Bob Kent 12/29/16 Bob Kent 12/29/16

Operation Santa Status - A Success

Christmas Day has come and gone. All the presents have been opened and the Christmas Ham/Turkey/Tri Tip is now just delicious leftovers. I thought it would be appropriate to give a final status to this year's Operation Santa.

For my first time I consider this year's Operation Santa a raging success. It did what I expected but delivered benefits even more than I thought possible. My expectations were simple, help some folks in need and try to bring back the joy of toy shopping like the days of old when the kids were younger.

When you tally the results, my local Operations Santa reached "Organizational" (Arlo Guthrie Alice's Resteraunt) status by having a total of three families participating in the giving. My thanks go out to Ralph Nunez and the Konecnys for joining in! Together we helped six families have a better Christmas and hopefully realize that there are others out there that care about them.

I also had multiple people ask me for the details about Operation Santa because they want to do it next year. So I am setting a goal to get 10 families join in my organization next year. This means I will have to start sooner next year!

Going through the motions of Operation Santa changed the way I felt through this Christmas season. I was happier and more at peace through this holiday season that is stressful to many.

One reason is I got all my stuff done earlier as I had to get the Operation Santa presents out by the 19th. More importantly, the season was totally focused on enjoying company and giving to others in a way that meant something to the receiver. I found myself starting to look for ways to make this Christmas special for those around me. I bought gifts that were designed specifically for where the person was "at" in this moment of time. Looking back, I received way more than I gave.

So I am hooked. I want to find ways to extend this feeling of peace all year round. I believe the answer is to keep the Christmas Spirit of giving alive all year round. In other words volunteer and give back, all year long! I have not picked where I will volunteer yet, but I found this article that listed the 10 best organizations to volunteer at. Reading it the thought kicked in my head, that just like Operation Santa, maybe I could I get others to do the same. I want to get volunteering throughout 2017 to that Arlo Guthrie "Organization" level or beyond! Maybe we could orchestrate field trips and do it together!

So here is that list of potential organizations where you can volunteer. I am sure there are others near you or that have special meaning to you. Let me know if you are going to join my band of "Operation Christmas All Year" or if you already do volunteer!

The list:

Midnight Mission - Downtown’s Midnight Mission is one of the best-run organizations of its kind, offering counseling, education, training and job placement to the city’s homeless population, as well as food, shelter, personal hygiene and medical care. Along with regular meal services and food donation drives, the Mission holds special Thanksgiving and Christmas events. If you’d like to help during a special event, start with some regular volunteer hours—the Mission's website has a form you can fill out to help match you with the right service. Note: Because it’s an all-male facility, Midnight Mission asks that female volunteers come with a companion (male or female).

Union Station Homeless Services - USHS, San Gabriel Valley’s largest social services agency, offers year-round community meal programs and other services for the area’s homeless population, including emergency shelter, community shower programs, children’s education and recreational activity and adult classes in parenting, money management and nutrition. USHS has also hosted Dinner in the Park for over four decades; deemed the biggest potluck in the nation by the LA Times, the volunteer-run dinner helps provide warm holiday meals to more than 7,000 low income, homeless and senior citizens. For details and volunteer information, check online; and if you’re interested in donating goods, take a look at USHS’ most-wanted list (green beans are in high demand).

One Voice - Santa Monica–based One Voice has services that run the gamut, from emergency relief to families in crisis to a scholars program for low income students. The organization puts on an annual Holiday Food Program to distribute Christmas food baskets, toys and books to more than 2,500 families living in poverty in the L.A. area. On the Thursday and Friday before Christmas, more than 2,000 volunteers come together to prep, sort and package food—it’s a festive atmosphere with holiday music and lots of socializing. Saturday, volunteers deliver the food and toys to seven distribution centers, and on Sunday, families arrive to receive the goods and celebrate with volunteers. To be part of the celebration, check One Voice’s volunteer info page and fill out a registration form.

APLA Health Plan - No matter your age, APLA Health has a volunteer opportunity for you. Sure, you could just donate funds, but the AIDS organization relies on its volunteers, who contribute more than 65,000 hours of service each year. If you're interested, you can choose between four types of volunteers: client access volunteer, food pantry volunteer, nutrition/administrative volunteer and a special events volunteer, like AIDS Walk Los Angeles. If you're interested in learning more, email volunteer@apla.org, or apply online.

SOVA Community Food and Resource Program - At each of SOVA’s three service centers (West L.A., West Hollywood and Van Nuys), food pantries are stocked with nutritious canned and packaged foods, breads and fresh produce—the pantries provide a free five-day supply of groceries and hygiene products for each family member in need. Volunteers are needed for everything from packaging and inventory to registering clients and entering data. SOVA offers opportunities for both "occasional" and "core" volunteers—check their site to learn more about both.

Fred Jordan Mission - The Fred Jordan Mission has provided food, clothing, blankets and other services to the homeless population of inner city Los Angeles for more than 50 years. Its Street Banquet on Skid Row offers a traditional turkey dinner to hundreds of the area’s homeless for Thanksgiving. FJM also hosts a Christmas Celebration, during which volunteers hand out food bags, toys and blankets—as well as sing carols—to more than 12,000 of downtown’s neediest. Volunteer opportunities are also available during Easter, Mother’s Day and back-to-school time. Check the Mission’s website to get involved. Note: The FJM is a religious organization and tends to hand out “food for the soul” (a.k.a. bibles) along with its “food for the body”—in case that sort of thing makes you uncomfy.

Food on Foot - this organization distributes food (chicken, fresh fruits and veggies, granola bars, milk etc.) and gently used clothing, shoes and blankets every week in Hollywood. You can sign up to volunteer anytime, and it usually costs $25 (providing the funds to feed about five people for a day). Note: Neil Patrick Harris is a benefactor—he won $100,000 for FOF on Jeopardy in 2010—so don’t be surprised if while volunteering you see him don a hairnet and take to the streets.

Dream Catcher of Los Angeles is one of many local organizations that focus on horse therapy. The riding center works with children, adults and veterans with cognitive, physical and emotional disabilities, using equine therapy to improve the mind, body and spirit. Volunteers are needed in a variety of capacities, from providing horse lessons, caring for the horses, fundraising and organizational tasks. If you're interested, there is a volunteer form available online.

One incredible Family - This organization comes together to prepare meals which volunteers then bring to different shelters in West L.A. to be handed out by shelter volunteers. If you’re interested in the prep and cooking, but maybe not ready for the interaction side of things, this could be the group for you. Each November, OIF hosts its annual Homeless Feeding, an all-day event including meal prep, assembly and packing, delivery and serving at different shelters (this part is optional) and post-event cleanup. You can either donate your time or drop off key necessities like pre-cooked turkeys, pies, juice boxes, water or delivery vans—you know, if you have one handy.

L/A Regional Food Bank -Help distribute food to L.A.’s hungry at the L.A. Regional Food Bank. Volunteers are needed for food sorting, special events and food drives, including the organization’s yearly Operation Gobble, where volunteers will help to sort, inspect and repackage food for delivery during the holidays. Check the Food Bank website for a list of upcoming volunteer and Gobble dates and to register.

I am sure some of you you have others. One that I like in the Valley is MEND (Meat Every Need with Dignity.) So let me know if you do volunteer or if you have another organization worthy of mention. That way we can use Merry Christmas (or any other seasonal greeting you prefer) to greet each other throughout 2017.

Bob Kent 12/21/16 Bob Kent 12/21/16

Time to Celebrate it is the Shortest, Darkest Damn Day of the Year

It seems an oxymoron, that for me, the most depressing day of the year is around June 21st; when it is sunny and warm. It would seem even more so that the most uplifting day of the year for me is around December 21st; when it is cold and dark early. Why do these two days have such an effect on me? What is the significance?

I know I usually post my blogs on Monday but today is a special day. A day to celebrate!

Well the June solstice usually happens around June 21st. While it is warm and sunny and will be that way for months to come it is the Summer Solstice. The longest day of the year. The next day will be shorter and the next day even shorter. Winter is coming closer day by day. Bummer.

Somewhere around December 21st is the Winter Solstice. The shortest day of the year. So why celebrate that? Why, because the next day will be longer, and the day after that even longer. Summer is coming closer day by day. It is a ray of hope in cold dreary days of winter. Hurrah!

Here are 10 things to know about the Winter Solstice, from timeanddate.com:

In the Northern Hemisphere, the December Solstice is the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year.
Most people count the whole day as the December Solstice. However, the Solstice is actually at a specific moment - when the Sun is exactly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn.

In 2016, the December Solstice is on December 21, at 10:44 UTC. Due to the Time Zone difference, some locations will have their solstice on a different date.
Solstices happen twice a year - once around June 21 and then again around December 21. On the June Solstice, the Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer (latitude 23° 30′ North) in the Northern Hemisphere, while on the December Solstice, the Sun shines directly over the Tropic of Capricorn (latitude 23° 30′ South) in the Southern Hemisphere.
The December Solstice can happen on December 20, 21, 22 or 23, though December 20 or 23 solstices are rare. The last December 23 solstice was in 1903 and will not happen again until 2303.
The term solstice comes from the Latin word solstitium, meaning 'the Sun stands still'. This is because on this day, the Sun reaches its southern-most position as seen from the Earth. The Sun seems to stand still at the Tropic of Capricorn and then reverses its direction. It's also common to call it the day the Sun turns around.
In the Northern Hemisphere, astronomers and scientists use the December Solstice as the start of the winter season, which ends on the March Equinox. For meteorologists, on the other hand, winter began three weeks ago on December 1.
During winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is actually closest to the Sun. Different seasons are not defined by how far the Earth is from the Sun. Seasons occur because Earth orbits the Sun on a slant, with an axial tilt of around 23.4 degrees. Therefore different amounts of sunlight reaches the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, causing variation in temperatures and weather patterns throughout the year.

In fact, the Earth is on its Perihelion - the point on the Earth's orbit closest to the Sun - a few weeks after the December Solstice.
Most places in the Northern Hemisphere see their earliest sunset a few days before the Solstice and their latest sunrise a few days after the Solstice. This happens because of the difference between how we measure time using watches and the time measured by a sundial.
If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, the increase rate of daylight hours depends on your location's latitude - in more northern latitudes you will see a rapid increase in daylight hours compared to if you're in the more southern latitudes.
Many cultures around the world hold feasts and celebrate holidays around the December Solstice.

Sunset on the Table Lands just North of Bishop

So tonight, December 21st I am going out to celebrate the shortest day of the year knowing tomorrow will be a longer day! Summer is coming...

Bob Kent 12/19/16 Bob Kent 12/19/16

The Joy of Christmas Trees

I love Christmas trees! I am not alone nor am I the first to feel this way. Christmas Trees have a long and interesting history. Here are some of the highlights.

The evergreen tree was an ancient symbol of life during the cold of winter. Romans decorated their houses with evergreen branches during the New Year. Ancient inhabitants of northern Europe cut evergreen trees and planted them in boxes inside their houses in wintertime.

There was a legend that when Christ was born, every tree miraculously shook off its ice and snow and produced new shoots. Christian missionaries preaching to Germanic and Slavic peoples were taking a more lenient approach to per-christian practices—such as evergreen trees. These missionaries believed that the Incarnation proclaimed Christ's lordship not only individual human beings, but cultures, symbols, and traditions could be converted.

I love Christmas trees! I am not alone nor am I the first to feel this way. Christmas Trees have a long and interesting history. Here are some of the highlights.

It was during the Renaissance that clear records of trees being used as a symbol of Christmas—beginning in Latvia in 1510 and Strasbourg in 1521.

In the Medieval time period, plays which were dramas depicting biblical themes began as part of the church's worship. The plays celebrating the Nativity were linked to the story of creation—in part because Christmas Eve was also considered the feast day of Adam and Eve. Thus, as part of the play for that day, the Garden of Eden was symbolized by a "paradise tree" hung with fruit.

The association of Christmas trees and gifts in the English speaking cultures was due to the influence of Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert, a native of Saxony (now part of Germany). German immigrants brought the custom of Christmas trees with them in the early 1800s, but it spread widely after Victoria and Albert set up an elaborate tree for their children at Windsor Castle in 1841. Christmas presents were usually hung on the tree itself.

Central California Coast - Harmony Winery

The image of families exchanging gifts around a tree became a powerful one for Americans in the 1800s

The family-centered image was widely popularized by Clement Moore's 1822 poem, known today as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas". This poem also cemented the image of Santa Claus into our psyche.

While we may Christmas trees the center of our Christmas celebration, for us Christians, we should remember that they are just symbols of the One who gave himself to unite heaven and earth, and who brings all barren things to flower.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Bob Kent 12/14/16 Bob Kent 12/14/16

Don Henley was Wrong You can go Back

In Don Henley's song the “Boys of Summer” there are the lyrics:

Out on the road today I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac.
A little voice inside my head said:
"Don't look back, you can never look back."
I thought I knew what love was.
What did I know?
Those days are gone forever.
I should just let 'em go, but

Well this last weekend I successfully looked back and came away with a smile. Forgive the long winded set up to this story but it will put in perspective how I “went back this weekend.”

In Don Henley's song the “Boys of Summer” there are the lyrics:

Well this last weekend I successfully looked back and came away with a smile. Forgive the long winded set up to this story but it will put in perspective how I “went back this weekend.”

Awesome Cove Somewhere South of Pigeon Point Lighthouse

When I had just gotten my permit we went on a family vacation. It was my Mom, Dad, and myself. We were going to drive down from Los Angeles to San Diego. Then we were going to take Highway 1 all the way to San Francisco.

Now at the time we only had a Volkswagen station wagon. At the time with a Volkswagen I don't think there was any thing that was power/automatic. Locks, windows, transmission everything was manual. The clutch on that station wagon, to put it mildly, was super stiff. My Dad drives us down to San Diego and we are having a good time. When we start to head north to San Francisco he asks me if I want to learn to drive a stick. I said sure.

The on-ramp to the freeway was pretty steep and there was stop-and-go traffic. I had to stop on a hill. That is when I met the “clutch.” I must have stalled that engine 15+ times trying to get moving in first. The line of cars behind us was growing and so were the drivers displeasure. They were not as displeased as my Mom was though. She started telling my Dad to switch seats with me and get us out of there. Each time she repeated herself was a little bit louder and with more urgency. Dad just smiled and said “no he has to learn sometime and now is a good as any.”

You see when my Dad was on vacation he was never in a hurry. One time at the produce inspection stop Arizona/California border the guard asked my Dad if we had any fruits or vegetables. My Dad said “only this orange.” It had a green spot on it and the guard said we could not take it into California. So my Dad, not wanting to waste it, peeled that orange and ate it. Yup in the car, right in the inspection lane, with the guard watching through the window. That was fun, but I digress.

So after the umpteenth time of popping the clutch and stalling I nailed it and off down the 101 we went.

The Cool Things You See When You "Turn Here"

Another thing my Dad liked to do was stop and explore anything interesting. A trait I, have to admit, I have inherited from him. So as I drove up the twisting and turning Hwy 1 he would all of a sudden say “turn here I want to see that.” So across the road I would turn. Each time I thought Mom was going to have a heart attack. Well by the time we got to Monterey, me and that clutch were “simpatico.” I loved that car from that trip on and was sad when we sold it.

So this past weekend a friend of mine, who lives in Oakland, was having a party. Now he has a couple of sub woofers that he had replaced and had offered to give the old ones to me. They were big and too heavy to ship. His party gave me an excuse to drive and pick them up. More importantly, it also gave me an excuse to re-live the adventure I had learning to drive on Hwy 1 with my Mom and Dad. As you can see from the pictures in this post the beauty along Hwy 1 is second to none. The memories it brought back were priceless.

Early Saturday I started the 444 mile journey mostly in the rain and fog. Most of the trip I could not see more than an eighth of a mile in front of me. It was fun and even beautiful through the fog. Sunday. I drove back those same 444 miles; still overcast but no rain and a little fog toward sunset.

Same Cove Next Day Before the Fog Set In

One memory that this trip brought back was one I always associate with that trip with my Parens. It is the reason, that to this day, I am not a big artichoke fan. Just off of Hwy 1 there is a town called Castorville. Castorville's claim to fame is being the “Artichoke Capital of the World.” My Mom bought a twenty five pound bag of artichokes. For weeks after the trip the three of us were eating artichoke this and artichoke that. By the time we finished that bag I really did not want to see another artichoke again. The memories of my Mom, artichokes, and the whole trip flew back into my mind when I saw the sign for the Castroville turnoff.

So Henley was wrong. You can go back. I will do this drive again but take my “photographer's assistant, i.e., my wife”. Maybe just maybe we will take longer than two days to go up and back! Maybe, we will play some Grateful Dead instead of Don Henley while we drive...

Bob Kent 12/7/16 Bob Kent 12/7/16

Update on Operation Santa

This is so cool. One of my friends, Ralph Nunez, read my blog on Operation Santa and wrote back to me. He offered to join in with me on my Christmas quest. He wrote "He was Feeling old and need some Christmas Spirit! So now, thanks to Ralph, two families are going to get presents for Christmas! When I wrote back to tell him he is in he responded with “Feeling younger already! “ Man I am getting that Christmas Spirit.

Now according to Arlo Guthrie in his Alice's Restaurant song....

Now according to Arlo Guthrie in his Alice's Restaurant song; when two people doing something, in harmony, well its notable* but..( *look up the actual lyrics they are much more colorful)

But if three people do it, well....

And if three people do it! Can you imagine three people walkin' in, singin'
A bar of "Alice's Restaurant" and walkin' out? They may think it's an
Organization!

So come on folks let's make this thing so big it is an Organization! Can someone else become an Elf and make some kid, who got dealt a crummy hand in life, have an awesome Christmas!

Chip in and make us an Organization!

Here are the links with all the details again:

To find out what Post Offices have the program click here. And for more information on the who, what, when and how(s) go to the site How to be an Elf.

If you do let me know so I know I started an official Christmas Organization!

To get a sense who you are helping. Here are the letters I pulled.

Dear Santa Claus

My name is blank. I am 11 years old. This year my dad din't get that much work. So he couldn't buy me or my two brothers much stuff. So we would really appreciate if you can send some presents. The one thing I would really like for Christmas is a doll, any doll, or a doll house. My brother, he is 15, and would like a soccer ball, And my older brother is 17 and he would love a gift card, for any store. My mom and dad would really love if you could send them a gift card so the can have dinner together. These are the things that we would love to have this Christmas. Hope you can give it to us.

Thank you

Sincerely

_________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Santa

My name is (blank). I am in first grade I have straight A's and I have been good. My mom has been sick she has canser. She has not worked for a while. I was thinking because I have been good I can get some cool gifts this Christmas. I like Ironman, pokemon, Mario Sonic Music. My favorire colors are yellow and red. Star Wars. And I want to make a ginger bread house with my Mom. PS I also like that makey robot toy. I also would like a EDS with eny games for it and also an iphone 6 and cord iphone

To Santa from Issac

Dear Santa

My name is Blank and I am Blanks Mom. As you just read my son has been good in school, so far. His grades were, in every subject, outstanding! An overall A. As you know, this year has been a difficult one for us. On November 15, 2015 our lives completely changed. I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma Stage 2, with a football size tumor resting/compressing my left lung and heart. Fortunately, thanks to God, on September 1 I was officially in remission. But my battle is not over yet. The tumor is still 2/3rds it size which means they do not believe I well be cancer free more than 8 months. So I have been told I must proceed with a stem cell transplant, and surgery with a month long stay at City of Hope. Which unfortunately, because of timing, I may be in the hospital for Christmas or hopefully the week after. Unfortunately it is not up to me. If I am admitted before Christmas, it will be the first Christmas I spend without my son. As you can imagine will be very hard for a single Mom as myself. Luckily his Father is present in his life and would be able to be with my boy if needed. The joy and happiness and will to fight has all been driven for the love of my son. And he has been so amazingly strong throughout the entire process. But what he doesn't know is that I may be gone Christmas and I have also exhausted all of my Disability funds which will be making the holidays extremely difficult. Luckily my mother, who I sue to take care of this past year has been helping me and my son. So I am asking if you could please make this Christmas as wonderful as possible for Issa and answer his Christmas letter. His happiness with or without me, means the world to me. Thanks so much for your kindness.

Sincerely

Pulls you heart strings doesn't it. Its Christmas Spirit time act on it...

Bob Kent 12/5/16 Bob Kent 12/5/16

Quests in the Owens Valley are Fun

Over the years I have had fun with quests finding the Petroglyphs that are in the Owens Valley and the Tablelands. The first quest started with some photography friends; Paul, George, Kahlee, Nate, Dave, and some others. We were at a meet up in Lone Pine when I convinced them we should try and find the Petroglyphs near Keeler. We looked near and far and came up empty. Over the course of next few summers I finally found a ranger that gave me the clues that allowed me to find them.

You see most people won't tell you exact directions to where they are. If you are nice they will give you clues. That's it clues. Giving just clues are done for good reason. The Petroglyphs are treasures, looks into the past, some 6,000 years old. Some folks don't do well in respecting how valuable they are. They either vandalize them or put their own mark next to them to try and become immortal themselves. Sorry to tell them “Betsy and Mark 1983” will only get folks extremely mad and you will be cursed at for the next 5,000 years . So to find these sites you have to do your research on the internet and talk to people to get clues. Then you weave it all together to guess where they are. Finally, you have to go out and look.

Benton Crossing a Cool Place on the way to Hunt Petroglyphs

Over the years I have had fun with quests finding the Petroglyphs that are in the Owens Valley and the Tablelands. The first quest started with some photography friends; Paul, George, Kahlee, Nate, Dave, and some others. We were at a meet up in Lone Pine when I convinced them we should try and find the Petroglyphs near Keeler. We looked near and far and came up empty. Over the course of next few summers I finally found a Ranger that gave me the clues that allowed me to find them.

You see most people won't tell you exact directions to where they are. If you are nice they will give you clues. That's it clues. Giving just clues are done for good reason. The Petroglyphs are treasures, looks into the past, some 6,000 years old. Some folks don't do well in respecting how valuable they are. They either vandalize them or put their own mark next to them to try and become immortal themselves. That mark will only get folks extremely mad and they will be cursed at for the next 5,000 years . So to find these sites you have to do your research on the internet and talk to people to get clues. Then you weave it all together to guess where they are. Finally, you have to go out and look.

It took me three or four years and multiple hikes to find Sky Rock and then I found it by sheer luck. One time I was sure I was on the right path and ran into some rock climbers and we started to talk. I told them what I was looking for and they looked at me funny. She then told me “most people don't access that site using this trail.” Now that was the nicest way that I have ever been told that I am on the wrong freakin' trail! But she was kind and gave me some clues. "Try the trail about a half mile down." She then gave me the clue worth a million bucks. She said “once up the slope get up on the top of the rocks because you won't see it from the trail.” Without that clue I think I would still be looking.

Now that I had found the petroglyphs at Sky Rock, Fish Slough, and Keeler I thought I had only have a couple more to go. The elusive ones for me were the Thirteen Moons and Chalfant Petroglyphs. I am pretty sure I now know where the Thirteen Moons is and I just have to plan a hike to find them. Chalfant was another story. A lot of people know where they are. After those idiots cut parts of the petroglyphs out with chain saws no one tells you where they are. They just look at you and smile and say no I don't know where they are. Not even any clues.

Well I did my research. I found a web sight with some detail and then found an old Zerox directions sheet the visitors office gave me years ago. The directions were not that precise. Drive x miles from Bishop, turn left, and go to the end of the road. That's it.

Unfortunately, I was coming from Benton Crossing not Bishop so I had to guess the distance. The road that I thought was the one, wasn't. In the drive down however we passed a road that fit my memory of the internet site's info. So we took a gamble and down the road we went. It was the road! There were the Chaflant Petroglyphs! I felt like I had just won the Kentucky Derby! They were beautiful! I don't think I have used that many exclamation points in a row in my lifetime. But finding those elusive petroglyphs was that exciting to me.

Anyone See a Petrified Crow in the Picture

There was an added bonus that day. A storm was coming in and the clouds were putting on a show. I took some pictures of the clouds at the petroglyph site. Then stopped several times on the way home to take more pictures. In hindsight, I did not stop enough. There was one scene where the clouds had turned gold. They were so bright their reflection turned the water in Crowley Lake gold as well. It was gorgeous and I did no stop. Still kicking myself. Oh well.

As we drove back to Mammoth it looked like it was already snowing in town. It was and we preceded to get 6-8 inches of snow that night and the next day. It was beautiful but it was cold and I was not anxious to put on chains. So we stayed in and enjoyed the fireplace. So no fresh snow pictures for Christmas cards.

Back at home started doing more research on the petroglyphs and read there are like 400 petroglyphs in Red Canyon. Hmmm… I have another quest to go along with finally finding the thirteen moons! Stay tuned.

Bob Kent 11/28/16 Bob Kent 11/28/16

Santa’s Letters a Way to Make a Difference

Lately, I feel myself getting old. Not just physically but mentally old. I notice myself being crankier. More and more the little things that use to create “Total Awesome Wonderment” (TAW) don’t as much anymore. I need to fight the tide. Letters to Santa may be a start!

Big Pine Roosevelt Pine Tree Decorated for Christmas

I remember, when my kids were younger, I use to love toy shopping for them at Christmas. I was still a kid at heart myself and I would say to myself I want this toy it is so TAW. Shopping for toys was a great time. It was one of those things that created that TAW feeling that makes life fun. It is not the same now. I still enjoy trying to creatively come up with gift ideas but it’s just not the same fun as toy shopping back then.

Sitting in Mammoth right after Thanksgiving I remember reading an article form these folks who would go down to the post office and ask for letters to Santa that were from needy homes. They would read the kid’s Santa wish list and then get the toys the kids had asked for. They would take them to the kid’s house, put them on the porch, and do a doorbell ditch.

At the time I thought what a great idea but never acted on it. Now in my search for little things to create that awesome wonderment in my life this idea came back to me. Turns out other folks thought it was a good idea too and it has become an official program of the United States Post Office called Operation Santa. Certain (meaning not all) Post Offices support the program. You can go down to Post Office read some letters and adopt the letters that warm your heart. You buy the presents and return them to the post office that you got the letters from. The Post Office then delivers them to the families.

What an awesome win-win TAW activity. I get to go toy shopping again but with a purpose. Some kid, that got dealt a cruddy hand in life, get a pleasant surprise for the holidays. Going toy shopping like the Blues Brothers with a “mission from God attitude” cannot be anything but fun and a way of re-kindling that total TAW feeling again! So I am going to try Operation Santa this Christmas Season. I am going to go out on a limb and recommend maybe you do it too! If you do maybe we can have a wrapping party and another chance to create another TAW moment.

To find out what Post Offices have the program click here. I would recommend checking the list after December 1st as it gets updated every year. For more information on the who, what, when and how(s) go to the site How to be an Elf.

So ya with me? Then become an Elf and let’s go toy shopping! Let me know if you do. We can share what cool things we got.

Bob Kent 11/21/16 Bob Kent 11/21/16

Awesome Austin

It all started a few months ago on Facebook. Well actually, it all started over forty years ago at Busch Gardens, when I met a couple of very friends working at Busch Gardens. Kevin and Marek converted me from rock to country rock; groups like Commander Cody, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Charlie Daniels, and Marshal Tucker. There was one, Jerry Jeff Walker, who did a cover of “Up Against the Wall Red Neck Mother” that I have listened to for years. Not my favorite song of his but one that has good memories and good friends associated with it. I like a live version of it that at the beginning Jerry says “and this song is by Ray Wylie Hubbard”.

Now I have been listening to this song for forty plus years and had no idea who Ray was. Not until this year. About six months ago something bad happened and Facebook was all lit up. Someone I follow posted that there was too much negativity on Facebook. Tells everyone to send him a message and he will send back a letter. You had to pick a song from a band that their name started with that letter and post it on Facebook. Well somebody got a “W” and posted a Youtube of Ray playing somewhere in a field in Texas just knocking it out of the freaking park. I showed it to my wife and asked “I would like to see this guy would you? Being the sport that she is she said yes. So he was touring in Northern California but what caught my eye was a concert in Austin at a the Paramount theater built in 1915 on Ray's 70th birthday. That sounded much more fun so I asked my wife if she wanted to see him “in Austin?” She said “that would be awesome”. Did I say I love my wife.

I had enough points on Southwest so the airfare was all of $11.50 for both of us. When I went to buy concert tickets the website stated that you had to buy a subscription to the Theater to go to that concert.

Not deterred...

I checked what the minimum subscription was. You had to buy three concerts.

Still not deterred...

I checked what was playing on dates close to Ray's concert. It turned out Aaron Neville was playing the night before and Marc Cohn was playing two nights after. I really like Marc Cohn and had heard of Aaron Neville. Looked to see what the damage would be if I bought all three. Even buying the bests seats we could for Ray's concert, the total for two people to go to three concerts was $210 bucks. I have paid $250 for two seats to see Jimmy Buffet.

Done deal...

So I booked the flight and buy the concert tickets. Start to realize it may be an out of control weekend so ask some friends, who would have bail money, if they would want to go? Before they could ask me “Ray Wylie who?” I sent them the YouTube video. One of the couples I asked like Neil Young. So to seal the deal I sent them the lyrics from a song Ray wrote; “New Years Eve at the Gates of Hell”, that mentions Neil:

And sure I drank a lot of gin and tonic

But I never threw away my Panasonic
I kept that turntable through my divorce
Playing Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Drunk out of my mind singing "Tonight's The Night"
It was as lethal on vinyl as China White

Damn they are in.

Austin was freaking' awesome. The people were nice, there was a ton of stuff to see and Ray's concert was fantastic. He opened up with songs that I had been listening to for the last few months. I think the lyrics from “South of the River” say it best:

It was a good night for rocking with a band that delivers

The Aaron Neville and Marc Cohn concerts exceeded our expectations.

Back to Austin. Where we were staying had the constant smell of BBQ floating through the neighborhood. The son of one of the couples traveling with us lives in Austin. So they got to see him and he gave us tours to local dive bars and the inside scoops like the Salt Lick is BYOB. And the rooftop bars, well I wish LA had root top bars like Austin does. Oh and the town is awash in good craft brews.

I have to say the entire trip was great but similar to buying the concert tickets. We were constantly dodging bullets. At first, the subscription thing looked like it would kill the detail but it didn't. Dodged a bullet.

When I made reservations for my daughter's flight she told me she was coming home Sunday but really meant Monday. I was out of points so I was worried about what the added cost was going to be. Turned out the flight was cheaper and I actually got points back. Dodged another bullet.

The GPS on Uber sent our airport driver to the wrong address at 5:30 in the morning. Luckily I could see his flashing lights a block away, called him and we were on our way. Dodged another bullet.

While on the layover in Phoenix we stopped at a bar to kill time. It was time to board so walked over to the our boarding gate. My wife asked me for her bottled water that I had put in my suitcase because we were out of hands. Now this suitcase has everything I need for the trip because as a rule I don't check luggage. Look down to the ground by my feet and surprise no suitcase. Crap, left it at the bar. Luckily the bar was close, it was still there, and TSA had not been called yet. Dodged another bullet.

A Bar at the Phoenix Airport Killing Time... and that ain't a Bud Light!

My daughter missed her flight home because the Longhorns had a game that weekend and on Monday everyone was heading out of town. The actual TSA line was 60 minutes instead of the 20 minutes that TSA was estimating, oops. Now there were lots of flights out of Austin that day but every flight out was booked full. In the end, she made a standby flight that left after her original flight but got her home sooner than her original flight. Go figure. Oh and at no charge because her original flight was delayed. Dodged another bullet.

Coming home our flight out of Austin was delayed enough that we were worried about missing our connection which was the last flight into Burbank. I had an important customer meeting the next day so we tried to get an earlier flight. No dice. By the time we left they cut the delay time by twenty minutes and we made our connection with just a few minutes to spare. Dodged another bullet.

When one of our fellow travelers got home, he realized he did not have his cell phone. Called Southwest and the cleaning crew found it. Dodged another bullet. That was it Fate's six gun was out of bullets and missed all six times!

Sometimes the bullets you dodge are what you remember the most years later. Lots of bullets dodged and good memories created on this trip.

Thank you Austin, you have a good groove, the trip was great.

Austin - Live Music Capital of the World - Stevie Ray Vaughn Statue

I will have to come back to see Jerry Jeff Walker! If I am lucky may have to buy another subscription and stay a while!

Bob Kent 11/7/16 Bob Kent 11/7/16

Veteran's Day

A few years ago, after posting an image of a military grave site for Veterans Day in a post I got lectured by a friend who was a Vet. He said Memorial Day is the day we honor those who gave everything in the defense of our freedom. Veteran’s Day is the day we honor those who were demanded and willing to make the sacrifice but never had to. There is a difference between the tow and don’t mix them. Veterans are passionate in what they endured and accomplished and we owe it to them to understand and respect the difference.

A few years ago, after putting an image of a military grave site for Veterans Day post I got lectured by a friend who was a Vet. He said Memorial Day is not the same as Veteran's Day.

Memorial Day is the day we honor those who gave everything in the defense of our freedom.
Veteran’s Day is the day we honor those who were willing to make the sacrifice but never had to.

"There is a difference between the two and don’t mix them together" he said. Veterans are passionate about what they endured and accomplished and we owe it to them to understand and respect the difference between the two holidays.

Pearl Harbor Reenactment at the Los Angeles Air Show

I have been in a several situations that made me reflect on the sacrifice that our Veterans have made for me and you.

Funny thing is that a B-17 is involved with many of them. So here are three to help all of us put Veteran's Day in perspective.

Tuskegee Airmen

When I was coaching Little League with the kids on my team being nine or ten I took the team to the Van Nuys Airport to see a B17 that was on tour. It just so happened that the day we went there was a ceremony, with the B17 in the background, honoring Tuskegee Airmen. Ernest Borgnine was MC and was giving a speech honoring those brave airmen. It was a speech given by a man who was speaking from the heart. Mr. Borgnine was not just an actor who played a Navy officer in McCale’s Navy he was a vet who served in the Navy during WII. So it was a Vet honoring other Vets and you could tell!

It was the first time I had heard of the Tuskegee Airmen and was amazed by their story. At the time it went over the head of the kids I brought, but somehow I hope it left a seed that would germinate later in life when they later saw the movie made about the “Red Tails.”

Veteran Never Lose their Spirit

It took a while for me to get this picture of the B17 above. The delay was not from setting up the camera but waiting for a group of folks to move from the door of the plane. After a while I noticed they were trying to get this older gentleman down the ladder from the side door.. So I went to help and started talking to the two men that were trying to get him down. They were smiling and full of joy. You see the older man was a WWII Vet who had served flying in B25s. He was old and very frail. But when they helped him up to look inside the door he jumped out of their supporting hands into the plane. He was able to maneuver inside the plane without assistance. It seemed his age melted away as he came home. It was worth the wait and I will always think of that Vet when I look at this image of the B17. Just a fun side note. My son and I have actually flown in this B17 and it was awesome!

Southwest

I was heading for a flight home at the Phoenix Airport. The TSA line was not too long but there was a full teenage military Honor Guard in line ahead of me. I mean a "full" honor Guard as they were four of them with helmets, rifles, flags (on six foot poles), ammunition belts, etc. I am thinking to myself the TSA will have no idea how to handle what is walking through their line, nor would Southwest. I was right as it took TSA nearly twenty minutes to figure out how to get them through screening.

Later., while I was at the gate waiting for my plane an announcement came over the PA. Someone was saying “If any folks have a few extra minutes please come to gate seven. We have some WWII Vets coming home from seeing the WWII Monument in DC. We would like to give them a warm welcome.” I had the time so went down to the gate. There must have been over a hundred plus folks gathered around the gate. There was that honor guard at full attention. As the Vets came off the plane, many in wheelchairs, the gate attendant started singing some patriotic song, I forget what it was now, but we all sang along. It was very moving and I will always have a warm spot in my heart for Southwest. I cannot think of any other airline that would show that much heart.

So this Veteran’s day if you see a vet, say thank you and shake their hand. It will make their day and they deserve it. My wife did it the other day and came back in such a good mood because the Vet said it made his day!

Bob Kent 10/31/16 Bob Kent 10/31/16

Dia de los Muertos 2016

Over the last several years I have become big fan of Dia de los Muertos. I look forward to it every year. The celebration at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the reason this celebration of the Dead has won me over. At the Hollywood Forever Dia de los Muertos; the alters are awesome, the stories of the particpants are heartfelt, the costumes are off the chart. If that is not enough they have great food, beer and margaritas! Hell one year one of the alters had a full Mariachi Band! What a great way to spend a day.

Over the last several years I have become big fan of Dia de los Muertos. I look forward to it every year. The celebration at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the reason this celebration of the Dead has won me over. At the Hollywood Forever Dia de los Muertos; the alters are awesome, the stories of the participants are heartfelt, the costumes are off the chart. If that is not enough they have great food, beer, and margaritas! Hell one year one of the alters had a full Mariachi Band! What a great way to spend a day.

Just once in your life you should go to a Dia de los Muertos celebration. If you live in Southern California you should go to the one at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. If you get bored at Hollywood Forever you can hunt for the graves of the famous: Cecile B Demille, Jayne Mansfield, Douglas Fairbanks, Tyrone Power, Rudolf Valentino, Peter Lorre, Mel Blanc, Clifton Web, John Huston, Johnny Ramone, and for good measure Toto the dog from the Wizard of Oz.

I digress, back to the Dia de los Muerto here is a little background:

Before the Spanish arrived the Aztecs believed that the deceased preferred to be celebrated, rather than mourned. I did not know the Aztecs were Irish! Annually they held a festival celebrating the death of their ancestors, while honoring the goddess Mictecacihuatl, Lady of the Dead. The celebration was held in the Fall and lasted for an entire month!

When the Spanish came to the Americas they attempted to convert the native population to Catholicism and to end the old rituals. They were not totally successful in ending some of the old rituals.

The end result was more of a compromise, a blending of the two cultures. The celebration of the deceased was shortened to two days and moved to already Catholic celebrations: All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, which are celebrated on November 1 and 2 of each year.

Time has continued to evolve the Dia de los Muertos celebration into what is today a vibrant commemoration of our ancestors. With its new found popularity it has begun to seep into other countries to become an international celebration.

What happened to the Goddess Mictecacihuatl? She morphed into the new identity of "Catrina" the skeletal female you see depicted at the celebrations. She is a reminder to us that death is a fate for all of us, poor or rich.

You will also notice marigolds everywhere. Why marigolds? It is believed that the spirits of the dead visit the living during the celebration. Marigolds guide the spirits to their altars using their vibrant colors and scent. Marigolds, or flowers in general, also represent the fragility of life.

Marigolds guides the Spirits to Their Alter

When you go don't be shy. Talk to the people who have built the alters. They want to tell their stories. That is why they came and put so much effort into their alter. I heard a great story from one participant about the alter dedicated to their Mom. She wore Mumu's and had enough that they were able to make ten plus quilted blankets using square patches out of her Mumu's. Mom will be immortal as folks snuggle those into those blankets.

I Hope you get a sense of the celebration from the post and the pictures!

For those of you that are photographers three tips for taking pictures at Dia de los Muertos:

Get close. Most participants dress up to be seen so they don't mind having their picture taken. Be polite and ask first but then get close up. You want their face to fill the image.
If you do post processing you want their face to be the center of attention. The celebrations are usually crowded with a lot happening in the background. Crop tight and use a heavy vignette to put all the focus on their face.
It's the eyes that make the picture. This is the most important tip of all. For the maximum input you need their eyes looking directly at you not gazing off to the side. It is amazing the difference this will make in your images.

The Eyes Make the Image and Remember Use a Heavy Vignette to Minimize the Confusing Background

Bob Kent 10/24/16 Bob Kent 10/24/16

Of Frequency and Luck

Many have described the scenes in my images as incredible. They make the assumption that I planned out what I wanted to capture and hiked for miles to be at the right place and time to capture the scene. While partially correct, there are other factors that come into play. After per-planning the other top two factors I have found are:

Frequency – how often are you there. The more you are at a place the better your odds are to capture that special moment.

Dumb Luck – sometimes it comes down to just plain dumb luck (and always having your camera). You are doing something else and suddenly an incredible scene jumps up and bites you.

Carson and Colorado Railroad Engine # 18 The Slim Princess

Frequency – how often are you there. The more you are at a place the better your odds are to capture that special moment.

Dumb Luck – sometimes it comes down to just plain dumb luck (and always having your camera). You are doing something else and suddenly an incredible scene jumps up and bites you.

Here is a perfect example:

The Slim Princess – Engine No. 18 Carson and Colorado Railway

Long story but demonstrates both the concept of frequency and dumb luck.

I currently have two of my images at an art exhibit produced by the Mono Arts Council. The opening reception was on a Friday night. I wanted to attend. Now I had just been to Mammoth the previous weekend and had a fairly big list of things to do at home and at work.

I decided to do a suicide run. I would drive up Friday afternoon, go to the reception, and head home the following morning. That way I could be home in time to get things done. I figured to take some additional fall color images on my way home but no long hikes.

There was a storm passing through and a chance of snow. Two seasons crashing into each other tend to make the most incredible images. It doesn't happen that often so you try to be there when they collide. My better half and a few other people thought I was crazy to do 600 mile up and back trek for one night. Most of you that know me would not argue the description of me as “crazy so off I went.

The ride up was beautiful, with clouds hugging the mountains, but a non-stop flight. Got to Mammoth just in time to have a refreshment at Mammoth Brewing and go to the reception. Got up early the next morning and the saw there was no snow, damn, and the wind was still howling, double damn. Neither of those conditions were ideal for picture taking so went back to sleep for a bit. Figured I would concentrate on intimate stream/fall colors shots that were not dependent on the light of the “Golden Hour.”

So went to a spot on 395 where the night before a herd of sheep was directly in front of some beautiful aspens at their peak color. Well the sheep were there but not directly in front of the aspens anymore. Should have taken the image the night before. Well that blew an hour+. Went and had breakfast at Toms Place and then headed to McGee Canyon to shoot the creek. Found some new wonderful spots and got some images I really liked.

Here is where the dumb luck comes in. Heading home, driving through Independence I noticed red cones blocking off the driveway where they are restoring a Steam Engine No. 18. The Engine has the nickname of the Slim Princess because it is a narrow gauge locomotive. Normally it is tucked out of sight n a protective structure. There are a ton of cars and people in the parking lot. Then I notice the Engine is out of its structure and it is fired up! Quickly parked and got there right before it moves on its own power for the first time since 1954. What a memory. I have my camera so I got the image.

Remember that frequency thing? If I had not gone back to Mammoth I would have missed it. You cannot capture something if you are not there.

Remember that Dumb Luck thing? If I had not slept in and taken my time taking fall color images I would not have been in Independence just minutes before they put that Engine No. 18 into gear.

I posted the image of the train moving on a Facebook group. It got the most likes, 400+, than any other posting I have had in my life.

Dumb Luck - Just Leaving Toms Place and Trip Right into This!

So yes, scouting out locations and planning ahead greatly increase your chances of a great image. Sometimes just being out there a lot and dumb luck play as much of a role.

So always have a camera and get out and go places, a lot. If you do, my guess is, the world will reward you with some cool memories and wonderful images.

Bob Kent 10/17/16 Bob Kent 10/17/16

Show ‘Em That Flat Penny

You see one of the cool things about Refugio is that there is an active rail road track just above the campground. For years we would go up and put pennies on the track. We would come back later to find our flattened pennies. You had to smile when you found that penny.

I just lost one of our Golden Retrievers so I am in an introspective mood.

I love Refugio State Park. It is gorgeous beach but that is not why I love the place. I love the place for the memories of good times with good friends I have had there for many years.

One of the cool things about Refugio is that there is an active rail road track just above the campground. For years we would go up and put pennies on the track. We would come back later to find our flattened pennies. You had to smile when you found that penny. In a way it is a reflection of my life so far. My life is like a Refugio flattened penny.

So while you read the rest of this post hold that image of the flattened penny in your mind.

I find as I get older I have started to lose my youthful sense of immortality and think about my life knowing the end is closer than the start.

First to come to mind are the trials in my life. I always think of the song “The Impression I Get” by the Mighty, Mighty Bosstones and these lyrics:

Have you ever been close to tragedy? Or been close to folks who have?
Have you ever felt the pain so powerful, so heavy you collapse?
I've never had to knock on wood, but I know someone who has.
Which makes me wonder if I could.

I have been tested many times and by all accounts failed miserably. I have hope, for I know good friends that have been tested and responded in amazing ways. Incredible dedication over long periods of time. Things we think as unimaginable they view as just your daily routine. Role models for us all when we are tested again.

Second, you think how your life stacks up. Some folks who are pessimistic ignore all of the simple, but cool, things they have encountered on their journey. I realize, as an optimist who is easily amazed at the simplest of things, I have had a truly blessed life.

I had great parents that lived through so many “tests” that would crush most folks, yet somehow always were happy. They taught me honor, honesty, acceptance, and to give without expectation of return.

I have a great brother and sister who are awesome and best friends and supporters.

I have an incredible wife, the light of my life. Blessed with two wonderful kids that I am so proud of. They have been tested at an early age and have learned to overcome. Enjoyed 40 years of having Golden Retrievers in our home. I have a group of lifelong friends that most people would die for. First, because they are insanely fun to be around. Second, they would give you the shirt off their backs in a heartbeat.

The list of blessing goes on. I have seen Italy, flown in a B 17, had the honor to be actually physically in the Lockheed’s Skunk Works, been within ten feet of a satellite while it was being built.

I have been a passenger in a biplane doing aerobatics over the Pacific Ocean, we even buzzed the Goodyear Blimp. I have driven a diesel locomotive. I have been two hundred feet up a seven hundred foot sand dune. I have seen some of the best blues players on the planet. As a photographer hiking in the Sierra I have seen heaven on earth.

I have lived a blessed life with lots of time still to go. So back to that image of that flat penny. If somebody ask me about my life I will show them that flattened penny from Refugio. A representation of the good times in my life. Kind of like the lyrics from Ray Willie Hubbard:

Now if somebody ever asks you
If you got any
You just smile and lick your lips
And show em that old flat penny
- Ray Willie Hubbard’s song “Train Yard”

We all have our flat pennies. Keep em’ in your pocket and take them out often They remind us how blessed you really are.

Bob Kent 10/10/16 Bob Kent 10/10/16

Fall Colors in the Sierra

I get depressed on the summer solstice. While it will still be warm for a few months the days start getting short. I keep fighting the coming of Fall as it is the harbinger of a time that I start work in the dark and finish work in the dark. Then comes the Fall colors in the Eastern Sierra and I fall in love with the season.

I get depressed on the summer solstice. While it will still be warm for a few months, the days start getting shorter. I keep fighting the coming of Autumn as it is the harbinger of a time that I start work and finish work in the dark. Then comes the Fall colors in the Eastern Sierra and I fall in love with the season.

This year the Autumn colors came a bit early in the Sierra. That said they did come in grand splendor. So this post is dedicated to Fall Color in the Sierra.

The colors speak for themselves so instead of having to listen to me ramble on in this post I will accompany the images with cool quotes about Autumn .

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

- L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day.

- Shira Tamir

… I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I have spent almost all of the daylight hours in the open air.

- Nathaniel Hawthorn

“I loved autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it.”

― Lee Maynard

Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.”

― Jim Bishop

“Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year.”

― Chad Sugg

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.”

― Lauren DeStefano, Wither

Bob Kent 10/3/16 Bob Kent 10/3/16

What a Summer! Looking Back as We Move To Fall

As I was just writing an update about my 54 for Dave pledge drive I started thinking of what an incredible summer I had hiking in the Sierra this year. Five hikes plus exploring the Mono Lake Tufas and the Eureka sand dunes. Over 62 miles of poking around the Eastern Sierra and Yosemite.

As I was writing an update about my 54 for Dave pledge drive I started thinking of what an incredible summer I had hiking in the Sierra this year. Five hikes plus exploring the Mono Lake Tufas and the Eureka sand dunes. Over 62 miles of poking around the Eastern Sierra and Yosemite. Hopefully, I will be able to get one more hike in before fall turns to winter!

So here are the hikes so far listed out:

· Eureka Sand Dunes

· Mono Lake South Tufas

· Walker Lake

· Little Lake Valley

· Cathedral Lakes

· Shadow Lake

· Mono Pass

All the hikes were great but each had something unique that made it special. The Eureka Sand Dunes were off the chart in their stark beauty and will definitely spend more time there this winter. Walker Lake exceeded my expectations. Little Lakes is an old friend and it did not disappoint. Will do it again next summer to get to Morgan Pass. Cathedral Lakes was my favorite and got me hooked into hiking in the Yosemite high country. Shadow Lake another old friend seemed new because the lake water was still glass when I got to the lake. If there was ever any doubt of me falling in love with the Yosemite, Mono Pass sealed the deal. There is something magical about walking underneath the towering granite peaks around Tuolomne Meadows. My heart was pumping when I was able to see Mono Lake some 4,000 feet below and it was from the excitement not the altitude!

So the rest of the post are some of my favorite images from this summer. Who knows maybe you will see some of them on my 2017 Calendar!

Bob Kent 9/26/16 Bob Kent 9/26/16

Tom's Place

When we are in the Sierra we really enjoy visiting Toms Place. The bar is a perfect local rustic dive bar you would find in small towns back east. The bartenders we have come to be friends with, Jo Jo and Donna, are the best. Great Margaritas and Bloody Mary. The food in the restaurant is delicious comfort food.

On Labor Day Toms Place has a Car Show and BBQ. It makes for a fun visit and this year there were over twenty pretty "sweet" cars at the show. The images below are just a sampling of the cars that were "in attendance."

Toms Place has been around for a long time which is part of its charm. Originally built in 1917 by a German man not named Tom but Hans Lof. It started with a gas station to service the traffic coming from Southern California. Lof added cookhouse, store and corrals.

In 1923, Thomas Yerby purchased the business and Tom built the original Tom's Place Lodge in 1924. Hence the name Toms Place.

This pretty much sums up the type of cars that were at Toms Place on Labor Day

Speaking of Mustangs there was a sweet 1965 restored to original condition.

Incredible Tear Drop Trailer for "Roughing It"

Looking at the blanket in the truck bed below you would have thought the owner had it custom made. That was not the case. The owner told me he had won it in a raffle at another car show a few weeks earlier. The raffle had several versions of the blanket with different colors. When he claimed his prize the girl recognized him and said I know what color you want orange!

Cool cars, the BBQ was delicious which made for a great day!

Bob Kent 9/19/16 Bob Kent 9/19/16

Unbelievable - Time again for Fall Colors

Tips for your hunt for Fall Colors in the Eastern Sierra

The forecast for the inland valleys in Southern California this past weekend is for 105! With that in mind it seems unbelievable that already Fall Colors season in the Eastern Sierra. Some web sites are already locations like Sabrina Campground and Rock Creek are at their peak!

For those looking to go to the Sierra to view the Fall Colors here are a list of links that will help you plan your hunt. I need to give credit to Sandy Steinman and her blog for the list of resources!

Be Sure To Look Down When Photographing Fall Colors

Places to See Fall Colors

South of Mammoth

Hwy. 168 through Bishop Creek Canyon, Aspendell, Lake Sabrina, North Lake, and South Lake - Awesome canyon and creek side shots everywhere. Colors will peak at different altitudes at different times. - Along the road
Convict Lake - Along the road
McGee Canyon - Short hike
Rock Creek - Along the road and moderate hike

North of Mammoth

June Lakes Loop - Along the road
Lundy Lake - Along the road and hike
Parker Lake - Moderate Hike
Conway Summit - Along freeway
Dunderberg Road - Along the road dirt graded road

Resources for Determining Where the Color Is

Fall Colors are very finicky and can change in an instant. One wind or snow storm can change a location dramatically in less than a day. To see the best colors you have to be flexible and have up to date information. Luckily, there are dedicated Fall Color fans who track and post information on a regular basis. Here are some of the better sources of information:

Natural History Wanderings Foliage Reports fall color reports posted on Natural History Wanderings
Parchers Bishop Creek best foliage report for the Bishop Creek Canyon area in the Eastern Sierra.
California Fall Color covers California fall color.
California Fall Color Map interactive fall color map by California Fall Color blog
Mono County Fall Color reports
Calphoto Yahoo Group members post reports; must join to use.
Sierra Fall Colors Sacramento Bee map rating fall color at many Sierra Nevada locations. updated on Thursdays.

Get Off the Beaten Path and Away From the Crowds!

Photographing Fall Colors

For the first several years I struggled to get images of fall colors that I liked. So I did my homework and my images improved. Here are links to some great photographic tips to get the best image of your fall color images. I especially like Steve Siren's recommendations

Tips for Photographing Fall Color by Photo Naturalist (list of articles on photographing fall color)
Top Ten Tips For Photographing Fall Color by Photo Cascadia
Fall Color Photo Tips by Steve Siren
- Part 1
- Part 2
Classic Fall Color: Capturing the best of autumn takes a combination of skill, preparation, timing and equipment by Stan Trzoniec from the Outdoor Photographerblog
Top 5 Photo Tips for Autumn by Ian Plant from the Outdoor Photographer blog

Good luck on your adventures hunting the this year's Fall Colors. Just a reminder during the fall season there are a lot of folks, photographers and non-photographers, enjoying the spectacular fall colors. Be mindful you are not alone and show courtesy for others.

If you see someone setting up for an image up the road from you give them some time to capture their image.

If you are at an iconic spot where lot's of people want to take a photograph. Take yours and move on so others can too.

The Sierra are huge and there are plenty of beautiful scenes and plenty of room for everyone.

Bob Kent 9/10/16 Bob Kent 9/10/16

Another Bucket List Checked Off – Getting to a Sierra Pass

Hiking Mono Pass Yosemite is a great hike full of wonderful views of granite peaks and alpine meadows. It has a hidden gift in being able to see Mono Lake 4,000 feet below you!

October 2024
- Oct 20, 2024 Three Days of Fall Colors in the Eastern Sierra Oct 20, 2024
May 2023
- May 18, 2023 Cloudy with a 100% of Spectacular May 18, 2023
December 2022
- Dec 30, 2022 20 Yards of Track Dec 30, 2022
July 2022
- Jul 9, 2022 Channeling Huell Howser in the Eastern Sierra Jul 9, 2022
June 2022
- Jun 24, 2022 Quiet Moment - Waterfall Jun 24, 2022
May 2022
- May 1, 2022 Cloud's Life Lessons May 1, 2022
January 2022
- Jan 17, 2022 Best Images 0f 2021 Jan 17, 2022
December 2021
- Dec 12, 2021 Owens Valley: The Tule Elk on Hwy 395 Dec 12, 2021
November 2021
- Nov 5, 2021 Five Reasons to Buy a Wall Calendar Nov 5, 2021
October 2021
- Oct 25, 2021 Eastern Sierra Intimate Fall Colors Oct 25, 2021
July 2021
- Jul 19, 2021 Clouds make my Eastern Sierra Sunset Images Pop! Jul 19, 2021
- Jul 12, 2021 Sound of Silence Jul 12, 2021
June 2021
- Jun 7, 2021 Sunrise, Sunset Jun 7, 2021
May 2021
- May 17, 2021 Early Morning Around the Loop May 17, 2021
- May 3, 2021 The Case for Lingering May 3, 2021
January 2020
- Jan 31, 2020 Best Images of 2019 Jan 31, 2020
July 2019
- Jul 1, 2019 A Different Take on Bodie Jul 1, 2019
June 2019
- Jun 10, 2019 Heaven Jun 10, 2019
May 2019
- May 20, 2019 A Perfectly Cloudy Day May 20, 2019
April 2019
- Apr 1, 2019 My Path to Better Wildflower Images Apr 1, 2019
March 2019
- Mar 25, 2019 March in Like a Lion ( and leave the same way!) Mar 25, 2019
- Mar 15, 2019 The End of the Line (well maybe) - Keeler Mar 15, 2019
February 2019
- Feb 26, 2019 Lone Pine the Little Town Below a Big Mountain Feb 26, 2019
- Feb 18, 2019 The Word of the Month for February - Snow Feb 18, 2019
- Feb 11, 2019 The Wildflowers are Coming, the Wildflowers are Coming; are You Prepared? Feb 11, 2019
- Feb 4, 2019 Nature’s Vastness is Good for Our Souls Feb 4, 2019
January 2019
- Jan 20, 2019 Hike Big Sycamore Canyon - Tejon Ranch Jan 20, 2019
- Jan 13, 2019 Clouds and Glass Jan 13, 2019
- Jan 5, 2019 My 12 Best Images of 2018 Jan 5, 2019
September 2017
- Sep 22, 2017 Dad Why Do the Trees Change Colors? Sep 22, 2017
- Sep 11, 2017 Eastern Sierra Early Morning Scramble (ESMS) Sep 11, 2017
August 2017
- Aug 14, 2017 Another Hidden Gem Along Highway 395 Aug 14, 2017
July 2017
- Jul 31, 2017 FIVE SIMPLE STEPS TO ENJOY YOSEMITE ON A CROWDED WEEKEND Jul 31, 2017
- Jul 24, 2017 Mom, why is the sky blue? Mom, Why is the sunset red? Mom, why does it always looks better in the Eastern Sierra? Answers to questions you May have always wanted to know Jul 24, 2017
- Jul 10, 2017 The Streams are Alive Jul 10, 2017
June 2017
- Jun 27, 2017 Water Everywhere! Jun 27, 2017
January 2017
- Jan 23, 2017 Cannot Fight It Might as Well Join It Jan 23, 2017
- Jan 16, 2017 Clouds are the Photographers Spice of Life Jan 16, 2017
- Jan 10, 2017 Sunrise to Sunset in Southern California Jan 10, 2017
- Jan 2, 2017 My Top Images of 2016 Jan 2, 2017
December 2016
- Dec 29, 2016 Operation Santa Status - A Success Dec 29, 2016
- Dec 21, 2016 Time to Celebrate it is the Shortest, Darkest Damn Day of the Year Dec 21, 2016
- Dec 19, 2016 The Joy of Christmas Trees Dec 19, 2016
- Dec 14, 2016 Don Henley was Wrong You can go Back Dec 14, 2016
- Dec 7, 2016 Update on Operation Santa Dec 7, 2016
- Dec 5, 2016 Quests in the Owens Valley are Fun Dec 5, 2016
November 2016
- Nov 28, 2016 Santa’s Letters a Way to Make a Difference Nov 28, 2016
- Nov 21, 2016 Awesome Austin Nov 21, 2016
- Nov 7, 2016 Veteran's Day Nov 7, 2016
October 2016
- Oct 31, 2016 Dia de los Muertos 2016 Oct 31, 2016
- Oct 24, 2016 Of Frequency and Luck Oct 24, 2016
- Oct 17, 2016 Show ‘Em That Flat Penny Oct 17, 2016
- Oct 10, 2016 Fall Colors in the Sierra Oct 10, 2016
- Oct 3, 2016 What a Summer! Looking Back as We Move To Fall Oct 3, 2016
September 2016
- Sep 26, 2016 Tom's Place Sep 26, 2016
- Sep 19, 2016 Unbelievable - Time again for Fall Colors Sep 19, 2016
- Sep 10, 2016 Another Bucket List Checked Off – Getting to a Sierra Pass Sep 10, 2016
January 2016
- Jan 23, 2016 Lake Havasu Balloon Festival Jan 23, 2016
November 2015
- Nov 5, 2015 2016 Calendars Nov 5, 2015
July 2015
- Jul 11, 2015 See Less Enjoy More Jul 11, 2015
May 2015
- May 22, 2015 Some Things Age With Grace May 22, 2015
- May 15, 2015 Welcome to the Website Launch May 15, 2015

Working to complete my 54 for Dave Quest I have done more hikes this summer than ever before. I came to realize though I had yet to hike to a mountain pass, ever. I had come close. Once on the McGee Creek trail but was stopped by snow. Another time on the Crystal Lake hike but was going to Crystal Lake not the pass. So I had never actually stood on top of a Sierra mountain pass. It became a bucket list item! So I started looking for a day hike that got me to a pass.

Mono Pass in Yosemite seemed to fit the bill. It was in the Yosemite high country in which I love hiking in. It had a reasonable difficulty level at eight miles in length (round trip) and 900 feet of altitude gain it figured it would be pleasant hike.

The description of the hike on the Yosemite Hikes web page seemed to good to be true to get to a pass. “There are only a few stretches where the incline is steep enough to make you notice you're climbing.” Well it was to good to be true as one of those “stretches” was as over a mile and had a pretty steep grade.

Even with the unexpected climb I really enjoyed this hike. While it did not have a big lake at the end like some hikes do; the high country meadows and the view down Bloody Canyon to Mono Lake more than made up for it.

Mono Pass is the type of hike I like because it starts of flat and saves the climb later on once your warmed up. My start time at 6:30 AM was perfect to catch the first morning light on Mammoth Peak

eing late in the summer most of the creeks were dry. That is good and bad. Bad, because I imagine the streams were knock down gorgeous. Good, because I did not encounter one mosquito on the entire hike. Dana Fork was the primary exception to this water drought and provided a beautiful log water fall right next to the trail.

Looking Up the Trail in the Morning Light

There are a couple of decaying mining cabins along the trail. A bit of background on these cabins. The Homer Mining Index, one of the few papers in the area at the time, states that Fuller and Hayt (or Hoyt) discovered antimonial silver in Mono Pass and called their claim the Golden Crown. The Mammoth City Herald, another newspaper of the day predicted that within a year, thousands of miners would be working in Mono Pass at the Golden Crown. The mines never panned out and Mono Pass will be remembered as a way for miners to cross the Sierra to get to Dogtown and Monoville, mines on the eastern Sierra near Mono Lake. The cabins are a quite reminder of the mining history of the area.

There is long section that climbs up. After that ordeal you are rewarded as the trail weaves in and out of a stunningly beautiful alpine meadow. There are also beautiful views of Mt Lewis and the Kuna Crest.

Just before the pass is a lovely unnamed pond. A short distance farther up the trail, at the summit, is a small lake appropriately named Summit Lake. This is the end of the Mono Pass trail and the beginning of the Bloody Canyon trail. It is also the edge of Yosemite Park. Up to this point the Mono Pass trail was beautiful forest and meadows. In contrast, Bloody Canyon is barren rock. An incredible difference and a testimonial to the impact the Sierra has on the weather and the land around it.

I continued for a for just over a quarter of a mile down the Bloody Canyon trail toward Upper Sardine Lake to get a scenic look of Mono Lake 4,000 feet below. The view is awesome and one of the reasons I did this hike!

This was a wonderful hike with great views of the Yosemite high country, granite peaks like Mammoth and Mt. Lewis, and Mono Lake. I will definitely do it again and maybe finish at Spillway Lake.

Bob Kent 1/23/16 Bob Kent 1/23/16

Lake Havasu Balloon Festival

We attended my first ever balloon festival. Now we have ridden in a balloon before but never been to a balloon festival. People I know who have attended these events have all raved about them. I have seen pictures from other folks and the scenes they captured were stunning. Some friends invited us to go and we were excited when the date finally came around. Heading to the event I had high expectations and a little bit of uncertainty on how well I would capture the scenes with my photography.

The Havasu Balloon Festival event was both organized and chaotic at the same time. Weather dictates a lot on the "if" and "where" the event unfolds.

Too windy and the balloons don't fly. That is what happened Friday morning and Saturday afternoon
Wind direction determines if the balloons launch from the balloon staging area or from someplace else. This happened Sunday morning as the balloons took off from all over the place.

The event itself was also very laid back. I had purchased our tickets and parking pass online and was going to pick them up at Will Call. You reach the place you pay for parking before you can reach Will Call. So in parking line we were wondering how that would play out. In the end it was very laid back and trusting. We got to the gentleman who was collecting the parking fee and we asked how we could get the pass we bought online. He said just go ahead and park, go to will call, and put the tag on your car and waived us on. Asking an additional question if we would get towed while at Will Call he said maybe but he had not seen a tow truck so far at the event. Just for precaution my wife stayed in the car while I got the parking pass.

The event is very laid back in another way. I have heard other balloon festivals restrict how close you can get to the balloons while they are inflating. Makes sense as it gives the teams room to work. Here there were no restrictions. You could walk up right next to the balloons. In fact, many of teams asked folks to come closer and see what they were doing. That was very cool.

From a photographic angle trying a balloon festival is challenging. You have scenes where the balloons are far away and you want a telephoto and the next moment they are right next to you and pushing the limits of your wide angle lens. Trying to us HDR is challenging as the balloons were moving a rapid clip. But overall I was pleased with the images I captured and have a better understanding when I go again. Take a look below at some of the images I captured. Let me know what you think.

The flame lit up the bystanders and you could feel the heat from a distance!

The balloon named Outlaw drifts by overhead

Aurora Borealis stands out in a big sky!

A Flicker is where all the balloons light up simultaneously! It is quite a sight...

Can't keep my eyes from the circling skyTongue-tied and twisted, just an earth-bound misfit, I - Pink Floyd perfect description for these tethered balloons! — Can't keep my eyes from the circling sky
Tongue-tied and twisted, just an earth-bound misfit, I - Pink Floyd perfect description for these tethered balloons!

The flame of the Spirit of St Louis entertains the crowd

Elevation II is the center of attention as it lifts off from a splash down

Flame blast into the air as a balloon is being launched!

The sky and balloon are competing to see who can produce the best colors!

The Elevation II performing for the crowd and making a colorful reflection

Hope you enjoyed the images and maybe we see you next year at the event!

Bob Kent 11/5/15 Bob Kent 11/5/15

2016 Calendars

Last year I published calendars for Los Angeles and Italy. I had so much success I am publishing three calendars this year:

Sierra - The Mountains are calling and I must go!
California
Lighthouses

All have wonderful color images that will provide enjoyment throughout the year. They make great gifts. Especially if you have kids far away you can give them a taste of home.

Tenaya Sunset last Shot 20150706-2 2015 Cal.jpg

May 2015
- May 15, 2015 Welcome to the Website Launch May 15, 2015
- May 22, 2015 Some Things Age With Grace May 22, 2015
July 2015
- Jul 11, 2015 See Less Enjoy More Jul 11, 2015
November 2015
- Nov 5, 2015 2016 Calendars Nov 5, 2015
January 2016
- Jan 23, 2016 Lake Havasu Balloon Festival Jan 23, 2016
September 2016
- Sep 10, 2016 Another Bucket List Checked Off – Getting to a Sierra Pass Sep 10, 2016
- Sep 19, 2016 Unbelievable - Time again for Fall Colors Sep 19, 2016
- Sep 26, 2016 Tom's Place Sep 26, 2016
October 2016
- Oct 3, 2016 What a Summer! Looking Back as We Move To Fall Oct 3, 2016
- Oct 10, 2016 Fall Colors in the Sierra Oct 10, 2016
- Oct 17, 2016 Show ‘Em That Flat Penny Oct 17, 2016
- Oct 24, 2016 Of Frequency and Luck Oct 24, 2016
- Oct 31, 2016 Dia de los Muertos 2016 Oct 31, 2016
November 2016
- Nov 7, 2016 Veteran's Day Nov 7, 2016
- Nov 21, 2016 Awesome Austin Nov 21, 2016
- Nov 28, 2016 Santa’s Letters a Way to Make a Difference Nov 28, 2016
December 2016
- Dec 5, 2016 Quests in the Owens Valley are Fun Dec 5, 2016
- Dec 7, 2016 Update on Operation Santa Dec 7, 2016
- Dec 14, 2016 Don Henley was Wrong You can go Back Dec 14, 2016
- Dec 19, 2016 The Joy of Christmas Trees Dec 19, 2016
- Dec 21, 2016 Time to Celebrate it is the Shortest, Darkest Damn Day of the Year Dec 21, 2016
- Dec 29, 2016 Operation Santa Status - A Success Dec 29, 2016
January 2017
- Jan 2, 2017 My Top Images of 2016 Jan 2, 2017
- Jan 10, 2017 Sunrise to Sunset in Southern California Jan 10, 2017
- Jan 16, 2017 Clouds are the Photographers Spice of Life Jan 16, 2017
- Jan 23, 2017 Cannot Fight It Might as Well Join It Jan 23, 2017
June 2017
- Jun 27, 2017 Water Everywhere! Jun 27, 2017
July 2017
- Jul 10, 2017 The Streams are Alive Jul 10, 2017
- Jul 24, 2017 Mom, why is the sky blue? Mom, Why is the sunset red? Mom, why does it always looks better in the Eastern Sierra? Answers to questions you May have always wanted to know Jul 24, 2017
- Jul 31, 2017 FIVE SIMPLE STEPS TO ENJOY YOSEMITE ON A CROWDED WEEKEND Jul 31, 2017
August 2017
- Aug 14, 2017 Another Hidden Gem Along Highway 395 Aug 14, 2017
September 2017
- Sep 11, 2017 Eastern Sierra Early Morning Scramble (ESMS) Sep 11, 2017
- Sep 22, 2017 Dad Why Do the Trees Change Colors? Sep 22, 2017
January 2019
- Jan 5, 2019 My 12 Best Images of 2018 Jan 5, 2019
- Jan 13, 2019 Clouds and Glass Jan 13, 2019
- Jan 20, 2019 Hike Big Sycamore Canyon - Tejon Ranch Jan 20, 2019
February 2019
- Feb 4, 2019 Nature’s Vastness is Good for Our Souls Feb 4, 2019
- Feb 11, 2019 The Wildflowers are Coming, the Wildflowers are Coming; are You Prepared? Feb 11, 2019
- Feb 18, 2019 The Word of the Month for February - Snow Feb 18, 2019
- Feb 26, 2019 Lone Pine the Little Town Below a Big Mountain Feb 26, 2019
March 2019
- Mar 15, 2019 The End of the Line (well maybe) - Keeler Mar 15, 2019
- Mar 25, 2019 March in Like a Lion ( and leave the same way!) Mar 25, 2019
April 2019
- Apr 1, 2019 My Path to Better Wildflower Images Apr 1, 2019
May 2019
- May 20, 2019 A Perfectly Cloudy Day May 20, 2019
June 2019
- Jun 10, 2019 Heaven Jun 10, 2019
July 2019
- Jul 1, 2019 A Different Take on Bodie Jul 1, 2019
January 2020
- Jan 31, 2020 Best Images of 2019 Jan 31, 2020
May 2021
- May 3, 2021 The Case for Lingering May 3, 2021
- May 17, 2021 Early Morning Around the Loop May 17, 2021
June 2021
- Jun 7, 2021 Sunrise, Sunset Jun 7, 2021
July 2021
- Jul 12, 2021 Sound of Silence Jul 12, 2021
- Jul 19, 2021 Clouds make my Eastern Sierra Sunset Images Pop! Jul 19, 2021
October 2021
- Oct 25, 2021 Eastern Sierra Intimate Fall Colors Oct 25, 2021
November 2021
- Nov 5, 2021 Five Reasons to Buy a Wall Calendar Nov 5, 2021
December 2021
- Dec 12, 2021 Owens Valley: The Tule Elk on Hwy 395 Dec 12, 2021
January 2022
- Jan 17, 2022 Best Images 0f 2021 Jan 17, 2022
May 2022
- May 1, 2022 Cloud's Life Lessons May 1, 2022
June 2022
- Jun 24, 2022 Quiet Moment - Waterfall Jun 24, 2022
July 2022
- Jul 9, 2022 Channeling Huell Howser in the Eastern Sierra Jul 9, 2022
December 2022
- Dec 30, 2022 20 Yards of Track Dec 30, 2022
May 2023
- May 18, 2023 Cloudy with a 100% of Spectacular May 18, 2023
October 2024
- Oct 20, 2024 Three Days of Fall Colors in the Eastern Sierra Oct 20, 2024

Last year I published calendars for Los Angeles and Italy. I had so much success I am publishing three calendars this year:

Sierra - The Mountains are calling and I must go!
California
Lighthouses

All have wonderful color images that will provide enjoyment throughout the year. They make great gifts. Especially if you have kids far away you can give them a taste of home.

Check them out here

The cost is $18 or $16 if you buy five or more. Shipping $2.

How to order

Go to the Contact us and use the Contact form. Be sure to include the following information:

Name
Address
Which Calendar 2015 Sierra, 2015 California, 2015 Lighthouse
Quantity
Payment Type - Paypal or Credit Card

I accept Paypal at udabob@yahoo.com. I will accept Credit Cards using Square. If you want to use a Credit Card let me know and I will email you an invoice. Once you make a payment I will mail out your calendar.

Bob Kent 7/11/15 Bob Kent 7/11/15

See Less Enjoy More

May 2015
- May 15, 2015 Welcome to the Website Launch May 15, 2015
- May 22, 2015 Some Things Age With Grace May 22, 2015
July 2015
- Jul 11, 2015 See Less Enjoy More Jul 11, 2015
November 2015
- Nov 5, 2015 2016 Calendars Nov 5, 2015
January 2016
- Jan 23, 2016 Lake Havasu Balloon Festival Jan 23, 2016
September 2016
- Sep 10, 2016 Another Bucket List Checked Off – Getting to a Sierra Pass Sep 10, 2016
- Sep 19, 2016 Unbelievable - Time again for Fall Colors Sep 19, 2016
- Sep 26, 2016 Tom's Place Sep 26, 2016
October 2016
- Oct 3, 2016 What a Summer! Looking Back as We Move To Fall Oct 3, 2016
- Oct 10, 2016 Fall Colors in the Sierra Oct 10, 2016
- Oct 17, 2016 Show ‘Em That Flat Penny Oct 17, 2016
- Oct 24, 2016 Of Frequency and Luck Oct 24, 2016
- Oct 31, 2016 Dia de los Muertos 2016 Oct 31, 2016
November 2016
- Nov 7, 2016 Veteran's Day Nov 7, 2016
- Nov 21, 2016 Awesome Austin Nov 21, 2016
- Nov 28, 2016 Santa’s Letters a Way to Make a Difference Nov 28, 2016
December 2016
- Dec 5, 2016 Quests in the Owens Valley are Fun Dec 5, 2016
- Dec 7, 2016 Update on Operation Santa Dec 7, 2016
- Dec 14, 2016 Don Henley was Wrong You can go Back Dec 14, 2016
- Dec 19, 2016 The Joy of Christmas Trees Dec 19, 2016
- Dec 21, 2016 Time to Celebrate it is the Shortest, Darkest Damn Day of the Year Dec 21, 2016
- Dec 29, 2016 Operation Santa Status - A Success Dec 29, 2016
January 2017
- Jan 2, 2017 My Top Images of 2016 Jan 2, 2017
- Jan 10, 2017 Sunrise to Sunset in Southern California Jan 10, 2017
- Jan 16, 2017 Clouds are the Photographers Spice of Life Jan 16, 2017
- Jan 23, 2017 Cannot Fight It Might as Well Join It Jan 23, 2017
June 2017
- Jun 27, 2017 Water Everywhere! Jun 27, 2017
July 2017
- Jul 10, 2017 The Streams are Alive Jul 10, 2017
- Jul 24, 2017 Mom, why is the sky blue? Mom, Why is the sunset red? Mom, why does it always looks better in the Eastern Sierra? Answers to questions you May have always wanted to know Jul 24, 2017
- Jul 31, 2017 FIVE SIMPLE STEPS TO ENJOY YOSEMITE ON A CROWDED WEEKEND Jul 31, 2017
August 2017
- Aug 14, 2017 Another Hidden Gem Along Highway 395 Aug 14, 2017
September 2017
- Sep 11, 2017 Eastern Sierra Early Morning Scramble (ESMS) Sep 11, 2017
- Sep 22, 2017 Dad Why Do the Trees Change Colors? Sep 22, 2017
January 2019
- Jan 5, 2019 My 12 Best Images of 2018 Jan 5, 2019
- Jan 13, 2019 Clouds and Glass Jan 13, 2019
- Jan 20, 2019 Hike Big Sycamore Canyon - Tejon Ranch Jan 20, 2019
February 2019
- Feb 4, 2019 Nature’s Vastness is Good for Our Souls Feb 4, 2019
- Feb 11, 2019 The Wildflowers are Coming, the Wildflowers are Coming; are You Prepared? Feb 11, 2019
- Feb 18, 2019 The Word of the Month for February - Snow Feb 18, 2019
- Feb 26, 2019 Lone Pine the Little Town Below a Big Mountain Feb 26, 2019
March 2019
- Mar 15, 2019 The End of the Line (well maybe) - Keeler Mar 15, 2019
- Mar 25, 2019 March in Like a Lion ( and leave the same way!) Mar 25, 2019
April 2019
- Apr 1, 2019 My Path to Better Wildflower Images Apr 1, 2019
May 2019
- May 20, 2019 A Perfectly Cloudy Day May 20, 2019
June 2019
- Jun 10, 2019 Heaven Jun 10, 2019
July 2019
- Jul 1, 2019 A Different Take on Bodie Jul 1, 2019
January 2020
- Jan 31, 2020 Best Images of 2019 Jan 31, 2020
May 2021
- May 3, 2021 The Case for Lingering May 3, 2021
- May 17, 2021 Early Morning Around the Loop May 17, 2021
June 2021
- Jun 7, 2021 Sunrise, Sunset Jun 7, 2021
July 2021
- Jul 12, 2021 Sound of Silence Jul 12, 2021
- Jul 19, 2021 Clouds make my Eastern Sierra Sunset Images Pop! Jul 19, 2021
October 2021
- Oct 25, 2021 Eastern Sierra Intimate Fall Colors Oct 25, 2021
November 2021
- Nov 5, 2021 Five Reasons to Buy a Wall Calendar Nov 5, 2021
December 2021
- Dec 12, 2021 Owens Valley: The Tule Elk on Hwy 395 Dec 12, 2021
January 2022
- Jan 17, 2022 Best Images 0f 2021 Jan 17, 2022
May 2022
- May 1, 2022 Cloud's Life Lessons May 1, 2022
June 2022
- Jun 24, 2022 Quiet Moment - Waterfall Jun 24, 2022
July 2022
- Jul 9, 2022 Channeling Huell Howser in the Eastern Sierra Jul 9, 2022
December 2022
- Dec 30, 2022 20 Yards of Track Dec 30, 2022
May 2023
- May 18, 2023 Cloudy with a 100% of Spectacular May 18, 2023
October 2024
- Oct 20, 2024 Three Days of Fall Colors in the Eastern Sierra Oct 20, 2024

Vicki and I have the benefit of being up in the Sierra a fair bit. That has taught us a lesson that many do not understand. There is great benefit and joy by taking the time to really know and enjoy one place instead of trying to see twenty. We see so many vacationers jump out of their cars, take a quick look around, take a selfie, jump back into the car, and move on. These are the folks Jimmy Buffett sings about in his song “Cowboy in the Jungle”:

The're tryin' to drink all the punches
They all may lose their lunches
Tryin' to cram lost years into five or six days
Seems that blind ambition erased their intuition

I believe that you can get way more out of a trip if you actually do less and soak in more of what you do see. We went to Italy with some friends, we purposely did not try to see all of Italy. We picked two cities and really got to experience them at an intimate level. We took the time to wander the streets, shop at the local supermarket, and talk to the locals. It made our trip so much richer.

My wife and I enjoy doing this when we go to the Sierra. A lot of times we will bring a picnic and a bottle of wine and just sit by a stream or a lake and just soak it all in. On our last trip, over the 4th of July, fate played its hand and “forced” us to stay in one place longer than we normally would. We are so glad it did. This day will remain special in our memory for years and years.

We were having a picnic at Lake Tenaya in Yosemite late afternoon. It was gorgeous as the afternoon thunderstorm clouds in the distance were incredible.

The puppies had gone in the lake and we went to get a towel out of the car to dry them off. Without thinking we locked both sets of keys in the car. Oh and by the way there was no cell service so no AAA. A lot of people would have been so stressed out they would have stopped noticing the beauty that was occurring around them. Now don’t get me wrong, there was stress that afternoon. Especially when it was after 7, getting dark, and the ranger gate on Highway 120 was closed. Deep down though we knew we were in Yosemite; the rangers are great and it was the 4th of July weekend so there was probably a zillion people in the park. Eventually, just as it was getting dark, a couple off duty employees who had been working the gate drove 15 miles out of their way to tell us they had gotten our message and a ranger would be by in a bit.

In the midst of this crisis Mother Nature gave us an incredible multi-act play she calls a sunset. The clouds and the lake completely changed their appearance every twenty minutes. Everyone who stopped was stunned by the beauty, but we were the only ones that got to see the whole play. Take a look and see if you agree with me that hanging around was worth every minute!

Act I - Storm Clouds and Wind

Act II - Golden Hour

Act III - Still Waters

Act IV - The Encore

I think you will find this is not an isolated incident. So remember Jimmy Buffett was right; cram less and enjoy more!

Roll with the punches
Play all of your hunches
Make the best of whatever came your way
What you lack in ambition
You make up with intuition
Plowing straight ahead come what may

One note that will make my fellow photographers smile and their significant others roll their eyes. More than one these images were taken with the camera on a tripod by the lake with me triggering the camera with my remote while I was standing on Highway 120 trying to flag a ranger down. When I thought the clouds or the color had changed I would snap another series.