An amateur angling adventure

One laid back afternoon we were catching up with some friends and talking about the 'must-see' and the 'have-seen' places in and around here when a fishing destination came into discussion. This having awoken a childhood memory in hubby, he jumped at the proposal to go-a-fishing.

Fast forward to the next weekend and we found ourselves with fishing rods and bait, heading to Quarry Lakes. Situated in Fremont, California, Quarry Lakes houses the Horseshoe Lake, Rainbow Lake, Willow Slaugh and Lago Los Osos. There is also a pond here. This area that once catered to the lithos needs of  the western section of the transcontinental railway, has been developed into a picnic place and a fishing spot along with some hiking trails and a swim beach.

It was a sunny Sunday when we drove to the Quarry Lakes Park. In groups big and small, people were out to have some fun. Some people had put up gazebos and there were others who occupied every shady spot in sight. Barbecue grills were smoking away. Children were running around and a few lucky pooches on leashes were being treated to a walk in the beautiful environs of Quarry Lakes. The footpaths of the park were lined with wild flowers and the lovely Horseshoe Lake was gleaming in the Summer sun. On the pier were a few anglers busy with their rods.

Where we come from, fishing is not much of a sport or even a pastime. As such, the idea of hunting for finned creatures was looked forward to with great hope and excitement. After a couple of entanglement issues with the line and the men thinking they had figured out how to hold the rod and operate the reel, we walked down the metal pier of Horseshoe lake. The baits were hooked and rods were lowered to the waters of the lake. The clock ticked and sun moved to its zenith but nothing seemed to be happening as far as the fishing was concerned. We even wondered if there were any fish at all.


It was a couple of hours later, after a picnic lunch and some rest beneath a small tree, that some of the pieces fell into place. Thanks to a good Samaritan who shared some of his valuable fishing know-how, there finally was a decent first lesson. We learnt that there was a way to throw the line into the lake and the kinds of rods you needed to catch different species of fishes.


Frankly I was taken aback when he at first asked 
what kind of fish we were looking for. I found myself thinking "Anything! just about anything as long as the hooks picked up something by the end the day." That was when he went on to say what kind of fish would be found in the middle of the lake and what species preferred to stay near the banks. Now that did make sense. You really have to know your fish in order to fish.


After several attempts with the rod, we had to call it a day. It also happened that it was the hottest day in the SF Bay Area. The sun was as sharp as ever even at six in the evening and the heat had taken a toll on us. As for the fishing trip, the catch was bad (read nothing) but we had some lessons to take home; including: never to go fishing on a day when the weather forecast said  'very hot'.





P.S. One wise man is quoted having said, "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope."
So we'll go fishing again. Watch this space for more adventures with the rod.

`twas a good catch for the lens

Quarry Lakes Regional Recreational Area, Fremont, CA 

                                                

Splendour in suspension

I remember the first time I saw a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge Bridge dressed up in all its lights and looking its most festive self against the dark night sky. The trivia that came with the picture was about the amount of paint that was needed to touch up the colossal structure and I remember being filled with awe. That was more than a decade and a half ago. Back then, little did I know that life's unexpected turns would take me to the other half of the world to a place not very far from San Francisco, the home of this magnificent landmark called the Golden Gate Bridge. 


Ever since the move, I have been wanting to see the real Golden Gate Bridge. It was a long wait before I could actually set my own two eyes on this bridge that California takes so much pride in. I don't know if it was because of the memory of the first time I heard about it or because the visit was long overdue, that I was so overwhelmed at the sight of this massive bridge so much so that I just could not stop taking pictures of it. This way, that way or the other way; which ever way I held the lens, whatever looked back at me from the digital monitor of my camera, was perfect composition.

The Golden Gate Bridge is said to have been the longest suspension bridge in the United States, until it was beaten by New York's Verrazano Narrows Bridge 27 years later. However the Golden Gate Bridge is in no way behind any bridge in terms of attracting visitors from all over the world and I can see why.

It is big, bold, bright and beautiful. Painted in `International Orange' the Golden Gate Bridge stretches to length of over 2700 metres and dates back to the 1930s. A mark of strength and architectural prowess, this bridge adds so much of grandeur to the already scenic San Francisco Bay area.

For long I had thought that the Golden Gate Bridge got its name from the way it looked at night. It was only recently that I learnt that the bridge actually owes its name to the strait that lies just above the peninsula of San Francisco. This strip of water that allows the waves of the San Francisco Bay to meet the Pacific Ocean is the `Golden Gate.' Hence the bridge that runs across the Golden Gate strait connecting San Francisco to Marin County is rightly called the Golden Gate Bridge.  

If you are making your way to the bridge from San Francisco, and you want to see the bridge up close and take back some pictures of this massive landmark, you can make a right turn just before the bridge to the Southside Vista Point. (There is a viewpoint at the North, on the other side of the bridge too). We took the south side one and it had it all: a parking lot, restrooms, a cafe and a gift shop too.

At our viewpoint it took us a while to find some parking space. We grabbed our first opportunity and rushed out of the car to feast our eyes on the brilliant blue bay dotted with yachts and of course the magnificent red bridge that the bay shows off. It was a a warm sunny day and the breeze from the bay was indeed very welcoming. After taking a few pictures we made our way towards the bridge to have a better view of this gigantic man-made structure. After a few more photographs, we found our way to the sidewalk of the bridge to make sure we set foot on this world famous bridge. Anyone visiting this place should not just stop at the viewpoint. A walk on the Golden Gate Bridge is a must to get a better perspective of its size and height. 

You could either take the walkway on the right hand side of the bridge or drive through the toll booths and across the Golden Gate. Either way, you should be up there.

From the bridge we got another view of the bay (this one from a height of over 200 feet), Alcatraz and downtown San Francisco. We walked upto the first tower and then made our way back as we were running out of time at the metered parking.

I didn't leave there without stepping into the souvenir store and I think you should do that too. We cannot take back the 8000 odd feet long bridge with us so we might as well pick up some Golden Gate Bridge memorabilia. Post cards, cups, keychains, magnets; you will find all that and more. As for me, now there is a miniature Golden Gate Bridge -- an exquisite piece of art by itself -- that adorns my mantelpiece. 

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