From Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on Point Loma, I enjoyed these views of San Diego and the Navy Sub Base.

Looking across San Diego Harbor and the North Island Navy Air Station to the San Diego skyline:  SDH 

Directly below one can see portions of the Sub base:  SDH2
 

Crop of previous shot shows sub being tended alongside one of the piers:  SDH2a 

I drove by the Trump golf course in Rancho Palos Verdes today, and  my camera jumped right out of the car, requiring me to chase it down and take a few shots.

"The Donald" claims to be the designer of his jewel, but in fact he bought the course after one of the holes fell into the ocean, repaired and upgraded it to its present state.  Trump claims his intention is to make his course better and more famous than Pebble Beach in Carmel, CA.  Fat chance, says I, but it is a beauty.

If one has to ask how much are the green fees, you probably can't afford it.

For starters, how about a driving range with a million dollar view: TD1

A long view of a major portion of the course: TD2 

Closeup of the clubhouse area: TD3 

Some of the homes with golf course and ocean views, priceless: TD4 

Oh well, back to the Camp Pendleton and Navy base course for me.

This final post of 3 features our day in and around Litchfield, CT, a favorite location for well heeled New Yorkers to locate their country home.  

This home near town center, bordered by rock wall (no mortar), a common sight in CT countryside. CTo

A real treat to drive a lovely country road, no traffic, and enjoy the scenery. CTp

Like this long distance view of the Litchfield area. CTq

And this windmill. CTr

And this home.  CTs

Near the town center, one of many beautiful old churches.  CTt 

We had a great time and hope to go again next year. 

Hartford claims to be the insurance capitol of the world, and I spent almost 13 years there in my second career.  We spent one day visiting familiar old sites in the city.

Aetna's home office (rear view) as seen from I-84 @ 70 mph, where I was employed.  The claim is that it is the largest Colonial style building in the world.  Dark high rise building on right side is the Hartford Ins. Co. home office. CThb

The Traveler's Tower, where not many years ago the morning traffic reports came from a radio broadcaster stationed in the tower.  Fubar now works in this building. CTi

The state capitol is in downtown Hartford. CTj

An older CT residence, pre 1900, a common sight almost anywhere in  the state. CTk

The Soldier's and Sailor's Memorial Arch, dedicated in 1886 in honor of 4000 Hartford citizens who served in the Civil War. CTl

Another older residence, very peaceful and overlooking a golf course in back. CTm

Fubar and wife return home after a brief ride on a pleasant spring day.CTn

Part III, the last post of our CT trip, will be up tomorrow or next day, covering  our visit to the Litchfield area.

On my first trip since broken neck in Feb 2007, the General and I flew to Connecticut to visit # 2 son (Johnny Fubar in Photographica).  After ample rain, the countryside was lush and green, providing many photo ops.

Of some 200 shots, I have selected 20 to show in 3 posts, sort of a mini tour of CT, hope you enjoy.

The Goodspeed Opera House on the CT river in Haddam:CTab

A small airfield on the river just below the Goodspeed:CTb

Wider view of the opera house and bridge across the river:CTc

The General with me on breezy day along the river:CTd

The Heublein Tower on Talcott Mtn as seen from Simsbury, CT:CTe

Old house in Simsbury, now a Bed & Breakfast:CTf

In Middletown, CT, spotted this 1899 Fire House, reminded me of our Photographica firefighter, DSW, so I took the shot for him: CTg

As our Governator says, "I'll be back" with post 2 in a day or so. 

 

 

The Huntington Beach 3/1 Foundation hosted a fund raising golf tournament to help support the Marines & Sailors of their adopted battalion, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

I gladly complied with their request to shoot the event, and enjoyed the day, visiting with brother Marines and the golfers.

For this post I have selected 4 of some 150 shots.

On a cool and misty morning, carts are lined up and ready to go, TTa 

View from the elevated 11th tee box, TTb 

Long distance shot of two foursomes playing on two different fairways, TTc 

Award to 4th place team got a big laugh, as the foursome had to endure the yelling and screaming of two Marine Drill Instructors, seen here striking the pose, TTd  

 

 

Here you are: BlueOnBlue

And song lyrics for still more blue:

Am I blue, Am I blue
Ain't these tears, in these eyes telling you
How can you ask me am I blue
Why, wouldn't you be too
If each plan
With your man
Done fell through

There was a time
When I was his only one
But now I'm
The sad and lonely one, lonely one

Was I gay
Until today
Now hes gone, and we're through
Am I blue

Sunday morning was a bit gray, but pleasant enough to drive to the pier in San Clemente for a late breakfast.

Restaurant on the pier: SB

Blooming ice plant nearby: SB2

 

 

 

 

Be on the lookout for these two, they are probably up to no good.

The stalker: LA1a 

Last seen at the Campfire Girls cookout, the marshmallow poacher: LA2

I have no clue if this will work, as I cannot find a way to preview first.  

 

 

 

Friday, April 25th, yachts of many sizes and designs gathered at the starting area for the largest International Yacht Race in the world.  Over 400 vessels entered the 2008 race.

My images start about 1 hour before start time and end a few minutes before the horn sends off the first group of boats.

If interested, the entire album can be seen at:

http://ImageEvent.com/colbb/newporttoensenadayachtrace

Several yachts in the channel head for the assembly area.

two more.

Another with tall mast.

Dennis Connor's famous Stars & Stripes.

I chose not to level the horizon in this one so people could remain in the frame.  The assembly area begins to fill.

A number of craft leaving the Yacht Clubs in Newport Beach.

College student crew of the Maritime Academy.

Odd craft proudly carries the U.S. Flag.

These boats pass spectators on the beach at "The Wedge."

Last chance to relax, these crews enjoy quick visit.

Looks like a strategy briefing.

Assembly area continues to grow.

The sharp eyed and curious minds among you may have spotted the brown color over the far horizon.  Yep, it's smog,  but it was still a great day in Corona Del Mar and Newport Beach.

The Commanding Officer of 1/1 invited me to take photographs at the Change of Command ceremony on April 4, 2008.

As a former member of 1/1, I felt both proud and privileged to do so. These 11 images are a small portion of the 92 images in the complete album.  If interested, the album will open with this link: http://ImageEvent.com/colbb/memorialservice1stbn1stmarines

Before the ceremony, a section of the 1st Marine Division band greeted guests with a short concert.

As ceremony begins, the battalion marches to position on the parade deck.

Staff and battalion salute and present arms during playing of theNational Anthem.

After the anthem, color guard responds to the command, Colors, Post!

The Battalion Sergeant Major marches the unit colors to the current Commander.

The Sergeant Major delivers the colors and salutes.

After receiving the colors from outgoing CO, the new CO hands the colors to the SgtMaj for return to Color Guards.

After Change of Command, the battalion passes in review, the band first, led by the Drum Major.

For the most part, the battalion is made up of young warriors, likethese Marines.

The CO of Charlie Co. (my unit in Korea), passes the reviewing officers, and salutes as he commands his company, Eyes, Right!

After the review, the outgoing CO, left, exchanges greetings and well wishes with the new CO.

The battalion, knows as "First of the First," had just returned from their fourth tour in Iraq.

Semper Fidelis.

April 14th was a real jewel, so nice I felt like taking a walk on the pier, also  good exercise for breaking my new hip.  I think I'm being rebuilt, one piece at a time.

Using my 200 mm lens, I took about 60 shots, mostly from 200 to 300 yards, a few of which I'm using for this post.

Entrance area to the pier, across street from center of town, and souvenir stand with flags flying in the wind.

Beach view, in background is the Beachfront Hilton.

No question they are having fun, these three girls.

This surfer at end of ride.

Making the most of a medium wave.

Great style here, can't tell if this cool dude (or dudess ?) is a young boy or girl.

Here is a study in concentration.

Picked this one as making the most athletic moves.

BYOB and come for dinner.  We're serving Turtle soup and roast Duck.  

The Marines & Sailors of 1/1 (1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division) recently returned to Camp Pendleton, following their 4th deployment to Iraq.  The Memorial Service for their 3 casualties was held earlier this month.  I was asked to photograph the event and provide an online album for Marines, families, and friends.

This selection of images will provide brief highlights of the service.  Anyone wishing to see the entire album can message me for the link and password.

The battalion forms on the parade deck, prior to start of service, with footings prepared for the Memorials.

As start of service, Marines mount rifles.

Rifles now mounted.

Next phase, dog tags and helmets.

Individual Memorials near completion.

Last come the boots.

Finally, Memorials completed.

Battalion salutes, guests stand, battle colors dip, for playing of the National Anthem.

Final roll call.  As name of each casualty is called, the response is a ring of the bell.

At conclusion of final roll call, the Pipes playAmazing Grace.

Seven Marines prepare to fire Honors.

Each Marine fires 3 rounds for 21 gun salute.

Honors concluded, firing detail ends program by coming to Present, Arms!

The service was attended by families and friends of the fallen, as well as the entire battalion, the Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division, and retired and former Marines from previous wars.

It was a routine, sunny and clear day with temps in the high 60's at Corona del Mar last Saturday, February 23rd when I shot these images from Lookout Point of activities in the channel to Newport Beach & Balboa.

A lone rower enjoys the day in the quiet
channel water.    

A tug pushes a dredge barge into the channel to work on the never ending maintenance to keep the channel clear.

The strange chair or throne like object at bottom left caught my attention.  What is it?  Perhaps King Neptune's throne, or is that where Surferguy used to rule when he was a recent left coast resident?