John & Anne Wiley

I’d never heard of noodling until we chanced upon a recent broadcast of the docu “Okie Noodling” on PBS. So as we climbed out of Oklahoma City on our grand MeriTimes Adventure, my perspective on this scene was changed.

7102 Noodling Notion

In addition to the beauty and intrigue of this scene, my perspective now included imagining people splashing around in that water. I doubt the prospect of fish dinner would move me to stick my arm into a dark underwater lair and then into the mouth of a giant catfish. I’m quite content to imagine that from half a mile above. Speaking of imagination…

7115 Space Warp

I imagine a passageway through time/space when looking at this pic of sandy riverbed next to a small park. On the ground it’s just a playground and ball fields but from this perspective it can create quite a different effect. I don’t recall having shared this ground perspective of Tripp’s wing at our Arkansas stop.

7128 Crystal Decatur, AR

Great place for a fly-in, with riverside park right adjacent to the excellent paved runway. Hills across the water with ancient rock walls in places to add a timeless quality. Rows of hangars housing fascinating mementos of the airport and area’s history. Before passing the famous arch, we got a new perspective of St. Louis that seems to go back to the previous century.

7176 St. Louis Stroll

I can imagine 1900s couples strolling between those bandstands hearing ragtime and Sousa on a sunny afternoon. Last from this flight is a thoughtful perspective on Springfield, IL. I can see the cheering crowd there for Obama’s speech, and Abe stumping there before him. If you click to see the largest version of this pic, you can make out the old red-domed capitol building at the left inside a circular sidewalk.

7208 Downtown Springfield, IL

Not long after this pic we were in a hotel admiring both the old and new capitol buildings from yet another perspective.

Here are a few more fav views of the area around Acoma Pueblo, just this side of Albuquerque on the second leg of our MeriTimes Adventure. First a stone pillar that to me has the look of a magnificent unfinished sculpture.

6965 Acoma Pillar

Nearby a tribe of rocks huddled together protecting a warm sunset light in their midst.

6967 Huddle of Light & Shadow

Just past the valley where the ancient village of Acoma still stands, a thin spire seems to keep watch alone with its “head” still in the setting sun.

7004 Lonely Spire

Last is this natural fortress of colors accented by the sunset into a brilliant beacon over the surrounding terrain.

7008 Bastion of Light

As we continue to sleep more than usual after helping with small jobs on Tripp’s annual and chores around home, my intention to share more fav pix from our MeriTimes Adventure has slipped down the To Do list. Here are a few that stimulated me to again look back. First at Magic Mountain, in an area that goes way back for me.

6839 Magic Mountain

Fun to think about different times of my life there, and probably the last time there by car going on those rides before becoming a pilot, when those towers seemed high. Would like to ride the Ninja again though. 🙂

Passing LA there was still snow on the mountains, and even a small pond with thick ice still in the middle (bottom-center).

6844 California Slice

This small slice of our view shows some low mountains between the really tall and still snow-capped peaks, and the desert beyond. Anne’s side had a great view of one of the largest cities in the world, the beaches, and the island-dotted ocean beyond. It all reminded us of a day we woke in a cold desert sunrise, tore off our jackets when the sun rose and quickly heated the dry air, took a short drive up to pause at a frozen mountain lake, then another short drive down the other side to swim at the beach. There’s no place like home, and ours offers ample variety.

Another place of childhood memories for me is Lake Arrowhead, though I don’t recall ever visiting this interesting building.

6875 Lake Arrowhead

Not much further (by air) is Big Bear, where more memories are kindled including now two landings at the airport (far end in this pic).

6883 Big Bear

Beyond the airport is the small occasional Baldwin Lake, most full we’ve seen it (usually dry) due to the unusually heavy string of storms this year.

6902 Baldwin Lake

As you can see, beyond the lake past the last small rise we glimpsed the vast deserts that in some ways marked the true beginning of our adventure. The stop in Big Bear was a refreshing break, and a last breath of crisp mountain views before heading on to Phoenix. The months since that day seem like years.