Sounds~Sunday Stills Challenge 083009

Flowing water...what a beautiful, restful, peaceful sound! Sunday Stills Challenge for 083009

Sierra sunset~SkyWatch Friday 082809

While we were on vacation in the Sierra, we only had cloudy days the last two days we were there. Of course, we ran out with our photos on the first afternoon. I caught this beautiful sunset near Mono Lake late one afternoon. SkyWatch Friday for August 28, 2009.

Ferns in Yosemite~Think Green Thursday 082709

Hubby and I stopped along the road in Yosemite to take photos of the trees, but I looked down and saw these ferns and took them instead. Think Green Thursday for August 27, 2009.

Yosemite~Watery Wednesday 082609

When I think of Yosemite, I think of golden meadows, green trees, and water. Waterfalls and lakes abound in the park. Oh, and granite! I took these photos on our trip there last week. Watery Wednesday for August 26, 2009.

Yosemite vacation~That's My World 082509

We live only about 7 hours from Yosemite and this summer we have traveled there twice. Our first visit was June 14, right after school ended. Yosemite was full of water then! There were waterfalls everywhere. We just returned from our second visit this summer to Yosemite and it was very different. There wasn't as much water in the Merced River and there were fewer waterfalls. Even the ones flowing weren't flowing as much. But, who can resist the beauty of Yosemite? That's My World (my vacation world) for August 25, 2009.

Yellow grasses and rain~Mellow Yellow for 082409

As hubby and I drove out to Mono Lake and the south tufa one afternoon, thunderheads were developing overhead. When we drove back from Bishop's camera store, we could see rain storms off in the horizon. When we arrived at Mono Lake, there was one nearby, another one up near Bodie, CA, and the sky was darkening. The yellow grasses there were blowing in the wind and it started to sprinkle on us. It was a beautiful afternoon. Mellow Yellow for Monday, August 24, 2009.

Southern tufa, Mono Lake~Scenic Sunday for 082309

You know, hubby and I never had been to the southern tufa at Mono Lake! And, we've stopped by there many times. But this trip, he was talking to a gal who said we HAD to drive out there, so the afternoon that we drove back from the camera store in Bishop (LONG STORY...), we stopped there. And, WHAT a view! Thunderheads had gathered that afternoon and we could see rain coming down, maybe over Bodie. The sunset was beautiful shades of pink and orange. Scenic Sunday for August 23, 2009.

Sunset over the Sierra~Skywatch Friday 082109

We drove out to Mono Lake yesterday afternoon. There were some clouds building up over the lake, but the wind was so strong it was churning up the lake and we couldn't get a photo of the reflection of them on the lake. So, instead, we drove out to the little county picnic area, which was a nice little park! Driving back, hubby leaned out the window and took this photo of the sun setting. SkyWatch Friday for August 21, 2009.

"e" is for...ABC Wednesday, August 19, 2009

evening! We arrived at Mono Lake yesterday in the early evening. We've never stopped there before at this time. It has always been about noon, for some reason. But, in the evening, the heat dies down, the sky turns pale pastel shades, and there are less people around. We actually stopped at the northern tufts area where there is a pathway down to the lake. The seagulls were mostly on a couple of rocks, screaming to each other. It was very noisy! ABC Wednesday foir August 19, 2009.

Obsidian dome~That's My World 081809

For many years now, as we travel through Mammoth Lakes, I have noticed a sign that points to Obsidian Dome. I've never taken that road. Instead, it is just on the way when we are traveling to another destination. However, last night, hubby and I drove down Obsidian Dome road (a dirt road) and were delighted to find it. There, glistening in the sun, was a whole hill of obsidian! Fortunately we arrived in the late afternoon, when the sun was shining on it, instead of in the morning, when we possibly wouldn't even have noticed the beautiful, black rock. It is what's called "snowflake obsidian" because not only is it black glass, from the lava cooling down quickly, but it is flaked with small particles of ash. How interesting! Obsidian Dome Road is located between Mammoth and June Lake, right off of Highway 395. The forest there is beautiful, too! That's My World for August 18, 2009.

Cloud "explosion" over the Sierras~Sunday Stills 081509

During our last trip to the Sierras, we both stopped and took photos of this incredible cloud formation. I think it looks like a "cloud explosion". What do you think? This was June of this year. Sunday Stills Challenge for August 16, 2009.

Sunrise over mountain~SkyWatch Friday 081409

On our last day in Lone Pine, California, hubby and I arose early to drive out to the Alabama Hills to view the sunrise. This was our view. SkyWatch Friday, August 14, 2009.

Markleyville and south of Lake Tahoe~That's My World 081109

While visiting Lake Tahoe, one day hubby and I drove to Markleyville, a small town south of Lake Tahoe, and up the road in the nearby mountains. The views were spectacular, with snow still on the mountains. I wish this was my world, but, alas, I live in the desert, which is a world of its own. But, it's nice to get out into the trees and mountains for a vacation! That's My World for August 11, 2009.

Nevada~Scenic Sunday for 080909

Early one morning when hubby and I were staying in South Lake Tahoe, we got up and drove down to Genoa, Nevada. Genoa is one of the oldest cities in the state. Along the way, we saw some hot springs (bottom pic) and a lovely scenery. Scenic Sunday for August 9, 2009.

Sunday Stills Challenge~4 elements~August 9, 2009

Got it! Phew! I had to search, but I remembered when we were up at Lake Tahoe in June, there was a controlled fire on the north shore. We drove past it on our way back to the hotel one afternoon. Everything was so wet, there was no chance of it getting out of control, but still...So, here it is: air, water, earth, and fire. Sunday Stills Challenge for August 9, 2009. I added the second photo just so you could really see the smoke. If you click on the top one and enlarge it and look at the bottom right-hand corner, you'll see some of the smoke.

Full moon and mountains~SkyWatch Friday, August 7, 2009

Hubby and I drove through our local mountains near Idyllwild one evening last week. It had been a cloudy day. There weren't too many clouds and this beautiful sunset quickly developed. SkyWatch Friday, August 7, 2009.

"C" is for California~ABC Wednesday 080409

"C" is for California, from her deserts to mustard fields, to her vineyards, mountains, deserts, and valleys. I LOVE California!~There is so much to see and do! ABC Wednesday for August 4, 2009.

Merced River, Yosemite~That's My World 080309

The Merced River travels through Yosemite National Park and down by the town of Merced. When hubby and I were there this past June, it was moving swiftly through the canyon outside of the park. I liked the rocks and rock formations, too, outside the park. That's My World for Tuesday, August 3, 2009.

South of South Lake Tahoe~Sunday Stills Challenge "fences"080209

One day, after hubby and I arrived at South Lake Tahoe, he wanted to take a ride down a road to Markleyville, which is a small town south of Lake Tahoe. So, off we went. I'm glad we did, as we spotted several nice barns and this fence. Sunday Stills Challenge for 080209.