Solana Beach: When we open our senses, we're amazed at what we absorb.

Whereas we don't get the same great feeling while at sea level as we do hiking, climbing and playing on mountains, the coastal sunsets and local happenings are often striking. During our stay in San Diego, we have hiked on a few mornings to the usual mountains and during the latter part of the visit, after relocating to the north, walked to the beach to view sunsets. The sights have been stunning, we believe.














'We are family.' (Couldn't help intruding into their private moment.)




'Golden walls'.




A bird, an ocean and the sun. What more does one need? (Ok, ok, relax. It's rhetorical.)




If it makes you feel better, substitute plane for bird.




Don't wall us in...




Working on 'imperfect photography'...and succeeding




A bridge to nowhere.




Goodnight!



Cheers,


Jenni and Jeffrey

Mount Woodson beginning from Big Sky, an extra 2 miles and an additional 500 feet more than usual. Linking Poway and Ramona Lakes, another new trail.

We finally tried a new approach to reach Mount Woodson's summit, on Christmas day. We left after sunrise, for a change, a pity, and dealt with the additional 2 miles distance and extra 500 feet elevation gain in a reasonable manner. Obviously, the importance of the day to many reduced the traffic on the trails but there were still a number of people who were probably creating space in their stomachs for the festivities by undertaking the hike or getting closer to nature at this auspicious time. Poway Lake is closed for the occasion but certain hikers have discovered other routes, albeit longer, to reach Woodson.

The path winds through the wilderness of Poway between two bodies of water, Poway Lake and Ramona Lake. The first mile-and-half is below the dam surfaces and probably, 'bottoms', so should the dam/s burst, we would get seriously wet or would be swimming upstream rather than hiking. On another day, we also hiked to-and-from the lakes, another maiden hike.


Mount Woodson's pal and neighbor, Iron Mountain, juts out while the haze provides the beauty.





A couple of weeks ago we were treated to a pelican bonanza (see earlier blog). On this occasion we witnessed some precision flying which occurred suddenly, causing us to miss some photographic shots. The squadron rises...Up, up and away.




The haze creates some wonderful scenes...something I find most attractive.




The commander and his deputy come swooping down. At this stage, the editor, standing under the squadron, exclaims, "I hope they've not had breakfast yet!"




Facing west, we notice the cloud on the horizon above the ocean, making for an attractive background.




Unfortunately, they re-group while we are fiddling with lenses and make off for bluer pastures in the Pacific, always maintaining disciplined formations.




...leaving us to gaze at the autumn colors in winter. We began in temperatures below 40 degrees and finished in the high 60's...another brutal San Diego winter.




Always something interesting from the sun.




'Don't you just hate it when they make us sit and salute the 'big cheese' showing off.'



In the middle of the lake, a happy scene.





Please don't jump...on second thoughts, it's tempting.



They often look like they're grinning when in flight...I suppose if I could fly I'd be very excited, too.




Later that day, a walk on the beach at sunset.




Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

Sunrise, Sunset: Sunrise Iron Mountain, Sunset Mount Woodson, Poway.

In the unlikely event that we were asked which is the most beautiful place to take photographs, we would not be able to offer an answer. However, we would add that sunrises and sunsets on Iron Mountain in Poway, particularly the interplay of clouds, mist and haze together with the small body of water, ground-cover, boulders and of course, the sunrays is a spectacular location at which to seek and find tranquility and beauty.

We have a theory. I'm pleased you asked. We have contrasted a recent sunrise on Iron Mountain (12/20) with a sunset of Mountain Woodson (12/5), its higher and tougher neighbor. Yes, it's true. Mountains are inclined to be competitive and so there is much rivalry between the two. When it comes to visual beauty and views, the smaller Iron Mountain comes out on top. Yet, they are close together. As an aside, which probably influences our observation and conclusion about the merits of these San Diego icons, is that Woodson has a peak covered in towers, distracting enormously from its tranquility and attractiveness as well as hindering views into the distance.

We got so carried away with comparisons that the theory was forgotten in the dark. Here it is..."Sunsets are the lazier person's sunrises." Well, you did ask.













The favorite of the day




Facing west toward the Pacific Ocean. Notice the shadow caused by the peak of the Iron on the distant mountains. To the right of the shadow is Lake Hodges.




The sunrays appear to be so busy; they certainly know how to create beauty.




Color changes as the sun climbs.




Our friend, Sean Bradford, expressed his feelings, 'Relishing the glory of the morning because of the magnificent sights, the cool air and the sun warming his face'. I believe he enjoyed the hike too and of course, he failed to mention the great company.




Could not get enough of the visuals.



Sun reaches the plants on the side of the mountain.




Burnt orange.




Time to leave the peak.




But only after witnessing the depth of mountains, glorified by the sun and mist.





We'll add the sunset photographs at another time...we loved these too much.


Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

33.29 Mosemane Private Reserve and 33.30 Holkrans trail, both in the Free State...and some Cape highlights to conclude 33.

A view from the Owl's (left) Eye as Jen enters the cave.




We were invited graciously by Mrs. Rabinowitz to give a talk to her 3rd grade class. Clearly, it was going to require a format allowing us to relate adult concepts to 8-year-olds. (Some might think or even utter that at times the maturity between the kids and ourselves may not differ much.) Nevertheless, it would be tricky to relate our ideas and lifestyle to kids although the simple slideshow would help to provide and stimulate an easier form of communication.

On the morning of the presentation, we attended our granddaughter Ellie’s concert at the school. As it was the Channukah period, all parents and grandparents were invited to watch and listen to the innocent and pure perform their roles. The finale was a song which had the words and probably title, “Don’t Let The Light Go Out.” As I heard the words and listened to the sweet rendition, I realized how we could begin the presentation in the narrow sense as well as utilizing the title as another approach to life, especially as one passes the peak and autumn of one’s life. Don’t let the light go out; don’t let it dim, not for a minute, not for a moment. Keep driving onwards and upwards fulfilling your purpose, pursuing your passion. So not only did we have a concept to share with the kids utilizing the words sung, but we attained another way of focusing on our purpose and passion.



State of Arizona, Nevada or Utah...actually, province of Free State with Jenni 'towering' below.




Entering the Owl's Eye (right).




Entering a cave, nearly claustrophobic.




Using the self-timer, a first or desperate vanity.




Vertical cliff is no short-cut down.




Love the smooth surfaces with just sufficient traction to feel safe.



Enjoying the formations in this hidden gem of a region.





Holkrans trail, completion of South African trip.



Morning sun lights the buttress above the hotel in Golden Gate Highland Park.



Jenni heads toward the mountains, sort of, nothing's quite as pretty as 'Mary' in the morning.




The Caveman returneth to another cave some 60 miles further away from the above (caves).



Some from India Venster on Table Mountain, Cape Town—a special accomplishment of the editor and a couple of others photographs.


A beautiful scene from one of the Apostles.




Had some big drop-offs, too.




Finding and taking the gap.



Still a long way to the peak ahead of a storm, Visierskerf—part of the Witteberg range, a highlight.




Returning from Perdeberg above Franschhoek, a sample of a spectacular region.



Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey