The Keyhole Beach Arch at Pfeiffer Beach Solstice lights up at sunset on the days around the Winter Solstice. This is an amazing natural phenomenon. Humans have built structures over the centuries on a solstice alignment but natural structures on that alignment are even rarer. This particular day was quite cloudy which muted the effect but it was still something special to experience.
Amid the festive buzz of December, with everyone gearing up for the holidays and Christmas, I find myself drawn to celebrating the winter solstice as well. It’s fascinating to think that Christmas owes part of its timing to ancient traditions, specifically the Roman festival of Saturnalia, which aligned with the solstice. For me, the solstice is a moment of reflection, awe, and connection to earlier human societies, best spent watching the sun dip below the horizon along the coast. However, with rain in the forecast for December 21st this year, I decided to get ahead of the weather and made my pilgrimage a little early.
Egret in flight at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Most of the trails are currently closed due to the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project but there’s a short portion of the boardwalk open where it’s possible to see egrets and other birds.
This was my first journey out to Central Valley to see the Almond Blossoms. This image is at Rodin Farms. Rodin Farms is a great place to see the almond trees in bloom as the vistors can wander trough the orchards admiring the blooms.
These giant heads of US presidents are in the lot of the David Adickes Studio in Houston. I had previously read about abandoned Presidential heads in Virginia. Those heads and these heads are were all made by David Adickes. Seeing the heads in Houston, just sitting around outside was both fascinating and unnerving. Now I want to go Virginia and see the full set abandoned in a field.
The Roman Pool is the highlight of Hearst Castle. It’s a gem.
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve been to Hearst Castle. The “Castle” is both a garish overdone monument to poor taste and a fun place to visit. Some portions, especially the pools, are beautifully done. When I visit, I like to imagine myself a guest during Heart’s heyday. Must have been an incredible experience to be guest.
