Alameda and Jack London Square

The Alameda Spite House is 10 feet wide at the base, 12 feet wide at the top. The original owner of the land was unhappy when the city confiscated his land to build a street and the neighbor ...

2008-07-12T15:03:14Z

elf1
The Alameda Spite House is 10 feet wide at the base, 12 feet wide at the top. The original owner of the land was unhappy when the city confiscated his land to build a street and the neighbor ...

The neighborhood in Alameda overflowed with gorgeous older houses, including a fair share of artistically painted gingerbread Victorians.

2008-07-12T15:03:14Z

elf1
The neighborhood in Alameda overflowed with gorgeous older houses, including a fair share of artistically painted gingerbread Victorians.

I loved the pink fuschias dangling from the front windowbox of the teal-blue Spite House, but it was hard to get a good angle.

2008-07-12T15:03:14Z

elf1
I loved the pink fuschias dangling from the front windowbox of the teal-blue Spite House, but it was hard to get a good angle.

Most of the houses in the neighborhood had tons of flowers in gardens and pots.

2008-07-12T14:30:04Z

elf1
Most of the houses in the neighborhood had tons of flowers in gardens and pots.

One house had half a dozen windmills in interesting shapes lining the top of the fence. The owner said that his dad made them for him, like this happy spinning frog.

2008-07-12T15:03:14Z

elf1
One house had half a dozen windmills in interesting shapes lining the top of the fence. The owner said that his dad made them for him, like this happy spinning frog.

Oops, said the owner, we still have the snowman up, it's time to cycle in one of the more seasonal windmills. They were all charming. (People and windmills.)

2008-07-12T15:03:14Z

elf1
Oops, said the owner, we still have the snowman up, it's time to cycle in one of the more seasonal windmills. They were all charming. (People and windmills.)

Clown windmill.

2008-07-12T14:30:04Z

elf1
Clown windmill.

Raven windmill.

2008-07-12T14:30:04Z

elf1
Raven windmill.

Uncle Sam windmill

2008-07-12T14:30:04Z

elf1
Uncle Sam windmill

Purple flower.

2008-07-12T14:30:04Z

elf1
Purple flower.

Another lovely painted Victorian.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Another lovely painted Victorian.

I liked the texture of the moss and the bricks.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
I liked the texture of the moss and the bricks.

This gingerbread Victorian's detail intrigued me, and it had obviously recently been lovingly updated.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
This gingerbread Victorian's detail intrigued me, and it had obviously recently been lovingly updated.

IMG_0145VictorianGingerbread.JPG

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
IMG_0145VictorianGingerbread.JPG

IMG_0146VictorianDecor.JPG

2008-07-12T14:30:04Z

elf1
IMG_0146VictorianDecor.JPG

Although not as immediately eyecatching as the gingerbread Victorians, this house had also recently been redone with painstaking craftsmanship.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Although not as immediately eyecatching as the gingerbread Victorians, this house had also recently been redone with painstaking craftsmanship.

The craftsmanship became obvious when looking at the vent covers for the roof ventilation vents.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
The craftsmanship became obvious when looking at the vent covers for the roof ventilation vents.

I don't know that kind of flower this red and white one is, but it's quite striking.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
I don't know that kind of flower this red and white one is, but it's quite striking.

A windy brick path alongside one house. It was so inviting.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
A windy brick path alongside one house. It was so inviting.

I don't remember ever noticing bright red winged maple seed pods before.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
I don't remember ever noticing bright red winged maple seed pods before.

More maple seed pods

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
More maple seed pods

Also in the maple tree--a blue foot. I think it's not native to this environ.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Also in the maple tree--a blue foot. I think it's not native to this environ.

A large stand of lavender teemed with pollinators. Have you ever noticed that bees don't hold still very long at all?

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
A large stand of lavender teemed with pollinators. Have you ever noticed that bees don't hold still very long at all?

Mr. Bee finds more lavender to pollinate.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Mr. Bee finds more lavender to pollinate.

Mr. Bee's big eyes ignore the paparazzi as he finds some particularly excellent lavender.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Mr. Bee's big eyes ignore the paparazzi as he finds some particularly excellent lavender.

Some kind of purple trumpet flower

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Some kind of purple trumpet flower

Purple trumpet vine.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Purple trumpet vine.

The colors on this rose looked like the most delicate watercolor. I tried photos from several distances and foci.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
The colors on this rose looked like the most delicate watercolor. I tried photos from several distances and foci.

The same rose

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
The same rose

A rose by any other photo still looks as sweet

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
A rose by any other photo still looks as sweet

Another neighborhood door

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Another neighborhood door

Well, if you really want tulips, this is one way to get them.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Well, if you really want tulips, this is one way to get them.

Jacaranda blooms are amazingly profuse

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Jacaranda blooms are amazingly profuse

Entrance to Jack London Square, which is basically a "shopping destination" under construction. A cabin in which Jack London used to live is located here somewhere, but we didn't go looking ...

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Entrance to Jack London Square, which is basically a "shopping destination" under construction. A cabin in which Jack London used to live is located here somewhere, but we didn't go looking ...

Amtrak runs right along the front of Jack London Square.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Amtrak runs right along the front of Jack London Square.

Jack London Square runs for a ways along the Alameda waterfront.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Jack London Square runs for a ways along the Alameda waterfront.

A big boat. Maybe a container ship.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
A big boat. Maybe a container ship.

Sailboat with (I think) the San Francisco skyline in the distance.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Sailboat with (I think) the San Francisco skyline in the distance.

Sailboat with (I think) San Francisco in the distance.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Sailboat with (I think) San Francisco in the distance.

Ubiquitous palm trees of the sort that say "this is California."

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Ubiquitous palm trees of the sort that say "this is California."

Mostly empty walkway at Jack London Square

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Mostly empty walkway at Jack London Square

The Potomac was Franklin Roosevelt's presidential yacht.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
The Potomac was Franklin Roosevelt's presidential yacht.

The Potomac was Franklin Roosevelt's presidential yacht.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
The Potomac was Franklin Roosevelt's presidential yacht.

A mother mallard and her offspring.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
A mother mallard and her offspring.

Mrs. Mallard.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Mrs. Mallard.

Fire rescue boat

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Fire rescue boat

I liked the looks of the ropes neatly hanging from the Potomac's railing.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
I liked the looks of the ropes neatly hanging from the Potomac's railing.

The lightship Relief is available for free tours. Note the unusual mushroom anchor in front. Lightships moored semipermanently out in the water where it was impractical to build lighthouses, ...

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
The lightship Relief is available for free tours. Note the unusual mushroom anchor in front. Lightships moored semipermanently out in the water where it was impractical to build lighthouses, ...

Lightship Relief's light tower. The flags are "L" and "O", for "lightship off duty" to tell any ships that saw it not to assume that it was in its correct position out in the sea.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Lightship Relief's light tower. The flags are "L" and "O", for "lightship off duty" to tell any ships that saw it not to assume that it was in its correct position out in the sea.

Capstans for raising and lowering the anchor.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Capstans for raising and lowering the anchor.

Here's my foot and, in the center chain, the biggest turnbuckle I've ever seen.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
Here's my foot and, in the center chain, the biggest turnbuckle I've ever seen.

The Lightship Relief's cabin. Lots of beautiful brass.

2008-07-12T15:03:15Z

elf1
The Lightship Relief's cabin. Lots of beautiful brass.

Inside the center brass device, a magnetic compass for determining direction.

2008-07-12T15:03:16Z

elf1
Inside the center brass device, a magnetic compass for determining direction.

The brass device for communicating with the engine room.

2008-07-12T15:03:16Z

elf1
The brass device for communicating with the engine room.

Interesting to see the somewhat more old-fashioned brass wheel next to the newfangled radar.

2008-07-12T15:03:16Z

elf1
Interesting to see the somewhat more old-fashioned brass wheel next to the newfangled radar.

Yours truly admiring the gorgous brass wheel.

2008-07-12T15:03:16Z

elf1
Yours truly admiring the gorgous brass wheel.

Ship's wheel etc. I was lucky to have a tour guide who worked on the lightboats before they were all decommissioned in the '70s and '80s. And he was a great speaker, too. John Byrne? I love ...

2008-07-12T15:03:16Z

elf1
Ship's wheel etc. I was lucky to have a tour guide who worked on the lightboats before they were all decommissioned in the '70s and '80s. And he was a great speaker, too. John Byrne? I love ...

Four bunks in the bunk room. The ship had a crew of 18, 12 of whom were on duty at any one time. Every 6 weeks, 6 would rotate out to shore for a 6-week leave. But they had fairly generous s ...

2008-07-12T15:03:16Z

elf1
Four bunks in the bunk room. The ship had a crew of 18, 12 of whom were on duty at any one time. Every 6 weeks, 6 would rotate out to shore for a 6-week leave. But they had fairly generous s ...

More bunks for the crew.

2008-07-12T15:03:16Z

elf1
More bunks for the crew.

One of several types of lenses used in lightships' light towers over the years. This is a 375 mm lens, which was fixed in position but could flash. Two of this type of light top the Relief' ...

2009-09-15T08:25:04Z

elf1
One of several types of lenses used in lightships' light towers over the years. This is a 375 mm lens, which was fixed in position but could flash. Two of this type of light top the Relief' ...

This is a fresnel lens, commonly used in lighthouses. This one is a 4th-order Fresnel, manufactured in France in the late 1800s. The order refers to the size, from 1st (largest) to 6th (smal ...

2008-07-12T15:03:16Z

elf1
This is a fresnel lens, commonly used in lighthouses. This one is a 4th-order Fresnel, manufactured in France in the late 1800s. The order refers to the size, from 1st (largest) to 6th (smal ...

This is a DCB 10 rotating light, which produces a perceived flash as it rotates. Several are used in Bay Area lighthouses but are being phased out.

2008-07-12T15:03:16Z

elf1
This is a DCB 10 rotating light, which produces a perceived flash as it rotates. Several are used in Bay Area lighthouses but are being phased out.

This is the coast guard's utilitarian version of a lightship light starting in the 1960s (all lightships were phased out by the mid-1980s)--a big rotating array of bright lights with slight ...

2008-07-12T15:03:16Z

elf1
This is the coast guard's utilitarian version of a lightship light starting in the 1960s (all lightships were phased out by the mid-1980s)--a big rotating array of bright lights with slight ...