THE SANTA ANNA WINDS

HISTORIC WINDS RAKE CAMBRIA

The strongest blast of the infamous Santa Anna winds in more than a decade has complicated life from

this idyllic village of Cambria to Los Angeles and beyond.

Winds from 60 to 140 miles per hour have knocked out

power to hundreds of thousands.  This post is coming

from a hot spot in the village as we wait for power

to be restored at home.

High wind warnings are posted from Southern California north and into Utah, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico.
The Santa Anna's are extremely dry and gusty blasts
that come from off shore in Southern California and 
the Baja. They create a significant fire hazard and mental
health officials says the hot and dry winds can have
and adverse affect on some.
Most roads, drives, sidewalks, decks and roofs are 
littered with Monterey Pine needles and
other debris.

People talk of hearing trees groan and whip in the high winds.

Several of the shallow rooted and rare Monterey Pines were downed in the winds. 

In several instances the falling trees took out power lines in their tumble.

 A lot of sweeping will be underway.

Flags and banners needed to be well mounted or they too took a ride on the wind.

 Workers at the Community Presbyterian Church of Cambria
battled the winds as they set up for the annual
December Thrift Shop sale.  They spent a lot of time
chasing merchandise across the parking lot.

If your power is on, appreciate it!
See you down the trail.

SETTING STANDARDS

EXCELLENCE
The Maritime College football team from the Bronx New York did something extraordinary this year.
Instead of player names on the back of the uniform the 
team displayed words like FAMILY, RESPECT,
ACCOUNTABILITY and CHARACTER.
It was the concept of Coach Clayton Kendrick-Holmes
who told his players to be mindful of those qualities as 
they competed.
Coach Kendrick-Holmes is an amazing story in his own right.
This video demonstrates not only excellence, but 
commitment and courage.

Excellence and
Classy Seats
Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria is
another place of excellence.
Link here to learn of the many opportunities for youth and adults. We've watched as they have build a new
amphitheatre.  Recently we visited for a progress
report and were amazed and charmed by the 
artistic detail in the seats.

That attention to detail and style underscores

the idea and practice of excellence and artistic appreciation.

Salutes to the Maritime football team, coach Kendrick-Holmes and to Camp Ocean Pines.

See you down the trail.

VISUAL PLEASURE

TREES, SHADOWS AND LIGHT

It's like Yogi Berra said

"you can observe a lot just by watching."

 An appealing virtue of San Luis Obispo

is the beauty of the trees lining

the streets.  Though, as I looked

at the one above, I wondered how the 

trimmer would proceed.

 In the quiet of this early morning, I was 

smitten by the shadow play along Monterey Street.

 The buildings provide a ready palate for the

shadow art.

San Luis Obispo lives up to its reputation of being a

town of Mediterranean temperament.

Rare is the day when the sun is not

a presence in San Luis Obispo. The

official stats indicate 315 days of sun each year.

It seems like more than that.

See you down the trail.

AN OLD METHOD COULD BE BETTER

WHERE RAIL TRAVEL IS A GREAT OPTION

I had never traveled by train until our first

trip to the Europe in the 60's.  Since then

I have gladly taken trains there and

elsewhere in the world whenever it

was a viable option.

I had never traveled by train in the US

until we moved to California.  Now it is

my preferred route to Southern California from

here on the Central Coast.  Those who travel

north from here, speak highly of that journey.

The ongoing debate about building high speed rail service

in California prompts fervent attitude.  I'm all for

it, here and across the US.  Rail travel is more relaxed,

easier and enjoyable that air.  If the US had 

trains like those in Europe and Asia I suspect

the more expensive and hassle laden air travel

industry would change.  I suspect more people would

opt for rail.

None the less, we look forward to the train

and have become fond of "our home station," San Luis Obispo.  Friendly and efficient, it is picturesque 

and enjoys a beautiful setting.

Trips to San Diego or LA are only slightly longer

than by car and of course you don't need to drive

the freeways. You can enjoy the scenery along the way,

read, snooze, enjoy a meal and arrive much more

rested than by driving or flying.  

This tried and true old method of travel should be

given new life in the US, as it has been abroad.

See you down the trail.

THE WEEKENDER :) WISE WORDS

A WORTHY TEN MINUTES

Rivals battle on the gridiron and the hardwood,

friends and family continue visits, shopping, putting

up Christmas decorations, parties, and a swirl of other

activities overtake this post Thanksgiving, pre-Advent

season.  Still, one more moment, actually

ten minutes, for some gratitude.

This is a good view.

Enjoy.

See you down the trail.

NATURE'S COLOR SCHEME

SEASONAL SHADES

"Won't you miss the change of seasons?"

We heard that frequently when we announced

our move to the Central California Coast.

We worried about it bit, until our

first fall in California.

Season's change here, we've learned, with an

obvious turn.

Each year provides another pallet of 

fall color.

 Autumn skies resemble those of the mid west

 but with a distinct difference.

 Being a mediterranean climate,

 snow, is no show at our elevation. 

 Even as trees are ablaze in color

 we still have blooms.

and occasionally the Goodyear blimp. Huh?

 In the midwest we saw the blimp only 

around the time of the Indy 500.

See you down the trail.