June California trip -- Palo Alto & Santa Rosa

Another work trip, and I got some more shots of the things I see on my usual work days there.

Then I stayed over the weekend, and went up to get reacquainted with my cousin Cynthia who I hadn't seen in a few decades, and meet her husband David. And, as it turned out, see my cousin John as well.

Cynthia and David took me on a nice trip to nearby bits of the wine country, and we drank a couple of tasting assortments, and some cider, and then hit the cheese and bread and picnic supplies, and had some wine. And then went home, and grilled some salmon and vegetables. And had some wine. It was an excellent visit.

A small stream

Rather constrained, as are most California streams and rivers I've seen.

plant macro

Tree species vary some from MN. Also note how clean the beds are; I don't believe this is due to large numbers of people weeding regularly.

Boulevard plantings rarely include normal grass. Note the absence of weeds or ground cover.

Very conveniently located, an easy walk from my normal hotel.

I couldn't resist the name.

Ivy like this is often used for ground cover.

The gardens, even around commercial buildings, tend to look much neater, more trained, better tended. I don't see lots of people working on them all the time, so I suspect the climate just doesn't provide fast-growing weeds.