California Trip Part Seven (time at the beach)

It was probably one of the most gorgeous days to be at the ocean.  The bright blue of the sky, and the cold saltiness of the waves, the perfect warmth.  Laura and I spend some time in the waves, but before, I got a few shots of the gorgeous day.  Pismo Beach in the sunlight on a gorgeous December day. 

I fell in love with surfing with a board... And Laura and I had so much fun in the waves... even when our feet became immobile from the coldness of the water.  :)  We rented one body board, and one boogie board and went back and forth, going further and further out, catching more and more waves.  When we both got our first splash of ocean water in the mouth, we were both exclaiming how we didn't remember it being so salty.  :)  There was plenty of funny moments when the board would go one way, and us another, feet in the air.  I loved surfing with Laura!  We didn't spend a lot of time in the waves because the water was so cold, and having frozen feet doesn't always help much.  But it was wonderful.  And addictive.  I could surf for a long time.  The beach was incredible.

If I lived near the ocean, I would surf.  A lot.  I love the water.  I love the feel of the waves pushing and pulling and of the sun in my face.  I love salt water.

Seashells!

 Horizon is a little crooked, but I love the picture.

 water.  cold salt water.

 a couple of surfers.  Some of the waves were smaller, but there were bigger ones, too.

This is one of those impossible pictures.  Yes, the water was that blue.  The sky was incredible.  And the water was so incredibly clear.

A little sunlight with Laura and I...



California Trip Part Six (monarch butterflies)

On our way to the coast Sunday mid-morning, Laura and I drove a little further down a road, trying to figure out the location of the place to rent wetsuits and surfboards.  It was such an incredibly gorgeous day, and we passed a grove of mostly Eucalyptus trees where thousands [millions?] of monarch butterflies were flitting around... resting on their trip south to Mexico.  It was gorgeous, and I got a TON of wonderful photos!  Here's a few:

butterflies in the sky...

The beginning of a perfect day... Run in the morning with my cousin.  Church that morning with family.  There was a infant baptism.  And then tacos, pack a lunch, beautiful drive to the coast, a little butterfly grove along the way... and on to the beach.

California Trip Part Five (family photos)

While out there, I took a few family portraits of Vicki's family.  California light is different for doing portraits... and I was playing around with some lighting such.  Here's some of the pictures I particularly enjoyed:

Vicki with her daughter and son:

family shots:

I love this photo.  Cracks me up.  :)

and a few more family shots:

California Trip Part Four (misc shots in the valley)

Upon arising Saturday morning, I took a little walk outside to view my surroundings... eventually going for a short run.  But first I got these photos:

 Oranges!!!  Fresh Oranges at Vicki's house in the country!  Love it!  Had some for breakfast two mornings!

This picture may only make sense to those of you who know California's fog...  the morning fog melting off my rental car... and this was a fairly clear morning for the valley.

more plants... and fruit...

I also had some fresh apples to eat.  Several times.  Right from the tree.  :)

California Trip Part Three (mountain sunset)

It was a perfect day for skiing.  Couldn't have asked for better.  And what's even more incredible was the sunset on the way down.  I finally found a good place to pull off, and here's a few shots I got.

the colors, of course, were much better in person... but hopefully, you get a little glimpse... like the memory of a dream... or a hope of a place to travel and go... wildly imaginative, knowing it will be so much better in person.

California Trip Part Two (a few random shots at altitude in the sunlight)

I took a few shots at China Peak, where Vicki and I skied.  I didn't actually take any pictures of the mountain.  Oops.  Next time.  ;)  It was a fantastic day to ski.  On a Friday, and there was barely anyone there.  Good snow.  Mostly sunny, definitely not too cold.

But here are a couple of pictures of the branches and snow and sunlight.  Funny story with this.  I was actually mid-sentence when the sun came out from behind some clouds, and I said, "hang on a moment" or something like that, handing Vicki my sandwich and grabbing my camera.  We had a good laugh over that "ooh, something shiny and sparkly!" moment.  And.  I got some fun photos.  ;)

I love snow, ice, and branches in sunlight... especially in the sunlight of the mountains.

California Trip Part One (the way up the mountain)

I took a short trip to California--about 4 days total.  I went to the mountains and the ocean.  I arrived late on the 9th, and went up to the moutains first with my cousin, Vicki, to do a little mountain skiing.  It was awesome.  Here's some photos on the way up!

And at another little stop along the way... (Vicki in the first one here, for a little perspective...)

Can't you just smell the warmth and pine needles in this one?

streams...

isn't this strange?  the tops are burned... not the bottom?  odd.

More to come!  Watch for more posts to come!