California

[fishing n autograph]

So, it took a while, but I finally got through many photos.

 

So, a while ago, my wife and I decided that we would take my father in law to see his very elderly dad in Los Angeles over the Christmas holidays, so we packed up both kids and I flew everyone to California.

 

When we landed, I found out that the weather was not good. We had 5 days of torrential rain causing mud slides. We had our friends calling us to see if we were okay because the reports here were saying that Los Angeles was about to slide into the ocean.

 

So on the first day where the rain stopped i snuck out.

 

Here are a few pics:

 

Port Huememe Wharf

 

 

 

Then the rain started again and I packed it in. So, while it rained, my wife shopped lol....boy did I wish it had stopped raining

 

Next break in the rain, I went north on 101 and came close to Santa Barbara

 

 

 

So the first forecasted day without rain we took my oldest to Disneyland which was a great experience and made me feel like a kid again. The look on my daughters face when she got to see Buzz Lightyear and Woodie was priceless

 

So the next clear day I escaped again and went north to Ventura

 

 

 

 

I was able to find a wildlife sanctuary so here are a few shots from it...there wasn't much wildlife and although there was a seal sanctuary it was empty

 

 

 

 

 

On the day before I left for home, my wifes cousin took us to Santa Barbara which was a very beautiful place. I haven't seen many places in the world, but the harbour had to be one of the nicest places I've ever seen. The pier itself is massive with shops and restaurants which you drive your car out on and park.

 

Here was a harbour seal that was playing in and around the pier. The pic isn't the greatest because the seal was popping in and out of the shadows.

 

 

This pic shows where i really wanted to go while I was in California. The Channel Islands are a group of 5 Islands off the coast of Ventura, CA. They are the Galapagos of North America. Diverse and really the place to go if you're a wildlife photographer. Anyway, the weather was bad and i wasn't going to drop $75 for the ferry ride to one of the islands if nasty weather was going to roll up and trap me there.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Dave

Edited January 8, 2011 by FishnNAutographs

[mercman]

what a beautiful place.great pics Dave.

 

Paul

[Twocoda]

now i feel like i should go see my mom ....nice shots...too bad about the weather though ...raw deal ... favorite shot is the empty wide angle pier...looks great in B/W and then the barnacles on the pier standards ...beach was nice and clean usually this time of year its littered with sea weed ....did ya hit HOLLYWOOD Hills and the walk of fame?

[fishing n autograph]

we tried to...it was our second time there so we got about an hour and a half in Hollywood after it stopped raining and then I decided to drive through a down pour so my wife could see Rodeo Dr.

[Twocoda]

next time go to the observatory and bring 50 bucks and a camera....lol...make sure it isnt raining though

[solopaddler]

Nice to get to know another side of you Dave.

 

You definitely have an eye for the camera, great pictures!

[Roy]

All very nice pics. Thanks for sharing.

[MCTFisher9120]

Great pictures indeed. Thanks for taking the time to post

 

MTBF

[Joey]

Really nice pics there Looks like a beautiful place.

[fishnsled]

Very nice pics!

[fishing n autograph]

Thanks all, we'll eventually go back, but it won't be over Christmas that's for sure!