When I retired, I wanted to explore photography as a hobby, so I picked up some equipment and began watching YouTube videos to learn the finer points of shooting and editing images. Soon, I carried a camera everywhere, and because I wanted to share my work, I created a blog. The hobby has served me well as a way to journal our travels once we added RVing to our lifestyle.
If the truth be known, however, Helen is the real photographer in the family. She doesn’t have a backpack of equipment like her husband–she uses a late-model iPhone and fills the library with photos from everywhere. Her gift is a strong feel for composition, contrast, and color, which always results in interesting shots.
As we moved down the West Coast, Helen used those skills to produce some great shots, and I invite you to take a peek at her portfolio. She snapped all of the pictures below except one from her iPhone. I did a little editing on some of them.
The San Onofre, CA campground is fertile ground for any hobby photographer, and Helen took full advantage of the opportunity. She captured me doing what I do best—filling a beach chair at sunset (above) and prepping our breakfast while watching our church service online.
A day trip to Long Beach was highlighted by coming upon a long line of piers filled with seals and sea lions–out came the iPhone.
A lovely sunset resulted in a selfie of Helen and her roommate.
At twilight, a gaggle of seagulls left the sand and came into focus.
On the rocky shore of San Onofre, Helen discovered the interesting-looking Wavy Turbine Snail and collected a bucketful. She would find some decorative purpose for them, but first, she had to clean them and soak them in bleach. That project lasted for several days.
When we moved to the Del Mar, CA beach, Helen captured our campsite, less than 100 yards from the surf.
A picture of a Del Mar sunset needs no words.
Mortimer met a running buddy on our morning walk.
Stunning weather greeted us on day one at Fiddler’s Cove Campground in Coronado, CA.
We’ve had a lot of rain here, but we also enjoyed a bright and colorful rainbow at the end of one of the passing storms.
Our first weekend was interrupted when I underwent an attack of appendicitis and entered the Navy Medical Center San Diego for treatment. I was fortunate to receive one of the last two beds available. I did not have surgery, but will once I return home.
After two days of heavy antibiotics and painkillers, the staff released me. Fortunately, I had one more week at Fiddler’s Cove to rest before starting home. I cannot say enough about my care at the Navy Hospital.
Helen was there to record it all.
I’ll have more about our visit to Fiddler’s Cove in a future post. We’re Easin’ Along.
Sorry to hear about the appendicitis. However, it’s a good thing you won’t have surgery until you return home. Thanks for taking us along on this latest RV journey.
Hey!
Hopefully my appendix will hold until we get back. I got great care in San Diego, and they declared me good to go. So glad to have you with us! Joe
Great pictures. Take care of yourself. Prayers for you and Helen for a safe trip home.
Ginny,
Thanks for stopping by and checking out Helen’s pictures. Prayers are welcome too! Joe
Beautiful shots! The contrasts and colours are striking!
Thanks, Donna! Helen has a pretty good touch with a camera, and it was time to show it off. Have a wonderful week! Joe
I love all the pictures and reading about your travels. Sorry about your hospital episode. That’s never fun. Have a safe journey home!
Hello, Ann!
We hit the road today and hope to be home by the end of the month. We’ve really had fun, and it was great to see the grandkids. Have a great day! Joe
What’d I say, huh? In today’s world, real cameras, real photography have been supplanted by the cellphone.
Obviously Helen has stories to tell (she tells them beautifully) and those stories won’t wait while she runs to find the right camera, lens, filters, tripod, and whatever else.
Good job, Helen 🤜🤛.
Guy,
Helen does a great job with her iPhone. It was time to let her show her stuff. Thanks for stopping by. Joe
Hello Joe!
Sorry to hear about your bout with appendicitis but glad to hear that you got great care at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego. I enjoyed seeing those beautiful sunsets too. Hope your drive home goes well and that your appendix stays nice and calm until then!
Good morning, Ron,
Appendicitis is painful, and I certainly didn’t want it this far from home, but I received great care and the staff said I was good to go. I took them at their word. Glad you liked the pictures. Have a great week, and I hope you’ll stay in touch. Joe
Enjoyed this SO much, Joe!
Hey there!
So glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll come back. Enjoy your week. Joe
Lovely pics, Helen! The photo of the gulls is my favorite – the variations of color and light in the sky are stunning. Joe, you just had to add a little drama to the trip, didn’t you? Happy to hear the docs were able to patch you up so you could travel home. Safe travels and good luck with the upcoming surgery!
Hello!
The gull picture was m favorite as well. Mary, trust me–I could have done without the drama, but, if appendicitis was going to happen, I picked a great place. We’re on the road to Tennessee now and should arrive near the end of the month. Have a great week, and please stay in touch! Joe
That was a DOUBLE rainbow !! Beautiful shots Helen ! Glad you made the recovery & headed home soon, Joe .
Take it easy ! P&J
P&J,
You’re right…double rainbow after a helluva rainstorm. Coronado was its beautiful self, but cold and wet. Nevertheless, they have an excellent Navy hospital. We’re in Phoenix for three days, then eastbound and down. Thanks for checking in. Joe
I’m sorry about your appendix. I hope you are feeling better and have a smooth surgery. Keep us updated! Hugs!
Good morning!
I’m feeling much better and am able to be out and about here in Phoenix as we make our way home. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day. Joe
Oh no!!!! I’m so sorry to hear about your appendix misbehaving, Joe. But so glad you got great medical care and that you can wait until you return home to have that bad boy removed. Meanwhile, Mortimer appears to be an excellent nurse. 🙂
Helen’s cell phone photos are delightful! She has an eye for capturing not only the beauty of nature but the fun everyday moments of life. Safe travels!
Mortimer gives great wet, sloppy kisses, and I even think he missed me while I was getting treatment. I’m feeling better now, and looking forward to being home. Helen takes great pictures. It was time to show some of them off. I’m confident that spring is ready to pop in North Carolina. Enjoy! Joe
Beautiful photos by your wife. It’s always something is my motto now. Sorry about your appendix and hope you have safe travels home and get the surgery. Take care. I just read that you’re in Phoenix. Lovely time of year to be there.
Good afternoon, Christina,
You’re right…it’s always something. I’m better, and good to go for a while. We left some lovely weather in Phoenix and are near the NM border for two days, camping at around 5,000 ft. It’s COLD here, but clear and we have a lovely view of the mountains. Thanks so much for checking in. Enjoy your weekend. Joe
Fab photos of your trip, Joe! Sorry to hear about your appendicitis! And they’re letting you drive home?? Please be safe. When my appendicitis decided to rupture 3 months after my daughter was born in 1988, I had no warning. Otherwise, you and Helen are living the life!
Hey, there!
Glad you enjoyed Helen’s pictures. She sends her thanks as well. Without getting into the gory details, my appendix had a small perforation, then closed that perforation on its own. It is still uncomfortable, but good enough to drive slowly home. We are living the life–so blessed, and so grateful. Great to hear from you, as always. Please stay in touch! Joe
Terrific photos, for sure.
Hey Joe and Helen,
After missing your many posts of your travels I’ve finally found you again❗
Joe, so sorry to read that your appendix decided to be mean and cause you gripping pain. Glad you received awesome care at the Naval hospital. So enjoyed Helen’s wonderful gift of photography. Beautiful phone shots on your adventures. So glad I’ve connected to “Easin Along” again….Your travels are almost complete as so close to home now. Take care to you both. Keep finding adventures and making memories…❗❣️
Hey, there!
It has been too long, and I’m so glad you found us again. We’ve enjoyed our trip to to the west coast very much, but we’re ready to get back to Knoxville. Hope you’re doing well. Please stay in touch! Joe
Joe, Helen’s photos are beautiful. The sunset photo is my favourite. I’m sorry to hear about your appendicitis. Take car and safe travels.
Hey,
Helen has a good eye for composition and I was happy to share them. The appendicitis attack was more of an inconvenience than anything else. Thankfully, I can do the follow-up care at home. So glad you stopped by. Joe