- HEARST CASTLE FLOWERS -

Stepping into the magical world of Hearst Castle!

Having experienced the Central Coast of California since the early 1970's, I have been to Hearst Castle many, many times.  While I lived here, I took most of my visitors to the Castle sometime during their stay.  I have seen it in all different seasons and all types of weather.  The night tour during the winter is especially magical.

Incredible landscaping at every turn.

Recently when Gaytrell came to visit, we did all kinds of things which included a trip to Hearst Castle.  It had been about twelve years since my last visit and I had heard  tour changes were made.  I was curious to see what was actually occurring.

Flowers & lights accent each other.

The tours used to be eighty minutes long and included the outside and inside pools, plus a short movie near the end.   If I remember correctly there used to be four tours total, with the gardens being a separate tour.  I recently came across a tour ticket stub from 2000 which was $10.

I have heard the changes occurred about two plus years ago.  The tours are now forty minutes long.  The outside and inside pools are now no longer included in any of the tours.  Now the pools and gardens and grounds may be enjoyed for as long as you wish after you have finished your original tour.  The buses that return people to the visitor center depart every fifteen minutes from the castle.  The ticket cost per tour is $25, although if you purchase an additional tour once you are at the castle, each additional ticket costs $22.  

Topiary, flowers, color, scents.

The day Gaytrell and I went was wonderful.  The flowers that were in bloom were abundant and beautiful.  It was fantastic to depart the bus and be greeted by such a variety of bright and soft colors and smells.  We started with the Grand Rooms Tour and then added the Bedrooms Tour, we stayed and roamed the gardens for hours afterwards and it was an amazing way to spend a day.

Palm treed with climbing roses.

I think each person has to decide for themselves the value of this state historical monument.  The original tours always kept visitors controlled in the gardens and around the grounds.  No one was allowed to venture away from their tour group.  Now, it is so nice to be able to wander about the gardens and meander along narrow paths and to be able to capture a picture of a stunning flower or the alluring hillsides.   

Hillside vista and fog.

There were lots of security personnel and staff stationed around to answer questions and insure visitors remain within the confines of the hilltop.  All those we encountered were very nice and friendly and helpful.  Especially when it came to finding the real restrooms.  It was great to sit in the lounge chairs at the outside pool and imagine what this must have been like in the day.

A statue among roses.

Other than the Castle, Gaytrell and I had lots of fun doing other things.  Introducing her to this area was fun and also allowed me to see a few things in a different light.  She ended up staying an extra day to further explore the area.  I hope to catch up with her in the Auburn area while I am here.

A path to follow and dream along.

Thank you Gaytrell for providing these wonderful pictures, since I forgot my picture taking device.  

"You must live in the present,

launch yourself on every wave,

find your eternity in each moment."

 - Henry David Thoreau

Enjoy your flowers!

- BIG KITES 2 -

- BIG KITES -

Lots of people on the beach!

The kite festival in Morro Bay was a wonderful experience even for non kite flyers.  (Me)  The weather was a bit off on Saturday and I failed to get any pictures.  Sunday, however, proved much better and my neighbor Sandra, aided me with some of hers great pictures.

Not quite enough wind to keep it up sometimes.

It was great to see the large turnout of kids, parents, grandparents, etc., on the beach and fixing a BBQ, eating, drinking, laughing, playing and flying kites.  Several of the grandparents I spoke with were busy flying the kites they had for their grandchildren who were busy playing in the sand.  Of course!

Teddy bear kit up (sort of).  This is one big Teddy!

There was  a really nice feeling of family and fun on the beach that day.  Everyone was simply having a good time and enjoying all of the kites and events.  The best part was when many different kite flyers flew their kites in unison.  It was amazing with the first group of four soaring the kites in all different directions and then together, then sideways and keeping everything in order.

Four synchronized kites!

It was even more amazing when there were seven people with their kites doing a synchronized event.  How they ever did this without tangling strings, I will probably never know.  All of these kinds of displays were to music.  It was great.

People, rock, kites and tails!

Dragon kite.

So, all in all, it was a good time for all those that attended.  If there were people that wanted food and drink, T-shirts, sweatshirts, trinkets, etc., these items were also available in the parking area at the beach.  Many people walked the trail leading to the Rock and beach and even so the parking lot was overflowing.  While this is mainly a local event, there were many people from other areas joining in on the festivities.  It is simply a very nice and fun way to spend a weekend with family and friends.


Happy Birthday to all those I have missed over the past week and the upcoming week.  My calendar is in hiding.

"I felt my lungs inflate

with the onrush of scenery-

air, mountains, trees, people.

I thought,

"This is what it is to be happy."

-Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

Enjoy your air time!

- SAY A LITTLE PRAYER -

I traveled to the Sacramento area on Friday, May 3rd and have been staying with my best friend, Millie.  This afternoon she had to episodes and is currently in the hospital undergoing tests.  The family will have further information tomorrow morning after the stress test.

I have been in contact with her since she has been there and she is tired, though free of any further episodes.  Please say a prayer for her.

Thank you.

Love and Blessings to all of you!

- KITES? -

Cormorant gathering.  

I am still waiting for the big kites.  When I returned to the beach yesterday afternoon, there were still mostly the smaller kites that go sideways, up fast, down even faster and make a buzzing noise as they fly.  The fog was in and it was crazy windy at the rock.  So I will check it out again early this afternoon.  I am certain the kite flyers arms and hands are tired this morning.  It looks as though they work rather hard at the type of having fun.

Heron & Egrets lined up fishing!

I am getting ready to leave Morro Bay May 3rd.  I will go to Sacramento to visit with Tim and Darlene and help them with some inside house painting, eating and having fun.   Then to Roseville to stay with Millie where we will do some cooking, baking and putting new fabric on her kitchen chairs and, of course, eating, shopping and etc.  Millie has informed me the temps. will be high.  Hopefully I will avoid melting.  I have become very accustomed to cooler temperatures.

Today, though, Gaytrell is on her way here to stay until Wednesday morning.  She will be at the same motel where Tim and Darlene stayed when they were here.  It is clean and most reasonable.  So if you come to the area and need a good motel check out the Rockview.  Their rates do change for the summer though.  Good luck.

Heron & Egret fishing!

Gaytrell and I plan to visit Hearst Castle, Cambria and whatever else she feels up to doing.  If she is up to checking out the kites this afternoon when she gets here, that will give her a good walk after her long drive.  Whatever we do, it will be great and some place new for her to see and enjoy.  While it all may be the same area for me, I always enjoy every aspect of it as it is different every time I see it.  I am most grateful and fortunate for the time I have had here and excited for whenever I return.

Surf is up!

One of my early morning walks this past week I found Christa's vehicle parked in the beach parking lot.  Here I was able to pet Duke and Kyra (a dog Christa is currently caring for) while they patiently waited for her to return.  It was a beautiful morning, calm and clear and one of those days when one could just be outside all day long.

Christa catching a wave!

I spied the surfers and took this picture of Christa catching a wave.  Actually, my eyesight might have played tricks on me as I am uncertain if this was truly Christa.  So,I am pretending it is her just because that would be cool.

Wednesday will be rather busy getting the tires and lug nuts checked, getting propane and having an early dinner with my former mother-in-law.  This will be the last time to see her until I return.  She turns 91 years old in May, so seeing her whenever possible is wonderful.  She is doing wonderfully and still on her own.

Great Blue Heron fishing!

I have been in contact with Allison from Canada and she is on the East Coast now and heading north to be back in Canada by May 27th.  Her travels have been safe and interesting even though she was unable to find a diamond at the mine where she stopped.  I am certain she has many wonderful memories to take home with her, even though the gem stones may have eluded her this trip.

I am beginning to figure out my travel route once I depart from the Sacramento area.  There are a few campgrounds nearby that I will visit before going either north or east.  South feels as though it may be best for a later time.  We'll see, I could wake up one morning and find the RV is going south anyway.  I am never truly certain who is in charge of this Adventure.  (Actually, I do know!)

So, it is 11:00 am and still foggy.  I want to tidy up a bit and check out the beach before Gaytrell arrives.  I also have some Words with Friends moves to make as I have become addicted to playing this phone adaptation of Scrabble.  What is curious is that words acceptable in the board game are not with the phone version and visa versa.  I still have yet to understand the scoring.  It is addicting!

Snowy Egret fishing!

"What lies behind us

and what lies ahead of us

are tiny matters

compared to what lives within us."

-Henry David Thoreau

Enjoy your within!

- FULL MOON RISING -

Early Morning fishermen going out for their catch!

The walk to the Rock this morning was cold and damp with generous amounts of fog.  The kite flyers were preparing for their day of flying events.  There were several smaller kites that were zooming sideways and creating vibrating sounds of various colors.  There were a few larger kites very high that could only be seen now and then as they were obscured by the fog.

  There were vendors setting up their fares and included corn dogs, corn on the cob, chocolate dipped frozen cheesecake (which would be one of my favorites) and chocolate dipped frozen bananas, sweatshirts and t-shirts and trinkets.  Lots of port-a-potties and large dumpsters (including large recycle dumpsters).  Even this early there were plenty of cars and vehicles everywhere.  Main Street has been congested with cars, trucks, motorcycles and the like.  I will watch the weather and return to the beach for perhaps a better view of the kites and activities.  I hope to capture some of the large kites in flight.

Early morning fog hovering over the Rock!

This was also the day for the run from the Morro Bay Rock to the Cayucos Pier.  This is an annual event and gratefully the tide was low which makes it much easier for those running.  This way the run can be entirely on the beach, rather than through the water or over the rocks that are usually covered with the normal tides.  With the air being cooler, this also makes it easier for those running the race.  Good times for everyone.

The Rock sometimes creates its own weather!

The below video link was sent to me by a friend and captures the rise of the moon over Wellington, New Zealand with the silhouettes of those there watching the rise. Touching.

Amazing photography....

Full Moon Over Wellington

Here is something a bit random, but none-the-less astounding. A work mate of mine who is also a photographer captured what is, to me, one of the most remarkable things I have ever seen filmed.

It is a 3 minute video clip of the full moon rising over Wellington, New Zealand.  It was shot 2 nights ago, on a calm summer evening, as people gathered on the Mt. Victoria Lookout point to watch the moon rise.

This stunning video is one single real-time shot, with no manipulation whatsoever. The camera was placed on a hillside over 2 kilometres from the Lookout point, and was shot with the equivalent of a 1300mm lens.

The amount of planning, trial and error, and luck that went into this are mind blowing. He has been trying to capture this for over a year with many failed attempts. But 2 nights ago it seems everything was on his side, and it all came together in a way even he couldn't have hoped.

I honestly can't say enough good things about this video - from the magnitude of the visuals, to the intimate stories playing out with the people, to the sheer humbling nature of seeing the awe-inspiring reality of this giant rock in the sky that we so often don't stop to appreciate.

One thing I encourage you to do is watch this on the biggest screen you have - don't waste it on an iphone screen.

I hope you all enjoy this as much as I do.

https://vimeo.com/58385453

Happy Birthday, Debi!

"All things share the same breath -

the beast, the tree, the man.

The air shares its spirit

with all the life it supports."

- Chief Seattle

Enjoy your full moon!

- HERONS & EGRETS & LOONS. OH MY! -

Great Blue Heron hunting for breakfast!

Early morning low tides brings out the Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Loons, Cormorants, Pelicans and anything else that is looking for breakfast.  During the low tides the rocks and grassy areas are exposed to some degree and the wading birds show up in force to see what they can catch.

Great Blue Heron on the search.

Yesterday I was grateful to see a Great Blue Heron turn his/her head to the side, make a quick stab and pull its head out of the water with a fish in its bill.  She maneuvered it so it could be swallowed easily.  A rinse of the mouth and off to more fishing.  

This morning I observed the same thing and during the time I was watching her there was a 90% success rate for her efforts.  Quite impressive and amazing to watch.  

Great Blue Heron enjoying success!!!

The Snowy Egrets were less agitated this morning and they give way to the Heron.  The Great Egrets seem to space themselves strategically so they can do their fishing without interfering with anyone else.

Two Snowy and two Great Egrets.

The sound of the Snowy Egret is kind of a low keyed warbled gargle.  Very odd sound.  The Heron and Egret do more of a low sounding honk/bark.  Also a very odd sound.  All of these birds are so elegant in how they move in the water, on the rocks and as they fly.  I could observe them for hours.  (And I have!)

After having two days of soupy, drippy and dense fog, it has cleared and we have had several days of clear, sunny, calm weather.  It has still been foggy on some of the nights and this leaves moisture on everything in the mornings.

Snowy Egrets fluffed up arguing over space to fish.

One of the first things I need to do when I get to Sacramento is to wash my home.  It is extremely dirty from the fog, rain and wind combinations.  I think it is still white under the several layers of who knows what.  There are no places here to wash it (since I am almost eleven and a half feet tall) so I must wait until I leave.

It is amazing to realize I will be leaving in a week.  I have settled in so well here.  I am getting excited about visiting a few campgrounds that are on my list and seeing more of the country.  I continue to feel fairly certain this is where I will return when all is said and done.  Sounds good to me.

Egrets and otters!

I took the bus to Cayucos yesterday for the dentist appointment.  All went well.  I included a walk through the local candy/ice cream store (I was successful in only looking), strolled out on the pier, walked along the beach and had a delightful lunch at the Sea Shanty.  All this and I made the return bus on time.  

I walked to the grocery store and was unable to find one of those hand carry baskets, so just carried the few items to the register.  When I asked the clerk about this he explained that people have been stealing them.  I am certain my jaw was on the floor.

Great Blue Heron shaking off after eating his/her catch.

What in the world would people want with these baskets?  He continued saying that people take their groceries out to the car and fail to return the baskets.  You know what this means.  No more little baskets in the stores.  They are probably a bit more expensive to replace than paper bags.

Great Blue Heron and Snowy Egret waiting & watching!

Since San Luis Obispo County has gone plastic bag free, and the stores are charging five to ten cents for paper bags I suspect people are doing whatever they feel they can get away with and probably think they are getting back at the stores.  Well, this affects all of us who like to use the smaller basket when getting just a few items.  Now all of us will be using the larger carts unless we can manage carrying our items in our hands.  Gets interesting though if you get something frozen.


The large kite weekend is upon us beginning tomorrow.  I will do my best to take pictures that are clear.  Hard to do with moving targets.  It is predicted to be awesome weather.  Hopefully there will be enough wind so it is a good kite flying day for all.  Sounds like fun.

Great Blue Heron just watching!

Happy Birthday, Elida!

Happy Birthday, Mary!

  

"If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.

There need be no trouble.

Treat men alike.

Give them all the same law.

Give them all an even chance to live and grow.

All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief.

They are all brothers.

The earth is the mother of all people

and all people should have equal rights upon it."

-  Chief Joseph

Enjoy your peace!