late afternoon at the Lake

This scene is late enough in the afternoon, that the lanterns and Necklace of Lights have already turned on.  Since it's redesign a few years ago, the Lake has become incredibly popular for walking, picnicking, and general people gathering.

running the embarcadero

Late afternoon, and the Lake has a lot of activity around it.

N is for nap time

It was a hot day and the shade looked so inviting.  Nothing like a little nap to recharge the batteries.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

bike lanes

These green swaths are showing up around town.  They indicate dedicated bike lanes---no cars allowed.

Monday Mural: homage to Carmen Miranda

Here's another one by Mags and Alynn found around the corner from the mural posted last week.  If the ones I found are any indication, they like to paint glamour girls.  I think of it as a celebration of female beauty.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You get to decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and to visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

letters in the sky

After a brief interlude of rain, we're back to sunny days with an occasional fluffy cloud.  We need the rain, so our fair weather is a guilty pleasure.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

Out of town again for several days. 

K is for knitting

Fashionable knitted goods at a yarn festival near the lake.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

the golden hour

Late afternoon sun on Lakeshore Avenue along Lake Merritt.
Linked to both Skywatch Friday and Weekend Reflections.

vintage sign on Lakeshore

A nice old neon sign spotted on Lakeshore Avenue near the Lake.  Linked to Signs, Signs.

ABC Wednesday: Y is for yellow

At the Lake Merritt pergola late afternoon on July 4.  The yellowish tone on the columns and ground reflect the warm sun starting to set in the west.  We're having warmer than normal weather which we're all loving after a rainy spring.  For more "Y" photos, visit Mrs. Nesbitt's meme ABC Wednesday.

Lakeshore apartments

Typical of 1920s and 30s California architecture are white stucco, the terra cotta tile roofs, wooden balconies, and arched windows.  Definitely has a Mediterranean feel.  These graceful apartment buildings are on Haddon Hill just across from Lake Merritt.  Too bad the balconies now face a freeway on-ramp.

ABC Wednesday: L is for Lakeshore Avenue

Lakeshore Avenue is a shopping district east of Lake Merritt.  In just a three blocks it offers a wide variety of restaurants, businesses, and architectural styles.  You can see from this sampling that it's been around for quite a while.  At least by California standards.  For lots more L photos, visit ABC Wednesday.

enjoying the sun

When the sun comes out, people pop up like mushrooms.  A busy scene on Lakeshore Avenue a little over a week ago when the sun was still shining.

Skywatch Friday: looking east

The last rain storm has passed.  The next one is due on Sunday.  This is taken on Lakeshore Avenue along side Lake Merritt.  The Oakland hills are in the background.  For more Friday skies, visit Skywatch Friday.

Monday Mural: words to contemplate

This mural is under the 580 freeway at the start of the Lakeshore District.

Trestle Glen

Here's a snippet of the Trestle Glen neighborhood south of Lakeshore Avenue.  The neighborhood is named after an elevated railroad that ran in the late 19th century.  These homes date from the 30s. 

ABC Wednesday: C is for Cleveland Cascade

The Cleveland Cascade was developed in the 1920s and water ran from Cleveland St. down to Lake Merritt.

In the 1950s it fell into disrepair and the water was turned off.  Within a few years the cascade was filled in with plants and citizens forgot about the water feature.  In 2004 neighbors joined together to restore the cascade to its former glory.  Currently the plantings are kept trimmed and the stairs up to the streets above are maintained.  Hopefully, one day the water will run again.  For more "C" photos around the world, visit ABC Wednesday.

Rhea's Salon of Beauty

This sign has been advertising this beauty shop since the late 50s or early 60s.  While the shop is still in business, the sign no longer works.  It is found at the corner of Mandana and Lakeshore Avenue in the Lakeshore shopping district east of Lake Merritt.