This past weekend the boy and I took a camping getaway from the city to Bass River State Forest in New Jersey. Being that New York has easy access to other states and parks, getting there was easy and enjoyable (granted the beginning of tolls while driving through NJ Garden State Parkway). Once we got to our site and set up camp, we took the liberty to explore much of Bass River and all the various hiking trails through the park and on our drive back up to NY. Having a serene environment with absolutely no man made interruptions was just what I needed to celebrate my birthday. I would recommend an small weekend getaway to Bass River if you love easy hiking and accessible amenities. There's nothing like roughing it out in nature and getting the natural fix you need away from the city.

Do any of you have a favorite getaway spot?

this past weekend i spent a lovely weekend in LA. if there is one thing i learn upon going back home often, is that it's constantly changing, neighborhoods are seeing a boom of parks, green spaces, walkable streets, and public transit is becoming more accessible and frequent. my dad works in the field of landscape architecture and always has a new space to share with me that he had worked on. i always say "everything i know, i learned from my father" and in this case, it's definitely true that my interest in urban development comes from him. if you ever get a chance to visit L.A. take a walking tour of downtown. it's the most exciting place to see historical buildings, new parks, and life happen.

happy earth day! hope many of you in California got to enjoy the gorgeous weather we had all weekend. personally, i did enjoy those breezy evenings on bike, coffee in the bright cool mornings, and the faithful bay area fog rolling over. did any of you do anything for earth day? make a commitment? plant something?  or participate in a community Earth Day event? 

i finally got around to recycling all my old bike parts, tubes, and tires that where accumulating in my closet. i hope they find a new bike to adorn.

there were some really good readings i found this weekend around earth day and thought you would like to read them. hope you enjoy them!

Lifecyle Carbon Footprint of the Bicycle

Bill Nye: The City of the Future

Environmentalist give their Earth Day Wish

India's Solar Power Plant Switched On

For Earth Day: Pledges for the Planet