Tag Archives: California

Sunbathing Snake

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It’s a real wakeup shock to walk up on a 3 to 4 foot snake laying in the sun right beside the trail. My mind registered him and my muscles reacted instinctively. Before I even realized it, I had jumped 2 feet in the air and backward. Only then did I become consciously aware there was a snake, and what I had done. Ancient survival programming recognizing a danger pattern and firing. There is still that animal core of protective instinct deep within us.

Mr. Gopher Snake remained frozen, his own instinct telling him not to move. I left him in peace to soak up as much sun as he wanted. He has a tale to tell Mrs. Gopher Snake this evening.

Gopher Snake Sunning
Gopher Snake Sunning

December Big Waves

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A storm churning out in the Pacific Ocean sent huge waves into the California coast. Here on the Central Coast, the breakwater protecting the entrance to Morro Bay was an excellent place to watch the ocean swells landing hard.

You feel a rumbling sound that surrounds you. When the wave hits you can feel the ground shake. The foghorn blowing in the background really completes the maritime touch.

The swells were running 17-19 feet at the breakwater. The occasional wave a bit bigger than the rest drives some of the braver souls backward.

Quite a show mother nature is capable of putting on.

Morro Bay CA Kite Festival

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Remember when you were a kid and used to love flying your kite?

A couple of weeks ago I bought my grownup adult child self a new kite. I have been flying it in the afternoon breeze coming in off the ocean at Morro Rock. Such a simple thing.

So anyway, then this happened.

The annual Kite Festival in Morro Bay CA.

From 75′ long Octopus kites…

to arrays of smaller kites…

to just plain crowded and colorful skies.

Sometimes you even get the feeling they may be watching you.

Benevolently I’m sure.

Morro Bay CA Classic Car Show

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Did you have THAT car back in your teenage and high school years? The car that you dreamed of owning more than any other? The one that would have made that cheerleader you always wanted to date come after you? That ‘my life would change if I were driving that car’ car?

Well, mine was a 1969-70 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396, metalflake blue paint with white pin striping, black interior, 4 on the floor Hurst shifter, and chrome reverse mags with white lettered tires. Classic muscle car. Looks so sleek that it would still be right at home in todays car market.

I went to the Crusin’ Morro Bay classic car show on Saturday afternoon, with 545 vehicles this year. Big time nostalgia reined. So many memories kicked up. Strong feels. Why do old cars, and old music, do that so hard for us?

Wait, OMG what is this… ??

So maybe it is 45 years late, but still so very tempting to drive off in THAT car. And since I’m not likely to get my current dream car Lamborghini anytime soon, why not?

Old Weathered Wood at the Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve

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An example of old aged and weathered wood found in the Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve :

And yet another case of me being without my trusty Nikon DSLR, and then my smartphone camera must suffice. I’m starting to think about updating my 3 year old mobile to a current state of the art smartphone with a better camera. This camera of last resort stuff seems to be happening to me more and more often.