Festival of Sail (Labor Day)

There were approximately 8 tall ships sailing in to San Diego Bay, it was an amazing sight to see them coming in from the foggy ocean, and in a short time, sailing into the blue skies over San Diego.  Here's a photograph of Tall Ship Exy Johnson.  She was second in the parade line up.

The photo was taken near the end of the parade while the crew were taking down the sails.  The second photo gives you a closer look at the crew up in the mast furling the top sails.   The height of the mast is 115 feet.  They do wear harnesses and are hooked in, but still they have to climb up there first before hooking in.  And they have to know which of those many lines are the correct ones for the task they are doing.

For more information on this Tall Ship, check out Exy Johnson on the Los Angeles Maritime Institute web site.

It's been a long 3 weeks!  I'm finally back in my house and getting unpacked.  One of the first things I did was download photos I took Labor Day weekend at the Maritime Museum's annual Festival of Sail.   I was lucky enough to be invited out on the water (thanks John!)  to greet the tall ships on Thursday as they sailed into San Diego Bay.   They sailed into the bay and down to the Coronado Bridge, then cruised back along the city front.  Quite a sight to see these beautiful vessels under sail!   I volunteered at the Festival Friday -  Sunday and enjoyed every minute of it.   If you're in the area next year, I highly recommend attending.

Today  I'm posting a panorama photo (3 images stitched together in Photoshop)  that I took of the Tall Ship Californian  cruising by downtown San Diego.   More to come (after I unpack a few more boxes).

Fractured ...

"Fractured" is the word for me this week, and what better way to illustrate it than with a photo?   I found this iPhone photo I had taken months ago and then had used the app Decim8 to create the fractured  look in the clouds.  The app (for me) is unpredictable as far as getting consistent  results,and much as I'd like to duplicate this look in other photos, I've been unable to so far.

But for now,  the fractured clouds illustrate what my life feels like this week.  And maybe I'd better clarify the use of the word, it's just life that seems fractured, no body parts.   LOL

Five cousins together again

I was lucky enough to hitch a ride recently with my dtr-in-law Barbara and 3 grandkids  on their trip north.  It was a fun trip & I always love being with all 5 grandkids together -- and of course my camera was always out.  I decided it was time for a group photo of the kids, and because they were already playing in front of the garage, we started there:  

"OK kids, let's line up".   Hmmm, pretty wiggly kids,  so let's try this:   "How about raising your arms as high as you can":

Hmmm, next I asked them to  put their arms as low as they could, then everybody smile, frown -- all the tricks I knew --  I could post more photos, but I think you get the idea.   So now,  how about a change in location.  

 Let's head for the front steps.  

OK everybody look at the camera and smile !!!!!

By now I'm laughing so hard I'm having trouble focusing the camera -- and I'm heading for the yellow pages looking for a professional kid photographer.   It was a fun trip & I'm still laughing every time I look at these photos.  Hope you enjoy them too.   

Visit to the San Diego Botanic Gardens

My friend, Carol Davis, is visiting from Palm Desert -- we decided to go to the San Diego Botanic Gardens (Encinitas)  to do some photography.  The overcast day was perfect, the place is beautiful!   We didn't even mind a few rain drops towards the end of the day.  A must see place for anyone coming to this area.


                                                           

Red damselfly?  Can anyone help with the ID?

Close look at a stand of bamboo

Green heron with dinner (a frog)

s/v Californian

Up, up, up 

Furling the sails.

  

Gorgeous day on the water in San Diego.  I sailed again on the s/v Californian.    Look carefully at the top two sails, there are crew members up there, furling the sails as we head back to the dock. 

Marston House, Balboa Park

Pottery and phone 

Ice box.  

 






































My friend Yoli & I went on a tour of the Marston House and gardens today.   It's a beautiful home built in 1905 for George and Anna Gunn  Marston.   Style 1900 magazine named it one of the 25 most important Arts & Crafts buildings in the US.  For more info be sure to follow the link above.  


 I took a few iPhone photos today, all handheld and with natural lighting (no flash allowed).  Mr. Marston was quite an inventive man and lots of details in the house were his ideas.  The gardens are beautiful too.     Lunch afterwards at the Sculpture Park cafe was great.