Winner KBG-10 Berryessa Lake

Come on folks in USA! You should have got it right!
And folks in California- it was meant to be a cake walk.
Which lake?
Lake Berryessa in California.
Near which dam?
Monticello Dam and hydroelectric project, located in Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve. 

KBG-10 had more than 200 participants. The responses ranged from Gobind Sagar lake and Bhakra Dam in Punjab, Srisailam in AP/Telangana, Umiam Lake in Meghalaya India to Diablo Lake in Washington to the Black Canyon of Hoover Dam in Nevada. However, there was only one correct answer. The Winner's badge for KBG-10 goes to Hemant Bhargava who is a Chair Professor at UCDavis and has hiked in the Reserve multiple times. Congratulations Hemant.

Monticello Dam is a look alike of the Hoover dam but much smaller. See the picture below.

This Reserve is unique because it is maintained by a University and not by the National Park Service! And the credit for this goes to the University of California, Davis (UCDavis). UCDavis alumni- are you floored? See the signage below.

Ghumakkad has hiked in Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve. The hike takes you on a ridge. As you climb the top, lake Berryessa comes into view. What a magnificent lake! It is a popular destination for boating with multiple piers and jetties. See the pictures below.

Thanks for participating in KBG-10.

The Stebbins Cold hiking trail has some amazing flora. Ghumakkad had posted some PQs - picturesque quotes- based on the pictures taken during the hike. Few of the PQs are reproduced below:

 

So the guys in California, do the Stebbins Cold Canyan hike. It is a day hike. You can't camp for the night there. But you will love the flora. Share your pictures later.

Ghumakkad will take you to some ruins in the coming episode.
Better luck next time.

     - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 15th March 2019/ hbindia@gmail.com

#kbg #kaunbanegaghumakkad #lake #dam #traveltheworld #natgeo #planetm #photowalks #wandertrails #contests #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh #hiking #kbg10 #winnerkbg10 #lakeberryessa #monticellodam #stebbinscoldcanyonreserve #ucdavis 

Loving a Leaf

Everyone loves a rose.
Ever admired or loved a leaf? That too a dry leaf?

Ghumakkad had shot many a dry leaf. One picture which left an imprint forms the backdrop for this PQ- picturesque quote. This quote is not from Tagore-- though more from Tagore will follow soon. This one comes from a net-based collection. It echoes my thoughts on dry leaves and their beauty.

A dry leaf symbolises our life or others' lives when they encounter adversity or tougher times. People throng to you when you succeed but very few reach you when you are in distress. Remember the dry leaf. Learn to love it. One day it could be you.

Enjoy the PQ.

Special thanks are due to Hemant Bhargava in Davis California for making this hike to the Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve happen. I loved the trail. Am sharing few other PQs based on pictures taken on the same hike below. Hemant-- keep hiking!

Previous PQs on similar themes just in case you missed were:
Like wildflowers allow yourself to grow
Peace comes from within
Nature is awesome

Thanks for browsing.

    -  Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/24th March 2016

Nature is awesome

Nature is awesome

Ghumakkad's last story on Brahma Kamal ब्रह्म कमल flower had many readers sharing their own plants and experiences. It was very heart warming to see how Nature binds mankind across regions and continents.

Continuing with Nature as the theme, we have two Picturesque Quotes (PQs) for you. Both pictures were shot in Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, California. If you live in USA and are fond of Nature, don't miss this trail. It is a partnership for research and upkeep between University of California Davis and the Forest Department. 

Let the pictures speak.
Borrowing Leigh Hunt's immortal words "Colours are the smiles of Nature", the first PQ for you.

 Followed by Vincent Gogh's famous line...

Isn't Nature truly awesome?

Thanks for browsing.

   Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/11th July 2015

Nature and its marvels

You would have browsed my newly launched series on 'Picturesque Quotes' (PQ). PQ is not to be confused with the name of a recent Hindi movie titled 'PK'!
Link to the previous posts are  Mist and Mountains and  Solitude .

Earlier this month we were in Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka India. Few of the pictures taken there inspired me to use it for next edition of PQ. Here it is.

Nature knows no boundaries. Last summer I had hiked in Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve in California USA. While browsing those pictures, Nature and its marvels again stood out. So much so that the quotation for one of the pictures taken in California is same as that of a picture shot in India! See the PQs below.

Am sure each one of us has experienced the thrill of watching Nature and its mysterious creations.
Enjoy the Nature till its glory lasts. Because mankind is hell bent on destroying it. Sadly.

Thanks for browsing. More will follow.

Best regards

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Basant Panchami, 24th Jan 2015

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