Always be on the lookout

for the presence of wonder.

~ E. B. White

The Golden Hour

The period of one hour before sunrise or sunset is often referred to as "the golden hour." This description is very appropriate for the Big Bear valley in the mountains of southern California. Whether there are clouds in the sky or not, there is invariably a lovely golden glow to the atmosphere.

Hiking in the forest north of Big Bear Lake,
late in the afternoon, that glow is filtered by the trees.

At Captain John's Marina in Fawnskin, the late day sunlight glitters on the water.

At 6,700+ feet above sea level the low clouds roll up the mountain and across the lake.

The tiny island of boulders for which Boulder Bay is named,
is little more than a dark shadow in the late day light.

Pink Knot Marina has a great view as the sun sets on the opposite shore.

The park at the end of Pink Knot in Big Bear village is a perfect place to watch the sun go down.

The view from the south end of Stanfield Cutoff at the east end of the lake.

Walking along the north shore trail, the setting sun faintly
illuminates the fields of tall grass and wildflowers.

A Winter to Remember

It's been quite a while since I've posted on this blog. Believe me, my intentions were never to be this neglectful. Computer problems and uncooperative quirks on this blog have kept me from posting as I would have liked. So now, home again in Huntington Beach and typing on my IMac, I'm playing catch up.

On February 14th, the weather prediction for the next day, was to be the "storm of the season." As a native Southern Californian, I never want to miss the chance to enjoy a few days of REAL winter. So my husband and I packed up both our cars, loaded up the dogs, and headed for the mountains...our cabin in Big Bear Lake, to be exact.

During the twenty years we're owned this cabin, such predictions are oftentimes disappointing but this was certainly NOT one of them, as the following images will show. This will be a long post as I am including images from nearly everyday I was up there.

We're here...well almost.
The driveway will need a bit of plowing before we can get the cars in.
I didn't realize the area had gotten so much snow since the last time we were here, in December.
Also, time to take down the Christmas lights.

The next morning, this was the view from the front door.

Driving to town for breakfast. We were so glad our Suburban has 4-wheel drive.

Breakfast at the Lumberjack Cafe.

This is the view of the lake from Stanfield Cutoff. Well, it's there...somewhere.

I had to take these photos through the car window to keep the snow off the camera.

Nothing is more beautiful than
a fresh coat of new snow.

Somebody's not going anywhere for quite a while.

This is what big Bear Lake looks like after a big snow storm.

First thing the next morning, we found these footprints by the front porch. They are much larger than Wiley's, our Bouvier, who weighs 130 pounds. Hmmm...what do you suppose?

Driveway and street are plowed.
It's time to check out the neighborhood.

This is why I love to come to the mountains in the winter...when there's snow.

As the days warm up, the ice on the lake breaks up.

My last evening at the lake was, for a photographer, like being a kid in a candy store.

Time to say so long...until Spring.

Merry Christmas!

May Peace be your gift at Christmas

and your blessing all year through!

A Sad Sky

This photo was taken yesterday, from my backyard, in the very early afternoon.

The heavy smoke cover made for a spectacular sunset in Sunset Beach.

Autumn is not my favorite season in Southern California. It spells the end of our wonderful summer and the shortening of daylight. It's also our fire season bringing the infamous "Santa Ana" winds that are notorious for causing devastating fires in these parts and this year has been no exception. Hundreds of homes from Santa Barbara county to Riverside County have been destroyed. Fortunately, here in Huntington Beach, all we get is dirty air and smoky cloudy skies...and amazing sunsets. I must admit, I feel very fortunate to be miles away from any threat and also a little guilty since I didn't hesitate to take my camera to the beach for some photos.