it easier to find the hike leader next month. If you're coming and can't find the group, or if you're running late, contact Josephine on her cell 650.619.4024.
Cost: $30 with all meals provided. Reduced rates possible for day use or shortened stay (fewer meals).
If interested, Contact Ed austininv@aol.com, 650.969.3384, for details.
Time: 7:30 gathering at the Park'n'Ride till about 10:30 pm. Please note, new admittance policy in 2009: The Park entrance will close at 8:00 pm, so don't be late or you won't get in!
Admission: FREE!!
Location: Meet at the Park'n'Ride at I-280 and Page Mill Rd west of Palo Alto at 7:00 pm. From there we'll carpool to Foothill Park. Any car with a telescope or a Palo Alto resident aboard gets in free. Or you can just tell them at the gate that you are an amateur astronomer participating in the public star party. We will be joining the Peninsula Astronomical Society for this month's summer star party.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=i-280+%26+page+mill+rd&csz=los+altos+ca+94022
More Information: Contact Randy, 408.739.2881, or Carrie.
Shoreline: The sky was hard to describe this morning. There were way more clouds than blue sky, but it just didn't seem "overcast". The clouds were light and diffuse. You could actually see the disk of the sun shining through them. It was chilly enough to have a light jacket on at the staging area, but some of us knew once we started walking, we'd warm up. It didn't look, at first, like there was going to be very many of us, but within a minute or two of 9 o'clock, quite a few arrived. We had a dozen or so that made it all the way to the "benchmark", where we rested a few minutes and then returned. And, of course, quite a few more joined us at the café. It's the place to be on Saturday morning!
Shoreline: Today was almost a carbon copy of last week, except the goslings are growing like weeds and appear to be about to enter their "teens". Whereas a couple weeks ago we saw what looked like a pre-school for geese, with about 3 dozen little chicks, this week we a saw similar group. The kids were much bigger, though, and it put one in mind of ground school for flying. There was a lot of running and wing-flapping, but the wings aren't flying-rated yet. We had one first-timer on the walk and only one man at the start, but more men caught up with us before we got back. And there were even more men back at the café, as well as more women. Someone asked about the possibility of a walk after coffee for the later-risers. Sounds to me like it might work, so go for it!
Time: around 8:30 pm.
Cost: No cover charge... drinks, etc, pay as you go.
Location: Effie's Restaurant: 331 W Hacienda Ave, Campbell, CA 95008
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=331+ 3+hacienda+ave&csz=campbell+ca+95008.
More Information: Contact Betty by email: betmeme1@juno.com or phone 408.739.2881.
Time: Dinner 5:45 pm, carpool 6:30 pm, lecture 7:00 pm.
Cost: Whatever you spend for dinner, plus your share of the $2 parking fee. The Lecture is FREE!
Location: Dinner & Carpool: The Pasta Market, 4546 El Camino Real Suite A7 Los Altos, CA 94022.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=4546+el+camino+real&csz=los+altos +ca+94022
Location: Lecture: Foothill College, Smithwick Theater, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=12345+el+monte+rd&csz=los+altos+hills+ca+94022
More Information: Contact Carrie, ckarnos@yahoo.com, or Randy, 408.739.2881, age-of aquinas@paloaltocatholic.org.
Time: 7:30 pm Saturday 5/16; 3:00 pm Sunday 5/17. Pre-concert talk half hour before curtain, reception afterward.
Tickets: $30/Premier - $25/Preferred - $20/General - $15/Seniors/Students/Groups of 10 or more.
Location: Historic Carrington Hall, 1201 Brewster Ave, Redwood City, CA 94062
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=1201+brewster+ave&csz=redwood+city+ca+94062
More Information: Contact: Silvia, silviaprattrop@yahoo.com, 650.281.9663
Time: 8:00 pm.
Tickets: $15/General - $10/Seniors/Students/Children available at the door.
Location: Sunnyvale Community Theater, 550 E. Remington Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=550+e+remington+dr&csz=sunnyvale+ca+94087
More Information: Contact: Randy, age-of-aquinas@paloaltocatholic.org, 408.739.2881
Shoreline: We're into that time of year when it's not too cold and it's not too hot, and nobody has an excuse for missing these walks on these beautiful mornings. And we had a lot of people for this morning's walk, including one first-timer. The crystal clear blue sky displayed zero clouds, but the gibbous moon was out, looking down on us. Quite a few walkers caught up with us on the trail out to the "benchmark", and when all got back for coffee, we took up 6 or 7 tables! I don't know which is better, the walking or the talking. Can't wait for next Saturday.
A gibbous moon shining in a crystal clear blue sky! |
Shoreline: Soon after we set out on our walk, we came to what appeared to be a Canada Gosling Pre-School! There were only 2 adults in charge of at least 3 dozen chicks. By the time we got back by there, most of the parents must have picked their kids up and taken them home. Our coffee time was curtailed for some of us because we had the new Star Trek movie to attend. There were two shifts of folks, one shift for the 11 am show and the other shift for the 1:55 pm show. All in all, there were 4 of us in Star Trek uniforms. And everybody liked the movie!
Canada Gosling Pre-School |
Los Gatos Creek: Report courtesy of Elise.
The hike was good. A warm sunny day, nice breeze, great location and conversation, we noticed more birds and animals, flora, a helicopter dropping something on the reservoir(!?!?). Due to some climbing and pretty steep downhill stretches, we have advertised the route as "ambitious". But we are considering some alternate routes which are flatter. We look forward to meeting at the trailhead next month, second Saturday - June 13, which begins at the east side of the Hwy 17 overpass on Main Street, by the El Gato hotel. Blessings! --Elise
Time: after the hike, try for the 11:00 am or 1:55 pm matinee.
Tickets: Visit http://www.cinemark.com/century_showtimes.asp?fandango_id=AACFX, change the date to May 9 and order your ticket.
Directions to Century 16 Theatre: 1500 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043
From northbound 101 (toward San Francisco), take the Shoreline Blvd exit (CAUTION: slow down! tight off-ramp curve!) and turn right at the light (NOTE: no right on red!).
From southbound 101 (toward San Jose), take the Shoreline Blvd exit and turn left at the light.
Once on Shoreline Blvd, take the first left into the theatre parking lot. We will gather in front of the box office.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=1500+n+shoreline+blvd&csz=mountain+view+ca+94043
More Information: Contact: Randy, age-of-aquinas@paloaltocatholic.org, 408.739.2881
Dance in Bougival Pierre-Auguste Renoir 1841-1919 |
April Chances Bring May Dances Saturday, May 2, 2009 It's spring! The time when, as Alfred, Lord Tennyson once put it, "a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." Hey, it could happen! I mean, "Pierre-Auguste" was a popular name for famous artists in the 19th century, so you could be popular too at the next Age of Aquinas dance! And you will be if the Sharp Nines have anything to say about it! They'll be playing for us again at the... St. Albert the Great Community Center 1095 Channing Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94301 |
Le Printemps Pierre-Auguste Cot 1837-1883 |
Doors open: 8:00. The band will start playing about 8:30 and go until about 11.
Admission: STILL only $10! Snacks and drinks will be provided.
More information: Email Mabel m_ngo@sbcglobal.net, or call Tom 408.298.2064.
Shoreline: These weekly hikes started 4 years ago, this was only about the 3rd or 4th time we have been rained on. Rained on, but not rained out! The skies were dark and sullen, but spirits were bright on the paths. It didn't rain very hard, but the wind was pretty stiff. Nonetheless, we all came prepared with either umbrellas, rain hats, or hoods. There just wasn't enough water to dampen anyone's spirit! Back at the ranch, we all had to find places inside. Most gathered in the large room where we took over a line of tables and raised the ambient noise level several decibels. Two decided to sit at the counter in the main area and have a quiet conversation. Whatever your preference, there's always room for you!
Some chose the larger room |
A few chose to sit at the counter |
Edgewood: Report courtesy of Josephine.
Lush green, and white and purple Iris everywhere! It was damp but there were no drizzles. We saw little fat birds with orange tummies and yellow beaks and lots and lots of squirrels. Next hike first Saturday of June (the 6th) at 9 am.
- The Church’s position on divorce and the many misconceptions that exist
- Participation in the sacraments by divorced individuals
- Procedural elements of petitioning for an annulment and
- Requirements for remarriage in the Catholic faith
Time: 7:30-9:00 pm.
Location: St. Mary's Hofmann Center, 219 Bean Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=219+bean+ave&csz=los+gatos+ca+95030.
More Information: Contact Jane Ferguson, 408.354.4061 x123, for details.
Time: 3:30 pm.
Cost: FREE!!
Location: Cubberly Auditorium, 4000 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, 94306.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=4000+middlefield+rd&csz=palo+alto+ca+94306
More Information: Contact Heidi Stein, Director of Adult Community Department, 650.852.3505, hstein@paloaltojcc.org.
Time: 7:30 gathering at the Park'n'Ride till about 10:30 pm. Please note, new admittance policy in 2009: The Park entrance will close at 8:00 pm, so don't be late or you won't get in!
Admission: FREE!!
Location: Meet at the Park'n'Ride at I-280 and Page Mill Rd west of Palo Alto at 7:00 pm. From there we'll carpool to Foothill Park. Anyone with a telescope aboard gets in free and does not need to be a Palo Alto resident. Just tell them at the gate that you are an amateur astronomer participating in the public star party. We will be joining the Peninsula Astronomical Society for this month's summer star party.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=i-280+%26+page+mill+rd&csz=los+altos+ca+94022
More Information: Contact Randy, 408.739.2881, or Carrie.
Shoreline: Every week there are more baby geese around, always under the watchful eyes of their parents. On the way back from our "Benchmark", a family of geese was crossing the path, so we waited. Two of the tiny siblings were heartily engaged, testing each other's mettle in physical combat. They were not concerned about getting across the road; only about besting the other. Finally, Mama or Papa, who were honking and hissing, to keep us away, must have said, "All right, kids! That's enough. Let's go!" The rough-housing stopped and the path was cleared. Back at the café we celebrated a birthday. Kit was a year older today! After we sang a heart-felt, if amateur, rendition of "Happy Birthday", the honoree took a pain pill! But he promised us it was for his shoulder recovering from surgery, not for his ears recovering from our singing!
Gosling 1: "Oh Yeah?" Gosling 2: "Oh Yeah?" |
Randy tries to break up a fight! |
Time: Dinner 5:45 pm, carpool 6:30 pm, lecture 7:00 pm.
Cost: Whatever you spend for dinner, plus your share of the $2 parking fee. The Lecture is FREE!
Location: Dinner & Carpool: The Pasta Market, 4546 El Camino Real Suite A7 Los Altos, CA 94022.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=4546+el+camino+real&csz=los+altos +ca+94022
Location: Lecture: Foothill College, Smithwick Theater, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=12345+el+monte+rd&csz=los+altos+hills+ca+94022
More Information: Contact Carrie, ckarnos@yahoo.com, or Randy, 408.739.2881, age-of aquinas@paloaltocatholic.org.
Shoreline: We went back to our old habit of walking straight out to our Baylands "benchmark" this morning. There were about eight of us on the way out, and half again that many on the way back. When we are predictable, people catch up with us. And then, as usual, another group of folks joined us back at the café. It was bright and sunny and warm. What else is new? Though it was cloudy/foggy in Cupertino and Redwood City (reportedly), there was a large blue sky hole above Shoreline. Perhaps the Sun was watching over all the new little Canada geese chicks that were following their parents around, learning about the world and life. We'll watch the young-uns grow over the next several weeks. So come on out and join us if you can.
Shoreline: We had two new first-timers with us as we went a new way this morning. We turned left at the gate at the end of the lake. Our aim was to check on the Hawk couple who have built a nest in the top of a high-tension electrical tower. They may be the same couple from before, all moved back into their nest from years gone by. The young prob'ly haven't hatched yet as there was not much activity at all in the nest. The Canada Geese young have started hatching, though. The first line of little goslings was spotted today. Over the next several weeks we'll see more and more of them, I'm sure. Back at the café several more joined us, including two first-time-in-a-long-timers. We gathered around tables inside because it was a little nippy out on the patio. The sun kept ducking behind clouds. But the days are getting warmer and brighter, so no doubt we'll be back outside next time. Come join us!
Los Gatos Creek: Report courtesy of Ron.
Today, two walkers met at the Purple Onion and our leader at the trail-head. Wonderful weather was our blessing for the day with a gentle breeze to cool us down on our "ambitious walk " up St. Joseph's Hill. Among our three pair of eyes, we discovered a prayer card on the "Angel Bridge". One of the walkers explained the tradition of the prayer cards on this bridge. A wonderful vista that a photograph could never give justice to awaited us at the top of the trail, and on the way down, we discovered a row of tulips. We toasted our walk with "Fierce" flavor Gatorade. (It's hard to describe what a blue drink tastes like!) Back at the beginning trail head, we made our "traditional" stop at the Purple Onion café for a coffee.
Time: 8:00 pm till 11:00 pm.
Cost: The star party is free, but parking costs $2.00 per vehicle.
Location: Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022. The observatory is just off the main campus ring road, near Parking Lot 4.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=12345+el+monte+rd&csz=los+altos+hills+ca+94022
More Information: Contact Carrie, ckarnos@yahoo.com, or Randy, 408.739.2881, age-of aquinas@paloaltocatholic.org.
Shoreline: The sky truly appeared as an inverted porcelain bowl with a flawless sky-blue glaze this morning. There were no smudges of clouds to be seen. The temperature, though, was nowhere near kiln levels! It was brisk at first, but we quickly warmed up and began peeling layers away. We traced our usual route out to the "benchmark" on the Baylands trail again. Next week we may try a different path... maybe around the lake... maybe through the low hills between the lake and the salt sloughs. Back at the café we met some more who came to partake in the camaraderie and conversation.
Edgewood: Report courtesy of Josephine:
We walked for 1 hr and 1/2. It was a beautiful day! Orange and purple flowers everywhere...we saw a little gopher picking his head out through the opening of his tunnel on top of the hill. There is a FREE guided wild flower tour every Saturday starting at 10 am at Edgewood Park. These happen through the Spring. We encountered a few guided groups and lots of people learning about all kinds of flowers.
Shoreline: I think we might be getting into that time of the year in Northern California when all the days are the same: warm temps, blue skies, bright sun. That time when a young male duck's fancy turns to thoughts of love. In a few weeks the Canada goslings will be over-running the place! Hey, I'm not complaining, mind you! We had more than a dozen on the hiking trails out to our "bench-mark" in the Baylands, and more than a dozen were already waiting for us back at the café. There is a movement afoot to have a late morning hike after coffee. If you're more of late-morning person than an early-morning person, ask around at coffee next week to see if anyone wants to go walking. These days are just too beautiful to stay home!
Time: around 7:30 pm.
Cost: No cover charge... drinks, etc, pay as you go.
Location: Blue Pheasant Lounge: 22100 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA 94014
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=22100+stevens+creek+blvd&csz=cupertino+ca+94014.
More Information: Contact Betty by email: betmeme1@juno.com or phone 408.739.2881, or visit http://paloaltocatholic.org/AofA.html.
Shoreline: The sky looked like someone had spilled a box of cotton balls. There were so many clouds, the sun had almost nowhere to peek through the mess. But spirits were high among more than a dozen walkers as we set out. Our group, which included a first-timer and several first-time-in-a-long-timers, walked out to the bench mark again. Our favorite Ring-Necked Pheasant was there again. That guy's colors really stand out against the tan brush and the grey water! By the time we all got back to the café, another half dozen had arrived. Also, by this time, the Sun had made good progress cleaning up the cotton ball mess and was shining brightly in a largely blue sky. We found we needed those umbrellas over the tables.
Shoreline: The air was raw and clammy, and the wind was chilly. We couldn't blame the Sun for staying under the covers, which he did the whole time (and is still doing as of this writing), but about a dozen of us did not stay under the covers this morning. Along the road leading into the park, a couple of us noticed a Northern Harrier cruising, eyeing the menu on the ground. Suddenly he spotted the dish he wanted, made a sharp U-turn, hovered a second and... Well, there was a car behind me, so I couldn't stop and see what resulted. But I imagine that bird of prey got breakfast. We walked out to our "benchmark" talking and bird-watching along the way. Then we made our U-turn and headed back to the café for coffee and... breakfast! Our number almost tripled back at the café! Which is where we celebrated the birthday of Linda, one of our Saturday morning regulars.
Los Gatos Creek: This report courtesy of Ron, Saturday Hike South regular.
The Los Gatos Creek walk was announced in the Catholic Alumni Club Newsletter and two CAC'ers joined us on the trail this time. Rain seemed imminent and there was a damp cool wind but walking at a brisk pace remedied that. After the walk came the perplexing choice of where to have coffee with five cafes nearby and even more downtown. The Purple Onion was the choice again...it's right off the trailhead but for next month, the consensus was to explore more of Los Gatos's charm and check out another cafe next month.
Shoreline: The ground was still wet, but the sky was dry, and the brightly shining sun was working hard to dry the ground. It was a little chilly at first but folks quickly began shedding wraps as we walked out to the Baylands "benchmark". The morning was so nice and the company was so great that we seemed to forget about heading back as we stood around the bench and yakked. On the way back we spotted a brilliantly-plumaged Ring-Necked Pheasant strutting along the edge of the slough. Besides that there were the usual (for spring) Marbled Godwits, Lesser Sandpipers, and a Great Egret or two. There was also an air-meet of Western Gulls. Who knows what they were congregating for? Well, in over 4 years of every-Saturday hikes, we haven't been rained on but once or twice, and then only by a few drops. Join us next Saturday, rain or shine!
Ring-Necked Pheasant strutting along the slough |
Great Egret sunning in the brush |
Edgewood: This report courtesy of Josephine, the Saturday Hike - North leader.
We walked for almost 2 hrs! It was a great time, a little muddy in places, but beautiful! There were these lovely purple and orange flowers, and small waterfall. We saw many birds, but few land creatures. Looking forward to next month!
Time: Dinner 5:45 pm, carpool 6:30 pm, lecture 7:00 pm.
Location: Dinner & Carpool: The Pasta Market, 4546 El Camino Real Suite A7 Los Altos, CA 94022.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=4546+el+camino+real&csz=los+altos +ca+94022
Location: Lecture: Foothill College, Smithwick Theater, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=12345+el+monte+rd&csz=los+altos+hills+ca+94022
More Information: Contact Carrie, ckarnos@yahoo.com, or Randy, 408.739.2881, age-of aquinas@paloaltocatholic.org.
Shoreline: There was a large crowd of first-timers, first-time-in-a-long-timers, and almost-every-timers this time. In spite of a soft grey overcast and still quiet air and water, the spirit of the hikers was bright and shining, and there was nothing quiet about us! We walked all the way to our "Benchmark" in the Palo Alto Baylands and back, peeling off jackets and sweatshirts along the way. And back at the "ranch" our crowd got even larger with those who joined us for coffee. A good time was had by all, as usual.
Time: 7:30 pm till about 8:30 pm with schmooze time afterward.
Cost: Cost: FREE! Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to Mabel ASAP (by 2/18 if poss.) if you plan to attend.
Location: St. Albert the Great Hospitality Center, 1095 Channing Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=1095+channing+ave&csz=palo+alto+ca+94301.
More information and to RSVP: Email Mabel m-ngo@sbcglobal.net or age-of-aquinas@paloaltocatholic.org, or call Randy on 408.739.2881.
Shoreline: The sky was a pastel watercolor in pale blue and white, done by an Artist who is very good at skyscapes. We had two first-timers and one first-time-in-a-long-timer, and a pretty large crowd of just-about-every-timers. We walked straight out to the "Bench Mark" in the Palo Alto Baylands, with one stop along the way while we had our picture taken by a fellow hiker who happens to be a photographer. Visit the website for more pix! Then back at the café, yours truly was treated to a cake and a rendition of "Happy Birthday" much to his surprise and delight. Thank you all. I wouldn't trade you guys or these Saturday morning hikes and coffee gatherings for anything!
Everyone is introduced before we start off |
Hiking along the lakeside | 
This is all of us |
Happy Birthday, Randy! |
Shoreline: It was a very small turnout this morning. Many of our regulars are at the Clear Lake Getaway. The weather forecast for Lakeport shows rain through Monday. Well, they have a lot of movies and board games, so they're prob'ly having fun indoors! But we had no rain at Shoreline Park and, though we stayed on the paved trails, we saw many birds. This weekend, for those who are interested, is the Great Backyard Bird Count weekend. This goes through Monday (President's Day). Information about this amateur involvement activity can be found at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/. Learn how to participate by going to the "How to Participate" link at the top of the page.
Los Gatos Creek: This report courtesy Elise, leader of the Saturday Hike South.
The LG hike Saturday was awesome! Some great members of the Mountain View hikers joined us. We climbed up St. Joseph's hill, and down to the Lexington reservoir. The outdoors was fresh and we saw many birds. Returning to town, we took the more direct route along highway 17. Afterwards, we went to the Purple Onion Café and had coffee and an elegant snack (bagels and lox). We're looking forward to next month's LG hike on the second Saturday (March 14).
Shoreline: Well, it had been raining, but the rain stopped for our hike, and encouraged by our enthusiasm, the sun kicked back the cloud covers and started shining through. We wound around on a very random route trying to avoid the muddiest of the trails and stayed pretty much to the paved paths. At the entrance to the Baylands we witnessed a very awe-inspiring sight. An enormous flock of Marbled Godwits suddenly rose from the surface of the Charleston Slough en masse, circling in an Air Traffic Controller's nightmare and then all landed on the water safely again. We learned from a group of birders that a Northern Harrier had entered their airspace. The alarm sounded and all birds scrambled. That Harrier, if he had hung around would have wound up like US Airways Flight 1549, his engines full of birds!
Edgewood This report courtesy of Walt, a regular Saturday hiker.
Today I went to Edgewood Park for the one-hour, 2.5-mile, little-bit-muddy, hike. Josephine and I saw some blue jays and purple flowers, and a great many good scenic views due to our elevation. We could even see down the bay to the Shoreline area in the haze. We waved but you guys weren't paying attention.
Time: Doors open 8:00 pm, the music will start around 8:30 pm and go till about 11.
Cost: Still only $10.00 (cash only, no checks please)! Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Location: St Albert the Great Community Center, 1095 Channing Ave, Palo Alto, 94301.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=1095+channing+ave&csz=palo+alto+ca+94301
More information: Contact Mabel by email at m-ngo@sbcglobal.net or Tom by phone on 408.298.2064.
Shoreline: As hike time approached this morning, the fog was getting thicker and thicker. It was apparently rolling up from the south because folks who arrived from the Redwood City direction reported that it was bright and sunny when they left home. But, though the air was thick with humidity, we didn't have any trouble walking through it. The grey-white blanket stretched all around us, as far as the eye could see, which was about 20 feet, plus or minus. Lake and sky merged seamlessly. And just as sight was limited, so was sound. We could hear the person next to us with no problem, but beyond that was a silence as thick as the fog. Until, that is, we came within that shortened ear-shot of a group of ducks raising a cacophony of noise... a sort of "quackophony" if you will. By the time we all found our way back to the café, the fog was lifting and some more folks had joined us. Then we produced a cacophony of our own in conversation!
A couple of Surf Scoters |
Two Northern Shovelers | 
Some American Wigeons |
A dew-jewelled spider web |
Shoreline: It's flu season, and there's the post-holiday let down, but most of us are back to work, getting home late and crashing. Then getting up late and rushing. But everyone is cheery on these Saturday morning hikes. Even though the weather might seem dreary on the outside, the warmth of friendship and conversation permeates the atmosphere and may even cheer up the ducks! Speaking of ducks we saw Coots and Mallards, Canvasbacks and Goldeneyes, Scaups and Teals. Plus the usual Egrets and Geese. And some kind of bird of prey circling overhead.
Time: Dinner 5:45 pm, carpool 6:30 pm, lecture 7:00 pm.
Location: Dinner & Carpool: The Pasta Market, 4546 El Camino Real Suite A7 Los Altos, CA 94022.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=4546+el+camino+real&csz=los+altos +ca+94022
Location: Lecture: Foothill College, Smithwick Theater, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=12345+el+monte+rd&csz=los+altos+hills+ca+94022
More Information: Contact Carrie, ckarnos@yahoo.com, or Randy, 408.739.2881, age-of aquinas@paloaltocatholic.org.
Shoreline: It was a beautiful morning for hummingbirds and helicopters... as well as for the humans walking around beneath them. (Does anyone know what all the helicopters were about?) Anyway, we had at least one first-timer, a return visit by one who was a first-timer last time, and a first-time-in-a-long-timer. One of the best things about these hikes is nobody takes attendance, so if you need to sleep in, you can. Doesn't mean you won't be missed, though! Our bird diarist has started over in the bird diary so we should be able to compare what we saw last year at this time with what we see this time around. This time around, besides the ubiquitous American Coots and Canada Geese, the panoply of nature included Anna's Hummingbirds, Lesser Scaups, Great Egrets, Black-crowned Night Herons, Cinnamon Teals, Ruddy Ducks, Common Goldeneyes, and more. See you next Saturday, okay?
Shoreline: This morning's hikers were greeted by clear skies and warmer weather. After introductions the group got off on their walk at approximately 9:05. The walking group included one new comer and two more new comers joined the group for a snack and chat after the hike. The weather was perfect for bird watching and included sightings of a Great Blue Heron, Cinnamon Teals, two white American Pelicans, several Egrets, not to mention the usual crowd of Mallards, Coots, and Canada Geese. On our return, we were met by a welcoming committee of additional coffee-klatchers. Conversation was lively and Randy's absence was noted.
Edgewood This hike has got to be the undiscovered treasure of Saturday morning hiking! A 1 hour hike along the Sylvan Trail saw orange bellied birds with black wings and white polka dots, very pretty, lots and lots of birds singing, myriad white flowers with yellow centers all out of the ground. The dirt path is really friendly to fragile joints, compared with the hard asphalt paths. Then there was the enjoyable coffee from Canyon Coffee shop. All in all the hike was quite beautiful, with birds singing, butterflies flying, and wild flowers emerging.
Los Gatos Creek: There were 3 of us for the Los Gatos walk. About 10:10, we left on our walk. There was some confusion over start time, but for a first time gathering, not too bad. All in all, it was a good walk. It's a lovely trail with lots of walkers, runners, and dog walkers.
Shoreline: Since we had a good group (about 10) and yours truly was back from Arizona, there was a ground swell of enthusiasm for hiking to the top of Vista Slope again. This hill is not very high, so it's an easy walk to the top. But the surrounding terrain is quite flat which allows an amazing panoramic view of the entire Bay Area. We stood around at the summit passing a couple of pairs of binoculars around and tried to identify structures. The Amphitheater was the most prominent structure, but we also found the Dumbarton Bridge, the Hoover Tower of Stanford, the giant hangers of Moffett Field, and the Highway 85 - US-101 interchange. There were a great many Canada Geese, but few other birds. We did spot a couple of jack rabbits, though. And one United Airlines airliner. Back at the café, more people showed up and two brought treats to share!
The Shoreline Amphitheater was the nearest landmark |
Looking back toward Shoreline Lake | 
The giant hangars at Moffett |
There's the Dumbarton Bridge in the distance |
Edgewood The trails in Edgewood park are mostly unpaved, and maybe people thought they'd be muddy, but there was a hike, nonetheless. The muddy parts were easily avoided. Most of the creatures seemed to be sleeping in on this brisk, beautiful morning. We're going to repeat the Edgewood Hike next Saturday as well. Hopefully it will be drier.
For events of 2008 please go to Age of Aquinas Events of 2008.
For events of 2007 please go to Age of Aquinas Events of 2007.
For events of 2006 please go to Age of Aquinas Events of 2006.