Boys will be boys, and so will a lot of middle-aged men.
- Kin Hubbard
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
Quote of the Day
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
- Benjamin Franklin
- Benjamin Franklin
Thursday, March 27, 2014
The Nixon Presidential Museum
My last batch of pics this time is from the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in Yorba Linda, California. Of all the presidential museums I've visited so far, this was the least interesting by far. Then again, how much positive can you say about a man who gave up Taiwan for Red China, turned the US onto permanent deficits by declaring he was a Keynesian and finally had to resign the presidency on account of being too fucking stupid to keep it (my take on the Watergate scandal). Richard Nixon was a cunt of a man and a cunt of a politician; good riddance to him.
His birthplace is on the museum grounds, but was closed that day due to the weather. Like most southern californians they probably shit themselves every time it rains.
Nice ride.
The Berlin Wall.
His birthplace is on the museum grounds, but was closed that day due to the weather. Like most southern californians they probably shit themselves every time it rains.
Nice ride.
The Berlin Wall.
Quote of the Day
Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
- Benjamin Franklin
- Benjamin Franklin
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Quote of the Day
In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.
- Benjamin Franklin
- Benjamin Franklin
San Simeon
I'd been to San Simeon twice before and taken pictures of Hearst castle and the seal colony down by the beach. This time I didn't bother with Hearst and focused only on the seals.
This lovely photo series shows what happens if you get too close to your buddy's tail.
Whap!
Whappety!
WHAP!
There's a LOT of screaming and squealing going on down on the beach.
Though that didn't seem to trouble the mature seals, who were all snoring peacefully in the sun.
There were also several windswept, little featherballs there.
This lovely photo series shows what happens if you get too close to your buddy's tail.
Whap!
Whappety!
WHAP!
There's a LOT of screaming and squealing going on down on the beach.
Though that didn't seem to trouble the mature seals, who were all snoring peacefully in the sun.
There were also several windswept, little featherballs there.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Quote of the Day
Many men die at twenty-five and aren't buried until they are seventy-five.
- Benjamin Franklin
- Benjamin Franklin
Monday, March 24, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
California Route 1
I have waxed lyrical about this road several times before. This time I shall limit myself only to the part of the road that runs down the northern coastline, but it is all very, very beautiful and all very, very underappreciated. At least in my view; the three times I've done this road now, traffic has been very sparse. Oh, well, all the more peace and quiet for me!
The trees where the road breaks out of the forest and enters the coastline are all bent by the wind.
There is something so magical about these trees.
These too.
Close up.
From a roadhouse in Gualala called Bones. This poster alone guarantees my repeat custom.
A few miles after Gualala, I spotted two little deer stuffing snout along the way.
The trees where the road breaks out of the forest and enters the coastline are all bent by the wind.
There is something so magical about these trees.
These too.
Close up.
From a roadhouse in Gualala called Bones. This poster alone guarantees my repeat custom.
A few miles after Gualala, I spotted two little deer stuffing snout along the way.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Quote of the Day
One had rather malign oneself than not speak of oneself at all.
- De La Rochefoucauld
- De La Rochefoucauld
Alley of Giants
Alley of Giants is a stretch of road basically running parallel to US 101 for several miles and containing thousands of massive, huge, beautiful redwood trees. I only followed it for a few miles and only got in a couple of pics, but the whole distance is highly recommended.
Ish nice.
Winding road.
Very serene landscape.
Not representative of the friendly folks up north.
Ish nice.
Winding road.
Very serene landscape.
Not representative of the friendly folks up north.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Eureka
After our trip to Mt Whitney I made a mad dash all the way from San Diego to Eureka in a day. The trip was partly to see again the wonderful California coastline and partly to take some pictures of Eureka in fog. Now, there are some things you need to know about Eureka and fog. When I arrived, there was fog. When I went to bed, there was fog. When I was there in 2011, there had been fog. Eureka is always foggy. But on Tuesday, when I got up in the wee hours to take pics... it was a morning so clear and crisp you'd think it had been painted on.
Wailing and moaning inside, I decided to make the best of it and went downtown to get in some pics, but my heart wasn't really in it. After a disappointingly short photo session I breakfasted at the local Denny's and then set course for that sweet, sweet northern California coastline.
I presume this building is still in the care of the local rich white guy's club.
And this house, right across the street, still isn't screaming "I'M GAY". Not at all, no sirree.
Downtown Eureka has one of the finest collections of architectural wonders in all of America. I highly recommend the town if you're into photography or just like nice, old buildings.
The murals are well worth a look too.
Wailing and moaning inside, I decided to make the best of it and went downtown to get in some pics, but my heart wasn't really in it. After a disappointingly short photo session I breakfasted at the local Denny's and then set course for that sweet, sweet northern California coastline.
I presume this building is still in the care of the local rich white guy's club.
And this house, right across the street, still isn't screaming "I'M GAY". Not at all, no sirree.
Downtown Eureka has one of the finest collections of architectural wonders in all of America. I highly recommend the town if you're into photography or just like nice, old buildings.
The murals are well worth a look too.
Quote of the Day
It takes great cleverness to be able to conceal one's cleverness.
- De La Rochefoucauld
- De La Rochefoucauld
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Quote of the Day
To establish oneself in the world, one has to do all one can to appear established.
- De La Rochefoucauld
- De La Rochefoucauld
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Quote of the Day
Love of justice in most men is no more than the fear of suffering injustice.
- De La Rochefoucauld
- De La Rochefoucauld
Return to Mt Whitney
I had been to Mt Whitney once before, in early November 2011. I had driven up the mountain as far as the road went and taken some mighty nice pictures. This time we only got about halfway up before we spotted a sign that said the road was closed. Now, it might have helped if the effin sign also provided some clue as to WHY the road was closed, as the road seemed just fine with us and there were no reports of snowfall in the area. Additionally, while we were standing there, several cars came down the mountain from behind the sign. So, ever the eejits, we decided to drive at least some way up to see what was to see.
And this was what we saw.
We took a few pics and then got the fuck outta Dodge.
Purdy mountains.
A little further down, the views out over Owens valley were great.
Before going up we had lunch in the little town of Lone Pine, which was every bit as cozy as I remembered it. And the tap water there is fantastic; just like in Moab UT it's pure mountain water. This stuff is better than bottled water, peeps.
Even the McDonalds in Lone Pine looks cozy.
And this was what we saw.
We took a few pics and then got the fuck outta Dodge.
Purdy mountains.
A little further down, the views out over Owens valley were great.
Before going up we had lunch in the little town of Lone Pine, which was every bit as cozy as I remembered it. And the tap water there is fantastic; just like in Moab UT it's pure mountain water. This stuff is better than bottled water, peeps.
Even the McDonalds in Lone Pine looks cozy.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Quote of the Day
We only confess our little faults to persuade people that we have no large ones.
- De La Rochefoucauld
- De La Rochefoucauld
Monday, March 17, 2014
Quote of the Day
Everyone complains of his memory, but no one complains of his judgment.
- De La Rochefoucauld
- De La Rochefoucauld
Sunday, March 16, 2014
CA 190
After the Vista Point we drove a few miles on yet another one of those many, many marvelous American roads, this time California route 190. Going through a dry, desert landscape over the mountain and then down towards the fertile valley with the Sierra Nevada mountains in front is breathtakingly beautiful. In addition we saw this Joshua tree by the side of the road that was just begging to be photographed. So we obliged.
Just the Sierra Nevadas.
On the other side of the road was a steep, rocky hill. At the bottom of it grew tiny greenish flowers.
And some blue ones.
Dried up cacti. Probably dead from the looks of 'em but you never know in these parts.
Just the Sierra Nevadas.
On the other side of the road was a steep, rocky hill. At the bottom of it grew tiny greenish flowers.
And some blue ones.
Dried up cacti. Probably dead from the looks of 'em but you never know in these parts.
Father Crowley Vista Point
Father Crowley Vista Point is a spot just on the edge of Death Valley National Park, where you have great views out over the northern parts of Panamint Valley. Also, Rainbow Canyon runs right next to it. The vista point has toilets, a large parking spot and a kidney crushing ride out to the very end of the hillside.
Center-left is the top of Rainbow Canyon, to the right you can just see the unpaved dirt track where we had our respective kidneys, backs and belief in a loving God shaken by Court's insistence on driving out there in his fancy schmancy Jap SUV.
To the southwest lay more wild and wonderful areas that I would like to visit the next time, chiefly Darwin Falls.
Due east, towards Death Valley.
On the way up there we passed the tiny settlement of Trona, where there are probably more houses that are abandoned than lived in.
Center-left is the top of Rainbow Canyon, to the right you can just see the unpaved dirt track where we had our respective kidneys, backs and belief in a loving God shaken by Court's insistence on driving out there in his fancy schmancy Jap SUV.
To the southwest lay more wild and wonderful areas that I would like to visit the next time, chiefly Darwin Falls.
Due east, towards Death Valley.
On the way up there we passed the tiny settlement of Trona, where there are probably more houses that are abandoned than lived in.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Death Valley Proper
Some pics from Death Valley proper - in quick succession: Badwater Basin, Artists Point, Zabriskie Point and the sand dunes at Mesquite Flats.
Badwater Basin. 282 feet or 85.5 meters under sea level.
You're walking out there on a thin layer of actual salt.
The weirdly multicolored rock at Artists Point.
The very lovely rock formations at Zabriskie Point.
Finally some pics from Mesquite Flats. The sun was going down, so we took five minutes in the parking lot before speeding on home to Ridgecrest. On the way there we stopped by the roadside and opened the sunroof and just stared up at the desert night sky. It's like nothing else.
Badwater Basin. 282 feet or 85.5 meters under sea level.
You're walking out there on a thin layer of actual salt.
The weirdly multicolored rock at Artists Point.
The very lovely rock formations at Zabriskie Point.
Finally some pics from Mesquite Flats. The sun was going down, so we took five minutes in the parking lot before speeding on home to Ridgecrest. On the way there we stopped by the roadside and opened the sunroof and just stared up at the desert night sky. It's like nothing else.
Panamint Valley
At long last I have the time to blog about some of the stuff I did on my latest trip to the US, nearly a month back. As per usual I began my trip in San Diego, the town of El Cajon, more specifically. I already blogged about my bout of kidney stones while I was there; now comes the next part, where I go out to the desert with my old pals Albie and Court, both of whom have spent their lives, or the better part of it, in California, but none of whom have thought of ever actually going up to this beautiful area.
We drove up to the city of Ridgecrest and set off early Saturday morning towards Death Valley, on CA-178. The first part of the National Park is actually Panamint Ridge and the northern parts of Panamint Valley.
I had thought about taking a smaller road into the park, just like the last time I was in this area, but sadly it was closed. We had to go all they way up to where the road ends in route 190 and then turn right. The views ain't too shabby from up there either. Y'all can see the Sierra Nevadas in the far off distance.
View towards Death Valley proper.
The main reason I wanted to go to Death Valley this time was to see the flowers in bloom. Sadly, southern California hadn't seen rain in months, so the flowers were few and far between. The day I left it was pouring up here apparently. Damn and blast.
We drove up to the city of Ridgecrest and set off early Saturday morning towards Death Valley, on CA-178. The first part of the National Park is actually Panamint Ridge and the northern parts of Panamint Valley.
I had thought about taking a smaller road into the park, just like the last time I was in this area, but sadly it was closed. We had to go all they way up to where the road ends in route 190 and then turn right. The views ain't too shabby from up there either. Y'all can see the Sierra Nevadas in the far off distance.
View towards Death Valley proper.
The main reason I wanted to go to Death Valley this time was to see the flowers in bloom. Sadly, southern California hadn't seen rain in months, so the flowers were few and far between. The day I left it was pouring up here apparently. Damn and blast.
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