Tuesday, April 9, 2013

California Part 1: The Trip Over Santa Rosa Creek Road


We are back in Vermont, and this time, what struck me most about going from March in Vermont to March in California was the amazing lush color.  It made me think that perhaps the end of winter blues is less of a sunshine deficit, and perhaps more of a color deficit.  When I look out my windows right now all I see is a range of browns and greys.  And just look at all of the colors above.  Even the giant slugs are gorgeous and vibrant (and I mean giant). My eyes and spirits feel revived from the experience, and I think they have stored up enough color memory to get me through until the daffodils bloom.

These photos are from a drive over Santa Rosa Creek Road, which is a meandering mountain pass that links Highway 46 in Paso Robles with Cambria on the coast.  Highway 46 is also gorgeous, with sweeping vistas out to the coast.  But I really enjoyed this drive through little mountain hollows in the rain and fog.  And when we got to the coast the fog was just clearing, and we had the experience of being right on the edge of the fog bank, with the sun peeking through.  It is pretty incredible countryside out there.

7 comments:

  1. So beautiful. I was just in Vermont yesterday, skiing up on Okemo. I noticed that most of the snow is gone, but you're right, it is mostly brown. Same thing here in Massachusetts. Green is now starting to appear though! What beautiful photos! Makes me want to go to the airport right now!

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    1. Thanks Briana! I know, soon the brown will be gone!

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  2. We're still brown down here in Connecticut too, although the grass seems to be greening up a little. I always love your photos, and Emmett is so adorable. Looks like a fun trip!

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    1. Thanks so much Kristen! I'm sure you guys will be greening up soon!

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  3. These are amazing photos--only fueling my desire to go road tripping along the west coast! (I am in Seattle and feeling very sun-deprived right now.)

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    1. I'd love to do a long road trip vacation down the west coast some time! I haven't made it to Seattle yet, but I really hope to get there sometime soon.

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  4. It's interesting (and may help you feel a little better) knowing that I always have the opposite feeling when we come east from California to Vermont in mid-summer. By that time everything here is gold (grasses on the hillsides) or green (oaks or grapevines). And it's the same intense light every day. Coming to Vermont you have all the other hues in the rainbow, and this wonderfully soft light that changes depending on clouds and the texture of the atmosphere. So hang on... the situation will reverse itself soon enough.

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