March 31, 2015

More California Scenes






Sharing with Our World Tuesday

Theme Day is Coming

The City Daily Photo Theme for April 1st is "My-Camera Shy Self-Portrait." I suggested the theme and now I need to get busy and post a picture for it!

Here's the photo I submitted as an example. I took it from Skyline Drive and the place we live is located somewhere in the distance.

I'm looking forward to seeing what other photographers come up with for this challenge.

March 30, 2015

Downtown Hollywood

I finally made it to Hollywood! I've been to Los Angeles multiple times but the trip earlier this month was the first time I saw Hollywood. Actually, it's not that impressive. It's busy with traffic, crowded with tourists, and congested with touts seeking to make money off visitors. But we had some laughs and I captured some photos to show you and share with three blog hops. 
Hollywood High School
The Good

We saw some fine murals on Hollywood High School. Stars like John Ritter, Dorothy Dandridge, and Dolores del Rio were painted there by artist Eloy Torrez. Unfortunately I didn't get to see all the images, some of which are hidden by trees.

The Random

Below: I made some random street scenes into a mosaic to show they belong to the same category.
The Fun
It was fun seeing the footprints outside Grumman's Chinese Theatre and the nearby Walk of Fame.  

Sharing with Monday Murals and Mosaic Monday




March 29, 2015

A Swan and a Duck



We saw these birds at the Lake Shrine and Meditation Garden that was the subject of my previous post. I also spotted a pretty bench with a pair of swans as decoration.



Lake Shrine and Gardens

shrine reflelcted in lakeOne of the beautiful places we visited in Southern California was the Lake Shrine at Pacific Palisades. It features a peaceful lake, meditation gardens, and a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. There are symbols and signs honoring five major religions of the world.

On a hill above it is a temple which we did not go to but perhaps we will tour it on a future trip to California. Certainly the lake is worth another visit.

entrance sign

lake and swan



quote from psalmsPeople come here to meditate, pray, or just enjoy the beauty.

Sharing with Inspired Sunday 




March 27, 2015

Spires

At Wayfarers Chapel

Point Vicente Light

Rancho Palos Verdes, California

lighthouse on cliff


Point Vicente Lighthouse

"The site was explored by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo on Oct. 9, 1542, and named Pointe Vicente Bante Maria by Captain George Vancouver in 1793. Placed in service by the U.S. Lighthouse Service on May 1, 1926, it was renamed Point Vicente by the Pacific Geographical Society in 1933. Operation was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939. Radio distress monitoring capability was added in 1942."





March 26, 2015

Point Vicente Sunset

When we were in California, we went to Point Vicente to see the sun go down over the Pacific Ocean. It was a lovely place to stroll, especially considering that winter was still chilling our home back in Virginia. We've been here a couple of times before; see all our Point Vicente posts.


"Do Not Climb On Or Over Railing
Don't Even Think About It"


Sharing with Signs, Signs and  Good Fences


March 24, 2015

Lynn's New Nissan



Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

farm in snowWhile we were in sunny California earlier this month, the weather in Virginia was still wintry. We missed an entire snowstorm, which was nice because we had already seen enough snow for one season! I captured this snow scene on February 24th in Shenandoah County.

The snow had melted by the time we got back except for some on the mountains. We have seen a few flurries since then but for the most part the weather has been cold at night and comfortable during the day, as long as you wear a jacket or thick sweater.
farm

cow
I took photos #2 and 3 last week in Rockingham County after having lunch with my older daughter in Harrisonburg and admiring her brand new car.

Sharing with The Barn Collective

March 23, 2015

Mural and Random Scenes

The Good: Public Art
Venice Beach is known as an off-beat town, but it's popular with tourists and we've visited there several times. There's plenty of art, from large murals to tattoo parlors.

For the Random-osity blog hop, I'm counting a picture of storefronts as "Random." The bright green shop appears to be a doctor's office advertising medical marijuana, but online reviews tell a different story.

At least the "fun" is genuine. Hundreds of people were enjoying the souvenir vendors, the beach, biking, and strolling.

The Random: Street by the Beach
The Fun: Biking
Sharing with Monday Murals

March 22, 2015

Return to Wayfarers Chapel




Frank's favorite place in California is Wayfarers Chapel. Situated on a bluff on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, this inspiring building is an extremely popular spot for weddings. I've posted photos of it previously.

Sharing with Inspired Sunday


Swedenborg (1688-1772) was a Swedish philosopher, scientist and theologian.