Weekly Photo Challenge: Unexpected

On November 22, 2013 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Beautiful Life39 Comments

We didn’t expect to have any time between the Coastal Redwoods and the airport drive.

We didn’t expect to see the coastline, not when the sign read Beach Closed.

We didn’t expect this winter season to give us any kind of color, especially when the gray fog dipped low over the hilltops all around us.

We didn’t expect to turn towards the arrow that read beach overlook and find any sort of view or path. We had no idea if it was even open in this quiet off-season.

No, we didn’t expect this last nugget of pure shining beauty, in the form of an empty overlook, at the top of Muir Beach.

We did not expect our last stop to be the best. Not after being over-the-top joyed at so many places in the San Francisco Bay Area – Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Par, Chinatown, Napa Valley, and the Coastal Redwood forest.

No, we did not expect this at all.

And it took our breath away.

**Click on any photo to enlarge and view as a slideshow**.

In the depth a light will grow,
A silver shine no shadows know,
Like wings unfolding in the sky,
That circle ’round a gleaming eye,
Turning darkness all away,
Even depths will know their day,
For every shadow has its end,
In light!
Life will return again!

― Robert Fanney

See other unexpected entries at The Daily Post at WordPress.com.

Fort Worth Water Gardens

On September 6, 2012September 6, 2012 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Life is what you make it.16 Comments

What can I say? When it’s a 104º in September, it seemed like the perfect place to go in downtown Fort Worth.

I have heard about it often enough. Even caught glimpses of the structures when driving around the convention center. But explore the water gardens? Not this girl. Not until last Sunday that is.

I was surprised. Astounded even. Not to mention a little intimidated by the great falls. No one tells you, it’s a little dizzy to walk down those concrete steps to the bottom. Or maybe I should have taken it easier on the Gator Punch at Razoos? Heh.

What it all comes down to is this….I have a hobby. My hobby makes me happy. Sometimes, being a PRO puts a little too much pressure on my perfectionism-self. So I walked to the water gardens as – get this – a tourist.

A tourist with a camera and a happy hobby.

Yep.

© Angelia's Photography — “The Tourists”

I have no idea why people kept asking if we were from around here.

I mean, really? I only had a camera bag, purse, and ~~a map~~ a guide.

We mentioned over and over, we only lived a few miles way. Yes, we are from “around” here (eyebrows raise). But whatevers.

Hey, if being a tourist gets me photos ops. I will tour all day, and even buy the t-shirt.

First stop, the aerating pool. Looks refreshing, doesn’t it?

I dang near dropped to my knees and bowed to it.

When you walk 10 blocks in a hot, muggy concrete furnace. This view? It’s temptation waiting to happen. I’m not sure why ONE little fountain couldn’t just a spray a little to the outside.

From across the way is the meditation pool. It is surrounded by trees – REAL trees – real forestry-looking. It was so cool (looking). But as you can see, it is also enclosed by walls with water running down the sides (which makes the walls green). Like a slimy water-slicked dungeon.

The water and the trees are lovely to behold…..

:Snap:Smile:Snap:

And I would looooove to meditate by it, if it wasn’t blazing hot…if there was a cool wind on my face…if the walls weren’t algae-moss green and closing in on me.

I couldn’t get to the stairs fast enough. I’m getting claustrophobic in my old age. I needed air. Circulating air.

And maybe even a friendly bird, or two.

The last stop was the biggest attraction. It’s called the active pool. It is literally 38 feet walls cascading down to a pool in the middle. There are these little stepping-stones to get to the bottom.

And I tried…..

I got half-way down and froze. The descent. The walls rising above. The water running quickly towards the bottom. Those little cracks that separate the stones, with just ONE little mishap….and OH HELLS NO.

I could not even reach for my big camera.

Brave tourist that I am, I stilled my shaky legs and used my iPhone to post a pic to Instagram.

See? Half-way down…or so…

I risked heat stroke and vertigo for these shots.

But I don’t mind.

After all, that’s what tourists do.

Standing at the Sea – Point Loma, California

On September 14, 2011September 14, 2011 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life37 Comments

“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it’s always ourselves we find in the sea.”
– e.e. cummings

Day 2 – part 1 1/2

Just down the road from the National Cemetery is the Old Point Loma Lighthouse overlooking the cliff tide pools.

These pictures don’t do it justice. There is so much more than the view.

It’s the mood of a harsh land beaten by the Pacific.

It’s the sounds of sea life as they call from overhead.

It’s the crashing punch when a swelling wave meets the rocky shore.

Then, above it all is the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.

Built in 1855, it was placed 422 ft above the sea, between the Gulf of San Diego and the great Pacific Ocean. At the time, placing it high seemed a good idea. A beacon for all the sailors. It was quickly discovered a place so high had issues with fog obscuring the light (whoops!).

Unfortunately, it was only a working lighthouse for 30 years because of that little blunder. It has been restored it to its original 1800’s condition, inside and out. Jason and I both have a love for lighthouses and this was the first I have ever toured.

I was not disappointed.

The house is small; four rooms and the light is not tall. There is a spiral staircase to the top.

And the view?

Incredible!

Of course, in the 1800’s, it wasn’t the same as now. No busy harbor, and no downtown San Diego.

And certainly, no Coastguard helicopters.

Just the little lighthouse…..

And the many ocean views….

So, I still want to live in a lighthouse, even an 1800’s one, preferably on the Pacific Ocean, but I am not picky.

One of the new lighthouse’s is pretty spiffy too, and they even used the grounds for the movie, Top Gun.

So what do you think? Do you want to live in a lighthouse? Have you been to Point Loma?

Hanging at the Harbor – Dana Point, California

On September 7, 2011 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Beautiful Life21 Comments

Dana Point, our very first stop after landing in Orange County.

I had been to Dana Point before, somewhere around thirteen years ago. The cliffs and the harbor stood out in my memory, along with the Pirate ship they had on display. I had to see if it was like I remembered it, or how much it had changed.

We first glimpsed the harbor from the street we were ~~lost on~~ driving on. This was, also, our first look at the Pacific this trip. Ahhh! The great deep beyond of the Pacific waters. I could stare at them forever.

Dana Point is a little nugget tucked away from Orange County on the way to San Diego. It’s beach and harbor are surrounded by hills. It took quite a few turns (with GPS) to get us to this little gem of a destination.

But we did find it. I think we followed a surf board (and a sign).

We got to the harbor.

We got to the beach.

It was as lovely as I remember it. This time I wasn’t as in awe of the cliffs and ocean, as much as I was the endless boats. I had my boat picked out, the name christened, and I was ready to sail away.

I probably need to move to California first, heh.

We had a nice lunch next to the harbor highway. We watched the boats big and small parading in and out of entrance. We enjoyed a crisp 68-degree day that was (literally) heaven on earth after the scorching 110 in Dallas.

The flowers were not withered and brown, but a colorful display to the eye.

At the very end of the harbor, I found the Pirate Ship in the same place as it was before. It looked a lot newer. I believe they do cruises, or something. It was straight out of a movie cool.

The walk back down the harbor was just as delightful, except for my slippery sandals.

We took it slow to take it all in (and get sunburnt our first day). Looking all around and up at the hillside, I see beautiful palm trees and gorgeous homes.

Back by the beach, there is tons of surf board paddlers and children at play.

The wall surrounding the beach had hand-made tiles designed by children. I didn’t find the story behind who they were or why they decorated the beach walk, but they were very crafty and unique. I definitely felt the charm they added to Dana Point.

I took lots and lots and lots of harbor photos.

Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point, California, 2011

When we finally left, we stopped back at the first place we came to, and I took more pictures of the view.

Again…..

And Again….

And again….

The view is amazing. And guess what? A wedding was about to take place.

I totally creeped on it. We waited, and waited for the bride – maybe behind a tree with my camera – but she didn’t show. Not even after we saw all the bridesmaids. We finally gave up. I hope she made it. The groom was looking a little worried.

So we said good-bye to the view……

And took off for our next destination.

It’s going to take me awhile to post all the places we went to. Hope you don’t mind LOTS more.

So far, it’s been day one, ha.

🙂

I am uploading all the photographs to my photography Facebook page before I post them on the blog. If you like sneak peeks, be sure to “Like” and “Look”. Angelia’s Photography Fan Page.