Flying Treo of Fun

Bass Lake -- Another boring day on the lake.

Full Moon at Bass Lake

Near Yosemite National Park -- Bass Lake is nowhere near Los Angeles, but many LA folks visit each summer, including our family making this our 47th-annual vacation.

Last night we enjoyed a full moon during dinner and just had to share this scene on Daily Photo LA.

This was a 30-second exposure using natural light, except for the flood lights shining on the sails.

Jones Store

Western Sierra -- Locals call it the “back country.” Six thousand feet up in the fresh air of the Sierra Nevada, sits an old, red-painted store called, “Jones.” Jones Store was built in the 1950's for lumber jacks and cattle farmers. Today, the lumber business has slowed down, but farmers are still hauling up their cattle while local visitors come for a little slice of heaven.

Originally built as a supply depot, these days Jones Store serves anyone who drives by on the pine-lined, Sierra back road. Vern is 90-years young now and still serves up some of the best cheeseburgers and hometown conversation in these parts.

Today, Amber and I met up with Jim and Danny, farmers in the area. We talked for nearly an hour about life as a farmer, politics and of course, Vern's famous burgers.

Dip and Dash

When I was a kid, we used to look for pools on hot, summer days that were not being used. Often it required hopping a fence. Although some may consider our deviant deeds breaking and entering, I choose to call it innocent trespassing.

The girl pictured has committed no such crime, but it does remind me of the good ol' days of playing "Dip and Dash."

Same To You, Buddy!

I call it a Photo Safari when ever I walk down a street with camera in tow looking for subject to shoot. Sometimes I will "steal" shots but mostly I talk with strangers and at least ask if I can take their photo.

This guy smiled, turned around and bent over for the camera. He actually did not want his photo taken but he did give me permission to keep this masterpiece. We later shook hands and laughed after he saw his photo in the LCD display. All in fun.

Found in LA

Los Angeles -- All kinds found here in LA. I love this town!

Point Vicente Lighthouse

Palos Verdes Peninsula --Lori Lynn of San Pedro Daily Photo covers this stretch of land overlooking the Pacific and does an excellent job.

Recently, Lori posted more impressive shots of the peninsula, which offer beautiful driving destinations for local residents. Point Vicente Lighthouse is one, as well as White Point and the newly expanded Point Vicente Interpretive Center where you can watch the whales migrate.

One of my all-time favorite drives is up the Central California coast along Highway 1. The road winds along rugged cliffs offering motorist incredible views and memorable stops along the way. Getting there from LA is at least three hours. However, the Palos Verdes Peninsula is a mini version of the historic Hwy 1 and is only a short 30-minute drive from Downtown LA (without traffic...).

It's worth every drop of fuel and may even add a little more joy to your life!

Overlooking Long Beach

Long Beach -- Congestion is part of LA's identity. Most towns by the Pacific Ocean are even more condensed as in this photo of downtown Long Beach and the LA Harbor. Look closely and you can see the Queen Mary with her red stacks as well as Catalina Island in the background, about 26 miles from the mouth of the harbor.

Expression on the Fence

Sierra Madre -- Most artist like to show their work. After work, I am a musician and photographer and I express my art through voice, guitar and making images available to the public via this blog and other sites. However, this artist shows their work in their front yard. From left to right, we see the famous ferris wheel on the Santa Monica pier, ( which is also the end of Route 66), Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, and the Hollywood sign overlooking "Tinsel Town." Yet I'm not sure what is on the far right. One common theme dominates: Southern California sunshine.

Doggy Duty

Pasadena -- One must appreciate the neighbor's effort.

For the heck of it, I looked up duty in the dictionary. It read, "Something that one is expected or required to do by moral or legal obligation."

Taking Life Easy

Mammoth Lakes -- Five hours north of Los Angeles is a destination resort in a most natural setting. Mammoth Lakes is one of LA's backyard playgrounds with world class trout fishing, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, and in the winter, one of the largest ski areas in the West, if not in the world.

Like most people, I don't get too much time to "take it easy." Life is busy with family commitments, over 50-hours of work a week (not complaining...) and a myriad of other events that seem to take over the calendar like weeds in a neglected garden.

At least I have this photo to muse on--to dream and look forward to going to again in a few weeks!

Roughing It L.A. Style

What ever happened to adventure?

Big Blast Over Arrowhead

Lake Arrowhead -- Hundreds of ski boats create a colorful horizon as a teen looks out over the lake to a fireworks spectacle.

Pirates Invade North Shore

Lake Arrowhead -- Fourth of July vacationers make room in the cove for partying pirates and all their swashbuckling mischief.

Loyalty Defined

There is something amazing about a dog and it's dedication.

Greetings From Chinatown

Los Angeles -- My fiance and I decided to go for a short photo walk in Los Angeles after work. It was just after sunset and not many people were on the streets. When I go out to shoot, I look for people as subjects. Disappointed, we continued to walk, looking for anything interesting or provocative to shoot. Minutes later, an Asian woman saw our cameras slung over our shoulders and asked us to take her picture. While raising her hands, in a strong accent, she shouted, "Take picture! Take picture!"

I wondered why she asked to have her photo taken? Perhaps she had this crazy idea that her photo would be published on the internet for the whole world to see. What was she thinking...?

OK, World, say hello!