Today we left later than hoped, because Tripp needed some TLC. We’d had her nose strut rebuilt a couple of weeks ago, so of course today it was flat when we arrived at the airport to get an early afternoon start on our first leg of the trip up the coast. So by the time we’d had it fixed, we raced sunset and arrived just as the colors were fading and the lights started to twinkle. Oceano looked so wrinkly in the evening light, as shadows began to advance across the dunes.
3038 High Over Oceano
We were flying higher and faster than usual to arrive before dark, and get a better look at Big Sur on the way. Morro Bay was lovely with a scatter of soft clouds mingling with the “sister” rocks toward SLO in the distance.
3053 Morro & Sisters
We got a good look at Hearst Castle, though the sun was too low to light up the brilliant aqua blue Grecian pool.
3084 Heast Castle Evening
One of our fav stops when driving Big Sur is the Julia Pfeiffer Burns park, where you can walk under the highway for a great view of surf surging through sea caves and the long waterfall onto the deserted beach.
3138 Julia Pfeiffer Burns
As we passed Nepenthe low clouds were gathering closer to shore and the light was fading, so we climbed direct to San Jose and got this shot of Monterey being overtaken by the fluffy blanket.
3153 Monterey Blanket
Nearby the coast from Pajaro Dunes to Santa Cruz was still clear just as the sun slid into the muck offshore.
3156 Santa Cruz Sunset
We arrived in San Jose just at the right time to have good visibility, but late enough for the flavor of night flight that we so enjoy.
3159 San Jose Twilight
I hope the weather permits more coastal flying tomorrow as we continue North!
John & Anne Wiley 
I love all the textures you captured in these photos.
Comment by Nancy Oster — 2011/08/16 @ 14:36
The late low sun makes for delicious views.
Comment by Jo — 2011/08/16 @ 20:24
Hey, the airport name in Smiley Creek is Galena. 🙂
Comment by John — 2011/08/17 @ 18:34