Just before departing up scenic Highway 1, we paused to get this self-portrait of us with Morro Rock in the distance.
Click for big.
Bob
Mom’s Rock
Today, we’re at one of my Mother’s favorite places on Earth, Morro Bay. Mom says that this is her rock. Verna took this photo today when the fog was barely obscuring the top of the rock. We’re camping in an RV park right on the beach, and have this view when we take Bear for a walk. Click image to enlarge.
A New Toy
Just in time for the Summer vacation! The new GARMIN nüvi GPS system. It’s a good medium entry level navigation system with enough features to be helpful, and simple enough for a neophyte to use. It worked right out of the box with a brilliant display, spoken directions and a 3D perspective map.
Actual GPS Image – click to enlarge. We’ll be using this for our trip – real soon now . . .
Catalina Web Cams
Every once in a while, I take a look at the webcams on Catalina Island. There are several of them, some in Avalon and others in more remote places.
Pavilion Lodge Cam
Casino Cam
Catalina Landing Cam
Two Harbors Cam
Two Harbors (360° view)
Isthmus (360° view)
Interior (360° view)
If you’re a Catalina junkie, like we are, you will enjoy vicariously visiting the island on the links above. The clickable image is a screenshot (reduced) of the Casino Cam taken on a clear evening. If you get Catalina wanderlust when you click over, it’s at your own risk! I know that I get the urge to go every time I look.
Summer Vacation/Wanderlust
Pretty soon now, we’re going to embark on our Summer Vacation. Our summer trip will be a little shorter this year, since we’re also planning another late summer excursion to Reno – more about that later. In the meantime, we’re going to head up the California coastline to beat the heat inland and to experiment with towing a 24 foot travel trailer.
Since we very much enjoyed renting a Cruise America motorhome for the last couple of outings, we decided we would rent a travel trailer this time. Primarily to let us park the trailer and head out of the campground in the SUV for day excursions (something we were unable to do with the cruiser without breaking camp down) and secondarily, to see if a travel trailer could be in our retirement future.
It’s been a number of years (double digit for sure) since the days when I drove a tractor with a trailer behind, and even more time has passed since I worked on a flight line hauling everything from line equipment to large aircraft. I’m pretty sure I’ll be OK with this little 24 foot rig.
In the Google® map above, you can see our proposed route via US-101, SR-1 and a little of I-5 on the way home. We will be posting photos from the road. Stay tuned.
A Madagascar Palm in 3D
I took this 3D image of a Madagascar Palm in the cactus and succulent section of the Botanic Gardens.
During late spring and summer, this part of the garden is very nice since many species are in bloom. The Madagascar Palm will get its blooms later in the summer. We’re planning to visit the garden again and will be watching for them.
If you have your 3D glasses handy, click on the image to see the full size anaglyph image. As usual, if you don’t have your free pair of 3D glasses yet, you can see the 2D version here.
Wikipedia offers this description of Pachypodium lamerei:
Pachypodium lamerei is a species of Pachypodium. It has large thorns and leaves mostly just at the top of the plant. It is a stem succulent and comes from the island Madagascar. The plant bears large, fragrant flowers. The species has become one of the best known pachypodiums in cultivation, being relatively easy to propagate and grow. In cultivation it is often marketed as the “Madagascar Palm”, despite in not being a palm at all.
