Tag: zerotohero

California Academy of Sciences | San Francisco Golden Gate Park

Check out the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park with EPIC photos!

TRAVEL. ART. FOOD. ThereGoesSaraRose.com

Tucked away in San Francisco’s world-renowned Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences has served as the backdrop of many of my fondest childhood memories—my family has been coming here for years—and it is certain to offer a unique California travel adventure for you, too.

The museum’s mission is to “regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration,” and I find my own interest in natural science is stoked with each revisit of it. Beyond the education in science, the Academy itself is a sight to behold. It underwent a multi-million-dollar remodel in 2008, which swapped around some of the layouts I was familiar with from childhood but ultimately yielded the environmentally friendly architectural gem that stands today. Join me as I guide you through some of my favorite highlights the institution has to offer.

Note: I visited the museum pre-lockdown, so you’ll notice many folks are mask-less in my photos. Rest assured, the institution has a thoughtful reopening plan which you can dive into here.

Listen to a podcast of this travel article here: https://anchor.fm/theregoessararose/episodes/Ep-6-California-Academy-of-Sciences–San-Francisco-Golden-Gate-Park-e156u5c

Osher Rainforest

Saving the best for first! One of my all-time favorite spots at the Academy is the Osher Rainforest. The rainforest is housed inside the museum. You read that right­—a rainforest inside a building! And experiencing it is as amazing as it sounds.

Osher Rainforest, California Academy of Sciences
Osher Rainforest, California Academy of Sciences
Osher Rainforest, California Academy of Sciences
Osher Rainforest, California Academy of Sciences

The rainforest is four stories high and encapsulated in a giant glass sphere. Inside, you can get up close and personal with the flora and fauna of the Amazonian forest. You’ll want to plan ahead, as this permanent exhibition is available to partake in by reservation only (which you can make in the Academy’s lobby by scanning a QR code to select a time to visit), and trust me, it is not to be missed. Check out a video of the dome and inside view of the Rainforest, here!

Steinhart Aquarium & Claude the Alligator

Next up is the Steinhart Aquarium­­, where you can see 40,000 live animals and be immersed in their striking underwater habitats. I’ve always loved aquariums and have visited my fair share, and the Steinhart is one of the most spectacular.

Steinheart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences
Steinhart Aquarium California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco aquarium, California academy of sciences, San Francisco, Golden Gate Park
Claude the Albino Alligator, California Academy of Sciences
Claude the Albino Alligator, California Academy of Sciences
Steinheart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences
Steinheart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences
Steinhart Aquarium California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
Steinhart Aquarium California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco

No visit to the Academy is complete without a tip of the hat to my buddy Claude, the American alligator with albinism who appears snowy white. You can find Claude in the part of the aquarium that showcases the ecosystems of the Southeastern United States called “the Swamp.” Also available for your viewing pleasure are exhibits on tide pools, coral reefs, lagoons, and much more.

Kimball Natural History Museum

And don’t miss the Kimball Natural History Museum, which showcases one-of-a-kind specimens from the Academy’s expansive scientific collections. I was fascinated by the Academy’s dazzling gem and mineral collection, and I also loved learning about the role of color in the natural world. From tiny insects to enormous dinosaur bones, the Natural History Museum has a little something for every adventurer to enjoy.

Kimball Natural History Museum, CA Academy of Sciences
Kimball Natural History Museum, CA Academy of Sciences
Kimball Natural History Museum, CA Academy of Sciences

Living Roof

Capping off my visit to the Academy is a trip up to the 2.5-acre living roof. Up here, temperature, wind, and rain are monitored, and the entire structure is edged with solar panels. The roof contributes to the sustainability of the building by providing insulation and capturing excess rainwater. More than just functional, the roof is a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of the Academy’s interior and provides a unique chance to reflect on California’s environment while peering down at Golden Gate Park below.

Looking for a California adventure of your own? Get your tickets to the California Academy of Sciences here and be sure to subscribe to my blog and follow me on social media to join me on my travels.

How to Prep for a Day Hike in Yosemite in Spring of 2021

Enjoy the travel photography and videos from Yosemite Spring, 2021. Join the adventure with There Goes Sara Rose!

TRAVEL. CAPTURE. CREATE. ThereGoesSaraRose.com

Are you longing to get out of the house? As COVID-19 restrictions start to wind down and more people get vaccinated, thoughts of travel are hitting all of our minds. At the same time, you’re probably looking for a safe option.

If you live near Yosemite or another mountainous region, now is the perfect time to take a day hike. You can get in some exercise, see some new stuff, and stay outside and away from others. Spring is a great time to explore the mountains before the summer fire season.

Listen to a podcast of the travel article here: https://anchor.fm/theregoessararose/episodes/Ep-3-How-to-Prep-for-a-Day-Hike-in-Yosemite-in-Spring-of-2021-e155nve

What is Yosemite Like in April and May?

Weather in the late spring is usually pleasant, but not warm. Highs in the valley tend to be in the 60s and lows in the 30s. Rain and snow are still possible, and you should dress accordingly. Fire conditions are possible but less likely than later in the summer.

Some higher areas in the mountains may still be snowbound and Tioga Road is still closed. Mariposa Grove usually opens by mid-March. Glacier Point Road is also closed (and as a note, it will be closed for the entire of 2022 for rehabilitation). Generally, plan a route that won’t take you above 6,000 feet and check with the rangers to see what is or is not open.

The spring snow melt makes the waterfalls particularly pretty, especially in the Valley. While it’s generally not clear enough for backpacking without snow camping, there are plenty of day hike options.

Check out my video from our day trip to Lower Yosemite Falls!

What Should You Do To Prepare For Your Hike?

Preparing for a spring day hike requires some conditioning. You need to know your limits, especially if you’ve been exercising less and have put on any COVID 19-weight, as it were. Do some walks in your local area and increase the distance, and choose a route that you are comfortable with; don’t go from being sedentary to an 8 mile hike. As it’s still spring, you won’t be at altitude anyway, but you still need to be fit.

You will also need the right gear. Dress in layers; the wide temperature range in the spring may mean you will be taking stuff off, putting it on, taking it off again…so make sure you can do that comfortably. You will also need:

  1. The right footwear. This is the most important piece of gear for hiking. Given the risk of rain or snow in the spring, hiking boots are generally your best option. If you’re staying on easier trails, walking shoes or trail running shoes may work well. Think about what kind of ankle support you need.
  2. A fleece jacket or wool sweater makes a good middle layer for the temperature range you are dealing with.
  3. Rain gear including rain pants. You definitely need rain pants. Bear in mind that wet jeans are the worst thing to be stuck in.
  4. Proper socks, ideally ones designed for hiking.
  5. A backpack. If you plan on hiking all day, get a daypack. Otherwise, an ordinary backpack is fine, but do not carry it slung on one shoulder (you will walk one sided and put strain on yourself).
  6. Some kind of hat. If it’s colder, you will want a wool hat. If warmer, you might want something to keep the sun off.
  7. Insect repellent. Make sure that you have and use a DEET-based insect repellent that also repels ticks. Apply repellent to exposed skin, but also to the cuffs of your pants and your hat.
  8. Sunscreen. Even if it’s not that warm.
  9. A hikers’ first aid kit. For casual hikers, a pre-made kit is more than sufficient.
  10. Gloves. You may want them and if you don’t, they’re light.
  11. A camera & gear. Maybe you will find a good smartphone is enough, but a DSLR will still give you better pictures if you want to make the investment. I take a lot of photos on my hikes and encourage you to do the same.
  12. A flashlight, even if you plan on being back well before dark.
  13. Food and water. If you’re really high in the mountains you can get fresh water, but in the park you want to carry enough for your hike.

If you are older and/or the trail is steep, consider investing in trekking poles. Another thing to consider is downloading an app onto your phone that identifies plants, wildlife,  etc.

It’s time to get back out into the world, and a mountain day hike is a great way to do so without worrying about that pesky virus. Watch my video on how to pick hiking boots and please come back to ThereGoesSaraRose.com for more travel advice (and awesome pictures!)

Dear Adventurers (Part 2)

Hello to the amazing reader who is here for adventure, art, and learning! Introduce yourself in the comment section below and where you are in the world! Setting out on a new path in life can feel very difficult, especially in the early stages. However, the excitement of discovery MUST outweigh the apprehension; we must break out of our shells to metamorphose into what we can become! Currently, I’ve only been on the West Coast of North America, and there is quite a bit that is going to shock me in my travels. In addition, I cannot stop painting if I tried, it will always be a part of how I tell my story. So here I am, sharing the travels and art created, inspired by what I research, learn, and see. We each have a different outlet that needs to breathe when a fire is lit within us. I urge you to REACH for your fire and stir it with every bit of energy and passion you can muster. There is a drive within each of us that, when shared with others, seems to inspire them to make a positive change in their own lives. Share your story as well! The path I described as new, difficult, a change, and scary? This is my path. We must see the world as it is, how it was, and return good back into it. Are you ready? Let us escape, learn, and create!

Listen to a podcast of this travel article here: https://anchor.fm/theregoessararose/episodes/Ep-1-Dear-Adventurers-e15247m

“This is a story of learning to navigate the rising tides of life, which cannot be done from the shore; We must become the captain of our own seas.”

-Sara Rose

One thing I must share, do not mistake me for a tumbleweed, blowing in the wind without direction. This is a story of learning to navigate the rising tides of life, which cannot be done from the shore; We must become the captain of our own seas. I quit my job in August 2019 to focus on switching careers after working 10 years in what felt to be a dead-end government job, I just walked out. I petitioned to take extra classes at school and graduated Manga Cum Laude, a baccalaureate in Multimedia Development and Design in April 2020. What is a degree in multimedia you ask? A program that teaches you just enough in the field of game, VR & web design & development, photography, and videography to make you understand how little you know about content creation. I began my Master’s Degree in May 2020 and started creating online content. I did not expect how much it would change me and the school-project-turned-business became my focus from most of 2020 to early 2021, to the point that I forgot to have fun with my passions. I was just making the best of the situation, not the best for me. Life-altering events made me realize how short life can really be. The world is not going to find me, I must go see the world; I must make this happen for myself, now!

Why are YOU here?

Share your thoughts as we search for COLOR, FOOD, NATURE, HISTORY, ARCHITECTURE, NEW TECHNOLOGY, and FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION! Let us shock our senses, bask in the beauty of an early sunrise, breathe in mountain-top air after miles of hiking, and then create what our hearts and minds have gleaned from the experience. Please feel free to share your adventures and creations as this site and community grows! On this exploration, we will meet friends, old and new. We will learn things that will forever change how we think and speak. We will laugh at my mistakes (I am a HOT MESS!) and learn to laugh at ourselves, all while traveling and painting. I am a helper, but I need to help myself first…truly learn before I can really help others. If you are ready for this, become a part of the journey by participating in any of my media outlets to get the most out of each expedition, whether about travel, art, or the tools we are using to bring you the content!

Artists may express through their creation, however, YOU get to be a part of the very moments of idea-inception to finished product, from wonder to enlightenment! Get ready to join the voyage to expand our brains here at, There Goes Sara Rose! 

P.S. I connected with readers before ThereGoesSaraRose.com went live, here: “Dear Adventurers”, (Part 1).

Join here for more!

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