Every year around my birthday I try to take a day off to explore and take photographs. My inspirations usually circle around a couple main subjects which always are visually stunning: abandoned places, architecture or landscapes.
For 2010 I had come across a photo on Flickr when looking for my next subject matter and immediately cheered, happy to have found my next target.
When I had visited, there was an address for the location, but upon plugging that into GPS I was lead astray on a wild goose-chase into a National Park in Inverness. Now however there is this Yelp review of the place to help you on your way. Personally, I still preferred using the GPS lat-longs as I felt they were more accurate, here you go: 38.0977025, -122.850664.
Upon arriving there is a shop right in front with a gravel parking area, I would swing back and buy a drink here just so that I maintained good citizen standing and immediately skipped over a short wall and tried not to break out into a run on the bank to get to the boat.
As I approach, there is a guy also here on a random Friday doing exactly what I’m doing, and I laugh to myself thinking he must be my soulmate.
Gave him the courtesy of getting an abundance of shots before moving in on the boat. As I approached he tells me to be careful and looking down I realize what he means. There is no way to get closer to the boat without crossing wide waterways, and I had stupidly been wearing light colored ballet flats of all things. He points out the thinnest part of the waterway with a split mound in the middle as where I should cross. Then makes it over directly across from where I am and reaches a hand out to help me skip across. “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” I thank him profusely and we continue to take shots.
Shortly after he departs, and I’m left with this stunning boat. These are the gifts that I love to give myself for a birthday: a kind stranger, beautiful boat, and inspiration.
On the way home I also stopped by to take some snaps of the Golden Gate as it’s a gorgeous day.
