Friday, July 30, 2010

Fort Point and the Presidio of San Francisco

Posted by Karen on 31-Jan-2009

 Fort Point and the Presidio of San Francisco

(Click photo for all 142 photos)

I joined Grant, Albert, Lori, Terr, Sylvia, Ann, Art and Kati from the Northern California Photography Group (NCPG) for a trip to Fort Point National Historic Site and the Presidio of San Francisco.  Fort Point is a Civil War era military fort that rests at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge.  It’s a very cool structure on it’s own, with lots of shadows and arches and great views; but it was extra special today because re-enactors from the The American Civil War Association of Northern and Central California were at the fort today.   While we waited for everyone to gather so we could go to lunch, we started seeing the Zeppelin from Airship Ventures flying overhead, which was my first spotting of it. After lunch at a Mexican diner, we walked over to the Palace of Fine Arts to photograph it.  Unfortunately, the interior was closed off for renovation, but we were able to walk around the outside of it.  Construction began on the Palace in 1913 for the Panama Pacific Exposition, so the building is almost 100 years old.  Walking back, we cut across the grounds of the Letterman Digital Arts Center, the complex that houses Lucas Films (yes, that Lucas of Star Wars fame) and enjoyed a break at their pond and fountain.  We headed back into the Presidio and went to the San Francisco National Cemetery to take a few photos.  Finally, as the afternoon was winding down, we headed across the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoyed the sunset from the otherside and we got see the cityscape after dark.


Road Trip — Alexandria, Louisiana – England AFB Heritage Park

Posted by Karen on 19-Jul-2008

20080719 alexandria la england afb heritage park

(Click the photo for all 44 photos)

I arrived in Alexandria, Louisiana this afternoon as my starting place for a road trip through Mississippi and Tennessee. The Alexandria International Airport is the old England Air Force Base airport that was converted after the military base closed in the 1990s. I decided to find a geocache or two before heading over to the hotel and the caches took me to the England AFB Heritage Park, a display of old airplanes. The display is across the street from the Oakwing Golf Club, which holds a small veteran’s cemetery and that is where the geocache actually was. The display is quite impressive and I spent some time looking at all the old planes. I did find my geocache, so off to the hotel, it’s been a long day flying out there.

Capital Air Show Preview

Posted by Karen on 14-Mar-2008

20080314 capital air show preview

(Click the photo for all 26 photos)

The California Capital Airshow is happening this weekend out at Mather, the old Air Force Base that’s now converted to private use, and the US Navy Blue Angels were buzzing my neighborhood as they practiced for the show tomorrow. The Blue Angels are a top-notch Flight Demonstration Squadron and since they came to me, I stepped outside and took a few pictures as they practiced overhead. It’s interesting to try and figure out where they are coming from, with the jet engine roar enveloping you, you have no idea until they are in plain view.