John & Anne Wiley

2011/04/18

There They Go Again

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,MeriTimes Adventure,Nature,Random,SB Region — John @ 07:18

Yes, we’re off on another Big Adventure. This time we’re trying again on a new variation of the MeriTimes (named for the Canadian Maritime Provinces) plan. That is, across the U.S. and up to Newfoundland. We’d intended to go across the South first all the way to the Bahamas, but for a variety of reasons we started late (just as well, given the recent tornado trouble) so we’re hoping to wander East near the I-40 route until Little Rock and then tilt toward DC and work our way North past NYC and up the coast. We’ll see. Meanwhile here’s what we saw.

6828 Just off KSBA

6828 Just off KSBA

Just after takeoff, looking back toward Goleta Beach it’s almost overwhelming how beautiful this area is. What a gem!

Today we saw some remarkable vistas along the way, and maybe we’ll share more pix if we get some time off from adventures, family and friends along the way. We’ll at least be posting new words and pix along the way again as the trip we dreamed and the trip we planned manifest into the trip we take. We think tomorrow night will find us in Albuquerque. 🙂

2011/04/17

Trains, Planes & Automobiles

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,People,Random,SB Region — John @ 06:21

…and a bus. Flying over Summerland on a warm evening, I liked how the parked bright yellow work train contrasted with the Amtrak rushing by. Reminds me of the old movie with Steve Martin and John Candy that was a family favorite when it first came out.

6826 Trains

6826 Trains

A trainman standing to watch Amtrak pass. People on the beach watching the sunset. As I watch all the movement and stillness below I think about how we are moving in a different plane. No schedule, no destination, just the joy of flying. Seeing the world anew.

2011/04/15

Over Seas

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,Nature,Random,SB Region — John @ 02:26

We’ve been talking lately about possibly flying over some seas beyond gliding distance to land. Don’t know if we’ll do it, but even though many pilots have this would be the first time for us. Meanwhile, we did fly along the shoreline and while Anne was mostly watching for dolphins, seals or whales I snapped a high Spring tide at the East end of Goleta Beach.

6803 Flood Tide

6803 Flood Tide

This area is usually dry sand, including the last time I snapped it and the last time we walked there. Toward town we passed The Mesa where we used to shop a lot at Lazy Acres, at the top of the pic.

6805 SB Mesa & Light

6805 SB Mesa & Light

The white thing above the bluff is the Santa Barbara Lighthouse that’s closed to the public but the footbridge across the canyon just beyond it is a great walk from the park past the trees at the edge of the lighthouse residences. Such a beautiful place, I sighed deeply again just now looking at this pic recalling our lazy flight along the shore just above the highest patrolling gulls.

2011/04/14

Beauty

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,People,Random,SB Region — John @ 04:17

Several times today beauty has touched me. One was the horrible beauty I see in this place.

6784 Disaster Source

6784 Disaster Source

The disaster locals know as the Tea Fire started at the iconic structure top-left. You can get other views on my Photo Page and Edhat posts. It’s been cleaned up quite well since the fire, and the new growth gives it such a bucolic innocence. Another kind of beauty was along our flight home.

6799 Refined Beauty

6799 Refined Beauty

I think this course in Hope Ranch is named La Cumbre, and it’s relaxing to glance at as we approach SBA. There’s something “absorbent” about golf courses. Maybe the soft greens or softer sand traps. Maybe the calm demeanor of most golfers. Perhaps my association with the hushed voice of TV golf announcers when we’ve chanced upon a tournament channel surfing. Whatever the origins, I relax a bit looking at this. Hopefully they’re using best environmental practices to create this pleasant scene in our town known for Earth Day.

2011/04/13

Do The Twist

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Nature,Random,SB Region — John @ 00:01

Here’s a pic from Wednesday’s flight, of the “Twist Falls” I wrote about yesterday.

6790 Twist Falls

6790 Twist Falls

We need to get back when there’s full sun on it sometime soon, while it’s still flowing so strong. When it’s really going strong, I think this is the one that flips several times on the way down. Wonder if anyone’s found a way to reach it without mountaineering equipment.

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