VENICE BEACH, CALIFORNIA

A few days before we went to Bend at the beginning of the month - ...we took a trip to Venice Beach.  I hadn't been there in about 35 years or so.  My sister used to live nearby when she was living at the beach way back in the 70's. 

I couldn't believe the amount of people walking along the boardwalk.  To my husband's surprise one of his shows he watches on cable is "Freak Show" and we found ourselves walking along and coming across the building where they have their freak on and you can go in and watch the show for $5 (which we did)  I'll post more photos of it in the next post I do. 

Anyway - ..what really caught my eye and I enjoyed spending time watching them - was the skateboarders.  I took several shots before walking on down to the shore line. 

I love getting out and going to places we haven't seen in a long time.  This was a great day for me and I really loved being where all the action was on this Sunday in April.

I then saw some more action and caught the seagull taking off.

This seagull kept flying near the California state flag so I tried to get a couple photos of it flying close - I wanted it directly in front of the flag but the gull was not cooperating.

The building where Freakshow is housed.

And I was so excited to come upon this mural of my favorite artist Van Gogh - ...Not sure what transaction is going on by the people in the corner.

 Venice Beach is known for their murals (I just read that) and almost every building has a painting on it.  I really want to go back but maybe during the week next time when it might not be so crowded.

I will be posting more in my next post - before I continue on with Bend photos.

OUR WINTER STORM YESTERDAY.

Woke up to this - and I didn't think we would get anything...even though 1" was predicted.  It was beautiful and later I will post photos from around my yard.

I admit it I am a photo hoarder.  I take so many that never get posted but I'm going to give it a good try and post most of my snow photos I took yesterday.  Here are some around the area.  I love the look of snow in the mountains.  It covers the dirt and makes everything look better.

I plan to get back out today and see what it looks like further up the mountain - a lot of it has melted no doubt.

These were taken on the way to breakfast yesterday on our way to Blue Jay (a little town a couple miles away).

BEAUTIFUL DRIVE TO "ELK" LAKE AND SOME DEER ALONG THE WAY

Everywhere I've traveled while in Central Oregon is beautiful - a mix of high desert and mountain terrain.  We were on our way to one of the Cascade lakes to spend a few hours.

I saw a family of deer along the way and was able to get pics.

When I saw the pics - it looked like everything was over saturated and I've actually noticed this effect for several months - maybe it's my camera but greens look extremely green in my photos but they do in real time too, especially when various shades of green are in one photo.

Anyway these deer were by the side of the road and we stopped along the shoulder so I could take the photos.

I love where some of my sons live - when in Mill Valley - San Francisco area - we go up to watch the kids, there is a family of three deer that hang around the yard - I haven't posted those photos yet  from our last trip in October - but the buck would hang by the bedroom window and wait for me to come out and pick apples for him that were too high  up in the tree for him to reach.  

Then we come to Bend and I get to see more deer.

I live in the mountains and have yet to see any here.

BACK FROM BEND WITH LOTS OF PHOTOS

And only about 5% of what I took will ever get blogged.  I just so over do it everytime I'm around any of my grandkids.  I had a great time following them around and taking photos, taking walks by myself, going to a beautiful lake with Mike, and my son and the kids when he was off work on Sunday and various other things that kept us busy.    I really will miss them - will miss taking out on walks that are level and not up and down like I have to do here where I live.  I left beautiful weather (a bit chilly in the mornings but warm in the afternoons)...to come home to cloud, wind, fog, and sometimes a little sun.  One day home and I find out we will possibly get snow tomorrow and Friday....but.. only about 1" which is great - that's enough.

Here is Mackenzie walking back from town on a little wall. 

Several times while we were there -we made a trip up to the little town's "All Mixed Up" yogurt shop or "Little Bites" - the two local shops we went to every day.  Bend has a decent size downtown area but in this area where they live about 3 miles or so from town, there is also a small neighborhood town which is very handy for quick walks through the park and to the shop for sweets.  They live 2 houses from Compass Park which we walk through to get to the shops.

ELENA SHUMILOVA

My very favorite photographer that I found on the net awhile back - her photos are beautiful works of art. i love how she says that the light - the shading, etc., is what inspires her to go out and photograph. I definitely get that. If I had a camera like hers - I would never be inside!

I'll be back to my regular posting and visiting by Wednesday. I've missed checking in but it's been busy.

WAVING HELLO FROM BEND -

Every morning I get up and have a beautiful walk ahead of me through the neighborhoods up here.

We have been busy with kids - not just the grandkids but a lot of kids play back and forth at the house and their houses and trying to keep track of who is where or who went to the park etc..is a full time job - there are so many kids right now - it's like they were eggs that just hatched all at once and now they are flying out of the nest and landing everywhere.  Last time we were here just a month or so ago - i didn't see near this many kids.

And at the park (which is basically a matter of one house away so it's really close) - is absolutely filled with kids after school.  I had no problem findings kids who wanted to "jump" and pose for me.

i loved the peaceful scene in this house above - all I need is a chair on that porch and I could watch life happening all around me.