Capitola Wharf in the morning.

MAN ON THE MOON

Forty-seven years ago yesterday. Mankind set foot on the moon. 

WALTON LIGHTHOUSE

HONEY MOON

This is the "honey moon". Also known as a Strawberry Moon. 

HOME SAFELY

MY MORNING PRACTICE

BIG WAVE

Never turn your back to the ocean. Never. Especially during storms. 

SURFING THE MOUTH

Winter storms always bring great surf and this year the mouth of the small craft harbor has been filled with sand from the big waves. Early morning walks reveal beautiful skies and whipping winds that make me feel more alive than I have felt in a long time. 

CAPITOLA WHARF

All of a sudden I have been enjoying the early morning hours. Witnessing the rising sun and quietness of the early part of the day reminds of how my father used to tell me it "was the best part of the day". He was right as usual. Light and color only exists here and now. The challenge is to capture it. I am still trying to do that. Stay tuned.

SUNRISE AT SANTA CRUZ SMALL CRAFT HARBOR

I've been focused on getting in 10,000 steps in each day and I have been starting before sun-up. I know. I know. It's so unlike me but I'm actually enjoying it. I've met some really enjoyable people, seen some old friends and some not so good friends as well as wonderfully interesting looking people with their dogs and children. Sometimes they are one and the same...but I digress. I have been walking from Arana Gulch Greenbelt down to the small craft harbor and back and this morning I was gifted this very nice sunrise. I rewarded myself with a great breakfast at Aldo's and made some more friends. What a great life I am beginning to forge for myself again. Whoopee!! I posted a warning a couple of entries ago for 2016 to look out because here I come.

SANTA CRUZ SMALL CRAFT HARBOR AND SEABRIGHT BEACH

After the big storm yesterday the dredger in the small craft harbor had to be fired up to remove sand that had built up at the mouth. The foam on the right side of the image was washed ashore by the high surf. Spectacular.

Shot with an iPhone 6S+

STORM BREAK

After a rain squall passed. I turned around just in time to catch this at Lighthouse State Beach. Great surf and beach waves. Just what we needed. More to come.

Shot with an iPhone 6S+

VENETIAN APARTMENTS • CAPITOLA, CALIFORNIA

It's New Years Eve 2015. Another year has gone by and I am looking forward to a better future. I know I know better is just a value judgement and I mean I look expect my health will improve to the point I will be able to travel and enjoy life. That includes my grand children, children, wife and extended family and friends. It's been a long time coming. So look out 2016. Here I come.

BIG WAVES BUT I MISSED THEM

High tides and big surf today brought out lots of surfers and gawkers. Me? I got up too late so all I saw was what was left over. This is from one of my favorite spots that has a very special significance. It was a beautiful day and I shared it with a good friend. All is good.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT • SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA

A beautiful fall day here. Skies are clouding up for some rain tomorrow. Chilly and breezy. Fall is my time of year. I like the crisp air and colors on the trees. 

PONO HAWAIIAN GRILL AT THE REEF

Located at 120 Union Street in Santa Cruz, CA. Great place to kick back, watch some sports and enjoy excellent food and service. Check it out. Oh! This was taken with my new iPhone 6S Plus. Really like it in so many ways and especially its camera.

FALL CREEK

I used to live adjacent to this stream in Fall Creek State Park, Felton, CA. It was and is a beautiful park populated by giant redwood trees. I long to visit again soon.

PLEASE VISIT MY OTHER BLOG

MONOCHROMIA

DELIVERIES SUSPENDED TEMPORARILY

Ione, Nevada. From Wikipedia:  is a ghost town in Nye County, Nevada, located approximately 23 miles east of Gabbs, Nevada. Current services include one grocery store.

Ione came into existence in November, 1863 after silver was discovered by one Mr. P. A. Havens in the Shoshone Range. While most of the mining in the area (the Union Mining District) was closer to communities such as Union and Grantsville, Ione developed as a trade and milling center. Members of the community were shortly petitioning the territorial government for the formation of a new county and in January, 1864 Nye county was organized within the Nevada Territory; Ione was granted a stipend of $800.00 with which to construct the county's first courthouse.

Within three years development at Belmont had created enough excitement to lure away a great percentage of Ione's population, and in February 1867 the county seat was removed to that location.

Ione would find its second boom in 1896 when a new 10-stamp mill was built by one E. W. Brinell. In 1897 A. Phelps Stokes arrived in the Union District and purchased the majority of the mining and milling interests in the district, further facilitating Ione's resurrection. July, 1898 saw a significant drop in the value of silver, and Ione deflated once again.

The town would see one more resurgence, about 1912, when attention was drawn to abundant cinnabar deposits in the area. This last boom was again short lived, ending in 1914, although the recovery of mercurywould persist in the district into the 1930s.

Ione's post office closed for the last time on April 30, 1959.

I visited this little "town" last year. No one was visible but it was clear there were people living there. It prides itself as being the "town that wouldn't die". It's way off the beaten track and takes some effort to get there but worth it. I find old towns like this very interesting and photogenic.

EDWARD FARRIS STOREY

Virginia City, Nevada, 2005. The centerpiece of this cemetery. From Wikipedia: Edward Farris Storey (July 21, 1829 - June 2, 1860) was a Nevada settler who was killed during the Paiute War. Storey County, Nevada was named in his honor.

Storey was born July 21, 1829 to John Thompson Storey and Lucy McLester. On January 2, 1849 Storey married Adella Coloway, in Georgetown, Texas. After Adella's death in 1852, Storey and his young daughter Juliann travelled to California with a group of 42 Texans, settling in Visalia. Storey was granted a charter to found a Masonic Lodge in the San Juan Bautista area in 1854. Storey later moved to Nevada and was an early resident of Virginia City, Nevada.

During the Pyramid Lake War, Storey organized and commanded Company K, Nevada Militia, known as the "Virginia City Rifles". On June 2, 1860 Storey was shot and killed during the Second Battle of Pyramid Lake; he is buried in the Virginia City cemetery.

IT'S NOT WHAT IT SEEMS

I normally don't post more than one image a day. Most of the time I don't even post one so here's one to make up for it. This is a facade in Virginia City, Nevada. I'm not sure if it was designed as a set for a photo business or movie or tv show. I just like the way the shadows, light, color, and sky all came together. 

STANDING VIGIL

Virginia City, Nevada 2005. Cemetery. What is the story about this tree? My imagination runs wild.

WHAT'S BEHIND THE GARDEN DOOR?

Filoli Gardens. Every year in January I attended a tree failure conference here. The grounds were officially closed so there were no other people around. A spectacular place with enormous gardens. Thousands of volunteers working year-round to keep the grounds immaculate. If you ever have the opportunity to visit. Please do. It will be an experience you will never forget. 

SILVER LAKE CABIN

A couple of years ago I went up to Silver Lake, California and stayed in this cabin. Funky but serviceable. The people next door came up to practice their musical instruments so you can figure how the restfulness went. They quieted down after what seemed like forever and I finally was able to enjoy the peace and quiet of the lake, mountains and fresh air. I chose this image because I am practicing black and white photography now and this was one that had enough interest to make the challenge well ....more challenging. Thanks for dropping by and not practicing you musical skills or lack thereof.

ICONIC SURFER MUSEUM • SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA

I have been inspired by another photographer's black and white work so I thought I'd start to use the medium myself. It's not easy for me to see in black and white but here goes. 

END OF DAY IN PARADISE

It was a warm day today but late afternoon clouds brought some relief. The marine influence here is so comforting. I've become a "weather wimp" now. Spoiled by such a great climate. Dry now but El Niño is predicted to be gathering strength and promises to make for a very wet winter. Drop back by in November to check the prediction out. Actually you can keep dropping by as much as you like.

I have no idea why I left a tip of $6.01. Probably came out of my pocket that way and was too lazy to put the penny back. Pennies are a pain in neck. I hope the server wasn't insulted by me leaving a penny. I like the negative space in the image. 

LUNCH ON THE WHARF

Had lunch at Fire Fish Grill on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf with a friend. Overcast and calm seas made for a picturesque view. Great company and food. Check it out if you're ever in Santa Cruz, California. 

BACK TO SAFETY

Sailing into the Santa Cruz, California Yacht Harbor and safety. 

LAZY SUNDAY

Warm (for us) day today. Great time to be at the beach. High humidity is pretty  standard in Santa Cruz and it's not uncomfortable due to the marine influence that draws winds off the ocean cooling us down. This is a shot looking west from the Municipal Wharf to the Abbott Lighthouse Surfing Museum. Although it has an operating light it is really a tribute to a young man by his parents. He died surfing. I live in a beautiful place.

FUTURE SAILORS

Relatives came in from out of town and of course we took them to the Crow's Nest. Great food and views of the harbor and Monterey Bay. This is a shot of six sailboats towed out of the harbor. It's a class for young students learning how to sail. This harbor is so full when children are born their name is put on a waiting list for a boat slip because it takes close to fifteen years to get one. I imagine it costs a lot of money to have this as a hobby. Not  me. I'm staying on dry land and enjoying the view.

LUNCH AT THE CROW'S NEST

While I was waiting for a friend to arrive at one of my favorite dining spots I just couldn't contain myself when I looked out the window and saw this. You may be getting pretty tired of images around this same location but I never tire of the interesting skies and boat movement. Another beautiful day in paradise.

BIG SUR FROM NEPENTHE

Nepenthe is a world famous restaurant and gift shop located about 55 miles south of Santa Cruz, CA. I spent yesterday in the Big Sur area as part of a birthday celebration. A beautiful place I never tire of seeing. It too is a world class destination because of it's wondrous beauty.

BEFORE THE RUSH

It's beginning to heat up inland and the fourth of July is only a couple of days away. Santa Cruz becomes a mecca for visitors to avoid the heat and enjoy the cool beach weather. It's also a long-standing tradition to visit the seashore over the holiday. This year it's a Saturday so we locals expect quite a large crowd that will stay a lot later than most years because the work week doesn't start the next day. So this is what it looks like now but just give it a couple of days and it will be wall to wall bodies here. We don't really mind. Lots of traffic and all but our economy can use the help. Come on over.

SANTA CRUZ POWER AND LIGHT

Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, California. The Walton lighthouse is located at the entrance to the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. Just to the right in the distance two tall stacks is the location of the Moss Landing Power Plant. It's the main power supply for the entire Monterey Bay area. Sailing, walking along the beach, just standing on a cliff overlooking all of it is such a pleasing and inspiring experience. How fortunate I am to live here.

LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR

One of my favorites spots in Santa Cruz, California. Having a great lunch at Aldo's and watching the boats in the yacht harbor. While I was there a wedding party went by on their to the Walton lighthouse at the right. Another beautiful day here. 

Shot with an iPhone 4S! 

SURF'S UP

Today was a beautiful day. I spent the afternoon with my most excellent friend James. He took me to a place along the Santa Cruz County coast where surfing is very good. Lots of surfers out. The 'smokestacks' in the background is the Moss Landing Synergy Power Plant. A power station that furnishes virtually all the power for the region. It's about 20 miles from where I took this shot. Now I know where this place is so I'll be back. The area is called "Pleasure Point" and is very aptly named. My friend's company, the view, the weather, and the ocean made my day. I live in such a beautiful place. 

SWINGIN' FOR THE FENCE and RUNNIN' FOR HOME.

She is very competitive and earnest. It warms my heart to see her so engaged with life. She is a 'natural' as a softball player. Has all the tools to be a great athlete. I'm very proud of her. 

Go get 'em girl.

THE RIM FIRE

I have been in areas of forest fires but nothing like the extent of this one. 

HETCH HETCHY

An engineering and scenic marvel. Go here to learn more about this amazing place.