History – A Photo's Worth

Fog and Photography

Our last day on the Central Coast is spent at Hearst Castle. As a first time visitor with limited mobility (Plantar fasciitis) my choice was the Grand Rooms Tour. I ordered tickets online, and arrived ready for an early morning tour.

Woke up to plenty of fog. It actually felt like a misty continuous rain.

Our group met at the Visitor Center where we hopped on a bus to take us from the coast up the winding road to Hearst Castle.

1805_30_SoCalTrip_0767 — Our enthusiastic docent met us outside. Group of tourists seem rather reluctant.

1805_30_SoCalTrip_2119 — Neptune’s Pool under renovation. Use the imagination and wait for a sunnier day.

1805_30_SoCalTrip_0769 — I liked the way this image takes you along as a tourist.

Taking photographs during a walking tour I needed to up my ISO (lighting sensitivity).

1805_30_SoCalTrip_0780 — Dark colors, dim lighting, and dreary day gives the room as sleepy feeling. Doors and windows are elegant.

1805_30_SoCalTrip_0776 — The dining room. The docent explains that Hearst sat in the middle with his most important guest to the his right. The longer a guest stayed the further away he was seated.

1805_30_SoCalTrip_2123 — This is where you sat if you overstayed your welcome. The End.

1805_30_SoCalTrip_2129 — After dinner activity before a movie. Can you guess what this is?

This pool is quite spectacular.

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Once outside I had to keep my camera safe from the elements. I grabbed these quick shots. I would have loved to spend more time outside.

1805_30_SoCalTrip_2150 — I just love walking around and seeing all the landscaping.

1805_30_SoCalTrip_2151 — The fog added so much to this image.

1805_30_SoCalTrip_2153 — Beautiful Entry Door

1805_30_SoCalTrip_2140 — When cold even the marble statue has a drippy nose.

1805_30_SoCalTrip_2144 — Well my foot has had a workout.

I am so impressed with the way the fog and light made these flowers pop.

1805_30_SoCalTrip_2155 — Gardeners hard at work

1805_30_SoCalTrip_2149 — Hurrying through the garden cause of the rainy mist

1805_30_SoCalTrip_2173 — The Hearst still have a cattle ranch at San Simeon, and retain much of the land.

I say good bye to Hearst Castle. There is much to see, but I am not sure I will be back.

I enjoyed my stay in Cambria. Moonstone Beach may call my name again.

1805_30_SoCalTrip_0800 — White Water Inn in Cambria

Now for the 6 hour drive home to Fair Oaks. Passing some lovely landscapes. I caught these images from the car window.

Home and time to settle in for the hot summer.

SS Red Oak Victory Ship

The SS Red Oak Victory Ship provides a rich venue for my photography during our afternoon in Richmond, California. Just a short drive from Point Richmond.

As soon as I found myself on board I was drawn to using parts of the ship to create frames in my compositions. One afternoon is just enough time to get an overview photographically. I plan to return here and explore more of this ship.

1611_29_rosieredoak_5387 — Reflection in a port hole

1611_29_rosieredoak_5429 — Faces follow me!

1611_29_rosieredoak_5405 — As seen from the SS Red Oak Victory

1611_29_rosieredoak_5397 — By the dock of the bay

So much to see on board. These are just a few of the rooms I explored. A bit of humor found in the hospital quarters. I tried to imagine what it would be like to cook for the entire crew. The size of the mixer gave me a clue.

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1611_29_rosieredoak_5406 — Wandering up and down the hallway.

New cars unloaded from ships, and heading for auto dealers here in the USA. Cyclists stop by on the dock. A sailboat taking in the tranquility of the afternoon.

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Last stop was the Rosie the Riveter Memorial Park. It didn’t look promising for a great sunset, so we headed home.

Anne and I take advantage of the late afternoon sun to show off some height!

A great day for history, fun, and good photography.

Rosie

Want to get out of the heat? If you are in Sacramento and your looking at the 7 day forecast of triple digit temps, you may.

Remember, Sacramento has access to both the coastal area and the mountains. When I was in high school 5 decades ago I had a history teacher who came from California. She told us that it was a 2 hour ride west and she could be surfing. Going east 2 hours she could be skiing. Coming from Long Island, N.Y. this sounded great. Well, I never surfed, or skied, but the concept that the climate could be that different impressed me. Last week my granddaughter spent the week at camp in Lake Tahoe. On Sunday June 11th it was snowing. Roads were icy, and we white knuckled it back home to Sacramento. My husband picked her us on Friday, the weather in the mountains had warmed up to the 80s. Yesterday in Sacramento we reached a record high for the date of 106. Happy for my air conditioning.

In Richmond, California there is a Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. This is a gem of a museum. Lots to see, and it is easy for photographers to capture. Easy to get to, easy parking, and if you have a National Park Pass admission is free.

1611_29_RosieRedOak_5353 — National Historical Park

1611_29_rosieredoak_5343 — Richmond scene

There is a cafe right next door, but this time we decided to venture into Port Richmond. A local pointed us in the direction of a sandwich shop. After a salad sampler the streets of Point Richmond beckoned.

What I like about my outings and photography is coming home and diving deeper into the history of the places I visit, or learning more about my natural surrounding. I came across this interesting website, and learned more about this statue of an Indian in the center of a little park.

1611_29_rosieredoak_5362 — Second statue to be erected here.

1611_29_RosieRedOak_5355 — Street of Point Richmond

1611_29_RosieRedOak_5356 — Historic Hotel

1611_29_RosieRedOak_5364 — You Are Here!

1611_29_RosieRedOak_5360 — Point Richmond Reflected

1611_29_RosieRedOak_5359 — Theater with Red Door

1611_29_RosieRedOak_5363 — 1910 Fire Station

1611_29_RosieRedOak_5365 — Current Point Richmond Fire Station

We left Point Richmond, and found another cool place to explore, The SS Red Oak Victory Ship. More about that in my next post.

Copps Quarry

Getting out with fellow photographers helps me get a different outlook on life. It is time for me to relax. It is time to look outward. Stop worrying about family who seem to think I can wave a wand, and abracadabra all their wants will be delivered. All mysteries of the universe revealed by me. I am so powerful. Not!

Since my Dad passed away in September much time is spent with my Mom. Luckily my dog, Libby joins me most days. On Fridays I watch grandkids, and my one year old entertains residents at the assisted living facility with my Mom. So to get out of this routine I set aside at least one day a week to photography.

This time we explored a new place for me. Copp’s Quarry provided granite to San Francisco and Stockton for buildings. Closed in 1915 I explored narrow walking paths dotted with granite partially cut, a meandering creek, and Indian grinding rocks.