"T"~~ABC Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Hubby and I returned to our favorite location, the Sierra Nevada, over Memorial Day weekend. We left right after I got out of school that Friday afternoon. Believe me, we BOTH needed a break from the desert! So, hubby got the car washed, filled it up with gas, and packed it that day and away we went! We stayed overnight in Hesperia and then traveled to Bishop and Mammoth on Saturday. The Sierras are having a late spring this year. They just had snow a couple of days before we left the desert and many of the aspen haven't even got their green leaves. They are still bare. We did find some spots where they were getting their leaves, but not many. As we drove around June Lake (which was open and the Silver Lake Resort was full!), we did find some patches of aspen TREES with leaves! Here they are. We enjoyed our 3 days in the Sierras and, alas, returned to work today, but we are already planning our next visit! ABC Wednesday for June 2, 2010. "T" for trees.

Yellow flowers~Mellow Yellow Monday 052310

These beautiful yellow flowers were in full bloom Saturday. Aren't they bright and colorful? Mellow Yellow Monday for May 23, 2010.

Sierra landscape~Sunday Stills Challenge 0542210

Hubby and I travelled to the Sierras in February since I had a 4 day weekend. It had just snowed there three days before we arrived. This was taken near the Alabama Hills, near Lone Pine, looking up at the mountain range. Sunday Stills Challenge for May 22, 2010.

Windows at Dover Winery~Windows and Doors Too 052010

We LOVE to stop by Dover Winery when we visit Paso Robles and it looks like we'll be in the area at least once this summer! YEAH! I love their French doors. Isn't it beautiful? Windows and Doors, Too for May 20, 2010.

yellow flowers and fence~Scenic Sunday 051610

One morning as I was out and about before I went to visit my horses, I drove around the mountain valley where I board them and came across this wrought iron fence and wildflowers. The rest of the property was fenced with old barbed wire (very flimsy) and I'm not sure why they invested in this sturdy fence! But, it was an interesting entrance anyway! Scenic Sunday for May 16, 2010.

"B" is for Bishop, CA~Sunday Stills Challenge 050910

We love driving through the eastern Sierra and stopping in Bishop, CA. Our favorite restaurant and BAKERY is there~~Erich Schatts~~and believe me, it has many other fans! We try to avoid it right at noon, as the place is packed! We usually buy our sandwiches and head down the road to eat them. It is the largest town among those who line Highway 395, which goes from north of Hesperia (that's where we get on it) all the way to northern California. The New York Times has an interesting article on Bishop and its surrounding areas (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/travel/07owens.html?scp=1&sq=bishop,%20ca&st=cse), if you want to read it during your Sunday morning newspaper time. Here are some of my favorite photos from Bishop. We've traveled to the Sierras and Bishop three times in the last year...once in June of 2009, once in August, and then during the Presidents' Day 4 day weekend in February (that's where the snow pics were from)...We LOVE the Sierras! We are heading back in June as soon as school is out for the summer and believe me, I can't WAIT!!!! Sunday Stills Challenge for May 9, 2010.

Busy night~Nature Notes 050910

Last weekend, hubby and I decided to take a break from our jobs and take a weekend visit to Las Vegas. No, we don't go to the casinos or hotels! Instead, we drive out to Red Rock Canyon and other desert destinations. I had a Saturday horse clinic to attend and that afternoon, after lunch and a nap, we headed out to the Valley of Fire, near Lake Mead. As we stopped at Rainbow View, I was intrigued by all the animal tracks in the soft, red sand at my feet. I stopped and followed several of them. Aren't they interesting? I find myself stopping and either looking up at the sky or looking down at the ground for some interesting photos! Nature Notes for May 6, 2010.