robes of glory

Wrights Lake 9-20-12

"When summer gathers up her robes of glory, and, like a dream, glides away." 

~ Sarah Helen Whitman

With my early birthday present in hand, I ventured to a favorite place: Wrights Lake in the Desolation Wilderness area near South Lake Tahoe.

So far, loving my new Nikon camera although it looks like I need to tone down the 'vivid' setting a bit.

How do you feel about the end of summer and beginning of fall?

~ Saturday Snapshot ~

tuolumne meadows in september

Click on image to enlarge.

Just returned from our second quick camping trip in Rocky (our new pop up tent trailer). We stayed for two nights in the Tuolumne Meadows campground. Lucked into a good spot -- the ranger assigns your spot when you arrive.

The meadows were gorgeous. Enjoyed some great hikes and took about eleventy hundred photos. And, we did much better this time with our packing.

Very cozy although we did use the furnace a bit in the mornings.

Why do my hiking shorts always make me look like a chubby girl scout? Gah.

~ Saturday Snapshot ~

Saturday Snapshot - eclipse rose

Didn't attempt to capture the solar eclipse with my very limited photography skills but did notice the gorgeous light it produced on the first bloom on the Princess Diana rose.

~ Saturday Snapshot ~

Saturday Snapshot - heart rock cafe

Alabama Hills on the east side of the Sierra Nevada.

I collect and provide sanctuary for heart-shaped rocks but was thrilled to spot this other type of heart-shaped rock during our recent road trip to Death Valley National Park.

Don't forget to look out into the night sky tonight for a meteor shower.

~ Saturday Snapshot ~

road tripping

Badlands National Park [click on image to enlarge]

We're heading off to visit Death Valley National Park. It's our first visit despite growing up in California and living back in California for the past eight years. A quick trip this time (one day) but it looks like the weather is going to work out for us. The snow has let up in the Sierra and it's only going to be in the 80s in Death Valley.

~ Saturday Snapshots ~

moonstruck

Aaoooooo!

Last night's full moon.

Saturday Snapshots at Alyce's.

prettiest place on earth

Cinque Terre, Italy. [click on image to enlarge]

Snapshot taken from the Sentiero Azzurro on vacation in April 2005. Cinque Terre may be the prettiest place I've ever seen.

Continue your virtual travels around the world at Saturday Snapshots.

Saturday Snapshot - the pleasures of July

I took this photo yesterday in the late afternoon. I don't know what it is about this summer, but I'm obsessed with being outside as much as possible. I'm also extremely observant of what all the plants are doing in my yard. Things like what's blooming; what should be blooming but isn't; what looks best at what time of day...and so on. The daylilies have been spectacular this year and July is their month to shine. I felt compelled to take this photo because I'm noticing that soon the blooming period for the daylilies will come to an end. It makes the time in the late afternoon when these lilies are backlit by the sunlight precious.

~ Saturday Snapshots @ Alyce's ~

Saturday Snapshot - 3K

All bike journeys begin at mile 0. Yesterday, I ticked over the 3,000 mile mark on my bike. Here's hoping there's another 3k in us!

~ Saturday Snapshots ~

Saturday Snapshot - home on the range

Wind Cave Natl Park South Dakota (click on image to enlarge)

This was an amazing sight...I felt so fortunate to be at this place at that particular time with my camera ready.

~ Saturday Snapshot ~

Saturday Snapshot: tree love

Click on image to enlarge.

My favorite tree at home is a Golden Full Moon Japanese Maple. I took this photo yesterday in the late afternoon or if you prefer, early evening. Love this tree.

~ Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce (At Home with Books) ~

Saturday Snapshot - Badlands

Badlands National Park South Dakota

I took this photo exactly a week ago while we were on our Buffalo & Brew Pubs tour of the wild west. This was a very strange place but beautiful in its way. Couldn't help but try to imagine what an incredible sight it must have been for the first non-native American explorers.

Also kept hearing Springsteen's Badlands in my head.

Badlands you gotta live it every day
Let the broken hearts stand
As the price you've gotta pay
We'll keep pushin till it's understood
And these badlands start treating us good

~ Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce ~

Saturday Snapshot - Rushmore

We were wrapped up like mummies [it was f-f-freezing] for last night's lighting program at Mount Rushmore, but it was worth it. Spectacular!

~ Saturday Snapshots ~

Saturday Snapshot - Bertha

My grandma Bertha & I. [Los Angeles, February 1960]

I love how many photos from the 50s & 60s have people positioned in front of cars. My grandma had only been a resident of the U.S. for about 4 years when this picture was taken. She moved her family from England in search of new and better opportunities in America. I was her first grandchild.

~ Saturday Snapshots is hosted by Alyce ~

Saturday Snapshot: George and Martha

Mount Vernon, April 2011

My sister and I visited the Washington DC area a couple weeks ago. On a day with amazingly good weather, we took the tour of Mount Vernon. I'd already been there several years ago, but this was the first time for her. Highlights include admiring the vivid colors of the interior walls/rooms; baby lambs; sharing a tasty tuna sandwich; and seeing George's teeth.

~ Saturday Snapshot at Alyce's ~

Saturday Snapshot: pretty in pink

Since I took a trip back in time last week, decided to take a photo this morning on the way back from a starbucks run for iced coffee (still no warm/hot beverages for me). This is a close up of a beautiful pink dogwood tree in the parking lot of the movie theater.

Check out all the other Saturday Snapshots or better yet, join along, at Alyce's blog. 

Saturday Snapshot: you are my sunshine

Sara Anne

Our daughter turned 30 yesterday. How is this even possible? I can clearly remember when I took this shot of her at the condo we rented in Carpinteria (a little south of Santa Barbara). I love this picture as it represents a very happy time in my life. Here's a link to a photo montage I put together yesterday for Sara's big birthday.

Saturday Snapshots is the brain-child of Alyce (At Home with Books).

BTW - I'm giving away a really good book. You should try to win it.

Saturday Snapshot: cherry blossoms

I'm back from my trip to Washington DC with my sister. These photos were taken on our first day near the Washington Monument. It was a gorgeous day.

[Saturday Snapshots is hosted by Alyce. Check out all the other snapshots at At Home With Books.]

Saturday Snapshot: March Madness

If this daffodil can hang in there, well, so can I.

Crazy spring weather here in northern California. This year's version is snow-covered and includes power outages. I haven't ridden my bike since Thanksgiving Day. Really. The silver lining I suppose, is that when we finally do get spring weather, I will be filled with gratitude (and on my bike). Maybe next week...?

As disappointing as the weather has been lately, it's nothing compared to what people are enduring in Japan. What's happened there puts everything in perspective.

Check out all the other Saturday Snapshots here.

Saturday Snapshot: functional art

Stylish and well-used bike rack in Eton, England.

After touring Windsor Castle, we wandered over to nearby Eton. This was in late May of 2009 on a visit to London and surrounding areas with my parents. My mother is originally from England.

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books.