Benicia, CA

On the weekends in college, I would make the drive down to San Jose from Davis to visit the parentals. Because that trip was weekly, it became pretty routine. I didn't have to think about where I was or where I was going. I was on autopilot. But, there was one section of the ride home that I always looked forward too. As you drive past Benicia, one would easily be able to notice a strange odor coming from Valero's oil refinery. I drove past it so many times, that I will remember the smell forever.

Capture California, Facebook Adventure Fridays

Capture California, Team Avocado Pits
ADV 220: Facebook Fridays, April Showers Bring May Flowers
Diana found a white rose in her own neighborhood. Who doesn't love roses? Did you know a white rose symbolizes a happy love? Diana, I happily love you as the best Capture California partner ever!

Historical Downtown San Jose, CA

With so much history in Downtown San Jose, Diana and I decided it would be fun to explore the past over the weekend. On Saturday, I met up with my good friends Hania and Aravind for lunch and invited them to stroll a few blocks together to hunt for historical markers.

Here are some of the things we learned.

Capture California, Team Avocado Pits
ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: San Jose Academy
 Founded 1850, held it's first graduation in December 1851 which was the earliest in the state! It could also be considered a forerunner of California's oldest chartered college - UOP because San Jose Academy's principal - Reverand Edward Bannister went on to be UOP's president.

And so it begins...Capture California 2013

Last year, my friend Diana and I signed up to play Capture California. It's basically a list of adventures to complete in California with each adventure awarded a different point value. (And you know how much I love lists and crossing things off of them.) Our team, Team Avocado Pits ended up in third place last year (which is what we wanted!). We scored sweet REI camping gear. This year, Diana and I are even more determined to land in the top three again. This year, they have a longer list of adventures (yay!). Some are repeats and some are new. We are looking forward to trying out some of the SoCal adventures this summer since last year we focused our time in NorCal.

To warm up for the season of adventure-grabbing, we completed some simple adventures over the weekend.

Adventure 89: Take a Walk; Adventure 8: Dog-friendly
We took Kiki for a walk around the Evergreen Community Center by my parent's house.

Adventure 3: Hysterical Landmarks
Kiki practicing her balancing skills on top of Montgomery Hill, State Historic Landmark # 813, site of the 55 successful flights of the "aeroplane" of John Joseph Montgomery.

Adventure 8: Dog-friendly
We couldn't help but stop by Montgomery Park to show Kiki around since it was a short drive away from the marker. However, there were tons of those stickler things that got stuck in her hair. She wasn't too happy about that. Sorry, lovebug!

Adventure 5: Take a hike
This trail head at Montgomery Park led us to the top where John Montgomery's "aeroplanes" took off. Exciting!  He probably landed his planes where my high school now stands. So much history in our own backyard!

There are a few more pictures I am waiting from Diana. Enjoy the sunshine!