Break in Early Fall Rain
Posted by nbdog in Uncategorized on 21-Oct-2014
It’s late October and we’re entering the seasonal pattern of strings of rainy days. There was a brief break this morning so I raced to the golf course and got in a quick round (with a satisfactory 86). On the way home I snapped this view of the afternoon sun on Mt. Si.
Home is Nice Too
Posted by nbdog in Around the house on 19-Oct-2014
After our trips we always seem to find new appreciation of where we live. There are so many beautiful places but this little corner of the world is pretty nice too. Here’s a view of late afternoon yesterday and sunrise this morning.
Death Valley – Ubehebe Crater
Almost on a whim we decided to check out the Ubehebe Crater at the northern-most end of the park. What a great surprise. The crater is very impressive as are the views in all directions from the crater’s edge. ⇒photos
Death Valley – Badwater Basin, Devil’s Golf Course
Badwater Basin is the epitome of Death Valley: salt flats at the lowest point in North America… 282 feet below sea level. On the way to Badwater we stopped at the famous Devil’s Golf Course.
Me at the Devil’s Golf Course
Death Valley – Dante’s View
Dante’s View is just 15 miles or so from Furnace Creek and at 5,500 feet it offers great views of the Death Valley Basin (including the Devil’s Golf Course). I hiked about half a mile south to get better panoramic views of the valley.
Death Valley – Zabriskie Point Sunrise
All the guide books say it’s the thing to do so we got up early and made the short drive from Furnace Creek to Zabriskie Point to watch the sunrise. It was definitely worth it. Death Valley is not nearly as colorful as Capitol Reef, Canyonlands or the Grand Canyon but the rising sun certainly painted some lovely tones on the mountains and weird geologic formations. ⇒photos
Death Valley National Park
Departing Santa Barbara in the morning we arrived in Death Valley in time to do a bit of exploring before nightfall. We drove the famous Artist’s Drive in the wonderful afternoon sunlight and took a few minutes to admire the stunning, star-filled sky before collapsing into bed. ⇒photos
Hwy 190 west of Death Valley
Channel Islands National Park
We spent a lovely afternoon cruising out to the Channel Islands National Park off the coast of Santa Barbara. On the outward trip we were accompanied by a great number of dolphins who entertained us with their spectacular leaps out of the water. I wonder if they are having as much fun as it seems to us. Then there was a brief spotting of an enormous whale. Here’s a selection of photos (20).
East Anacapa Island
Santa Barbara Golf – Glen Annie
Glen Annie GC. Waiting to tee of on the tantalizing 286 yard par 4 12th hole.
Today was an unexpected treat. Just last night I noticed that the Glen Annie course was designed by one of my favorite architects, Robert Muir Graves. I associate Graves’ layouts with wonderful integration of holes into the existing landscape, plans that allow for different strategies on many holes, and challenging but fair placement of bunkers and doglegged fairways. His courses are never boring or repetitious neither visually nor mentally. Your mind and eyes are constantly engaged. With a 125 slope rating, I was pleased to get around in 87. Would love to play this one again.
Santa Barbara beach
After our round of golf, Bill led me on a walk along the beach on an absolutely beautiful afternoon. ⇒ 11 photos
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