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When you think about it, every sunset is technically nuclear powered so the title would fit almost any sunset. Granted this is a fission reaction and the sun fusion reaction. Without nuclear power, the Earth wouldn't be the paradise we currently enjoy.

We were returning from a shoot in the Sierra when I first glimpsed the towers. We were miles away but they were still massive in the sky and towered above the rolling hills of ranchland and vineyards. Few manmade objects really get my attention but there is something a little more than unnerving about the ominous towering structures that clearly define a nuclear reactor. Especially when one of the first things you notice is the massive World War II era air raid sirens you encounter long before even seeing the famous Rancho Seco reactor site. As we approached the road took a turn directly toward the site and I realized we would pass right next to the cooling towers. The towers loomed ever larger with each mile till the road once again turned right along the base of the towers. When you look at the safety rail across the walkway atop the towers it reveals the true height.

In March of 1978 the plant experienced a very serious power outage that disabled much of its instrumentation resulting in the steam generator running dry. This would be the third most serious safety related event in the United States just behind Three Mile Island. Though there was no release of radiation from the plant, the event sparked protests and the place was eventually shut down by SMUD following a vote to shut down the facility. To cope with the loss in power for the city of Sacramento, SMUD planted over half a million trees that now blanket Sacramento in shade. SMUD also has built a modern solar plant on the Rancho Seco site. The surrounding area became a recreational park, vineyards and ranchland. Though the facility still retains its low energy fuel rods under tight security, the plant is much more open to the public than similar site. The massive cleanup cost of nearly half a billion dollars hopefully will make us think before we decide on how we wish to generate the energy we consume and hopefully consume it more wisely.

Personally I have always been fascinated by nuclear power. It may someday be made fully safe and cost effective but when you consider the massive cost of cleaning up such a site, you realize there is little room for nuclear power with our current technical levels. We can even agree on what to do with the spent fuel rods. For now it acts as a landmark to remind us that we need to use our energy with care and knowledge about the long term effects and costs involved.

But the old plant, the only one decommissioned in the US, sure makes for a beautiful photo op with a glowing Sierra Nevada sunset as the backdrop.

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© Darvin Atkeson
LiquidMoonlight Studios
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A spectacular sunset appears over the city of Concord California as seen from the grass covered slopes of Mulligan Hill. This is possibly my largest panorama is massive.

The sun sets through the Carquinez Straight on the far right with the Oakland Hills on the horizon to the left. In the valley lies the largest town in Contra Coasta County named Concord.

Had it not been for prohibition, this might very well be the Napa Valley of California but as a result of prohibition many of the grape vines were removed and other more valuable crops planted. Ironically after prohibition, California's vineyards would once again become highly valued but by then much of the farmland had been replanted with walnut trees and other crops.

In the foreground lies a remnants of the World War II era Concord Naval Weapons Station which was devastated by a massive explosion as the result of a massive accident that occurred while loading ships during the war. If not for the Naval Station, this area would likely be covered with homes which have been slowly covering the hills to the south and the view obstructed.

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© Darvin Atkeson
LiquidMoonlight Studios
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Within a few short days, maybe a week or two at most, the rain dries up and there is a rush of Summer Gold as it spreads across the foothills that make up California Coastal Mountain Range across and to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Since moving to the Bay Area one thing that always stood out was the deep rich greens of the California Oaks against the light tan two foot high grass that covers the hills from late to early spring like a golden shag carpet. The grass is only greener here for a very short time during early spring. A few streaks of green can be seen in the pasture as it gives way to golden fields that will remain for the rest of the year. In a few short days, that bit of green will be gone.

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Over the previous week it looked as though summer had set in to Northern California with temperatures in San Francisco hitting the upper 80s but seemingly overnight the winds turned cool and thunderstorms rolled in off the Pacific. Looking for a good vantage point to view the sunset we headed up a little known road that crosses the foothills between Concord and the Sacramento River Delta. Near the top the rolling hills gave way to the Benicia Straight where the sun would set perfectly through the gap of the hills. From this vantage you can see Concord, Martinez, Benicia and even Vallejo where the delta turns in to the San Francisco Bay. The sunset was no wimp showing off yellows, deep oranges, lavenders with a sky of crystal blues. The grassy foothills of the Concord Naval center can be seen in the foreground, in the distance just below the sunset you can make out the Martinez refinery. At the full 36 Megapixel resolution you can even make out the Carquinez Suspension Bridge just to the left of the sunset.

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Standing in a thousand chest high white calla lilies with massive surf rolling in off the Pacific Ocean is nothing short of spectacular. The couple standing on the beach in the distance give only a small sense of the sheer size of the wave rolling toward them and yet they are about as far away from the wave as I was from them. The stunning white lilies grow wild along a small creek that runs down from the Carmel Highlands in to the Pacific Ocean just north of Big Sur. Wild flowers and ice plant cover the hills during springtime and are gone within a couple of weeks. California's Northern coastline is filled with some of the most incredible scenes and finding these little jewels can be a real challenge. This one is hidden just below California's scenic Highway One which along the coast.

The parking area has a main trail that leads you down to a stunning beach with great wave action. Naturally most people take the trail straight to the beach, however I you take the side trail that runs along the cliffs above the ocean you come to a small canyon and the trail descends steeply down to the creek below. Soon you are waist high or deeper in lush green leaves and beautiful white flowers (spathe) up to 10 inches wide with their bright yellow centers (spadix) protruding just above the crest of the flower. Spectacular in floral arrangements they are incredible when you see them growing wild in contrast with the bright luminescent waves of
California's coastal waters.

If you are coming from San Francisco take the time to make the trip along the coast which will include a number of equally incredible sites and vistas including Pigeon Point, Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, Pebble Beach, 17 Mile Drive, and Big Sur. You will find this little gem hidden not long after you pass though the Carmel Highlands and are entering the Big Sur area. Your trip will be nothing short of incredible and well worth the time spent.

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