September 10, 2020. Tomorrow the nation commemorates the 2,977 lives lost 19 years ago in the terror attacks. Despite closures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Pepperdine University has set up the Waves of Flags exhibit. The display of 2,977 flags is closed to the public, but Pepperdine University encourages viewing from Pacific Coast Highway. My images taken this morning have an orange cast, thanks to brush fire smoke. Waves of Flags will remain on display through September 21, 2020.

September 4, 2020. A Santa Barbara Zoo staff member has a close encounter with one of the zoo's Chilean Flamingos. After the zoo staff cleaned the flamingo flock's pond and performed medical checks, this bird wanted his closeup. A dozen new chicks this year have increased the zoo's flamingo flock.

Aug. 23, 2020:  "The Record" looks like the title of this painting by Lompoc artist Ann Thompson. This youth baseball artwork hangs on the exterior of the former Lompoc Record newspaper building in downtown Lompoc. Therefore, I'm merely guessing the name of the painting.

Aug. 23, 2020: Fountain at the La Purisima Mission State Historic Park in Lompoc, California. The mission, founded in 1787,  moved in 1812 to its current location outside of Lompoc. Later in the 1800s, the mission was abandoned and fell into disrepair. In 1934, the Civilian Conservation Corps began reconstruction of the adobe buildings. The rebuilt La Purisima Mission reopened as a California State Park on Dec. 7, 1941. Currently, because of the virus, the buildings are closed, but the park is open.

Aug. 23, 2020: Nicknamed "The Why" building, the former Lompoc Land Office structure, sits behind the Lompoc Theatre in downtown Lompoc. Built-in 1875, the sales office helped fuel the rapid growth of Lompoc. When the Lompoc Theatre opened in 1927, the Land Office building was relocated and attached to the theater. It became an additional backstage space for live performances. The MJB Coffee Company advertisement dates from 1910. I could not find any information on the "Why?" lettering, but it does provide the building's nickname.

July 31, 2020: Daily, I walk past this suspended tree branch. Sometimes I wonder about the stories this branch could tell. In the early 1960s, builders constructed the Casa Conejo housing track in Newbury Park. Part of this construction included these support wires to a telephone pole. A proud new homeowner added a small tree to their landscaping. Over the decades, the tree grew. This branch enveloped a support wire. Finally, workers removed the overgrown tree. This three-foot branch - left behind - provides proof of the once large tree.

August 16, 2015: A truck on a pole among remains of closed tow-truck company in Yucca, Arizona. In the early 1970s, Route 66, through the community, was replaced by the new Interstate 40. Visitors bypassed Yucca for more extensive facilities in Kingman, Arizona and Needles, California. Most of the businesses closed.

Jan. 25, 2015: Rigging is secured after cruises by the tall ships  Hawaiian Chieftain, left and Lady Washington in Ventura Harbor.  Since 2006, the two tall ships visited ports all along the West Coast. In June 2019, the Hawaiian Chieftain failed a U.S. Coast Guard Inspection. Ship operator, Gray's Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, reports that repairs would exceed the value of the ship. In February 2020, the non-profit HGGSA announced the retirement of the Hawaiian Chieftain and focused on Lady Washington operations.

March 31, 2015: Docents dressed in 1930s attire play pool during the Evening Tour of Hearst Castle. During October, November, March, April, and May, the Living History docents bring Hearst Castle alive as they accompany the tour. Because of Covid-19, Hearst Castle is currently closed.