John & Anne Wiley

2011/12/31

Rampant

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,People,Random,SB Region — John @ 08:04

You learn interesting things flying. I noticed this flag on the tail of a jet at SBA.

8731 Rampant Lion

8731 Rampant Lion

I thought at first it was German, but one of the airport managers said it’s Belgian. So just now I googled “Belgian Flag” and came up with a boring flag with a few colored stripes. So next I googled “Lion Flag” and the Scottish flag called the “Rampant Lion” came up looking quite similar, yet different. Digging deeper I discovered it’s actually the Flag of Flanders, and it too is often called a Rampant Lion flag according to more details found on this site. The jet itself was prim and of course also wearing the Euro Flag.

8732 Flanders Tale

8732 Flanders Tale

So I still don’t know the tale of the tail flags, but maybe it’s something to do with an E.U. delegation visiting some bigwig in SB? As you can see, it was a glorious day so of course we went flying and within a few minutes another interesting story came into view.

8759 Enigmatic Earthworks

8759 Enigmatic Earthworks

It looks new, and we’ve never seen it before, yet there it was in the foothills above Carp. New dam, perhaps? So back on the ground I posted it on Edhat and looked at the full-res pic in more detail. It seems this is a catch basin to protect Carp from flash floods, and it’s been there for years. In closing here’s a snap of SBA (Flanders Jet circled in red) in case you wonder why, after landing in every state and province, we still say SB is our fave area to fly in North America.

8733 Pilot Heaven

8733 Pilot Heaven

Advertisement

2011/12/28

Flood Risk

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,People,Random — John @ 08:11

I recently sensed that someone was bravely holding back a deep flood of emotions, and that a relatively small event could shatter the calm facade. Maybe that’s why I noticed the signs of recent activity on the face of this dam we passed on a slow climb out of San Jose toward home.

8700 Holding Back

8700 Holding Back

Having studied human nature and practiced new techniques for communicating deep emotions, my hope is that in this century humanity might at last learn to manage the feelings within and between us. To repair the damage done, and locate areas in our psyche that can benefit from strengthening. Somewhat like this dam, holding Anderson Lake above Morgan Hill. Turns out it was vulnerable to a failure that could have sent a 35 foot wall of water across the quiet town, and even eight feet of water into populous San Jose buzzing in the distance. After noticing the dam, I remembered visiting the lake in my youth.

8699 Over Lake

8699 Over Lake

Over the lake that dam is holding over the town, a small flood of memories came. The cottage my grandmother lived in for a few years there. A family of close relatives in the town. Memories of the last time I visited the lake, pausing on the hillside near a lone dead tree on the grassy slope. Contemplating a very difficult time in my life, with none of the peace and clarity Anne and I have created together. All this and more whimsically passing in slow-motion parade beneath Tripp’s stout wings, with only quick moments of thought as I took in all the rest of the panorama unfolding around us in a rotation that included attention to flight and navigation. Now in front of the fireplace reflecting on the pix and typing this, those moments expand into exploration of submerged memories and feelings. Healing with the awareness and acceptance that reduces flood risk to a steady ebb and flow.

2011/12/27

Peak

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,Nature,People,Random,Relationships — John @ 03:25

This holiday season is adding a new peak for the year, with great family times together and today’s sunset flight home across Pinnacles National Monument.

8724 Peak Experience

8724 Peak Experience

Much as we’d have once enjoyed climbing those trails to experience the rock forms, this evening it was nice to fly quietly over looking at all the variations in shape and texture on our way home to a cozy fire with tea and warm memories.

8728 Western Set

8728 Western Set

Some of the scenes were straight from a Western movie, perfect for ambush scenes. Maybe some day we’ll fly to King City and find our way out to the Pinnacles for a closer look. Meanwhile we’ll hope to fly over again for another peek.

2011/12/26

Over & In

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,People,Random,Relationships — John @ 08:46

This is an emotional time of year for most people it seems. Sure is true for me, with many inward moments. Thoughts of loved ones present and past. Feelings expressed, and not. Appreciation and reflection. Flying over SF was a new way to go in and connect again with Reality. Reflecting on past before opening a new Present.

8659 Constant Change

8659 Constant Change

The city so familiar to my last teen year, in the Summer of Love. Yet so different both over and in the city. Still many places I’ve not been, and impressions of where I could have gone.

8677 Birdman

8677 Birdman

The park I wandered with eyes opening anew, miraculous friends long gone in the best and worst of times, concerts and marches. All memories beneath wings aglow with beauty more poignant nearing end of day.

8698 Wordless Memory

8698 Wordless Memory

Then back to the warmth of family and exquisite joy in the promise of new Love and Life to come.

1731 First Dress

1731 First Dress

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

2011/12/24

Golden Time

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,Nature,People,Random,Relationships — John @ 17:11

As warm sunlight finds a path through the oaks and pours in the windows this morning, my heart overflows in this golden moment with family. The sweet sound of our grand-daughter’s delight wakens our souls.

1643 Pure Joy

1643 Golden Joy

As if this weren’t enough, I got to fly her wonderful Dad and my bro-in-law on a quick tour of San Francisco just before sunset.

8681 Golden Gate

8681 Golden Gate

As the world spreads beneath the wings, the heart stretches to embrace the True golden nature of time.

8693 Thru the Gate

8693 Thru the Gate

Next Page »

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

%d bloggers like this: