Hiking in Napa

Me and a few friends decided to go hiking a few weeks back. I been hiking with them before, but to different locations. Our last hike was in Napa, but we went to go see Lake Berryessa and is surrounding areas.

Parking lot view

This was my first view of Lake Berryessa that day.

Lizard

 When my friends told me they saw a lizard, I was really expecting something much bigger than this one. But, I like this one :).

This is another view of Lake Berryessa. I really like taking pictures with the sun in it.

There was so much graffiti on this bridge, but I thought it was kind of interesting.

Another view of the bridge.

A bigger view of the bridge. And yes, I did drive on the bridge to get there and to go back.

A really big boulder that two of my friends decided to climb on.

Two of my friends on a really big rock.

My Addiction to Clash of Clans

I haven't had a blog post since February. Not much has really changed in my life since then, but what did change was adding something into my life even more. On my last post, I wrote about the top 10 games that I enjoyed playing on my Ipad. The game that I became addicted to these past few months isn't even on the list.

Clash of Clans was just one of those apps that I decided to download because it was so high in the top 100 list in games. I had no idea how much time I would spend on it after downloading the game in December. I been spending many hours raiding for gold, dark elixir, and elixir instead of blogging my life away or taking photos. I believe the addiction started somewhere in the middle of February when I started to play the game a bit more and had a better understanding of how to better play the game.

As I kept playing the game, I understood what was important and became more strategic. When I first played I was scared to battle, but now I battle every chance that I can get. I used to not know which battles to look for and more specifically what to look for before choosing a base to attack. But now, I understand the concepts of farming and hunting really well. I know that I should be looking for at least 150k or more if possible, instead of just fighting the first battle that appears in search, which might have a loot of 1k each.
                                                                                                                                                                                                          
I think what really got me addicted to the game was that there was a chat feature for both being in a clan and a global chat. The chat feature allowed people from all over the world to connect. I made a quite a few friends on the game, which made it hard to not go back to it since I'm a fan of connecting with friends. Throughout the courses of the months, the chat feature enabled funny and memorable moments. Other times, the chat feature also included drama.

There were times when I really wanted to quit the game, but I think I just couldn't because I still wanted the opportunity to connect with the friends I made on the game and how far I made it in the game. One of the foundations of a clan is loyalty, which helps build and maintains solid members. I been loyal and I like to be a loyal person, so its hard to stray away from that. In addition, I've made it past level 100 and reached my goal of all level 8 skull walls. My base is really coming along well and I cant help but wonder what will it look like if I just continue farming and further developing my base and going further in levels.                                                                                    

My Top 10 Ipad Mini Game Apps

It was over a month ago since I purchased the Ipad Mini. I wanted it because it is portable and I needed something to keep me entertained by playing games or reading news. I also wanted to download apps that would allow me to learn photoshop or other skills. Since I had the Ipad Mini, I been spending less time on my laptop and more time on my Ipad Mini. I downloaded some many different sorts of apps based on a few articles I've read, the top 100 apps that are free and paid, and popular apps that I know other about use.

Since I play more games on my Ipad Mini than anything else, I'm going to list the top 10 ten games that I find most entertaining and most playable in no particular order.

1) Hay Day
When I first saw Hay Day on the top 100 free iPad apps, I thought it was a weird game. I decided to download it anyways. My baby sister played the game the first few times and I started playing it when we reached level 10 or so. Ever since I started playing it, I found it fun. I didn't think it would be so fun taking care of a virtual farm! You can add friends that are strangers or friends from Facebook. When you add friends, you have a farm that you can continually go to buy their products, help with their boats, or see if there treasure chest is open! It seems like there is always something you need to do for this game, such a growing crops, feeding cows or chickens, or making pies, which all keeps you hooked on playing the game.

2) The Simpsons Tapped Out
 When I noticed that there was a Simpson game on the top 100 free iPad apps, I just had to get it. I love The Simpsons. I like this game it's fun rebuilding Springfield and finding out what else I'm able to get next. There would be special items that are posted for a limited time and it's nice getting those limited time buildings, peoples or decorations. I posted on Twitter a few times that I play this game and each time, I'm able to add more neighbors and collect more XP and $.

3) Hidden Objects: Gardens of Time
I don't remember how I found out about this game. But, the title of the game is attracted me to download it! I've always liked games that allowed me to look for stuff. The visuals and designs in this game or beautiful. I started playing this game less than a week ago and I'm hooked! I like that I'm able to time travel to different parts of the world. Also, I'm learning new words. There were some items I had to search for but I didn't know what they looked like, so I looked them up. Not only that, but I'm able to add artifacts or decorations from London, San Francisco, or Ancient Egypt in my garden. I would play this game a lot, but they only recharge up to 30 energy for the time machine every couple of hours.

4) Clay Jam
This game gives you the opportunity to knock down other pieces of clay within a certain time frame. After knocking down the clay, you try to move as fast and far as you can. It's not an intense game, but it's exciting to see how many you can knock down.

5) Disney Fish Hooks
Who doesn't like popping bubbles? I must have a game that allows me to pop bubbles. This game allows me to do that. I can pop bubbles and help the characters decide how to move to move on to the next step.

6) Cut the Rope
Through cutting the rope the right way, you can go through to the next level! Not a difficult game since my baby sister and other young ones enjoy playing this game. There's several Cut the Rope games, which allows you more different designs and new levels.

7) Doors & Rooms
Ever wonder what it was like to be locked into a abandoned room and having to figure out how to get out? This app gives you the opportunity to search for clues and determine how to get through the door and move on to the next one. Sometimes its a challenge, but it makes you think.

8) Disney Super Speedway
One of the things I knew I must have is a racing game. I loved Mario Kart as a kid and must have a game that allows me to try to go as fast as I can and race other characters. Through Disney Super Speedway, I'm not one of the Mario Kart characters, but I still have the opportunity to race through different laps and through to be the first one through.

9) Snoopy's Street Fair
I like Snoopy, so I downloaded this app. Through this game, I'm maintaining a fair and a garden. Through collecting coins and other items, I'll be able to see Snoopy dance or step on a pile of leaves. Also, I'm able to use some of the fair activities for my own enjoyment. I'm able to play the Peanuts theme song or take pictures with a Peanuts character in them and use it as a background picture.

10) Pitfall
I know there's Temple Run 1 and 2 and Subway Surfers, but I think Pitfall is more fun. Pitfall allows the characters to run not just in a hill towards a forest; then, inside a cave riding a boat. I like that the character isn't running in one place that looks the same and that there is a lot the character should look out for in order to continue running and to stay alive.