An International Comparison: Kleinmond, Cape Province, South Africa and Morro Bay, California, USA.

When we noticed this recently, we liked the symmetry and similarity and so we thought of sharing it, a 12,000 mile relationship.

From 3 Sisters, Kleinmond.
From Valencia Peak, Morro Bay.

Guess who?
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

49.09 California: Del Valle, Livermore. A hidden gem.

Enough to make us wish to return.
Wine golfing, better than merely tasting, hey Col?

Seems to spend much time in that position.
Love it. However, we do see a vine out of alignment...perhaps one has to have a few drinks first to be able to spot it.
This view is once the lake takes a sharp turn...seen from the high point. Also, enjoyed the flora colors.
From a different angle and later time, the colors change.
Lone hiker meets lone tree.
Negates the above caption but still has meaning notwithstanding. Typical steep climb of the region.

Symmetry?
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

48.18 Arizona: Lake Havasu City: Sara Park: Blue Trail to Colorado River via Lizard shoulder.

'It's a bit of a hike. Can I offer you a snack before we go?'
'Uncle Rex? Someone to meet you.'
'Let me show you the pool. My Mom looks after the garden. Never let's any of us get close.'
'That's my neighbor. She's a strange bird. She likes the mountains. Thinks she's a goat.'
'You think she's strange? That's the mate. He's a plain showoff. Proper ram he thinks he is.'
Weather turned only to reverse the next day. 

 Never tire of these views.
Got down to the water's edge...hoping it would beautify us as it does to the surrounds. No such luck. 

Has its own mix and blend of colors.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

49.08 California: Montana de Oro: Oats peak via Coons Creek trail.

Rather distinctive landmark, hence the name of the town, Morro Bay.
Heading to that altitude although on the opposite side.
'California poppies', delightful.
Getting high the old fashioned way...thank goodness.
Tip-toeing through the tulips.
About 40 minutes to go; at least we can now see the destination.

Ducking under the moss-covered trees.
Very attractive setting to compensate for the steepness.
And there's the ocean.
A legal stop and rest on luxury, for a change.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

 

49.04 California: Montana de Oro: Valencia Peak, a golden park. (A salute to Mario Baptista).

Nice perspective from height.

A visit to Montana de Oro state park is a treat. A second visit is double pleasure. It truly is a wonderful place which is further enhanced by the colors and foliage of spring. Our last visit was in winter which provided the same structure of course but different coloring. While the park is wonderful in all seasons, spring allowed for an extra treat for the senses because of the vibrancy of the features. 

We followed the climb and descent with a visit to the dunes that lead into the ocean. It was a satisfying end to a day that once again set us up for a relaxing evening and the promise of a good start for the next day.

We've included more than the typical number of pictures even though we've left off many that would normally qualify. It attests to how beautiful we believe the region to be. (Continues at end...)

Heading to the peak of Valencia.
Early stages as we hit an extremely steep section.
That's the steep section which is about a 700-yard challenge...it is an alternative to the regular route.
Impressive mountain coloring and views.
In the distance is the morro and town, including ocean and the bay.
A close up that never ceases to impress. Telephoto taken at the peak.
Looking a little wild.
When we reached ground level, we headed to the dunes.
Coloring was most pleasing.
Ascending amongst beautiful flora.

 

With the world continuing to plunge into darkness, the mood of a person is put to the test. While I would like to write an essay on my thoughts, I don’t consider it appropriate to perpetuate the acrimony, hatred, intolerance, and many other negative feelings that exist. I would like to believe my words would attempt to calm and to try to promote values (anyone remember what those were?) rather than hostility. Nowadays, it seems good behavior is in and of itself racist, biased, sexist—fill in an additional host of descriptions—for when the value system is abandoned, chaos rises to fill the void. I’ll stop there for I really want to write a little of a most decent person. I believe when things look bleak, one should try focus of what is good in the world besides the beauty of its natural attributes. 

I met Mario Baptista a little over 40 years ago. I don’t intend to explain why he is such a good and decent person but rather, share a little story that is incidental to the man. Mario fled Mozambique as a teenager, a time when the lives of white people were in danger in the region. He arrived in South Africa and picked himself up and continued to be a successful person. My definition of success differs somewhat from what seems to be the common usage of the word. Mario is successful because he is a first-class guy, a good friend, a generous and kind person, an honorable man. That would be a good definition of success in my books. 

Now onto the story. When our third child, Robbie, was born just over 33 years ago, he had followed Gavin and Natalie some 9 and 7 years later, respectively. This gap has never closed. Mario brought a gift for the new arrival, a stuffed bear. It was cute and funnily enough, lovable. Ten months later, we emigrated to the United States and Mario, the bear, traveled with us although technically, illegal as he did not have any ‘papers’. Robbie grew a little in Dallas and then a lot in San Diego. I don’t remember much about Mario, the bear not the man, but he traveled with Robbie and may have even joined him at college. 

Last week, we visited Shelby, Robbie and Casey, who is fifteen months, and lo and behold, the little delight showed us his bear, Mario. It’s in pristine condition after 33 years. The cream-colored bear has traveled large distances over its 'life'. It was given to Robbie at birth and now has found a new companion in Casey. Hats off to Robbie for taking care of Mario and likewise to Mario Baptista, for always caring for the Lazarow family.

 

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey 

Relaxing on/in sand. 

Steep as heck...and soft as butter.
Happy days.
When the feet rebel in soft sand, the result isn't pretty. However, if one is to fall, this is a good place.