Ojai’s Pink Moment (4 of 40)

I started my career in ultrasound at a hospital in Ventura, California. Though the hospital itself has been around for decades, I got hired in just after a major renovation so I was fortunate enough to enjoy working in a beautifully modern building with large patient rooms and picturesque vistas. Even the parking structure had ocean views and seeing the Pacific soon became a favorite part of my work day.

The hospital itself was lovely; lovelier still were my coworkers. While academic prowess is an important part of sonography, nothing replaces boots-on-the-ground experience in honing the skills needed to be really competent. In this profession, the phrase “You don’t know what you don’t know” is astutely accurate. My coworkers graciously took this rookie under their wings and helped me become, well, slightly less rookie-ish. Plus, I just liked ‘em. 

It was one of these coworkers that told me about Ojai’s Pink Moment. Ojai, which (fun fact) means ‘moon’ in Chumash, is a small town about 15 miles inland and nestled along the base of the Topa Topa Mountains. The town itself actually reminds me a lot of Sedona, Arizona, near where I grew up. It is an eclectic community filled with art galleries, wineries and hiking trails. Over the years I’ve been to Ojai a handful of times but I’d never actually heard about this daily phenomenon until Walter mentioned it.

Apparently there comes a point each evening, weather-permitting, where the sun setting on the horizon casts a stunning rose-hued glow against the Topa Topa Mountains. According to one site I found, this moment happens pretty specifically 13 minutes before sunset. While this may seem oddly specific, I can attest that the timing is critical for the full effect. 

Anyone could argue that sunset is innately a beautiful time of day. I certainly wouldn’t disagree. I have long maintained that twilight (yes, specifically twilight) contains my most favorite moments of any day. I have to say though, witnessing the Pink Moment at its peak is a sight to be seen. It’s a stop-you-in-your-tracks kind of beautiful. One that makes you think, “Wow, I should really take a picture,” but you just know that by the time you do, you will have missed the magic and, truly, the photo is not going to do it justice anyway. 

This, at least, is what I tell myself since I did not capture my pink moment experience on film. 

The other day, however, I was walking the pup when I realized that I could see the Topa Topas from my neighborhood so I was able to snap this pic. Not nearly fitting enough but at least you can get the idea.  

If you live in around here, I would recommend you go check it out for yourself. Apparently November through February are the most brilliant months to witness it. If you are not local, however, have no fear! The Ojai Valley Inn has a live webcam that captures nature’s show every evening.