Strolling a nearby knoll this evening, we heard the quiet hum of a small plane (looked like a C-172 similar to Tripp) descending toward SBA in the West where we’d been watching the sunset. Looking back toward that familiar and beloved music we saw this explosion of cloud color contrasting with the gentle plane at the top-right corner.
4291 Sunset Approach
It’s an enchanting time to fly, and we were transported aloft as we watched in rapt silence.
This might be our first Christmas at home together, and it’s wonderful to savor what might become a new tradition for us. Usually we’re with family, so this year after a warm and wonderful Christmas Eve with family in San Diego we flew home through a dreamscape. Yesterday between morning coffee and evening soup/gifts, we took a break to fly over San Diego Bay.
4118 San Diego Bay
This view over the salt ponds from near the Mexican border shows the graceful arc of the Strand to Point Loma with the city skyline just visible at top-right. Flying home today we got a great view of distant snowy peaks beyond the Riverside area.
4170 Snow Beckons
We were tempted to fly over them for a closer look and to avoid incoming weather so we can meet up with dear ones in the desert. But the siren song of Home was stronger, so we dodged storms to arrive just as heavy rains were approaching Santa Barbara. It’s so fun to choose in the moment, allowing our destined route to emerge. Dipping through a large opening in the clouds near Camarillo was just one in the string of choices that ended with us enjoying home made soup by a warm fire.
1195 Clouds Parted
Happy holidays, everyone!
John invited photos and I do have three to share. Over the Santa Ynez valley I enjoyed the long dark shadows cast by the pale trees. When looking at the actual photo, I noticed Cachuma Lake in the upper right corner, so that gives you an idea of location. But for now, here is what drew my eye:
0936 Shadow Sentrys
West of Michael Jackson’s place John noticed this nestling cloud all by itself on my side so I took a quick snap.
0939 Cloud snug & nestled in
Coming back along the coast out of Gaviota, I liked these craggy rocks along shore, and lined them up along the contrasting straight & narrow railroad track. My first glance at the actual photo looked like snow at the top, as though snow was coming down a green mountain. Snowy looking Surf!
0941 Snowy surf, Squiggly rocks, Straight rail
by ~Anne
No, I haven’t gotten over it. I’m the rockhound that never quits. Here’s a sequel to the rocks from above theme. It’s not just the sculptural shapes of rock formations that I enjoy. Sometimes the pure texture of a rock will capture my attention.
3860 Texture Stories
What created the texture on these stones? Was it only mountain rainfall erosion of sandstone laid down when this was a slumbering sea bed, or might there once have been a hillside creek or pool involved? Did humans participate at any point? Who visits this spot since the ancient peoples stopped coming? How long before this is all but buried in thick, tall brush? As you can see in this next shot, large areas are relatively clear still from the recent series of wildfires on these slopes.
3858 Rocks Revealed
An even wider view brings in Tripp’s sturdy strut, easing me from rock reveries back to flying dreams.
3861 Ridge Roaming
The brighter area top-middle is where our shadow would be if closer to the distant ridge. I like the radiant effect when looking exactly opposite the sun’s direction, and you never see that from the ground unless on a mountain top. Any time of day aloft you can spot this, and if low enough you’ll also see the shadow of your aircraft painting an impression of the outline someone on the ground will see. If they ever look up.
Well, Anne got some interesting snaps on this flight. Will she share any?
Instrument practice often involves a “missed approach” called by the pilot, as a way to save time. Basically it means you fly as if in clouds, but instead of taking the time to land and then take off again you do the procedures as if weather were so bad you couldn’t land. Well, approaching SBA after our evening flight today we enjoyed a “mist approach” when noticing the thin mist clinging to this bit of coast.
3872 Misty Coast
So soft and lovely with the brilliant sunset glow on the bluff. Earlier we’d enjoyed the fuzzy air caressing the undulating hills in northern Santa Ynez Valley on our way to take a fresh peek at Michael Jackson’s Neverland estate.
3842 Blanket of Hills
Reminds me of a rumpled blanket, as if some giant forgot to make his bed. On the way home the quaint village of Los Olivos looked like a movie miniature.
3853 Los Olivos Shadows
I’ve sent some pix from this flight to Edhat and also put a few on my Photo Page, so you could use the links in the right column here if you’d like to see more. Tomorrow I might share other views here and on those sites, as I go through the snaps from today.
John & Anne Wiley 
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