Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Happy 2012 from Lake Casitas

New year's eve 2011, the sun arcing already and the thermometer racing toward 80. We're up and hiking early. Have you ever randomly stumbled on a group people doing something they love?

That was our focus for a couple hours on this perfectly clear, still morning at the definitely sweet Ventura Comets landing strip, a remote control airplane club here at Lake Casitas. Here's Kenny, in his mid-80s and one of the founders of the club, which by the way has an excellent logo.

With their own runway and shaded set-up area, this was one crazy-fun crew, friendly and eager to answer questions about remote-control model-building and flying.

They took turns on the airstrip. Once each summer they put pontoons on the plans and do lake landings. People come from all over the country to participate.

On our way back we walked through an extensive disc golf course (frisbee golf), built by a troop of boy scouts and quite elaborate. The people playing were gregarious and happy to answer still more questions: you aim for the chain at each hole, the chain dropping the disc into the basket.

I proposed we celebrate new year's eve at noon rather than midnight, so we packed up and walked to a quiet spot on the hundreds of acres around us.

80 in the shade, it sure doesn't feel like Dec 31.

Pack mules with everything needed for a picnic.

Perfect spot...

...with a water view. A single monarch floats past, flutters back, draws loopy circles above us. Mmm. It's perfectly quiet here.
Last nap of 2011.

And last book too, this one beautifully crafted.

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