Even after our incredible “O.U.” adventure to Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia with lots of flying fun, we were still glad to be home. In fact, we started flying here again the very next day.
3745 Happy Home
There had been some rain while we were gone, and things were delightfully green. Up in the hills the town’s most popular waterfalls were flowing.
4049 Popular Pools
A week later the greening had continued, framing our familiar airport KSBA.
1212 Greener
The next time we flew, the foothills were a rolling riot of green.
1449 Green Blanket
Subsequent flights added clearer air for even more spectacular views of our favorite places.
4520 Clear Coast
Looking up State Street toward the mountains was breathtaking.
4526 Up State
The placid waters off Goleta Beach were soothing.
4754 Goleta Beach
At the end of January, we spotted a less-known creek pool quietly inviting visitors.
4836 Quiet Pool
In mid-February there was a big gathering at western Isla Vista.
5049 I.V. Surf Gathering
The U.C.S.B. campus was especially beautiful that day.
5054 U.C. Splendor
Back near town, Shoreline Park offered a sparkling green introduction to Our Town.
5093 Emerald City
Some days there are schools of fish so big they make shifting shapes like this one sheltering near the pier.
1188 School Shape
Often the pelicans, gulls and other birds join with dolphins and other predators at such schools for a fish feast.
5109 Feeding Frenzy
A big storm soon after muddied the water for a major change of scene.
5377 Brown Out
A bridge project downtown was set back when the storm runoff washed away forms just when they were ready for the concrete to be poured into them.
5450 Bridge Setback
But local surfers were treated to some memorable rides.
5490 Surf City
I’ll continue this catch up with more pix from our flights this year, in the next post. It’s fun to see them again while sharing them here, reminding us yet again how happy we are to be Home.
John & Anne Wiley 
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