Tag Archives: California

Five photos from July 4 in Peoria IL

For strange reasons we decided to travel to Central Illinois for Independence Day. Most things were closed of course, but we did manage to make go of it.

I’ve never tried a “PBR” and I had no idea that it was a huge part of Peoria. They maintain this famous bar. The bartender was engaging. She made the first part of the evening excellent.
[CxT] Roasting Company. ❤️ expert baristas.
This Mandrill said, “you are a baboon and I am not.” The small Peoria Zoo has a few solid exhibits.
Thyme Kitchen + Bar – a quirky place on the riverfront. Perfect for lunch.
This kangaroo was so ready to start his weekend.

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Filed under American History, Family, Travel

Finally Made It: Pismo Beach

As a child, I was intrigued by Bugs Bunny’s efforts to find Pismo Beach and “all the clams I can eat”. Central California offers a relaxed atmosphere, shrubby landscapes, and a complex history.

Cliffs of Pismo Beach
The world is a little tilted in California 🙂
Peaceful, rugged, colorful
Nearby, the Channel Islands provide even more remote opportunities for beauty
The Island Fox
Abloom
Remnants of destruction or “progress”
Beckoning
The mysterious Solvang, a Danish City in America

We can use this for sure

Mission La Purisima – part of that complex history
Spring water
Oxnard Beaches
The famous garden of LotusLand
Baklava in Santa Barbara

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Filed under National Parks, Photography, sea, wildlife

Yosemite – the Mother of all National Parks

This was my 45th National Park to visit.  Yosemite has it all:  The soaring granite domes, roaring waterfalls (in July), majestic trees, and whitewater streams.

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Filed under Photography, Travel, Uncategorized

Capturing my last 12 months

After taking thousands of photos and traveling throughout the United States, these twenty-five photos resonated with me the most from 2018-2019. Some capture beauty, while others remind me of stories from my journey.  For example, I stumbled on to the little town of Ferndale in California. After enjoying a peach scone and a coffee at the local cafe, I found a map to the black sand beaches of California’s “lost coast”.  The long slow drive over the coastal mountains brought me to a wide open view of the ocean – and cows. They surprised me.  I surprised them.  The photo captures our mutual interest.  The beaches of black rock were stunning.  At the conclusion of the drive, I ended up in a Redwood Forest of Humboldt State Park.  I took hundreds of pictures – but I ended up cutting the best of the tree photos.  Ironic I think.

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Filed under Art, Photography, Travel, Uncategorized

Sequoias, Waterfalls, and Canyons

U.S. National Parks inspire and impress.

Granite shines…

Moro Rock - Sequoia N.P.

Moro Rock – Sequoia N.P.

In Kings Canyon

In Kings Canyon

Kings Canyon

Kings Canyon

Water sparkles…

Grizzly Falls Kings Canyon

Grizzly Falls Kings Canyon

Near Zumwalt Meadows in Kings Canyon

Near Zumwalt Meadows in Kings Canyon

Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon

Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon

Trees soar…

Sequoias

Sequoias

Sequoia N.P.

Sequoia N.P.

Sequoias

Sequoias

The parks tell stories…

Cedar

Cedar

carved messages

carved messages

horsetails outliving the dinosaurs

horsetails outliving the dinosaurs

The diameter of the largest tree on the planet

The diameter of the largest tree on the planet

Who can we thank for fighting for these parks?

John Muir statue at Muir Woods in San Francisco

John Muir statue at Muir Woods in San Francisco

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Filed under Photography, Travel, Uncategorized

Exploring the American West

I spent one week in Nevada, California, Utah, and Arizona exploring the natural world. I have now visited all 48 of the lower U.S. States along with Hawaii.  The National Parks are truly one of the United States’ best ideas.

Out for a Stroll

Out for a Stroll

The Temple at the top in the distance...

The Temple at the top in the distance…

Grand Canyon

First Glimpse…

Paria

Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in Utah

Forty Miles of Dirt Road through the Escalante Staircase in Utah.

Forty Miles of Dirt Road through the Escalante Staircase in Utah.

Grosevenor Arch

Grosevenor Arch

Blue Sky at the Arch

Blue Sky at the Arch

National Park

Winter in Bryce Canyon

Mt. Charleston, Nevada

Twisted Rocks

Bleached Tree

Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam

South Rim

Colors of the Canyon

Grand Canyon

The Watch Tower at Desert View

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

Gorgeous Colors

Gorgeous Colors

Sneaking a Peak

Sneaking a Peak

Lake Powell

Photographers

Escalante National Monument

Hoodoo

in Zion

in Zion

In Zion National Park

In Zion National Park

Zion

Straight Up to a Hidden Canyon

Death Valley

Mother Nature at Work

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Filed under Photography, Travel