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LOOKOUT FROM THE WINDOW INSIDE THE BLUE SPHERE

9/3/2020

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As the smoke clears for the morning, I head into San Francisco. I park on the end of California and venture up a hill that takes me to a golf course. In non-covid19 times I might have wandered deep in to explore what I could find on the carefully maintained grounds. Now, I follow the rules for reasons of safety and social distancing. The designated walking path takes me to the other side of the golf course where the land meets the water. The view is amazing and the depth of feeling it evokes could never be captured in pictures. Vividness of color (or lack of), beauty of composition, and luck of timing can never come close to expressing what happens in my gut when something touches me deeply. It can, however, be a reaction or retelling of what is seen, a new story that exists on a different plane of reality. 

Down the road are homes of great wealth. This is a unique world which is somewhat foreign to me. It is beautifully manicured, full of caretakers and builders. The facade needs constant maintenance. Walking through is free. I wonder who lives here and what their lives are like. A quick search reveals a few well known celebrities. I doubt I'll ever be their neighbor but no harm in pretending. And yes, this is a frivolous, empty kind of joy, but it is entertaining. 

Further in, I spot a sign that says "public beach". Of course, I have to follow it, and I land at China Beach. There is a road down which is wide enough for social distancing. There, I find a lone fisherman, a swimmer who obviously does not mind the cold water, and two young men enjoying the view from above. Beyond that, it is me and the birds. I feel gleeful, because in all my years living in the Bay Area, I had never been here. I had seen it from above, but just assumed it was inaccessible.

The Golden Gate Bridge stands tall in the distance, an icon of this joining of land and sea. Seagulls rest in the sand, only slightly hindered by my human presence. I hop over the water that reaches the rocks to see the other side of the cove. I am filled with delight and know this is exactly where I need to be at this second, on this day, in this very strange and difficult year. 
painting of dancers in building window
mosaic staircase in SF
apartment window with collections
SF fire engine
do not walk through golf course sign
blue ball on grass
grass growing through sidewalk painted blue
sign with piece of fabric
SF Golf course
hazardous cliffs and surf sign
small piece of caution tape on fence
SF cliff
sea cliff home in San Francisco
red and yellow rose
Sea Cliff Mansion SF, CA
woman in pink fur hat in window
mid century modern house in sea cliff, sf
topiary garden in front of modern house
trimmings from tropical plants
European style houses in SF
odd bush in front of house
China Beach signage
stairs to lookout at china beach
Raven with bottle on sand
ramp with "soup" graffiti
hazy day at China Beach, SF, CA
painting of bridge on wall at China Beach
fisherman in cove at China Beach SF
lookout over China Beach
seagull in waves
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