Feathery n' Furry Friends

Road Trip

Today, as a present to myself, I went on a road trip with my friend Natasha. At 7 am, we met up at my apartment and hit the road and headed North. Natasha has lived here in Santa Barbara going on 10 years and wanted to show me the beautiful sites on the Northern Coast of California. Our final destination was Cambria, however we also stopped by San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay and San Simeon. Below you will find a number of photos that will show you some of the sites.

From the very start, everything that happened was one laugh after another. We turned down my street and head on with the sun rays, which left us both completely blinded. Even with sun glasses I couldn't see but a few inches from my car. That blinding experience was a sign that we were going to embark on a trip that will leave us both with funny memories! It is amazing how strong the sun is out here! But finally we headed North away from the sun and headed down 101.

As we traveled on, we finally hit our final destination. At first we arrived to what Natasha thought as Cambria, which turned out to be San Luis Obispo. Seeing I had never been to any of these places, I didn't know the difference. From 101, we finally hit route 1. At the same time we hit this very cool town. It reminded me a lot of Asheville, NC. Natasha looked around and said..."We made it to Cambria" she went on saying how much the town grew. "Wow there is so much more here than I remember!" After following a detour through this mystery town (San Luis Obispo) Natasha then realized we were in the wrong town and continued with telling me that I will laugh at her because Cambria is extremely small- completely different from San Luis Obispo. I will definitely return to San Luis Obispo- Very much a hippy town-very artsy, with coffee shops, cool looking movie theaters and plenty of character!!

We made it!

Natasha, waiting patiently as I was taking some photos.

This was both humorous and sad at the same time. A sign for a lost dog. At first as we drove by I thought it funny that the sign said, "Lost Dog." I thought to myself, what dog, a dog, The dog....as I got closer to take a photo of it, I realized that a photo of the poor lost dog that was once there flew off. I have never lost a pet before, but I imagine it being heart broken. I am curious if the dog ever was found. :(

San Simeon, CA

Our first stop, about 15 minutes from Cambria was the Elephant Seal Reserve. They were just laying on the beach. You would think that some of them were not alive, but then every once in awhile the Seals will flip sand on themselves to keep cooled down. They were cute from afar. As cute as they looked, I would never encourage anyone to get too close to them. At the tip of their flippers are very long and sharp claws. As I watched them flip sand on themselves, you can see how strong they are and clearly how they can tear up anything that comes in their way.

This guy posed perfectly for the lens. He was looking right at me!

Almost human-like!

As we headed back to Cambria for a late lunch we walked down the board walk. We had perfect weather!

Cambria, CA

Morro Bay Beach

Flowers Along the California Coast

I have been spending a great amount of time outdoors these days. Along the way, I have captured some of the beauty around me. I really am enjoying shooting flowers. Here are just a few from todays road trip!

Colombia

Ever since being in California I have decorated my bedroom walls with various photos and drawings that I have made over the years. While at a Woman's Group years ago, I created a collage of things that represent me. On one in particular, I have a drawing of myself that was captured from a painting I completed back in '02. Next to that, I have a sketch of my little cat, Phoebe who meant so much to me. (may she rest in kitty heaven) Moving across this collage also is a drawing of my very close friend Laura who had passed in '99. Next, a cross, which represents my higher power. Finally, in the far right is a drawing I made of the colombian flag.

As I get older, I find myself being drawn closer to my roots as well as getting closer to my Colombian ancestors who I believe to be walking with me through my life day to day. The difference today as I looked at my collage was that I really paid close attention to the writing next to my flag. At that time of creating this collage, I was very interested in what each color meant on the Colombian flag. Since then I have not paid much attention until today.

Yellow: symbolizes sovereignty and justice

Blue: nobility, loyalty and vigilance

Red: valor, honor, generosity and victory achieved at the high cost of bloodshed

Reading this really put a smile on my face. Yes, I am Colombian, there is no doubt in that! As I perceiver to the next chapter in my life, I am so glad that I am able to use what life experience I have thus far and use it to reach out to others. It is of no mistake that I am in the profession I am in, one that requires human contact and being present and attentive to others in their own process. I am getting so very close of becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist- just that alone makes me so excited. I want my professional dreams to happen yesterday, but I know, great things happen to those who wait and who are patient.

Beauty

Lights, Camera, Action!!!

This morning, I was blindsided on my way to work to find that right in front of my office was blocked off by police. The scene itself looked like something absolutely horrific had just occurred. Cops were circled around directing the cluster of cars which were bumper to bumper. My reaction was not one of worry or concern- rather I found a parking spot and grabbed my camera.

What I thought was an accident turned out to be a car commercial shoot. I could not believe the commotion and stir this all caused. I eavesdropped for a bit and heard the director talk to the cops about how the plan was not well thought out and the line of communication with his boss was not clear. You think? It was the worse time of the day and location. But what are you gonna do?

Flower Power

California Outdoors

You can hear these girls giggling from down the street! I had to take a photo of them. It looks like so much fun and a great way to enjoy the outdoors!

All for Love: L.O.V.E.

Those of you who know me well, know that I am a huge Michael Jackson fan. Me and many million others, right? Nonetheless, it is of great disservice to my 'fanhood' for me to be living in Santa Barbara and never getting out to see the gate. So today, I took a drive out towards Los Olivos, Ca to finally get out to see the gate to Neverland Ranch. It was about an hour drive from Santa Barbara. The drive itself was pretty amazing, mountains, vineyards and way further you can see the ocean. I was so excited. There I was listening to the King himself on my Ipod, singing and just having a hoot. Much to my dismay, what I came to find out is that you can't actually get to the Neverland gate itself. A little voice in my head told me that it might be a possibility, but i persevered on. The gate is blocked off and about a mile away from that is another gate. Sure I can take a photo of that but I kid you not, all it is, is a gate- no sign no nothing. Sad, I know.

After finding that out the hard way, I stopped at a gas station about 5 miles away from the suppose Neverland Gate and asked the attendant about what was up with Neverland. Making small-talk about how great the weather is, I slipped in a comment about Neverland. The attendant laughed to himself and said yah, "It's about a 10 minute drive from here, but most people aren't aware that you can't actually see the Gate itself." My reply, "you don't say?" Finally before I left he looked back at me and said, "you won't believe the crowd of people from all over that drive to see it and then realize all they will get to see is a medal gate, no sign, no nothing! Not only do they stay there but they hang out for hours with flowers and stare at this gate that is no different from any other gate you might come across. They are all a bunch of crazies."

Yep, those crazy people. I pouted during my drive back, while in the inside I had to chuckle at myself. I gave myself a pat on the back and said, "well I tried." Now really what kind of MJ fan would I be if I lived in Santa Barbara and never checked it out. I refuse to do any more research about it- I know somewhere in the world of Google it says you can't get to see the Gate up front. It was a last minute decision. What can I say?

Thank you Google, for providing my photo of Neverland! I do think however, that mine would have turned out a hell of a lot better!!!

Santa Barbara

Just one of many photos to come of California starting with Santa Barbara. After a long weekend of classes, I decided to unwind and take a drive through the mountains in hope to find a good view. My mission this next couple of months is to find some great locations where I can get the best views of downtown. This photo does not do justice in displaying the beauty of Santa Barbara, but it's a start.

California

California, Just getting ready to see more of you!!!!