2012 Happy New Year! Vol.1 New Year Sunrise

We were greeted in the early morning by fog in Santa Monica,
reminding me of living in the San Francisco Bay many years ago.

When I rose at 5 AM, it was colder than I thought it would be,
but we set out on time for our first adventure of the new year.



Photo #1: Foggy Santa Monica


The fog was so thick we could not see the road ahead of us, and
driving toward the Santa Monica mountains for 20 minutes and
crawling through the Mandevilla Canyon Drive fog made us almost retreat in despair, but we safely arrived at West Ridge Trail, well above the fog.

We were surprised that it was much warmer than in Santa Monica, and the sky was so clear and beautiful with a reddish tinge above east side of the mountains.



Photo #2: Clear beautiful sky before New Year Sunrise



Some people might have read my blog about my little trek to see last year’s new year sunrise on the 10 year anniversary of my car accident.
I like to emulate the turtle’s spirit.
Having injured my legs, I could not walk freely.
Little by little I have been making an effort, as turtles do,
to advance and walk more each year.

So I decided to go farther this year, over a small valley.

I found a nesting place for me and my dogs Kula and Happy.
We sat and waited for the new year sun to rise.




Photo#3: Sky was changing color every moment



What a moment that was...I could feel the earth was round even on this small mountain.
Every moment, the color of the sky was changing.

On the west side I saw the image of a thick fog hugging the city of Santa Monica,
the beach and the ocean like a fluffy blanket.



Photo #4: Thick fog over Santa Monica



Nature’s beauty blows my mind away!



Photo #5: Fog over the Santa Monica beach and ocean and see the Catalina Island.


The sun came up at 6:59 AM.

Well, it was actually the earth moving, and
the sun was vibrantly illuminating each moment.



Photo #6: New Year Sun has showed up on time!



My beloved Eric surprised me with some pictures he took of me while I anxiously awaited the sunrise.

He captured the hope, anticipation, and beauty of my spirit.
It was not his spoken love, but the pictures he created of me through which I felt the deepest love.




Photo #7: Me and Kula with New Year Sunrise vibrantly illumination



I am thankful more than ever for Eric, our love and also our challenges.


Photo #8: Eric and New Year Sunrise


A wonderful New Year has already started~!


To be continued….love, Sanae