Geography

Borel Hill

Borel Hill is the highest named point in San Mateo County. It is located in Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve, a preserve owned by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. The peak offers a 360 degree view, including both the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It is accessible via the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and parking is available on Skyline Boulevard at gate RR01, or in multiple locations on Alpine Road.

• borel hill
• highest
• view
• 360

Mount Umunhum

Mount Umunhum, the fourth highest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains (elevation 3,486 ft), is situated in Santa Clara County, in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The name, Umunhum (pronounced "uhm-uhn-uhm"), is an Ohlone Native American word believed to mean "hummingbird" or "resting place of the hummingbird." This peak is easily recognizable from the San Francisco Bay Area because of a large radar tower situated on the summit, known locally as "the box" or "the cube." The summit is the site of the former Almaden Air Force Station, a general surveillance station that has been closed since 1980. Although it is situated in an open space preserve, the summit is currently off limits to the public due to hazardous materials (such as lead paint and asbestos), and unsafe, partially demolished structures. Plans are underway to restore the summit for public use, although it is estimated that this will not be completed until 2016 or later.

• umunhum
• hummingbird
• mountain
• box

Smith Lake

Smith Lake, in the Trinity Alps of Northern California, is a glacier carved, deep pool of water situated in the remote central portion of the wilderness area. Reached only by hardy hikers braving the steep terrain and brushy trails, this beautiful site offers stunning granite rock walls, majestic waterfalls, all near timberline at 6900 feet elevation. It is the headwaters of Bear Creek that feeds the Steward's Branch of the Trinity River.

• smith lake
• trinity alps
• northern california wilderness
• hiking

Eel River Hiking And Swimming

The Eel River in Northern California is an incredible place for hiking, backpacking, swimming, and camping. The river has three main tributaries: The North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork and is dammed at Lake Pillsbury. It's tributaries cover almost 200 miles across areas in Humboldt County, Lake County, Mendocino County, and Trinity County. Though the Eel River has no actual eels it gets it's name from the River Lamprey which inhabit it.

The hiking along the Eel River is amazing. Breathtaking waterfalls and deep swimming holes are scattered throughout the watershed. The ecosystem is vibrant with wildlife such as mountain lions, brown bears, beavers, deer, Coho & Chinook salmon, and Steelhead trout. The magic of many locations along the Eel cannot be explained by words or photographs and should be experienced first hand.

• eel river
• swimming
• hiking
• backpacking

Henry Cowell State Park

Henry Cowell State Park, in Santa Cruz California, is a great place for a hike through some old redwoods to the San Lorenzo River. All trails are open to hikers and some are open to horse riders and mountain bikers. Over 20 miles of hiking and forest. It is mountain lion territory and warning signs are posted. More information here: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=546

• henry cowell
• state park
• mountain lion
• hiking
• california
• santa cruz

Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley is the epicenter of the technological revolution. It was originally named Silicon Valley because of the large number of microchip manufactures in that geological area. Today it is home to some of the most cutting edge research in the world in the areas of computer technology, the world wide web, and industrial engineering to name just a few. When refereed to it generally indicates the city of Santa Clara and neighboring communities such as San Jose, Mountain View, and Cupertino. Map courtesy of Google.

• silicon valley
• california
• technology
• computers
• industrial engineering

Flores, Azore Island

Flores, one of the remote Azore Islands, and a part of Portugal, is 1000 miles west of the European mainland in the mid-Atlantic Ocean. Flores, which means "flowers" is sparsely populated but like the other islands in the chain, has been a traditional stop over re-fueling and watering spot for transatlantic voyages.

• azores
• atlantic islands
• portugal

Cenote

A cenote is a freshwater cave typically found close to saltwater but removed somewhat inland. The Yucatan peninsula has many examples of this unique geological formation. Many of these caves are miles long and invite exploration by SCUBA divers.

• underground caves
• dive sites
• freshwater diving

River Estuary

A river estuary is the interface between the ocean and fresh water. Estuaries are important as nurseries for anadromous fish and other marine species such as crab and rockfish. The length of an estuary is determined by terrestrial topography, size of the river and its opening to the sea. Typically, fresh water rides over heavier salt water and forms what is referred to as a "lens" of interacting liquids. Mudlflats, sandbars, and riparian areas are often associated with estuaries.

• estuary
• oceans and rivers
• fresh and salt water

Length Of US Boundaries

The total length of the Canadian boundary of the United States is 5,525 miles.

The total length of the Mexican boundary of the United States is 1,933 miles.

• boundary
• length
• united states
• canada
• mexico