Sanctuary in Downtown Oakland

I have walked, ridden or driven past Lake Merritt in Oakland more times than I can count on two hands and never - until today - knew there was a bird sanctuary (home to amazing herons, egrets and cormorants), gondola rides, or a large non-profit education and play space called Fairyland! Nor did I know that the lake was a full three miles around, the making of a beautiful walk. So, before helping some friends do a good Spring purge, we took a meander around the lake and enjoyed the warm east bay Memorial Day weekend.

Those are baby goslings in the foreground. :) Tottering on their spindly legs, I was afraid they might fall in the lake!

After an afternoon of recycling paper, sorting through dusty or broken stuff and bagging up techno trash, we rewarded ourselves by hitting up one of the fine restaurants in their Glenview neighborhood. Banana Blossom is one of my favorite places to go and my friend, who does not crave Thai food in the least, always enjoys her meals there. I enjoyed Praram Chicken, a nice alternative to Satay Chicken served over a bed of spinach. They enjoyed a colorful appetizer of tuna poke and another colorful meal of shrimp and garlic veggies.