RoRo

Life is getting back to "normal"! The last couple of trips we've taken required no masks other than on the plane. This past weekend we went downtown Phoenix to what is now affectionately called "RoRo", or Roosevelt Row. We explored bars, restaurants, shops, and, of course, all the beautiful murals. Enjoy the colors!

The Cambria Hotel

From the Rooftop - Cambria Hotel

Cheers to being vaccinated!

Local Artist, Randy Slack

Local Artist, Randy Slack

Golden Margarita

And they did! Along with some lobster tacos!

I was unable to find the name of this talented artist

SRCHR Skate Shop

Golden Rule Tattoo

Tyson Krank's untitled mural

I believe this is local artist Lalo Cota

Lawn Gnome Bookstore

Tap That Brewery

'Sign of the Times' by Hugo Medina

Spotted inside Jobot - made me giggle (and close my tab)!

Titled 'By Any Means': Huey P. Newton by Lalo Cota / Malcolm X by Tato Caraveo / Stokely Carmichael by Tato Caraveo

Again, I believe this one is by Lalo Cota

'Theodore' by Tato Caraveo

Charlie Parker by Eli the Artist / Billie Holiday by Art Thou Tifa / Miles Davis by Creation 80

Painting hanging inside The Theodore

'Uncontained Harmony' wheat paste mural by Danny Upshaw

"People say graffiti is ugly, irresponsible, and childish...but that's only if it's done properly." ~Banksy

At Peace On the Sea - Anacapa Island

 My mind is spinning with presidents, justices, women's rights, healthcare, etc. So I decided to go back to a couple of weekends ago to our peaceful trip to California, and more specifically, to the Channel Islands.  As we cruised the 15 miles out to Anacapa Island, the dense fog was trying to hold on to the ocean's surface, but we were still able to see a pod of dolphins jumping at the bow. As brief as it was, it was (as always) an incredible sight to see and started the day off perfectly!

As we arrived at our dropoff spot, Keyhole Arch, we donned our face masks and were helped into our tandem kayaks by the awesome crew of The Sunfish (GoWildBlue.com). We went into just a handful of the nearly 135 sea caves on Anacapa. Sometimes we had to duck, sometimes we had to go 1 or 2 kayaks at a time, but every time we were surrounded by beauty.

The best part of the day, though, actually, it happened twice, was when the harbor seals played peek-a-boo with us as we sat in our kayaks! They came up so close and looked at us with those puppy-dog eyes as if asking us to play with them! Then they would duck back underwater, swim around our kayaks, and pop up again. It was truly amazing and an experience I will never forget. 

Map of Anacapa Islands and our 5-mile journey

Brown Pelican coming in for a landing

Many brown pelicans!

One of the sea cave entrances

One of the harbor seals playing peek-a-boo!

 I see you!

Inside looking out

Emerald Cave

All the sea kelp!

Sea crashing against the rocks

Our awesome guide, Phil, showing us how this kelp is used in toothpaste

Loved all the colors on the walls contrasted with the aqua blue water.

Further inside the cave - lit by Phil's headlamp

Phil leading me and my whale water shoes into the depths of the cave

In 1932 the Anacapa lighthouse was completed on the Eastern island, almost 20 years after it was begun.

Anacapa Arch. Once we passed through it you could smell the strong scent of the sea lions!

There were sea lions on these rocks and that aqua blue water was incredible! Like a liquid jewel!

Photo of Eric and me taken by our guide, Phil

"We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected on the deep." ~William James

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds on in its net of wonder forever." ~ Jacques Cousteau