Silver Lake Resort

We spent two nights up at the Silver Lake Resort, which is one of the lakes in the June Lake loop.  It is a very quiet spot and hubby was out one afternoon, across the general store and cafe, down by the boat rental shack when he heard a movement in the bushes.  It was a deer!  He said she wasn't afraid at all and he was able to take several photos of her.  He actually took all these photos, as I was off wandering along the horse trail above the cabin!  The 3rd and 4th photos are of our cabin, which was right across from the duck pond.  (Guess who fed the ducks?)...heheheheh!  We BBQ'd some steaks Sunday night and they were delicious.  After dinner, we sat outside and I saw the Milky Way for the first time in ... years!  The resort is open through October 19th, then they close for the season and will reopen in April of 2012.  We've been trying to get the kids and grandson up there, but coordinating everybody's schedule is nearly impossible, so we just go by ourselves.  Here's a link to their website:  http://www.silverlakeresort.net/

Mono Lake tree~SkyWatch Friday ~092311

Those of you who follow this blog know I have a favorite tree up in the pinyon forest next to Deep Canyon.  I found this one while driving down the county road west of Mono Lake.  I like its lines, too.  There are several dead trees along the road, which meanders out to the Mono Lake Cemetery, and I always like to drive down the road and see them.  It was very late in the afternoon when we drove by this tree on our Sierra trip last weekend and soon it was too dark to photograph anything, so we just went to the county park and listened to all of the gully out on the lake.  SkyWatch Friday for September 22, 2011. To visit SkyWatch Friday, please go to:  http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Water in the Sierra~Nature Notes~092211

There was a LOT of water yet up in the Sierra when we traveled there last weekend.  In June, there was still snow on the Tioga Road and Yosemite wasn't even open yet!  The upper lakes were still frozen.  I kid you not.  By the July 4th weekend, there was still a lot of snow in Mammoth.  We rented a cabin at the Tamarack Lodge and a small stream was running right next to it!  It was a good feeling to see Grant Lake (top photo), one of the June Lakes, very full.  Last time we were there, last spring, it wasn't.  And Mono Lake, bottom photo, had more water than we've seen for a while, although it still isn't at the levels mandated.  There were still waterfalls (this one was up near Aspendell) and there were small ones still running.  California needs this water and the Owens Valley desperately needs it.  Even Crowley Lake (2nd photo) was way beyond its normal level.  While nobody knows what kind of winter 2011/2012 will be like, it would be nice if it was another wet, snowy winter like last winter's.  Nature Notes for September 21, 2011. To visit Nature Notes, please go to:  http://ramblingwoods.com/

Mist on the lake~Watery Wednesday~092111

I woke up early one morning while we were staying at the Silver Lake resort.  Hubby was still asleep, so I crept out of the cabin to the lake across from us.  It was about 6:30 a.m. and mist was rising off the lake.  Now, for a native Southern Californian, we don't know of such things!  I mean, hubby...yes.  He is of the "People of the Mists", the Iroquois Nation.  When we traveled to upper New York state, I saw the mists rise up from the forests there and he explained what was happening.  It was fairly ordinary for him.  But, for me, this was something spectacular.  I hope you enjoy it too!  Watery Wednesday for September 21, 2011. To visit Watery Wednesday, please go to:  http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

Searching for aspen~Our World Tuesday~092011

Hubby and I headed up to the Sierra this past weekend to find signs of fall colors.  We were about two weeks too early, however.  There were some aspen that had touches of yellow, but they were few and far between. In any event, it was good to get out of the desert heat and experience chilly mornings at Silver Lake, which is one of the June Lakes.  These aspen were north of Bishop, CA, on the aspen road that I posted on Sunday. Our World Tuesday for September 20, 2011.  To visit Our World Tuesday, please go to:  http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Aspen road~Sunday Stills Challenge~091811

Hubby and I are once again up in the Sierra.  This trip we are looking for early signs of fall, especially any aspen which are turning yellow.  It's really too early for most aspen, but there are a few "early birds".  We drove up the road outside of Bishop, up to South Lake yesterday.  Along the way, I spotted a side road (our favorite kind of road) which was lined with aspen, so away we went.  I parked the car and we walked back along it.  Unfortunately, in my eagerness, I walked further than I should have and altitude sickness hit me about an hour later.  I was dizzy, had a horrible headache, and started shaking.  So, we stopped for a late lunch in Bishop at Jack's and after eating some food and drinking a large glass of ice tea, I felt better!  Here is the road to the aspen.  Sunday Stills Challenge for September 18, 2011.

View from Highway 74~SkyWatch Friday~091611

I love to look across the Coachella Valley from on top of the Santa Rosa mountains.  The afternoon that we came back from Orange County, these were the views.  Skywatch Friday for September 16, 2011. To visit SWF, please go to:  http://skyley.blogspot.com/