Saturday, July 16, 2011

Bishop Creek, California

The road up to Bishop Creek is unbelievably beautiful. Whenever I catch a glimpse of these mountains, I have to stop and take a picture to remember the moment.
Sometimes I just need to get away and think, so for the last few days I have been camping up in Bishop Creek. Wildflowers are profusely blooming throughout the basin.
I camped right on this segment of the creek that was lined with Aspen, all fresh with green leaves. Whenever the wind whispered, each leaf shook independently, as if they were talking to me.
Wild roses are in bloom; this one is still fresh in the bud.
While sitting down at the creek thinking and reading my Bible,I looked up and saw the sun reflecting on this wild rose branch.

The campfire not only warms my body but cheers my heart; a good place to sit and relax.
My faithful Subaru parked in my campsite. I sleep in the back and it is very comfortable; two foam pads, a sleeping bag and three down quilts might have something to do with it.
This huge Jeffrey Pine stood in the back of my campsite; just imagine all the things he has seen.
Sitting down at the creek, watching the water ripple and the sun dappled shadows appear and disappear.
Towards the back of the campground is a beautiful walk with a large green meadow, deer feeding in the evening, two fresh water springs, and endless trees, flowers and mountains.
The stunning view of the mountains right outside the campground; wild, wonderful wilderness.

Sabrina Lake, California

Today I took a drive up to Sabrina Lake, hoping to find a hot cup of coffee. The road to the lake passed by this rushing stream; definitely a Kodak moment. Everywhere I looked, wildflowers were blooming.
Scarlet Paintbrush and purple Lupin side by side, best of friends. Both come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes; kind of like people.
Fragile beauty in the rugged wilderness.
Here she stands in bridesmaid pink, ready to walk down the aisle.
After my coffee, I decided to hike the Sabrina Basin Trail which takes you up into the mountains with views of the lake all along the trail.
The trail passes into the John Muir Wilderness.
This stream flowed over the trail, forming a waterfall which flowed down the mountain into the lake.
"Flowers are those little colorful beacons of the sun from which we get sunshine when dark, somber skies blanket our thoughts." Dodinsky

That would be me enjoying the beautiful day and the wonderful hike. This photo of frozen Sabrina Lake was taken in May of this year, just a few months ago. The whole place was deserted except for one elderly couple. The ice was cracking and breaking up, like it was Antarctica!

Same shot as the frozen lake above, just now it is summer. What a difference. The lake is filled with fishermen, fisherwomen, fisherchildren and even fisherdogs.

View of the lake from the trail. If you look super close, you can see the fisherpeople standing on the ledge, fishing over the railing.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Sequoia National Park, California

First trip to Sequoia National Park for my grandsons, Wyatt and Ethan. We had a great time in spite of the snow!
The boys were very impressed to make it to the top of Morro Rock!
Ethan and Wyatt climbing up the staircase to the top of the mountain.
Lodgepole campground had areas that were still covered in snow; fortunately our campsite was comfortable and dry.A beautiful, clear river runs through the campground, a perfect place for young boys to play!One afternoon a bear ran right through our campground. Ethan and Wyatt were in the car shouting, "Bear," and it startled me so much that I almost forgot to run and get my camera!

Indian graffiti at Hospital Rock; some things never change.
The Sentinel Tree in front of the Giant Forest Museum is 257 feet tall! One big dude!
Ethan, looking just like his daddy, Jon.

Wyatt, standing in the trunk of a giant Sequoia.

Every afternoon, several deer walked through our campground in Lodgepole. Kind of a strange feeling to see them so close.
Me and the boys lovin' life in Crescent Meadow.
Me, Stan and the boys took a hike around Crescent Meadow. Three bear foraging in the meadow scared the living daylights out of me!
The boys in the shadow of the giants.
Tharp's Log; a weird house built into a huge log, with a fireplace, kitchen and bed. The boys wanted to live there. They were certain it was Tharp who had set the fires that burned so many of the trees.
My friend Stan and the boys measuring the trunk of the tree.
Climbing this tree was quite an experience!
We saw three more bears in the meadow on the trail in the Giant Forest. By the end of the trip, I was so done with bears.
Close enough to give me a heart attack!
Colorful rocks in the waterfall at Buckeye Flat.
Me dunking Wyatt in the ice cold water at Buckeye.
We had no idea that this waterfall would be at the end of our trail. What a surprise!
Boys testing the water....as usual.
Wyatt sliding down a natural rock slide.
The water was so cold we couldn't just jump in, so I held onto the boys feet and slowly let them slide down into the water!
Ethan crashed his bike in the Buckeye Flat Campground. He was racing down the hill and lost control and smashed into a rock, flew off of his bike and slid into a tree. Thank God he had his helmet on and walked away, alive and well; a real life miracle. New friends the boys made at the campground.

Ethan at Hospital Rock wanting me to hurry up and take the picture so he could run off exploring! Takes after me, I suppose. Hiding under a cave where the Native Americans used to roam.End of a perfect week at the Sequoias!

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