The Adventure Continues!

I wrote my anniversary post on Saturday.  At that point we were undecided on what we would actually do on our anniversary.  We tossed around several ideas and finally decided on Disney's California Adventure.  Seems appropriate, doesn't it?

This park opened in 2001 and we went for the first time in 2002 or 2003.  We hadn't been back since so there were lots of new and exciting things to experience!  One of our favorite Disney features - live music!  The Five and Dime group:

The Hollywood Tower of Terror wasn't even built back when we went.  It was really fun!

I love having a park dedicated to California landmarks.  I'll always be a California girl at heart!  Lots of photo spots.  Hollywood:

Route 66:

We were getting ready to be spun or flung or twirled or dipped...

The Ferris Wheel is always fun!

We got a bit wet on the Grizzly River Run:

The Grizzly!

On our way out of the park, we caught a parade:

It was a fun day.  We were only there about eight hours - that was plenty!  The weather was perfect, a little overcast so not too warm.  Crowds, for a holiday, seemed really light.  And the best part?  I spent it with my lifetime partner in adventure!

When is the last time you were at an amusement park?

Fire Season

Next Tuesday is the first day of Fall.  Many bloggers are writing about the changing season, the beauty of falling leaves, cooler temps, sweaters, and pumpkin everything.  Unfortunately for dry California this is fire season.  There are a number of fires burning right now.  The Courtney Fire is near Bass Lake and a friend of ours shared this picture:

It's beautiful in a way, but so scary.  Praying for the fire fighters and those affected by these fires.

Thanksgiving Week ~ Tuesday

I want to say how thankful I am for the beautiful world God created!  Man is good at making messes, but when God was finished with His creation He said it was very good.

We've lived across the ocean this year, with some very beautiful scenery.

Moon setting over Diamond Head

Sun rising over Koko Head

Rainbow after a shower

Maui Sunset

North Shore, Oahu

We live in California, a place that has some very beautiful scenery.

Majestic Yosemite

A lonely dirt trail - because I never know what kind of creature will be on the trail with me - rabbits, squirrels, birds, coyotes, deer, bears, and cows!

Las Llajas Canyon

Pacific Ocean from Santa Barbara

We're across the country this week, looking at beautiful scenery.

El Governor Motel, Mexico Beach, Florida

Soft sand and the Gulf of Mexico

God did very good!

Vog and Wind

I learned a new word this week - Vog.  Wikipedia gives a very good description:

Vog is a form of air pollution that results when sulfur dioxide and other gases and particles emitted by an erupting volcano react with oxygen and moisture in the presence of sunlight. The word is a portmanteau (combination of two or more words) of the words "volcanic", "smog", and "fog". The term is in common use in the Hawaiian islands, where the Kīlauea volcano, on the Island of Hawaiʻi (aka "The Big Island"), has been erupting continuously since 1983. Based on June 2008 measurements, Kīlauea emits 2,000–4,000 tons of sulfur dioxide every day.

The Big Island is approximately 200 miles from Oahu, but when Kona winds blow (instead of Trade winds) the entire state can be affected.  Several people at New Life mentioned this condition last weekend.  It isn't visible on Hawaii, so when I heard the word "vog" I thought they were saying "fog" and looked for a marine layer!

We flew home last night and were greeted with Santa Ana winds.  I thought about running this morning, I was awake around 6:30.  I wanted to get a trail run in, but as I laid (or is it lay?) there in my warm cozy bed, I listened.  The wind was howling!  It was shaking the house.  When I finally got up, I checked the weather app and it was blowing 19 mph with 46 mph gusts!  I know one thing, the trail run would have been an adventure.  Maybe tomorrow...

So a little recap:

Trade Winds blow most of the time in the Islands, bringing a gentle cooling effect and pineapple mist (light rain).
Kona Winds blow from the south bringing vog and hot, sticky weather.
Santa Ana Winds blow in the Southland and typically bring hot, dry weather.

Can you guess which one I like best?