I shot this one from the parking lot of the Tahoe Pad last summer, which is on Milky Way Court (thus the title of this blog). I don't quite have all the settings down for night photography just yet, but I feel like I'm getting there. The building in the foreground isn't ours, otherwise I'd have requested the porch light to be turned off. But the building and trees provide a little subject matter to what might otherwise be just a boring night sky photo.
If you've ever traveled the I-395 from Southern California, say, to Mammoth or to Lake Tahoe, you may have noticed a turnoff for Fossil Falls near Little Lake. In our continuing effort to discover and experience more along our road trips, Darcy and I decided to check it out this area a couple years back. After driving about a mile to a parking lot, we found a short trail to the "Falls." The shapes of the rocks in this area were formed from rivers that ran through the volcanic rock, making a very fun playground, of sorts, to hike around on and in. Bailey certainly enjoyed her visit there!
So, the next time you find yourself with an extra 30 minutes to spare, take the turnoff and explore a bit, you won't be disappointed.
This beautiful lake can be found just 2 miles off California Interstate 395 not too far south of Mammoth. It is one of many very interesting places that Darcy and I have explored on our many trips to or from Lake Tahoe. Due to its close proximity to the freeway, the timing is usually very good to take the exit, park by the lake and walk around to find a good place to enjoy lunch or a snack. We'd like to camp there sometime, as the entire area is very scenic and serene.
Convict Lake is named after an incident in the late 1800s when several escaped convicts from Carson City made their way into the area, resulting in a shootout. The lake was integral to a paradise settlement portrayed in the 1998 Star Trek film, Insurrection.
This one looked like a fun one for Fun Photo Friday. It is a group of cacti that I found along the cliff-line at the Self-Realization Meditation Gardens in Encinitas, above Swamis beach, right before sunset. This was shot on Christmas Eve, and you're looking at an HDR blend of 3 shots of varying exposures.
We didn't believe we'd ever find a lake as beautiful as Tahoe, but Crater Lake is a sight to see. It doesn't offer all the same recreational activities that Lake Tahoe does, but it has an amazing color and spectacular views all around the rim. We got there early in the season in 2012, so we unfortunately couldn't take the Rim Road all the way around (too much snow). We enjoyed the visit, though, and look forward to returning again some day.
On our first afternoon in Dublin, we decided to walk around a bit, making our way near the National Concert Hall, where we stumbled upon this amazing bronze statue, titled The Kiss. The statue is by Rowan Gillespie, who perfectly captured an everlasting moment of love. There is so much expression and emotion in this work of art. We were fortunate to capture it. A fitting photo to share as we celebrate love this weekend. Happy Valentine's Day!
The “Let It Snow” sign had been on display all year. The Snowman necklace was close at hand. The "Snow Dance" had been danced. What do you do when day after day the snow just did not seem to come? You close your eyes and dream of a day not too long ago where the forest was blanketed in white, the wind was calm enough that the carefully placed snow remained on the branches, the clouds in the sky promised more, and the vibrant blue of the lake seemed somehow unreal. As you open your eyes, before you is everything you dreamed of and more and you celebrate a long lost friend.
At the end of what was already a long day cruising through Arches and Canyonlands, we were exiting the latter and turned right to head to Dead Horse Point State Park. Our good friends Cindy and Lee Walton had noted this park as one of their favorites and we figured we were that close so we should not pass it up. Ten hours after our day began, we caught our first glimpse – and we had two thoughts: 1) The State of Utah was pretty darned smart to claim this as their own and 2) We MUST stay to watch the sunset. And that we did. We experienced the pure joy of watching every inch of the canyon and Colorado River 2,000 feet below change colors before our very eyes. Don’t be fooled – even if you've seen the Grand Canyon you have not seen anything like this. Enjoy our view and then get out there and see it for yourself! You won't be disappointed!
Our Fun Photo Friday is a tribute to the furriest member of our family – Bailey. Bailey adopted us at a Lab Rescue event in January 2011. In the 11 months that preceded this adoption event, Bailey had at least 4 owners. She took one look at us and knew she had found home. Coincidentally we had the same reaction when we saw her. We had no intention of bringing a dog home that day and we were ill prepared but like all new parents we quickly figured it out and not too much time had passed before we couldn't imagine why it took so long to find each other. She masks her fear with ferociousness, and has a personality that fills the room. After 4 years she still jumps on everyone she sees (shhh…don’t tell the trainer). Our house is covered in dog hair and tennis balls but we wouldn't have it any other way. Happy 5th Birthday Sweet Beansies! We are so lucky to have you!
The Ahwahneechee tribe (Native American’s who lived in the Yosemite Valley) believed that Bridalveil Falls was the home to a vengeful spirit who cursed anyone who looked directly into the waterfall. They also believed that inhaling the mist of Bridal Veil Fall would improve one’s chance of marriage. I’m pretty sure we did both on this beautiful spring day in 2012, newbies on our RV adventure. We are happily married and hopefully curse free after having enjoyed all 617 feet of this beautiful water fall. Did you know that fifteen states have a Bridal Veil Fall? Maybe on our next RV trip we will check them all out, but for now we think California’s is pretty special.
Note that Darcy and I are now working on this blog together, and we hope you enjoy both of our perspectives!
Most people who venture to the Grand Canyon find themselves peering over the South Rim. We were fortunate to get a peek from the other side. The North Rim is much less traveled but definitely worth the trip. Once you leave the main highway, the 40-mile drive to the North Rim is filled with landscape ravaged by wild fire. Signs along the way remind us that fires, while devastating, can be an important part of the cycle of life - offering a chance for new life. The burned out terrain quickly gives way to expansive meadows reaching all the way to the rim. Standing on the edge, remembering the view from the other side – the serenity, the colors, wondering how it all came to be - and that momentary gasp when your eyes see all there is to see.
