Last evening, while we were talking our usual walk, we paused to take a picture of one of the Chinese Elm trees on our street. These deciduous trees lose their leaves and bark every winter. The little leaves go everywhere and are messy, but the bark shavings make a satisfying crunch when Verna steps on them. They also look very pretty when the Sun shines through them. Click the image to enlarge.
Bob
A Day in Avalon
Last spring, we went to Avalon for the day. We took the Catalina Express boat from San Pedro in the morning, and returned to the Mainland that afternoon on the Island Express Helicopter. We spent the day on a walking tour of Avalon to check out some of the other hotels. We also ate lunch at our favorite Mexican Restaurant and did some shopping. Verna got a nice little sun hat and I got an “Old Guys Rule” sweatshirt. I took this picture of Verna looking back at town from Pebbly Beach on the way out to the heliport. Click the picture for a larger image of Verna’s new hat.
Island Arrival
If you read the post from last September, then you’ve seen how it looks to go from the Mainland to Avalon Heliport from inside the helicopter as it lands at the Avalon Heliport. This is the same helicopter on final approach as it arrives from the Mainland. Verna took this picture with her camera — the shutter speed is so fast that it stopped the rotor blades dead!
When Verna took this picture, we were waiting at the heliport to go back to the Mainland. Click on the image to see a larger version of the helicopter.
Gull at Point Vicente
Image: A seagull perches on a fencepost at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center with the lighthouse in the background. Taken on a nice, clear but cool day.
We often go down to the Palos Verdes Peninsula when the conditions are good for photography and sightseeing. This day, right after the new year, Verna was out to try and get some shots with her new telephoto lens.
I took this photo with my little Canon Powershot camera. Mine is not as fancy as Verna’s Canon EOS Digital Rebel, but it gets some good stuff now and then.
F-F-Freezing!
I know, in California we shouldn’t complain when the mercury dips just below freezing. After all, conditions are much worse elsewhere in the world. Notwithstanding all of that, it was damn cold this morning when I took Bear out for her morning constitutional. Shivers and chattering, I was glad to get back inside.
Lights Out
We display our Christmas Lights from early in December until after New Year’s Day. Usually, they come down right afterwards, but this year we had several busy weekends and didn’t get to it until today. I don’t feel bad though, since several homes in our neighborhood seem to leave them up all the time. It goes quickly, especially when Verna helps me. I think we set a record today, getting them down and packed away in about 40 minutes.
Image: Here I am among the thorny palm fronds taking the light strings off of the eaves.
