Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by a throw back adventure. I recently came across this picture while packing. Last time I lived in California it was in Los Angeles at my grandparents house. (Sometime around 2007.) When my dad came to visit he took me to Joshua Tree National Park for a day of rockclimbing. We did a 3-pitch climb and boy did I feel accomplished when I reached the top. It was fun to find this picture while packing up to leave California for the second time. While I can't seem to put roots down here, this state sure is full of adventure!

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by hiking and camping! Over Memorial Day weekend Andy and I headed out to Yosemite National Park and Stanisalus National Forest. We enjoyed the views, ohh'ed and ahh'ed all the way through Yosemite and finished up with some off-trail camping in Stanisalus. It was great to be outside and we had wonderful weather all weekend. Yay for our beautiful country!

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by beautiful gardens! Despite how beautiful and delicate a flower garden may look, it also takes a lot of time and muscle work to make it that way. (Not that I have tons of experience.) This particular garden is from Alcatraz Island. Most people think of Alcatraz as only being the prison, but it is so much more. The gardens that cover the island are breathtaking! The island is part of the National Park Service, so it is the job of a few park employees to maintain the gardens. What a job to have!

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by Greg Esser in Washington, DC:

My uncle brought his hot air balloon down to Baltimore for the Annual Preakness Hot Air Balloon Festival. Some friends and I volunteered to crew for the balloon and help him get off the ground. Sharon Weeks, David Zurbuchen, Josh Stafford, Lindsey Getches, Jessica Lavassuer, and Andrew Boddorff helped at various points.  We had early morning flights on Friday and Saturday and 6pm flights on Thursday and Friday.

Crewing for the balloon entails hauling out the envelope (balloon), basket, and frame and stretching out the envelope on the ground. A gas powered fan is used to cold fill the balloon and then propane burners are used to heat the air. During the inflation, two people need to hold open the throat of the envelope while one person untuckes the extra balloon fabric and then transitions to the crown line (a rope tied to the top of the envelope) where they control the envelope during inflation. All tasks are complicated by even the most docile of breezes. After the balloon is hot and inflated, it takes off in short bursts of flame and the 'ooohhhs' and 'ahhhhs' of the expectant onlookers. We pile into an SUV and try to follow the balloon on the ground. After about 45 minutes of following on the ground, the balloon lands and then we deflate and pack it up. This involves pulling open the top vent to allow the hot air to escape and then squeezing out the air manually. Afterwards we pack the balloon into a special bag and sit on the bag to get the last couple of air pockets out. Most of the activities are aided heavily by pairs of strong arms. Enjoy some of the pictures we snapped during the adventure!

Looking up into the balloon.

The crew sitting on the balloon packed bag.

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by abandoned beaches. Sometimes on weekends that we don't have any plans we just drive. This particular Saturday we drove down Highway One taking in the crisp salty air and admiring the coast line. I love a good abandoned beach without a single soul on it. This particular beach was huge but did not have easy access or parking, thus no one else was around. After making our way down a cliff, we enjoyed frolicking on the beach and having it all to ourselves. Pure delight!

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by past weeks adventures. They are a variety from Muir Beach, Marin Headlands hiking, and Palm Springs Slot Canyon Hiking. Oh the Saturday adventures we have! I hope your Saturday is fun and adventurous!

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz was such a fun Saturday adventure. We were lucky to go on a particularly beautiful, yet windy day. It was fun to explore the gardens on the island along with the views and of course the prison itself. Look for a future post on Alcatraz. Happy Saturday!

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by spring hiking. We have been enjoying going outside this spring and exploring different hikes around the Bay Area. Our little dog, Mr. Buckles, loves to get out and run without a leash on the trails. Sometimes we find him happily nibbling on horse or deer poop. Other times, we'll turn the corner to see him rubbing himself in some sort of dead bug's carcass. He loves the outdoors and ALWAYS gets a bath afterwards! Happy Saturday!

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by canyon hiking...again. We have so many great strong-arms pictures from past adventures that more of them will be making appearances. Happy Saturday!

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by sunny Santa Cruz! Andy and I were there a few weeks ago watching the beach volleyball players, admiring the surfers, and enjoying the the screams from the boardwalk rides. We took a nice stroll out to the end of the pier and that's where we snapped this picture. A lovely water shadow!

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you Toni in San Francisco:

Our Strong Arm Saturday (with a twist) was spent at Fort Funston. We did a nice walk along the rim overlooking the ocean. We live just a few blocks from the beach but never get tired of visiting it! JT loves climbing to the top of things and raising his arms in triumph, hence, the variation on your theme. Sat. night we went to a friend's birthday at the Tipsy Pig  in the Marina area. It was a great way to end the day.

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

Strong Arm Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by hiking and good beer! They may not go together so well, but separate they are great things. The good beer was enjoyed at the Pyramid Ale Brewery...a fun California find for us. And the hiking was done in the Marin Headlands State Park just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. A wonderful relaxing weekend filled with all things California.

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by Crissy Fields. A new neighbor friend just told us about Crissy Fields. We have passed them in the hall on their way to this beach with their dog a few times, so we finally tagged along. Our dogs have decided to be best friends (the best way to meet people!), so obviously now we are friends. They showed us a non-crowded, non-touristy part of the Crissy Fields beach and our dogs had a wonderful time. It was also a great, clear day to see the Golden Gate Bridge and watch all the sailboats coming in and out. Gosh, I love the beach!

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

 That is Alcatraz to the right of Andy.

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by Fort Funstion. Fort Funstion is a sandy bluff high above the ocean where people take long strolls and dogs are allowed to run freely. Is is one of a few places in the San Francisco area that dogs can be off-leash. We discovered it last Saturday, and will probably make a habit of going there. The views of the ocean and beautiful, the breeze is calm, and there are all sorts of little trails you can follow. ...Along with the fact that it is a doggy wonderland! Our pup, Mr. Buckles, had the time of his life romping around with other dogs. (Which is why he isn't in any of our pictures. What a little socialite he is!)

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it:  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by canyon hiking outside Palm Springs. I know I have already done a few posts on our slot canyon hiking and Palm Springs trip, but I have one last thing to post. A strong-arms gif. This was the last rope to climb to get out of the canyon. The ropes were tattered and worn, but provided just enough support along with holes in the rocks to climb out. It was fairly easy to climb up, but climbing down that rope was a trick! It was scary too. Lowering yourself by a tattered rope into a dark canyon when you can't see behind you is NOT easy. I can't say I ever want to do that again.

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it:  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by Franzi in Switzerland. She says:
"The photo is on Madeira, one of the portugese islands. We'd been hiking and hanging out on a black volcanic beach all day and had caught way too much sun.... so here we are about to head off to the island's best restaurant (by our definition) and convert the one in the middle from (foodwise) fish-hater to fish-lover."

What an adventure, thanks Franzi. This is the first international Strong-Arms-Saturday on the blog, yay!

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it:  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by slot canyons and desert hiking outside of Palm Springs. We were in Palm Springs last weekend and did some pretty amazing slot canyon hiking. The canyons are cool in contrast to the hot desert, so it was a good Saturday option for us.

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it:  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by thrift store changing rooms and taco truck food. Last Sunday Andy and I took a relaxing day to check out the area thrift stores. We worked up an appetite in the process and grabbed some tacos at a nearby taco truck. Taco truck food never ceases to amaze me. It is melt in your mouth delicious...and messy! What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it:  E-mail Me!

Strong Arms Saturday

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by Big Sur! We had an awesome time exploring the coast, the mountains, and highway one. Big California, big adventure, Big Sur. :) What exciting things do you have for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it: ellieswonder@gmail.com.

Strong Arms Saturday

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by our new couch! (Well, not new new, we bought it used.) Yay, we finally got a couch. So now we will be spending some much needed relaxing time on it. Not to mention the movies we'll watch, the blankets we'll pile, and the snuggling we'll do. What exciting things do you have for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send us a picture and we'll post it: ellieswonder@gmail.com.