On my way up to Bishop Creek last week, I stopped to watch the sun rise over the weird lava formations. In the background you can see smoke from the major wildfires burning in California.
It was cold that morning as the sun came up, but quickly turned warm with the sunshine.
As I passed through Lone Pine I stopped to take this picture of Mt. Whitney. At 14,505 feet, it is the highest peak in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, as well as in the contiguous United States.
One of my favorite places in California, Bishop Creek, just outside of Bishop. My happy place, to be more exact!
It was super cold up at my campsite which was situated at 8,000 feet. I spent a lot of time gathering wood for campfires in both the morning and evening. When I woke up that first morning it was so cold that I could barely crawl out of my sleeping bag. I checked the temperature and it was 27 degrees. When I went to heat up some water for coffee, I found my water bottle had frozen into ice.
The place attracts fishermen of all ages, as well as fisherwomen and fisherchildren. Fishing season closes on November 15 in the Sierras, and wont reopen til the last Saturday in April. Better get up there quick if you want to get some fall fishing in!
As I was collecting wood, it was high noon and yet I found ice sculptures down at the creek.
Golden autumn leaves lined the road on my way up to Lake Sabrina.
A slight detour brought me to North Lake, such a beautiful place to stop and have a snack.
That would be me up at Lake Sabrina! The lake was created in 1907 by damming the middle fork of Bishop Creek in the Inyo National Forest. I have seen Lake Sabrina in the Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Each season has its own special beauty.
While on the trail leading to Blue Lake, I stopped and took this photo of Lake Sabrina. The water was clear and varied in color from emerald green to midnight blue. The reflection of the mountains in the deepest blue water was spectacular.
Fall color sprouting from the crevice of a boulder.
The Bishop Creek campground I was staying in closed for the season, so I drove up to Convict Lake, just off Hwy 395 near Mammoth. I was able to get the same campground on the creek that I had camped in the previous year, with the same wonderful view of the trees, water and mountains.
Camping at Convict Lake was even colder than camping at Bishop Creek, but again I collected a bunch of wood and had wonderful campfires.
I was at my campsite doing some work at the table, when I turned around and found this doe staring at me. She did not even flinch, but just looked me straight in the eye like she expected something. I figured it was food, so I opened the bear box, which did not frighten her in the least, and grabbed an apple. She was still there staring at me as I cut up the apple and gave her half. Fearful that she would bite me, I laid the apple on the bench and she grabbed that thing and started chewing. It took her the longest time to chew up the small piece I gave her, but I wasn't about to give her any more. That deer would not leave so I just went about my business and she finally sauntered off.
At Convict Lake there is a 3-mile trail around the lake that I love to walk. I had never seen the lake so blue before, and looking down through the golden trees made it seem even more blue.
Water, wood and rocks. Three of my favorite things!
While camping at Convict Lake a dear friend of mine, Mark Downey, passed away quite unexpectedly. As soon as I found out I lost my camping joy and decided to head home. God please bless Mark's wife and son, and all those who knew and loved Mark. I know Mark is with you, Lord, but we will miss him so very much. "But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your hand."
It is hard for me to drive long distances as I get bored behind the wheel. Therefore I stop a million and one times and end up taking three times as long as a regular person would. My friend Jim told me about this cool little town that was almost a ghost town. Curious and tired, I pulled off the highway and found it but everything was closed. That made it seem even more like a ghost town. I took a bunch of photos and then got back to the serious business of driving home.
This particular house had so much rustic charm!
One of the newer buildings in town that really caught my eye with this display.
Most of the buildings looked like this one, and I so wished some of these old antique stores had been open! I love to wander around and look at old things. Don't buy much, just like looking. Good night to one and all. May you be filled with peace knowing that God is alive and well, and always willing to listen to the heart of His children. Susan Little
