This post is a clue for the location of an Edhat pic among several I’ve sent them recently. The rock formations in this area are among the most interesting in our mountains, and the dead tree has me wondering about fire danger. If you can guess where this is, add a comment on the Edhat post. 🙂
5360 Rock Parking
I like that we have a holiday dedicated to the powerful concept of Appreciation. Sure, the history of it has blemishes and many people these days focus on food, sports and shopping. But like many others, we tend to take time for appreciation of all our bounty. Having invested much of our life savings in Tripp we have even more to appreciate than most people on the planet, and to me it brings a responsibility to share. So here are a few recent faves.
5022 Carp Salt Marsh
Carpinteria Salt Marsh is a quiet and magical place amid our growing coastal sprawl, where migrating birds can rest and relax next to the humans who appreciate their presence.
4837 Bird Refuge
On the edge of Montecito our Andree Clark Bird Refuge is a smaller version, popular with residents and visitors alike. During droughts like the present one it can be difficult for the city to maintain, but current work on the golf course upstream may help.
4722 Peaks
We love to watch constant change on the peaks above Santa Barbara. Seasonal variations, vegetation, clouds, and time of day combine with other factors to supply endless focus for observation and contemplation.
4889 Hope Ranch
The southwestern part of Hope Ranch offers a nice view of our peaks, along with expensive views out to the islands. Luckily there’s a nice viewing area not far from here (above Hendry’s) where hikers, cyclists and drivers can pause to savor that mega-million dollar panorama.
4666 Goleta Sough
Behind beautiful Goleta Beach, the slough boasts a small cave I’d like to visit in our kayak. Reflections of sandstone cliffs join the patient egrets here to transport us into serene reverie.
164046 Hendry’s Stroll
Back on the ground we enjoyed a contemplative sunset stroll at the ever-popular Hendry’s (Arroyo Burro) beach. So much to be Thankful for! 🙂
State Street is always fun, especially on Halloween. This year we also had a group dancing to Michael Jackson (click for video clip):
3620 Thriller (click for vid clip)
But for us it all started with this Nicki Minaj “backup” starlet.
3478 Nicki Caboose
There’s something really fun about snapping costumed people on the street. For one thing, they often instantly change expression when they notice the camera. This gal went from stern concentration to a winning smile before I could press the button.
3480 Instant Sunbeam
Some stayed serious, hopefully in character rather than revealing their true nature.
3481 Kidnapping?
This kid really went “method” and dropped to the ground with a great eye roll when he spotted the lens.
3485 Well Bled
Some of the kids were just SO sweet, like this delicate butterfly.
3488 Gentle Soul
To us every moment and each personality is a precious fleeting thing, and somehow this next pic captures that. Maybe because of the transformation we saw when she saw us seeing her.
3490 Being Seen
Or this moment, when each face projects a completely different inner instant.
3491 Group Time
The families are fascinating, portraying a range of ages and group roles.
3495 Family Time
Of course, many on the street these days are clutching smartphones, texting, talking, or doing some “social” media thing.
3497 Communication Break
I like the pose (and hissing noise) this gal made for the snap, joined by her companion a moment later.
3500 Hisstory
We love how ordinary pedestrians blithely mingle with freaks and monsters this time of year.
3506 Extraordinary Season
“Altered” State Street was alive with this diversity.
3512 Random Acts
I like how sometimes the shutter captures a breadth of facial expressions that are all connected to the same moment.
3522 Faces of a Moment
I wondered if the woman in the middle of this group was portraying effects of the time and effort required for a Ph.D.
3526 Eternal Student?
As if the costumes, dancing and acting weren’t enough fun we also had acrobats whirling.
3528 Whirly Gig
In ordinary times and places a woman with snakes for hair would garner everyone’s attention.
3532 Herpetology Hair
The little kids were enjoying it all nearly as much as those of us watching them.
3552 Kid Show
Some pets seemed to serenely endure a little humiliation and discomfort to entertain us.
3556 Different Focus
Beyond costumes, a few also provided interactive street performance art to mixed reviews.
3635 Boo
The exact moment someone sees the camera and remembers they’re in costume can be heartwarming.
3632 Sweet Surprise
I especially liked how small kids reacted to the dancing Thriller zombies.
3587 Small Audience
I wonder if this mom knew who’s behind her.
3584 Guardian?
Some of the moms costumes looked as if they might need a babysitter.
3576 Mommie Dearest
Dads had their own way of dealing with the little monsters.
3571 Dino Dad
With all the different moods there was still a broad sense of happiness in the crowd.
3570 Mood on the Street
These two friendly gals had costumes among the best we saw.
3564 Tut Tut
At last we headed for home, and on our way to the car this exhausted angel epitomized the shift into night.
3580 Day’s End
For young adults though, the fun was just beginning.
3637 Into the Night
Santa Barbara isn’t just beautiful with great weather most days, it’s also Funville every day. People out enjoying Ledbetter Beach as usual on Saturday.
2600 Languorous Ledbetter
There’s always something fun going on around town too. Like this zombie Thriller dance on East Beach.
2538 Thriller
Actually on this day a long stretch of Cabrillo Blvd. along the beach was closed for a street fair (Open Streets as I recall), and not far from this gathering was another that was already winding down to make way for evening activities.
2541 Street Fair
Just offshore people were gathering in sailboats of all sizes, adding to the similarly diverse power boats.
2588 Sailor Cluster
Heading out toward deeper water was the Ocean Institute’s beautiful 1770’s privateer replica Spirit of Dana Point (aka Pilgrim of Newport) tall ship with a deck load of fans (mostly out of view on the upwind side) enjoying the breeze, spectacular views in every direction, and some sort of buffet.
2519 Spirit of Dana Point
Now that I have a few moments, here are some pix from that Big Sur drive. Every time we’re there several new “discoveries” enchant us, and we have several “favorite” spots. Like the Nathaniel Owings Memorial Redwood Grove, our first major stop going North. Looking up into the serene redwoods where water cascades over massive boulders and pauses in refreshing pools transports us instantly beyond.
0493 Owings Redwoods
Due to the drought, the water is completely gone except for a few puddles where little black flies bred, greeting our arrival by buzzing into ears, eyes, and noses. Our visit was much shorter than usual, with only brief pauses as we took in quiet memories at a fast walk with hands waving them away. Most of the coast belonged to the flies that day, so our next major stop was the waterfall walk at Julia Pfeiffer Burns where even at a brisk walk it was instantly transformative.
0552 McWay Falls
By the house ruins we lingered a moment among the flies to savor this bloom on the slope and pondered when they were planted, by whom, and what other hearts have and will be touched by them.
0584 Pink Slope
Another high priority stop for us is Nepenthe where we’ve enjoyed private romantic moments, meals with family and friends.
0608 Nepenthe
As with most stops there, we also ventured out through the gift shop to sound the gongs and chimes to honor those souls and the magic of that place. All along the coast of course are spectacular views, and for me especially the interplay of stillness and ceaseless motion. For example a stone standing alone amid the swirling splashing seas, resolute against countless storms yet destined to fall.
0511 Steadfast
When we arrived at Asilomar the sunset had collected a scattered crowd, hushed in anticipation of transition toward dream time when we would each process wordless moments from this life in the sun.
0613 To Dream
John & Anne Wiley 
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