Boomsters Lifestyles

Run, bike, hike, stroll along this peaceful trail.  The Benicia State Recreation Park is the gem that is probably why Benicia is called the "Jewel of the Bay".  The actual trail extends from downtown Benicia to the waterfront ending in Glen Cove.   To access the recreation area, you can either enter from the I- 780 West off Columbus Parkway or from the 780 through the Military Exit.  Plenty of parking is always available a nominal fee is required and payed at the entry gate through an honors system.  Two parts of the trail leads through a paved pathway or more to the waterfront a scenic walk through an ever changing meadow.  Beautiful views of the Carquinez Straight abound the trail.  Families, fisherman often find serene pockets to spend their day along the banks.   The side trails are abundant with the varietals indigenous to California. Blackberries grow throughout Benicia, during summer bring a basket to gather  fresh fruit.

Quite honestly I'm not all that sure we are always going to be in a drought.  When my family first moved to the Bay Area in 1998, I was amazed at how much rain the area got. The flora was always wild, the trees have always been green.   Based on the government supplementing the change from lawns to drought resistent gardens, whenever I see a garden I like I whip out the camera for inspiration.   It's hard to accept that we have considered the green turf.  In comparison to what is already available for drought resistant gardens,  a beautiful setting of California native plants sounded much more enticing and inviting.  There are so many varieties to borrow ideas from. Some plants more greener than others.  Our neighbors have started placing the rocks between the turf to give the fake grass personality. Nothing replaces live plants that crawl around and on  the rocks.    Succulents for the most part don't require water.   I

Gone are the days when we could buy a life membership at a gym and call it a day.  Last October, I was torn between leaving my neighborhood gym and finding a new place. I had been a member for several years at the gym, and was paying top dollar.  My personal experience, had been that the teachers were overall great, but the turnover was high.  The exercise machines were 75-80% operational,   and the atmosphere was mature.  My quest at the end of  my membership was to save money but still be able to exercise. The journey led me to the Salvation Army Kroc Center.  The center was a generous gift from the late Joan Kroc.  Joan Kroc was the wife of  the late Ray Kroc the creator of the McDonald's chain.  She recognized the need of a safe gathering place, a place with facilities and trained professionals to nurture children’s social skills, arts appreciation and athletic potential. Mrs. Kroc The Salvation Army with $90 million to build the first Kroc Center in the Rolando