Last weekend I took a trip up to the Eastern Sierras to search out the Fall Colors. It was cold, warm, windy, rainy, cloudy, even hailed, and I still saw some blue sky. This picture is of South Lake in Bishop Creek, a lonesome beauty that still echoes in my soul.
The Aspen trees were turning glorious shades of yellow, gold, orange and red.
That would be me, enjoying my self immensely as I explored the creeks, canyons, waterfalls, mountains and lakes.
On the trail into North Lake in Bishop Creek, this stream crossing brings you over to the lake. I sat down on the rock in the middle of the stream, amazed by the sights and loving the sound of the creek flowing past me.
Sunlight sparkling upon the water in North Lake, Bishop Creek.
North Lake is such a pretty lake and apparently a great place to fish. People were catching great big trout, one right after the other.
One brave fisherman standing in the creek, pulling in the fish.
Sabrina Lake lies at the end of the road up Bishop Creek. I have seen the lake completely frozen over in the spring, blue and radiant in the summer and now, adorned in colorful fall foliage.
Blue sky, rugged gray mountains, dark green pines, red and yellow Aspen; does it get any better than this?
The trail around Sabrina Lake was filled with golden Aspen.
On my way out to South Lake I passed this mountainside filled with glorious color; the only problem was it was raining. I stopped the car and just as I was about to get out, it started hailing; little ice bee-bees pounding my car. After a few minutes it stopped and I jumped out of the car, umbrella in one hand and camera in the other.
As I stood there in the cold, the clouds parted and sunshine burst through the gray sky. Patches of blue emerged and it stopped raining. The air smelled so fresh from the recent rainfall. So very grateful to the Lord for this respite from the storm, I quickly started taking pictures until the clouds covered the sun again.
The whole mountain was ablaze in color and will probably get even brighter as the days go on.
Bishop Creek, a rippling stream of cold water flowing down the mountain.
"I gave my heart to the mountains the minute I stood beside this river with its spray in my face and watched it thunder into foam." Wallace Stegner
I spent the days hiking up the creeks into the mountains and found numerous animal tracks, interesting rocks, red and orange trees, and amazing blue Crested Jays.
On the way up to Sabrina Lake, I stopped at this beautiful little spot along Bishop Creek. Talked to some nice folks, rested, then moved on.
"Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees." Faith Baldwin
My campsite in Bishop Creek, quiet, right on the creek, nice neigbors, several a little too friendly, warm fires, good food.
"If it weren't for the rocks in its bed, the stream would have no song." Carl Perkins
Golden yellow and emerald green leaves, boldly standing out against vague shadows.
Happy camper...loving life in the quiet places! Seeking solitude, I left Bishop Creek and drove down to Big Pine Creek, just south of Bishop where I found a secluded, quiet site right on the Big Pine Creek.
Early in the morning, I crossed the bridge over the creek and started hiking up the trail. The sun was just rising and reflecting radiant color on the mountain.
It only lasted a few moments, but still cast a beautiful glow. I was the only person on the trail until I got up to the Glacier Lodge.
At the Lodge, I started up the Big Pine Creek trail into the wilderness. First Waterfall, aptly named, flowed over the rocks in a roar.
I met a few folks on the trail, enjoyed talking with them, but realized at 8000 feet, I was a little out of breath.
Huge pine trees dominate the landscape.
"All I knew was that it was pure delight to be where the land lifted in peaks and plunged into canyons, and to sniff air thin, spray cooled, full of pine and spruce smells, and to be so close-seeming to the improbable indigo sky." Wallace Stegner
At Second Falls, I decided to turn around. If you continue further up the trail, you pass by a stone cabin built by Lon Chaney and encounter several aquamarine glacier fed lakes.
Heading back to my campsite, I passed through the Lodge again, delighted to see the mountains reflected in the pool of water.
Back at my campsite; a bit tired, cold and hungry. I quickly cooked up a Reuben Sandwich and grabbed an Ice Tea. The fitting end to a wonderful trip.
Today I drove up to Oak Glen to visit my son Jon; I don't get to see him that often so every time I do it makes me very happy! After our visit I stopped in the little apple town which was right in the middle of an Apple Festival. Nearly all the ranches were open and had vendors selling everything from original jewelry and artwork to tiny donuts dusted in sugar and BBQ Pulled Pork sandwiches.
Pumpkins were piled up in old carriages, people were eating buttered corn on the cob fresh off the grill, several Blue Grass bands were entertaining the crowds and little kids were jumping in Bounce Houses and riding ponies.
Every time I see Indian Corn I think of the gorgeous display I had arranged on my front porch complete with Indian Corn, gourds, a scarecrow and baskets. In the morning when I walked out the front door, the Indian Corn had been stripped clean by nocturnal rats!
This kind of candy is more fun to look at then eat; give me a piece of good chocolate any day of the week and I am a happy camper.
Small gift stores were loaded to the brim with produce, baked goods, holiday knick-knacks and even 1-gallon potted apple trees to bring home and grow in your own garden.
Bright orange pumpkin, still on the vine, patiently waiting to be picked!
I found a great organic fruit and vegetable store that sold fresh produce, pumpkins, gourds and candy. One table was piled high with loaves of homemade bread; apple, whole wheat and Garlic Sourdough. Couldn't pass that by and ending buying a huge loaf of Sourdough Bread and eating several pieces in the car.
Sweet corn, still on the stalk; my kids always make fun of me when I get excited about seeing how fruit and vegetables look while they are growing. To me its incredible to see real corn growing on a stalk. This one is for you David!
Freshly made caramel apples; doesn't get much better than this!
Nearly all the apples have been harvested so there were no "pick your own" apple orchards open. But this orchard had boxes of fruit and several juicers for people to make their own apple juice.
After washing the apples, they picked the ones they wanted and placed them in a basket.
Then folks loaded the apples into this juicer and slowly turned the handle until the juice filled up a clean gallon container. It tasted like nectar from heaven; so sweet, fresh and tangy all at the same time.
Good night to all; sleep well. Know that God is watching over you and that He loves you. Keep the faith. Susan Little
