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Santa Cruz light house
This is one of those images that is way, way more beautiful rendered as an “oil painting.” I took this photo on my photography outing with my sister in mid-January.
An evening walk
Thanks to the “perma ridge” finally releasing it’s grip on California, we had a few clouds last evening making for a lovely sunset.
Fisherman’s Wharf and views of San Francisco from a speeding car
We enjoyed a gorgeous day in San Francisco on Friday. I used to live there, but I didn’t feel like doing local things. I wanted to be near the wharf and I was longing for a loaf of San Francisco sourdough bread. We found a funky restaurant upstairs at Pier 39 with an outdoor area that was one long narrow table along the porch. We had garlic fries and onion rings, beer and lemon drops (respectively), and people watched. As an aside, it was a total junk food day for me but I managed to keep it vegetarian! Breakfast was an asiago cheddar pretzel at Starbucks. Lunch was fries, rings and lemon drops, and dinner was sourdough and butter.
We were allowed to sit as long as we wanted, no pressure. I was amazed to find this spot at such a tourist trap area. My hubby spotted it. It was called The Eagle Cafe. Here are views from our table:
We thought this seagull wanted a ride out to where the fish are, but once the ferry pulled out of the marina, he left his post and found another high spot. He just wanted to be up high.
Here’s the view from the entry to the cafe:
The sunset over the city was gorgeous as we drove out. It’s hard to get photos from a speeding car, but I did my best for you:
Windows
Avila Beach California
Where do you think I learned to take pictures of piers? That’s right, Leanne Cole!
It looks like it was cold, but it wasn’t. It was a warm day, very comfortable for strolling around on the beach and having a picnic.
I was enthralled by all the birds.
I didn’t know sand dollars are this color to start with.
Textures of all sort:
San Luis Obispo California
This really cute, central California coast town has an historic mission:
The mission is quite actively part of the community of San Luis Obispo, with a large, well attended church. They host lots of fun, family events in the gorgeous courtyard area between the mission and the river that runs through the town.
The town has these really nice street lamps:
along the river walk.
Bubble Gum Alley is a tourist attraction. No, I did not add any chewed gum to the effort.
I loved the library.
The museum is also really cute and modern.
This hangs on the outside of the museum, visible as you approach from the main street.
There are lots of places to eat downtown. The SLO Brewery has great food:
and, of course, beer.
I don’t know if we would call this covered passageway an “arcade” like they do in Australia, but we should. It’s good to have a word for it.
If you walk through the arcade you end up at one of the restaurants overhanging the creek.
I love how you can see small mountains from the town. It reminds me of Townsville, Australia.
Also like Townsville, I think the town commissioned some street art to cover a utility box.
A Santa Cruz afternoon
My sister, a very good photographer who doesn’t set her camera on auto like me, but who has stopped taking photos because she’s not a blogger (my theory!), proved to be an excellent guide. I visited her and she took me out to shoot. What a great day.
Funny story – brought my new tripod and monopod. Really didn’t need them!
Looking back toward Santa Cruz, up the inlet.
I just loved all the photography happening here. I was trying not to get faces but the seated pair were preparing to play music.
Hydrangeas
These showed up on my husband’s wallpaper and we were trying to remember where I took them. They were in the conservatory in the Keukenhof Gardens last May. It’s very hot and muggy inside the building and heavily scented with lilies because of these lily arches:
Nicci Carrera 