Joy
LIGHT
of
the
FAREWELL 2004
a short trip to the southland
A New Year's Eve Sunset Rainbow
in the San Jaoquin Valley
On December 30th, 2004 - I left the warmth and comfort of my San Francisco flat - and set off on one of my famous unplanned little photo trips. At around noon - driving my trusty CRV into a driving rain - the only plan I had was of direction - south. A fierce winter storm had closed all of the highways to the east over the Sierra and to the north through the Siskiyous. I'd thought of driving up to the Redwoods - but I knew I'd be on the road on New Year's Eve - and Southern California sounded like an adventure.
My trip started off with my rolling down Highway 101 - and the rain rolled with me. I drove into San Luis Obispo just after 5 PM and decided to secure a room there for the night. The rain was heavier than ever. I knew a number of good restuarants nearby - and that lodging tends to run a little less money there than at the points further south. After checking into the motel - I would drive another 12 miles south into Pismo Beach for dinner and a very wet walk out onto the pier. The night ended early. Heavy rains and wind would awaken me several times before the dawn. I was on the road at 6:30 the next morning - New Year's Eve 2004.
Patches of blue and shafts of sunlight piercing the gray overhead were a surprise. I stopped at the famous Cinnamon Bun Shop in Pismo Beach and bought the first walnut sticky-bun I'd had in several years. These are always better than I'd remembered - and I rarely pass through Pismo Beach without this 'must' stop.
Upon leaving Pismo Beach -my plan was to head down Highway 1 - but after being turned back twice by flood waters that had closed the highway - I decided to return to U.S. 101 which cuts inland for the next 60 miles.
Refugio State Park. Here - there was damage - and the park was closed. But none of the staff seemed to object to my driving past the barricades. The rangers were surveying the damage and there was flooding. The place was still gorgeous - though the surf right along the beach was the color of dark chocolate.
After an hour long visit - it was time to move on. I would make a short coffee stop in Santa Barbara. Here, I was sorry I couldn't spend more time - as this is one of the most beautiful cities anywhere. Yet I wanted to make it to Santa Monica before returning home. And my goal was to be back well ahead of the New Year's Eve traffic and parties. So this defined my afternoon. Santa Monica was also with its share of weather related problems. Most obvious was the impact of the flooded tunnel by the Pier. Traffic in both directions had to share a single bore. The back-up was noticeable - but mild - by Southern California standards.
After lunch at Elvira's Cha-Cha Caribbean Restaurant and a walk out onto The Santa Monica Pier, it was time to head to Interstate 5 and home. I would have a direct and uneventful trip back to the Bay Area, save for a rainstorm that kicked up just before sunset. This would have me take a temporary exit in the middle of nowhere - and a photographer's shot at the last light of the old year. A fitting farewell to 2004!
a farewell to
2004
Winter Farming in Santa Barbara County - This was the muddy scene at a farm just outside Los Alamos, California
Refugio State Park
Some flooding - yet nonetheless beautiful.
Santa Barbara
The Lobero Theatre across from the main Post Office - in one the loveliest of California cities.
Traffic in Santa Monica
creeps along toward the flooded auto tunnel near the pier. Heavy rains forced the closure of the southbound bore.
And finally...
Last Light in the San Jaoquin Valley
New Year's Eve sunset near Kettleman City.
This would be my last image of the year. Taken in the same location as the 'Sunset Rainbow' photo at the top of the page - about 10 minutes later.
FEATURE STORY
The forecast was for more rain but as I headed south - the weather just got more and more beautiful. My jacket soon found its place on the seat beside me - and was delighted at the billowy clouds and dramatic light changes being cast across the landscape. The highway re-
connects with the coast at Gaviota State Park - which was closed due to flooding. So, I continued on about another five miles further - to the exit at the entrance into
December 30, 2004
c.2004 - Stephen Phillips Photography
LIGHT
Joy
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copyright 2004 and 2007 - Stephen Phillips Photography
PISMO BEACH PIER
Drenching rains and an extremely low tide combine to the produce a contrast of positive and negative light - on and against form.
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