Morro Bay Harbor, CA (No. 3)

Morro Bay is the name of the large estuary that is situated along the northern shores of the bay itself. The larger bay on which the local area lies is Estero Bay, which also encompasses the communities of Cayucos and Los Osos. The city of Morro Bay is 20 km (12 mi) northwest of San Luis Obispo and is located on Highway 1. Los Osos Creek discharges into Morro Bay.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.3 square miles (27 km2), of which, 5.3 square miles (14 km2) of it is land and 5.0 square miles (13 km2) of it (48.63%) is water.

Source: Wikipedia

Interesting Paths to Walk Along the High Peaks Trail! (Pinnacles National Park) by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: While walking the High Peaks Trail in Pinnacles National Park. The view is looking down a rock face and to the north. My thought in composing this image was to capture that look along the path I’d just walked up with the notches for going up the face. The railing is for support in the walk up the rock face.

Gothic Study at Hearst Castle, California, USA

Gothic Study at Hearst Castle, California, USA

Enigmatic shadows. Tall and watchful, the mysterious Dark Watchers observe from afar across the Santa Lucia Mountains.

William Morris,  Night and Day, 1860s  ::  [Guillaume Gris]

* * * *

“I always found in myself a dread of west and love of east. Where I ever got such an idea I cannot say, unless it could be that morning came over the peaks of the Gabilans and the night drifted back from the ridges of the Santa Lucias. It may be that the birth and death of the day had some part in my feeling about the two ranges of mountains.”

― John Steinbeck, East of Eden

Niche Crytpids #2: The Dark Watchers

This is one of my favorites! The Dark Watchers are a very old piece of folklore originating from the Santa Lucia mountain range in California. It is said these (very) tall figures stand motionless in the hills during twilight and dawn, watching you from afar as you wander the wilderness. Should you ever approach them, they seemingly vanish into thin air! It’s a bit unclear on which group the legend can be attributed to, but it seems to most often be to Spanish colonizers, as nothing in the folklore of the local Chumash people translates directly to the Dark Watchers. Regardless of origin, this folklore has existed for a long time and has influenced quite a few writers and artists, including John Steinbeck! Cool! As for less supernatural explanations of the phenomena, there are a ton. The most common are attributed to isolation, exhaustion, animals doing animal things, pareidolia, or just the good ol’ Brocken specter.

Thanks to my patrons for picking this prompt for April's Illustration!

A Giant Load Of Christmas Prompts

Ah once again, tis the season and I love every bit of it (lol). Taking requests for Top Gun Maverick, Outer Range, Bad Times At The El Royale, Catch 22 (Hulu), Salem's Lot, Press Play, Lessons in Chemistry (I wanna do Calvin so bad, lol) and Yellowstone.

The babies trying to help decorate for Christmas

Chaos in the grocery store while they're trying to get the fixins for Christmas dinner

Prepping the little general store and cafe for Christmas

"You um......you've got a little cream from your latte still on your lip, do you want me to get it?"

Trying to perfect a recipe for when the family comes for dinner so their s.o decides to help

Coming home after a long day and getting to watch their favorite Christmas movie

Sneaking the perfect Christmas gift into their s.o's stocking

Baby's first Christmas

"I made this for you, it might not be perfect but at least I tried"

Their s.o coming home after being away for a little while

The whole family in matching pjs

One of the kids messing up a line in the Christmas play at school

"You did all this while I was at work? It's so beautiful!"

Putting the kids to sleep on Christmas Eve

Sewing a new stocking for one of the family members

"Oh my God! What'd you put in this? It's delicious!"

Trying to recreate a dance scene from White Christmas

That one special ornament for the tree

Getting married on Christmas Eve

Making a Christmas sweater for their s.o and the family dog

Decorating the barn/stables for the critters

Christmas barn dance

Making Christmas cookies for people at work or family friends

Singing Christmas carol parodies in the kitchen

Reading a Christmas story/fairy tale to the kids before bed

The kids waking everybody up on Christmas morning

Taking their little girl to see The Nutcracker

"I think I have one extra surprise left for you"

Going to the town Christmas market

Taking sexy Christmas photos for their s.o (SMUT)

Ugly Christmas slippers

Sleeping in on Christmas morning

"This little tree reminds me of the one from Charlie Brown"

Snuggling by the fireplace

Making an ice rink in the backyard so everyone can play the annual Christmas hockey game

Seeing their s.o in a fancy Christmas dress for an event

Making homemade Christmas candles

Elf on the shelf

The babies leaving cookies, milk and food for Santa and his reindeer

Looking at the family Christmas photos from when their s.o was a baby

Making food and baked goods for an elderly neighbor for the holidays

"Do you wanna build a snowman?"

Playing Secret Santa

Sleepover under the tree

Going to pick out the Christmas tree

Candles in the window

Christmas walk through the woods (St. Lucia walk)

Making birdseed Christmas ornaments for the birds that come to the bird-feeder

The kids writing letters to Santa at school

Kissing under the mistletoe (sometimes leads to SMUT)

Sunset View of Wagon Caves, Santa Lucia Range in the Ventana Wilderness ~ Los Padres National Forest, California [1800x1500] [OC]

Big Sur Kate:

Key Points--

* Moderate to strong Atmospheric River impacts the region today

* Direct threat to life and property from wind and water impacts

* Flooding of streets, creeks, and streams is expected

* Moderate to major impacts may occur from river flooding

* Flash flooding, debris flows, and shallow landslides are possible

in complex terrain

* Downed trees expected with widespread power outages possible

* Difficult to impossible travel for some areas due to road closures

The much advertised atmospheric river is taking aim on

the central California coast this morning with deep moisture

advection spreading inland at this hour. Rainfall so far this

morning has been light, generally a few hundredths of an inch per

hour or so. However, rain will increase in coverage and intensity

through the remainder of the morning as a strengthening surface low

approaches the northern and central California coast. As such,

southerly winds will strengthen to around at 25 to 40 mph with gusts

to 50 mph. Gusts of up to 70 mph are expected along the coast,

ridges, peaks and coastal gaps. Winds will be strongest between 4 AM

- 12 PM PDT and likely result in downed trees with the potential for

widespread power outages. With respect to the rain, the highest

rainfall amounts through the day will be in the coastal ranges and

inland hills with 2-3" totals from the Santa Cruz Mountains

northward and 3-6" in the Santa Lucia ranges with isolated amounts

up to 8" in the favored peaks.

Buying Property Or Land For Sale In Uvita, Costa Rica

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Morro Bay Harbor, CA (No. 2)

During World War II, there was a U.S. Navy base, Amphibious Training Base Morro Bay on the north side of Morro Rock where sailors were trained to operate LCVPs. The breakwater on the southwest side of the Rock was built in 1944–45 to protect the LCVPs entering and leaving the harbor. Soldiers from Camp San Luis Obispo would come to Morro Bay and practice loading into the LCVPs. Many of those men were at Normandy on D-Day.

In the 1940s, Morro Bay developed an abalone fishing industry; it peaked in 1957, and stocks of abalone have declined significantly due to overfishing. Halibut, sole, rockfish, albacore, and many other species are still caught by both commercial and sport vessels. In addition, oysters are aquacultured in the shallow back bay.

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company built the Morro Bay Power Plant in the early 1950s, which created jobs and increased the tax base. The city incorporated in 1964. The plant closed in February 2014.

Source: Wikipedia

Monday, February 19, 2024

Flood watches issued as another round of wet winter storms hits California (AP) The latest in a series of wet winter storms blew ashore in Northern California on Sunday, with forecasters warning of possible flooding, hail, strong winds and even brief tornadoes as the system moves south over the next few days. Gusts topped 30 mph (48 kph) in Oakland and San Jose as a mild cold front late Saturday gave way to a more powerful storm that will gain strength into early Monday, said meteorologist Brayden Murdock with the National Weather Service office in San Francisco. California’s central coast is at risk of “significant flooding,” with up to 5 inches (12 cm) of rain predicted for many areas, according to the weather service. Isolated rain totals of 10 inches (25 cm) are possible in the Santa Lucia and Santa Ynez mountain ranges as the storm heads toward greater Los Angeles.

Prominent Black Church Leaders Call for End of U.S. Aid to Israel (NYT) Leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the country’s oldest and most prominent Black Christian denominations, called this week for the United States to end its financial aid to Israel, saying the monthslong military campaign in Gaza amounted to “mass genocide.” Black churches and other faith groups have pushed for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war for months in advertisements, open letters and social media campaigns. Black faith leaders across denominations have amplified their calls as the number of dead rises. More than 28,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to health officials there, many of them women and children. But the A.M.E. council’s statement goes further than a cease-fire demand, insisting that the United States immediately stop its financial support of Israel. It came as Israeli forces pushed into southern Gaza and prepared for a ground assault on Rafah, where more than a million displaced Palestinians are trapped.

Tens of thousands rail against Mexico’s president and ruling party in ‘march for democracy’ (AP) Tens of thousands of demonstrators cloaked in pink marched through cities in Mexico and abroad on Sunday in what they called a “march for democracy” targeting the country’s ruling party in advance of the country’s June 2 elections. The demonstrations called by Mexico’s opposition parties advocated for free and fair elections in the Latin American nation and railed against corruption the same day presidential front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum registered as a candidate for ruling party Morena. Approximately 90,000 people turned out to rail against the leader, according to government figures. Sheinbaum is largely seen as a continuation candidate of Mexico’s highly popular populist leader Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He’s adored by many voters who say he bucked the country’s elite parties from power in 2018 and represents the working class. But the 70-year-old president has also been accused of making moves that endanger the country’s democracy.

Surging cocaine violence has Uruguay clamoring for DEA help (Reuters) Uruguay’s main port received two cargo scanners sixteen years ago to detect drugs and other suspicious loads. Unfortunately, during delivery one of them fell into the sea. Since then, cocaine shipments to Europe have surged through the port of Montevideo, which handled a record 1.1 million containers last year, fueling a rise in gang violence and undermining Uruguay’s reputation as a beacon of stability in turbulent South America. Uruguay’s current center-right government, which took office the following year, has repeatedly asked the DEA to return but U.S. officials say there are no imminent plans to do so. Three former DEA officials told Reuters that—with Washington focused on fentanyl flooding its borders from Mexico and little of the cocaine that transits through Uruguay heading to the United States—there’s scant appetite for seeking congressional approval to re-open a Montevideo office. “Everything’s fentanyl now,” said former DEA official Larry Reichner, who oversaw Uruguay as the DEA’s assistant regional director for southern South America from 2015-2019. “They couldn’t give a rat’s — about cocaine.”

Britain’s David Cameron visits the Falkland Islands as Argentina renews its sovereignty claim (AP) Foreign Secretary David Cameron will visit the Falkland Islands this week to show they are a “valued part of the British family,” the U.K. government said Sunday. Britain’s top diplomat is making the trip amid renewed calls by Argentina for negotiations over the contested South Atlantic archipelago. The Foreign Office said Cameron will meet Falklands government officials, pay his respects to war dead and visit some of the islands’ 3,500 people and 1 million penguins. He’s the first British Cabinet minister since 2016 to visit the Falklands, over which Britain and Argentina fought a brief war in 1982.

Macron says recognizing a Palestinian state is not a taboo for France (AP) French President Emmanuel Macron says recognizing a Palestinian state is not a “taboo” for France, as international frustration grows with Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories. France and the EU have long supported a two-state solution in the Mideast, but as part of a negotiated settlement. With talks long stalled and Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza deepening, some European countries are voicing support for recognizing a Palestinian state sooner. “Recognizing a Palestinian state is not a taboo for France,” Macron said Friday at a meeting in Paris with Jordan’s King Abdullah. “We owe it to Palestinians, whose aspirations have been trampled on for too long. We owe it to Israelis, who lived through the worst antisemitic massacre of our time. We owe it to a region that is seeking to rise above those who promote chaos and seed revenge.”

Over 400 detained in Russia as country mourns the death of Alexei Navalny (AP) Over 400 people were detained in Russia while paying tribute to opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died at a remote Arctic penal colony, a prominent rights group reported. The sudden death of Navalny, 47, was a blow to many Russians. Navalny remained vocal in his unrelenting criticism of the Kremlin even after surviving a nerve agent poisoning and receiving multiple prison terms. The news reverberated across the globe, and hundreds of people in dozens of Russian cities streamed to ad-hoc memorials and monuments to victims of political repressions with flowers and candles on Friday and Saturday to pay a tribute to the politician. In over a dozen cities, police detained 401 people by Saturday night.

Iran, wary of wider war, urges its proxies to avoid provoking U.S. (Washington Post) Iran, eager to disrupt U.S. and Israeli interests in the Middle East but wary of provoking a direct confrontation, is privately urging Hezbollah and other armed groups to exercise restraint against U.S. forces, according to officials in the region. Israel’s brutal war on Hamas in Gaza has stoked conflict between the United States and Iran’s proxy forces on multiple fronts. With no cease-fire in sight, Iran could face the most significant test yet of its ability to exert influence over these allied militias. When U.S. forces launched strikes this month on Iran-backed groups in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, Tehran publicly warned that its military was ready to respond to any threat. But in private, senior leaders are urging caution, according to Lebanese and Iraqi officials who were briefed on the talks.

Netanyahu Says He Won’t Bow to Pressure to Call Off Rafah Invasion (NYT) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel insisted on Saturday that Israel would not bow to international pressure to call off its plan for a ground invasion of Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza that is now packed with more than a million Palestinians. Many of the people now in Rafah are displaced and living in schools, tents or the homes of friends and relatives, part of a desperate search for any safe refuge from Israel’s military campaign, which has dragged on for more than four months. Their lives are a daily struggle to find enough food and water to survive. “Those who want to prevent us from operating in Rafah are basically telling us: Lose the war,” Mr. Netanyahu said at a news conference in Jerusalem on Saturday evening. “It’s true that there’s a lot of opposition abroad, but this is exactly the moment that we need to say that we won’t be doing a half or a third of the job.”

Nigeria’s currency has fallen to a record low (AP) Nigerians are facing one of the West African nation’s worst economic crises in years triggered by surging inflation, the result of monetary policies that have pushed the currency to an all-time low against the dollar. The situation has provoked anger and protests across the country. The latest government statistics released Thursday showed the inflation rate in January rose to 29.9%, its highest since 1996, mainly driven by food and non-alcoholic beverages. Nigeria’s currency, the naira, further plummeted to 1,524 to $1 on Friday, reflecting a 230% loss of value in the last year. “My family is now living one day at a time (and) trusting God,” said trader Idris Ahmed, whose sales at a clothing store in Nigeria’s capital of Abuja have declined from an average of $46 daily to $16.

Coming to an airport near you (NYT) Biometrics are transforming the way we travel. The technology, which identifies travelers using unique physical traits like fingerprints and faces, is becoming more common at airports in the United States. As a result, time-consuming rituals that once required repeated ID checks—such as bag dropping, security screening and boarding—are getting easier and faster. Some experts believe that this will be the year that biometric use, primarily facial recognition, becomes standard at many airports. The technology offers several advantages: enhanced security, quicker processing of passengers and a more convenient airport experience. Executives at various airlines tell me they believe passengers are becoming more comfortable with using biometrics in their daily lives. Many people regularly use facial recognition to unlock their phones, and shoppers can use their palms to pay for groceries at some Whole Foods stores. Cody Venzke, senior policy counsel on privacy and technology at the American Civil Liberties Union, said the government had not yet shown a demonstrated need for facial-recognition technology at airports. And he expressed concern over what he called the “nuclear scenario.” “Facial recognition technology,” he said, could be “the foundation for a really robust and widespread government surveillance and tracking network.”

Tai chi reduces blood pressure better than aerobic exercise, study finds (NPR) Tai chi, a traditional, slow-moving form of Chinese martial art, is known to increase flexibility and improve balance. Now, new research suggests it's better than more vigorous aerobic exercises for lowering blood pressure in people with prehypertension. Prehypertension is blood pressure that's higher than normal but doesn't quite reach the level of high blood pressure, or hypertension. The new findings, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, add to a large body of research pointing to health benefits from tai chi, a wellness practice that combines slow, gentle movements and postures with mindfulness. It's often called meditation in motion.

Delicious Cuisines and Homemade Crafts – Ideal Gifts to Buy at Copenhagen Christmas Markets

There is little like a magical Christmas market to celebrate the festive season, with the scents of traditional food, twinkling lights and soaring Christmas trees, accompanied by a dusting of snow in the crisp December air.

Copenhagen Christmas markets are often considered the best in Europe, with multiple markets to choose between, from the famous celebrations in Tivoli Gardens to the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market, where little ones can visit Santa Claus to make the day even more memorable.

In this article, the team at the Baltic Travel Company has compiled a guide to the perfect gifts, Christmas decorations and sweet treats to buy at any of the Christmas markets dotted throughout the Danish capital city with some tips and advice for first-time visitors to ensure you make the most of your winter holidays.

Choosing Which Christmas Markets in Copenhagen to Visit

As we’ve indicated, there are many Christmas markets within the city, set against the backdrop of Copenhagen’s canals, cosy atmosphere and the architecture that is synonymous with Danish design.

While the best Christmas market in Copenhagen might be subjective, here are a few of our very favourites to visit during Christmas time:

Nytorv Square Christmas Market is held in the largest square in the city next to the Royal Theatre, Charlottenborg Palace and the Magasin Department Store. The market extends down to Nyhavn, with myriad charming stalls to visit while kayaks sail around the harbour.

Højbro Square Christmas Market in the city centre is a stunning market, bracketed by wooden stalls illuminated by 180,000 sparkling lights, with a range of heritage artisans to watch spin their crafts, such as blown glass and handmade wool.

The HC Andersen Christmas Market is smaller and based on the culture and history of Denmark, with a Christmas carousel that is a gorgeous photo opportunity.

Tivoli Gardens, the renowned theme park and visitor attraction, has a world of festive fantasy with rides, shows, performances and fireworks to offset the stalls and cafes.

Most of the Copenhagen Christmas markets are open for late-night shopping on Thursday and open between November and mid-December, with hotel recommendations available within walking distance from our experienced travel advisers.

Sampling the Delights of Traditional Danish Treats

The food typically served within a Copenhagen Christmas market is itself worth a visit, with an endless array of powdered sugar cookies, warming red wine, sweet apple slices, and other delicious snacks to try in between shopping, ice skating, or watching the floating Santa Lucia Parade.

Visitors can embrace the cosy setting of a local café or Copenhagen Old Town while they watch the traditional Danish Santa Lucia Parade or join in with carol singing and boat rides alongside the Nyhavn Christmas Market on the quayside.

You can purchase konfekt – made from marzipan, chocolate and nougat – as a special gift, buy vanilje kranse, or bow-shaped biscuits, or pick up some delightful snebolde (snowball) treats coated with a coconut topping.

During Christmas time, many shoppers also indulge in a hot dog cooked over smoking coals and a cup of sweet, fragrant mulled wine to keep themselves toasty while they soak up the sights and fragrances of a bustling Copenhagen Christmas market.

Looking for a festive gift that offers an alternative take on Christmas cuisine for a foodie friend back home? Head for one of the stalls selling brun kage or pebernødder (loosely translated as pepper cookies), a quintessentially Danish Christmas treat you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Unique Gifts and Crafts to Look for in Christmas Markets in Copenhagen

A Copenhagen Christmas market is an amazing place to search for beautiful decorations, gifts and handmade items that will mean the world to the recipient – and you’ll have a wonderful time as you shop!

There are stalls selling everything from crafts and clothing to artwork, clocks, baubles, leather goods, garlands, glassware, wooden ornaments, children’s toys and knitted items that are a testament to the skill and passion of the artisans behind them.

If you’re stuck for inspiration, here are some of the gifts you can buy at almost any Copenhagen Christmas market:

Scandinavian hand-poured scented candles set in elegant glass votives are a must-have present for family members.

Ceramics and jewellery should be carefully packaged to keep them safe on your way home, but a handmade piece of Danish tableware or a gorgeous brooch will be sure to delight.

For kids, our preference has to be the traditional wooden toys, puppets, carousels and even chess sets. They will last generations and are lovingly crafted with exquisite attention to detail.

Nothing beats Danish knitwear for warmth and cosiness, and a pair of snug hand-woven socks, gloves or a scarf will easily banish the December chill at home in the UK.

Alongside these wares, you’ll find a wealth of decorations such as trinkets, ornaments and baubles to hang on your own tree or display over your hearth bringing the holiday spirit to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations.

Copenhagen Christmas Market Shopping FAQs

If this is your first time visiting a Copenhagen Christmas market, we appreciate that a few pointers may prove helpful and ensure you find the best Christmas markets and know the confirmed dates well before you travel.

While every Christmas market has convenient opening hours and will guarantee a wonderful atmosphere, it’s normally fine to pay via card if you aren’t carrying Kroner with you – although some stalls selling smaller items prefer cash, most have card readers.

The biggest Christmas markets in Copenhagen are enchanting but may be overwhelming for infants or those with mobility needs. Tivoli Christmas Market is among the most visited, but we’d suggest a trip in November to avoid the crowds and when the queues for the rides will be shorter.

Finally, city break copenhagen as a city is very walkable, and the public transport system is reliable and low-cost. However, if you’re worried about walking long distances, it’s best to note that most Christmas markets don’t open until around the late morning, and you should pre-book a taxi if you wish to ensure your day is comfortable and well-organised.

If you’d like further information or advice about planning your trip to visit the best Christmas markets in Copenhagen or other Christmas holidays, please get in touch or browse our short holiday break packages online.

Original Source: - https://www.baltictravelcompany.com/blog/index.php/denmark-2/gifts-to-buy-at-copenhagen-christmas-markets/

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