John & Anne Wiley

2012/11/21

Familiar Joys

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,Nature,Random,SB Region — John @ 07:33

The joys of flying SB are familiar, yet still so new every time we go up. Like this new perspective we got on familiar Tangerine Falls recently.

1385 White Tangerine

1385 White Tangerine

The water was completely gone, and even the tangerine color that lingers when it’s a trickle. I was surprised to see it bleached white, and as you can see in a closer look it appeared very much like frosted ice.

1385 Frozen Falls

1385 Frozen Falls

Were it not for the evergreen shrubs and the bucolic 70F air we so often enjoy here, that finely textured white could fit right into an arctic scene. Turning back toward the airport after these few minutes of refreshing delights, we got a familiar joy looking at Our Town.

1386 Quiet Quilt

1386 Quiet Quilt

The textures and colors spread like a blanket, going up Altered State Street between the Mission at the left and Cottage Hospital at the right, through downtown and out onto Stearn’s Wharf. Our sleepy town a familiar quiet quilt we’ve slept cozily in for almost twenty years now.

2012/11/20

Bliss 360

Filed under: Aviation,Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,Nature,People,Random,SB Region — John @ 04:40

Taking off from SBA is bliss in every direction. Mountains, ocean, city, country, and hints of all the other variety California has to offer from redwoods to lakes and rivers to deserts. All of it caressed by idyllic weather here in the Goldilocks zone. No matter which runway we use, lifting off we’re greeted by transcendent scenes like this.

1345 Up & Out

1345 Up & Out

The sensation of lifting up and flying out over the water is thrilling, quickening the heart and instantly expanding the horizon. There’s the beach, slough and pier where we just roamed with E Man. Arcing back over the shore in a gentle climb, the trusty song of Tripp’s engine disappears until the whisper of a gentle breeze soothes our souls.

1348 I See UC

1348 I See UC

There’s the Isla Vista we’ve strolled, and the UC campus of Erin and then Molly. Even after a long dry spell like we had here until this weekend, there’s so much to thrill the eye and nourish the soul as we approach the mountains this time.

1359 Eye Level

1359 Eye Level

Turning along the shoulders of the peaks we easily rise until eye level with the ridge. There’s the Old San Marcos stagecoach road we’ve driven with friends and family, pausing to enjoy the smell of sage and stretch our legs. Now I look at a dry waterfall, silently awaiting the rain that will refresh all this and trigger an explosion of life.

1362 Expectant Falls

1362 Expectant Falls

All of this, and a 360 degree panorama more, has slipped beneath our wings in just 360 seconds of bliss. This is why we fly.

2012/11/19

E Man

Filed under: Happiness,Has Photos,Nature,People,Random,SB Region — John @ 01:57

Today we met a super guy named E Man. When he saw this grebe walking on water, he said he could do it too if he ran fast enough.

1494 Water Trick

1494 Water Trick

We had met E Man earlier at Goleta Beach, and during our time together he had already demonstrated some flying ability.

 

1532 E Flight

1532 E Flight

He also likes to study nature up close, finding fascination all along our walk with his keen mind and sharp eyes.

1469 Science Moment

1469 Science Moment

Before that, out on the pier he witnessed a leap of friendship. A friend of this woman had passed away, and this was her way of honoring him. Luckily she had cautioned us that we didn’t need to be concerned or try to jump in after her. But maybe watching this had inspired E Man’s later leap from the playground equipment.

1453 Going Down

1453 Going Down

We hope to see E Man again some time, and enjoy more fun adventures around town.

2012/11/17

Pitt Stop

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,People,Random,SB Region — John @ 19:05

When we’re flying West of town, sometimes we check in on Brad & Angie’s sweet little place on the beach. I doubt they ever visit anymore, but the caretakers at the left end keep it looking good for us.

1315 Pitt Stop

1315 Pitt Stop

I like to picture us sitting in lounge chairs looking at the surf and sipping a beer, with the sound of each gentle wash of foam on the sand taking us more deeply into nourishing relaxation.

1315 Imaginary World

1315 Imaginary World

Or maybe taking to the waves on that pair of surfboards at the bottom-right. It’s easy to see how this would have been a good Pitt stop when they wanted a break from a stint in the pressure cooker of Hollywood.

2012/11/11

Generations

Filed under: Flying,Has Photos,Inner World,Random — John @ 22:38

Today we remember the generations who went before, and honor their sacrifice. Lately I’ve been enjoying an email conversation with one of the men who flew with Anne’s Dad in the Pacific. He’s been sending me photos from their time at Guadalcanal, including this one that’s much clearer than any we had.

VPB-104 Crew 76

VPB-104 Crew 76

Looking at these young faces in front of the PB4Y (Navy B-24) that was destroyed a few weeks later, gets me thinking of what they experienced. I see a playful camaraderie masking a fatalistic seriousness that makes me both appreciate what they accomplished liberating the islands, and hope that some day humanity might reach an end to war.

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