Here’s a tiny sample of what we see within 18 minutes of takeoff from SBA, flying at a leisurely pace. Of course as we lift off the UCSB campus greets us first.
0041 Start Here
This alone makes every flight worthwhile. But of course, there’s much more beauty in every direction. This time we’ll fly East along the beach a little.
0065 Hope Lake
I’ve already left out some beautiful and interesting scenes, but this place I call Hope Lake holds a particular fascination for me. The mansions are magnificent, anchored by this small lake that’s probably worth the cost of Tripp for just a few square feet of this prime Hope Ranch waterfront land. There’s also the funicular with beach house at the bottom, baseball diamond, and of course one of the best island views in town. After a mile of intriguing estates we see the Wishbone bell tower monument marking the spot where European explorers first set foot here.
0094 Wishbone
All along the coast of course we’re also seeing boats like this Condor Express whale migration tour boat zooming past Hendry’s (aka Arroyo Burro) beach.
0130 Condor
At the mouth of the harbor we see this gull, pelican, paddleboard, sailboat and another tour boat.
0177 Water Wanderers
After many more beautiful scenes and several wide turns to take it all in we pass this modest home built above Butterfly Beach a few years ago where several mansions once stood.
0195 Butterfly Beach
Eighteen minutes after takeoff our hearts, minds, and eyes have long ago been overwhelmed. Our mood has been transformed as we look back toward downtown and the airport huddled behind the hilltop where that Wishbone stands.
0227 Montecito
Montecito’s blossoming collection of grand estates and enormous mansions joins Hope Ranch in bracketing relatively modest Santa Barbara. The mountains and islands bracket it all, and our meandering vantage point spreads this intricate and breathtaking tapestry beneath our wings. An enlarged perspective invites expanding the limits of consciousness.
John & Anne Wiley 
You must be logged in to post a comment.