“Lower Yard & View”
Heatherwood Fall
After two weeks of vacation, we are missing our Heatherwood home. We look forward to see how much has changed during our absence. With a serious wind storm, we expect that all the leaves on the trees have fallen and the shrubs and grasses have been weather beaten. I am sure that this scene will be quite different when we return.
“15th Hole, Marriott Desert Springs Valley Course”
Palm Desert, California
Today is our last day of our two week vacation in Palm Desert. We played seven rounds of golf during our stay. It was the most golf I’ve played in a long, long, long time. I had many adventures around the courses, but had enough good shots to encourage me to get back into the game.
We had a great time with relatives and friends, enjoying the wonderful weather, golf, great food, and excursions into the desert. Now it’s time to return home and prepare for Thanksgiving.
“Joshua Trees”
Joshua Tree National Park, CA
Have you ever seen a forest in the desert. Here in Joshua Tree National Park, the south eastern Mohave Desert is covered with this strange forest. It is truly a western scene. I can imagine cowboys riding through this desolate area. There is no water to be found for miles..
The Joshua Tree is the largest of the Yuccas, reaching 35- 40 feet tall. They can live up to 150 years. Some have even found to have lived 300 years. They are a tough plant!
“Mono Lake & White Mountains”
Eastern California
We had just driven through a beautiful winding road up from Carson City, Nevada into the California Sierras. Coming down a steep winding road, we rounded a bend and saw this wide plain right in front of us. We quickly pulled off to a view point to take in the wide view of Mono Lake. The wind was howling. It was difficult to get the car door open. We could see gusts of wind blowing the light salt cloud over the lake.
“Rocks of Alabama”
Alabama Hills, California
I cannot define why these rock formations caught my eye. They just did. Was it their unusual shapes? Was it the contrast between the smooth eroded rocks in the foreground and the more rugged rocks in the background? Was it the textural difference between the Alabama Hills and the background Eastern Sierras? Or was it the memories of all the old cowboy movies of my childhood? Does it matter?
“Rock Folds”
Alabama Hills, California
When both Mary and I saw this folded rock formation we both said, “It kind of looks like a walrus.” The Alabama Hills are filled with such strange looking rock formations. It is an exciting opportunity to let my mind go wild! I can easily get lost imagining what could be.
“What Caused This Formation?”
Alabama Hills, California
There are many, many strange formations in the Alabama Hills. What caused this strange arrangement of crossing lines on these rocks? I wondered, wondered, and wondered … and still am.
“Mt. Langley & Mt. Whitney”
Eastern Sierras, California
I woke up, put on my clothes, stepped outside, looked across the road, and saw this stunning sight. It was just outside the Best Western Hotel in Lone Pine, CA. On my first look, the sun was starting to shine on the tips of Mt. Langley in the foreground and Mt. Whitney in the background. I grabbed my camera, ran across the road, and waited for the sunlight to cover the mountains and the tip of the Alabama Hills. It just took a few moments for the light to caress the top of the Alabama Hills. What a wonderful way to start a new day!
“Mt. Whitney”
Eastern Sierras, California
There it stands, Mt. Whitney issuing a challenge to able-bodied hikers to come up and climb me. This image is from a campground and a trail head for the climb. I can’t imagine myself ever attempting the climb. Kathy, this image is dedicated to you. I can remember you coming back from your trek to the top and saying it was tough, but not too bad. I wish you many more climbs in the future!
“Lone Oak & Mt. Whitney”
Alabama Hills, California
Today, I thought I would post something a little different than an image from our Heatherwood garden. I haven’t been out of our immediate area photographing in nature much since last June in the Palouse. It feels good to take a little break from our garden.
The Alabama Hills have always attracted me since watching all those old cowboy movies when I was a kid. The unique landscape with its rolling hills, intriguing rock formations, box canyons, and rugged Eastern Sierras have provided, and still do provide, a great background for action movies. They are a wonderful place to explore.
This live oak in its yellow fall color provides a great foreground for Mt. Whitney in the background. I remember how disappointed I was the first time I saw Mt. Whitney. I was expecting a towering peak standing out above the surrounding hills. It was no Mt. Rainier! But the fact remains that it is still the highest peak in the continental US.