Monday, August 29, 2011

Last Week

Just a few photos of the area we were camped at last week.

A quick right turn and we could lose 5000 feet in a big hurry. That's not why I took the photo though. It was very hot and this line of clouds appeared out of nowhere, in an otherwise pure blue sky. About three hours later, there was a fairly large thunderstorm. That's the Anza-Borrego desert down the mountain.  It's an amazing place with miles and miles of FWD roads, but it was about 115 degrees down there on that day (so there was no way we were going)!

A look back up the road. Once again, the clouds were really nice.

My granddaughter forgot her camera and insisted that I take this photo for her.  Once I saw it enlarged, I was glad I did so, but I wish I'd gotten the whole shadow in the photo. It was about 5 feet long. My favorite time of day to take photos. If you enlarge it, you'll see what I mean.

As barren as the first two photos looked, this little seasonal lake is only about a quarter mile away. Plenty of fish in it.

What outdoors post would be complete without at least one photo of a critter?
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I have a few more posts coming from this trip. One from in and around the town of Julian, one from a side trip to the small town of Guatay, and one through part of the mountains of San Diego County that was devastated by fire a few years ago.


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30 comments:

  1. Wow those clouds and that sky - I want to reach out and touch them... Looks like a great and relaxing trip. I could use something like that right about now!

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  2. Nice photos, Pat! And 115 degrees is HOT.

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  3. That lake looks so lush. Must be a bit like an oasis

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  4. The beautiful little hidden lake with large trout, and that sky above...as close to heaven as makes no difference.

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  5. Those are great photos Pat...but watch that first step!

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  6. Love the cloud photos. I love taking photos of clouds in a deep blue sky.

    Kay

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  7. It is so cute that your granddaughter asked you to take the picture for her. A pine cone, no less. Sounds like she is following in your footsteps!

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  8. The beauty of that lake is breathtaking, amidst the heat and, what looks to be, a lot of dry dusty road.

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  9. I too love that pine cone photo and did enlarge it. but my favorite is the late. I love the color of the water and the light. so...did you catch any of those trout? happy Monday to you Pat.

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  10. A great variety of lovely shots, Pat. That's a neat shadow "trick." I also really like this little critter picture. He blends right in with the wood and seems to like it that way.
    xoRobyn

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  11. I often notice clouds heading directly from a line of hills to the North of us directly to the top of Portland to our South, not bothering to rain on us on their way.

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  12. That pine cone picture is a great shot. Your granddaughter has a good eye already. This looks like a really good was to spend a day. I personally would have avoided the 115-degree landscape myself. That lake looks really inviting...nice batch of pics Pat!

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  13. I LOVE clouds, and lakes. The ones you've posted here of them is awesome. All the photos are wonderful. Looking forward to more.
    Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets

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  14. Sarah - On that day, it looked like you could reach out and touch them.

    Alex - Thanks Alex! It was about 95 on top of the mountain and that felt very hot. No way, I was going down into the desert. In a couple of months, we'll go for sure.

    Tim - It really did! Too bad they don't want any humans in it!

    Margaret - It was pretty nice! Add a frosty mug of beer to that scene and I'd be just right...

    Brian - Thanks! Oh yeah! It's a long way down.

    Kay - Thanks Kay! I feel the same way.

    KarenG - She takes some pretty good photos already, one of these days, I'll buy her a better camera.

    Ms. A - Thanks Ms. A! It was hot and dusty! Despite that, we love that place.

    Ms. Becky - I didn't do any fishing at all. The lake is catch and release. It would be like drinking decaf coffee...

    Robyn - Thanks Robyn! There must be more squirrels than people in the world. They are everywhere!

    Lucy - These clouds passed right by as well. A few hours later the sky was full of huge raincoulds.

    Chuck - Thanks Chuck! If my gd hadn't been with us, we may have gone down there. It's a dry heat!

    Ann - Thanks so much Ann! I'm with you!

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  15. I must confess...I love the critter photos the best...even though I'm a sucker for mountains. :)

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  16. You really do create lovely photos. I want to jump in the RV and visit these places.

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  17. 115 degree? Yikes! That's only slightly worse than dropping 5,000 feet. Stay cool, my friend. Stay cool.

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  18. Ooo I do see what you mean. Enlarged it. Love the shot. Personally I think the framing is right on.

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  19. Marlene - We all love little animals. Although, lot's of folks hate ground squirrels because of the damage they do to hillsides and things like that.

    #1Nana - Thanks so much! If you guys ever make it this far south...
    We hope to be making the LOOOONG trip up the coast next year.

    Stephen Tremp - I do my best Stephen! We almost made the trip down there despite the heat.

    Sharon - But of course!

    Jesse - Thanks Jesse! The late afternoon or morning light is awesome.

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  20. I enjoyed the shot the critter...and the clouds in a straight line is simply Awesome.

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  21. Im starting to get jealous of your travels. Can I come on the next trip you take? I swear I will be good.

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  22. Love the first pic with the trail of clouds! And did you catch some trout?

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  23. incredibly gorgeous shots, pat!
    thanks for sharing. :0
    your photography a true gift for seeing things.

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  24. Pine Cone is awesome--great Shadow Shot Sunday Entry!

    J

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  25. Now that's what I call a 'hair-pin' curve!
    Nice shots, Pat.

    Pam

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  26. A lovely series... a road trip of contrasts. That emerald green lake is soothing to see. Your granddaughter has a good eye... nice cone (better enlarged, for sure.)

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  27. Your granddaughter has your artistic flare! Lucky her! Lucky you to have someone to share it with!

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  28. What a cool batch of clouds and one heck of a view. Your granddaughter has a good eye, that's a neat pine cone.

    I like your choice of critters.

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