John & Anne Wiley

2010/12/27

San Diego

Filed under: by Anne,Flying,Has Photos,Nature — Anne @ 06:40

Christmas in San Diego this year brought unusual flights both ways, and this spectacular sunset welcomed us upon arriving on the 23rd…

1028 San Diego Sunset

1028 San Diego Sunset

The next day was the sunniest of the month, so we took advantage of clear flying weather  and took a jaunt.  This is what I recall being called ‘the jetty’.  It separates Mission Beach on the right, and Ocean Beach (OB) on the left.  I’ve stood (and swum) on both sides of this, not ever imagining I’d be flying over it in this way! I like the straight and curvy shapes in this view.

1040-SD The Jetty - OB & Mission Beach

1040-SD The Jetty - OB & Mission Beach

by ~Anne

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2010/12/26

New Tradition?

Filed under: Aviation,Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,People,Random,Relationships,SB Region — John @ 03:14

This might be our first Christmas at home together, and it’s wonderful to savor what might become a new tradition for us. Usually we’re with family, so this year after a warm and wonderful Christmas Eve with family in San Diego we flew home through a dreamscape. Yesterday between morning coffee and evening soup/gifts, we took a break to fly over San Diego Bay.

4118 San Diego Bay

4118 San Diego Bay

This view over the salt ponds from near the Mexican border shows the graceful arc of the Strand to Point Loma with the city skyline just visible at top-right. Flying home today we got a great view of distant snowy peaks beyond the Riverside area.

4170 Snow Beckons

4170 Snow Beckons

We were tempted to fly over them for a closer look and to avoid incoming weather so we can meet up with dear ones in the desert. But the siren song of Home was stronger, so we dodged storms to arrive just as heavy rains were approaching Santa Barbara. It’s so fun to choose in the moment, allowing our destined route to emerge. Dipping through a large opening in the clouds near Camarillo was just one in the string of choices that ended with us enjoying home made soup by a warm fire.

1195 Clouds Parted

1195 Clouds Parted

Happy holidays, everyone!

2010/12/24

Up Again

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,People,Random,SB Region — John @ 08:01

We saw some delightful sights flying to Oxnard today. First was the brown marble sea created by the muddy runoff from all the recent storms. We saw variations on this theme at every creek and river outlet along the coast.

4048 Sea of Mud

4048 Sea of Mud

Over the Oxnard coastline looking toward Ventura the dappled shadows and scampering small clouds made the familiar scene we’ve seen on so many flights, all new.

4050 Oxnard Anew

4050 Oxnard Anew

Can you make out the campground at the bottom? Those little circles each lead to pads where motorhomes park to sleep with the drumming of surf beyond the dunes. A bit to the right out of this frame is a similar shape from the air, made by picnic tables on pads around a playground. I like the embellishment created by the trees and their shadows lining the street.

4052 Playground Flower

4052 Playground Flower

Flying low reveals both geology and geometry.

2010/12/23

Rainbow Delight

Filed under: by Anne,Has Photos,Nature,SB Region — Anne @ 06:03

California is inundated with rain!   We’ve been watching weather studiously of late in anticipation of our flight to San Diego on Thursday for Christmas. We look at aviation websites, Weather Underground, news reports…and one of our best guides is right outside our living room window.  From the comfort of home we can view the glorious hills, the fog that rolls over them.  The clouds have disappeared the larger mountains of late, with just tips peeking out from time to time.  However, this afternoon John’s watchful pilot eye spotted a treat.  I took this from the front porch, and did not enhance the colors at all.   It was brilliant.  We accept this as Mother Nature’s invitation for a delightful flight tomorrow!

1023 Rainbow Delight

1023 Rainbow Delight

by ~Anne

2010/12/21

Layers

Filed under: Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,People,Random,SB Region — John @ 01:52

Anne had hair and happiness (shopping) time this afternoon, as I cruised Altered State Street looking for a place to park. Downtown was surprisingly busy given the rain, but maybe most were doing holiday shopping and taking advantage of this break in the heavy rain of the last few and next few days. For some like Anne and me though, it was also a great time to be out and about. There was just enough rain to tingle the skin and make everything shiny. I paused at the corner before turning left onto Altered State, to snap this invigorating view of the clouds layering among the hills over Montecito. Layers of thoughtful feelings about holidays and a precious grand-daughter warmed my heart in the brisk air.

4040 Rainy Day Stroll

4040 Rainy Day Stroll

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