We went to see the fall color, which was abundant and glorious. We stayed in Mammoth Lakes with a friend and several new friends, in a condo. It was a friendly group, and we agreed to not discuss politics, which helped immensely. We were there to indulge our creative photographic impulses, and that we did. The guys we were with are great technical, mechanical masters at their art. It was instructive to listen to their talk.
Mono Lake was a great surprise -- I had no idea how big it is. When drop down from a hill and get the first glimpse of it -- WOW.
We also made it to the historic town of Bodie, which at one time was a gold and silver mine town, with 60 bars and probably as many cat houses. It is a rich source for photographers, and I'm not at all sure I captured it well (still editing photos) but it was great to finally go there and walk around.
There is a cemetery as well (as one would expect) but we were too bushed at that point to have a look. Next time. We love cemeteries. Such a rich history there.
We drove home a day early, as there were dire forecasts of 100 mph winds and big rain coming into the area. Our fellow shooters stayed and the aforementioned winds didn't really kick up, so they had an additional day of shooting. In any case, we were pooped out due to altitude and travel, and are happy to be home now. The rain is falling here and that makes me very happy.
Enjoy your weekend!
I love that part of California, the high desert. We especially loved Manzanar, and when you get there sometime, you will not only be amazed at the story it tells, but the creativity of humans when in a less than desirable situation. It's wonderful how something horrendous has been turned into not only a historic lesson but one of life. I took over a hundred photos there.
ReplyDeleteyes, Betty, I'll bet. It is someplace I've wanted to go to for a long time. I honor those intrepid citizens who endured so much cruelty and triumphed over the worst of human impulses. I image I, too, would take a lot of photos there.
DeleteLove seeing this part of California through your photography. I haven't been there in so many years I can hardly remember it. We drove Highway 395 back in the late 80s and early 90s. So beautiful there. Your photos make me want to go again.
ReplyDeleteweren't you there on 9/11?
DeleteWe were in Sierra City when 9/11 happened. Roger and I went to Mammoth Lakes after a visit with my parents when they were living in Desert Hot Springs. I had a rough time the first night with the elevation, but got acclimated after that. My first trip to the eastern Sierra was in 1989 with Roger. We went to Lone Pine for a week with day trips to the high country. We hiked the first three miles of Whitney Portal. I wish I could remember all of it. I do remember that we stopped at Manzanar on the way home and placed stones on sad sacred ground.
DeleteManzanar is another place I want to visit. Yes, the altitude really got to us all on this trip. Since I was still getting over severe asthma, it was doubly hard. Luckily, I had medication that helped. I took it very slowly when walking. Though sometimes struggling to breathe, I wouldn't have missed the trip for anything. It was astounding to see the vastness of the area, the high jagged peaks in the distance.
DeleteSounds like a great adventure! I have really been enjoying your photos and look forward to seeing some more.
ReplyDeletea truly wonderful time , great place, I am sorry we didn't get to the cemetery, it would have been interesting to say the least, tied up many other things, and been a rich source of photographs, I have no doubt.
ReplyDeleteyour blog was terrific, honest ( as I would of course expect) and if anything, understated. Your images, as always, are great.
ReplyDelete