BajaNomad

Late Afternoon Near Big Pine

DianaT - 3-14-2013 at 09:43 PM

Just a short late afternoon drive near Big Pine, CA. Spring is just trying to get here!





And the old fruit tree from an old fruit orchard that was left to fade away when Los Angeles claimed the water in the Owens Valley.





[Edited on 3-16-2013 by DianaT]

tripledigitken - 3-14-2013 at 10:04 PM

D,

Captured some great light!!

K

DianaT - 3-15-2013 at 09:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
D,

Captured some great light!!

K


Thanks :saint:

bacquito - 3-15-2013 at 07:44 PM

How L.A. acquired the water rights to Owens Valley is interesting. I studied the issue when I was in High school-lots of questionable activities
The result was to turn Owens Valley into a desert. There once was a large lake-Owens Lake and a farming community (fruit tries).
Some time ago I read "Cadillac Desert" which goes into some of the activities which turned Owens Valley into a desert.

DianaT - 3-15-2013 at 08:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bacquito
How L.A. acquired the water rights to Owens Valley is interesting. I studied the issue when I was in High school-lots of questionable activities
The result was to turn Owens Valley into a desert. There once was a large lake-Owens Lake and a farming community (fruit tries).
Some time ago I read "Cadillac Desert" which goes into some of the activities which turned Owens Valley into a desert.


Cadillac Desert is a very good book as was the movie, China Town (the original one) The water battles continue today. It is a mixed bag today. Since you are interested, check out There it is, Take It One of the ranchers interviewed is related to a nomad who has a long history with this valley.

Water around here is in litigation all the time. Fortunately, some very good environmental battles have been won, like the dust abatement at Keeler, the saving of Mono Lake and Rush Creek --- and the battles go on and on. And the history of these towns and this entire valley is so very interesting.

BTW --- after spending years and years of traveling, camping and hiking around here and reading so much about the history of this area, we finally decided, why not live there! We love it around here.

A picture of the locals up the mountain from us grabbing just a small share of that LA water. Just notice the pipe. It must be approved, however, and the LADWP trucks drive around and around this area 24/7.



[Edited on 3-16-2013 by DianaT]

Whale-ista - 3-16-2013 at 08:22 AM

Thank you for beautiful images and water updates. No wonder Ansel Adams loved that Sierra light.

Water politics in San Diego has a similar story. Many student research papers and government battles have resulted from our lack of water and need for more.

DianaT - 3-16-2013 at 09:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Whale-ista
Thank you for beautiful images and water updates. No wonder Ansel Adams loved that Sierra light.

Water politics in San Diego has a similar story. Many student research papers and government battles have resulted from our lack of water and need for more.


Thank you. Water politics is interesting in so many areas. The area around Mexicali certainly has been affected by the water politics involving the Colorado River. :yes:

Water, Water Everywhere

bajaguy - 3-16-2013 at 09:27 AM

There would be plenty of water for drinking, recreation and irrigation of NECESSARY agriculture crops if people didn't try and turn the natural desert into a greenbelt......places like Phoenix, Tuscon, Las Vegas and southern California come to mind

[Edited on 3-16-2013 by bajaguy]

DianaT - 3-16-2013 at 03:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
There would be plenty of water for drinking, recreation and irrigation of NECESSARY agriculture crops if people didn't try and turn the natural desert into a greenbelt......places like Phoenix, Tuscon, Las Vegas and southern California come to mind

[Edited on 3-16-2013 by bajaguy]


There certainly would at least be more water available. Unfortunately, there is just not enough agreement to give this a try. BTW--- the only down side of living here is we need to drive to your neck of the woods for many things. But then again, it is such a beautiful drive. :yes:

Barry A. - 3-16-2013 at 04:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
There would be plenty of water for drinking, recreation and irrigation of NECESSARY agriculture crops if people didn't try and turn the natural desert into a greenbelt......places like Phoenix, Tuscon, Las Vegas and southern California come to mind

[Edited on 3-16-2013 by bajaguy]


There certainly would at least be more water available. Unfortunately, there is just not enough agreement to give this a try. BTW--- the only down side of living here is we need to drive to your neck of the woods for many things. But then again, it is such a beautiful drive. :yes:


Ridgecrest is closer, isn't it, and has excellent shopping??? Actually, I have been rather impressed with Bishop's shopping, too, 15 min. away from Big Pine.

Barry

DianaT - 3-16-2013 at 04:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.

Ridgecrest is closer, isn't it, and has excellent shopping??? Actually, I have been rather impressed with Bishop's shopping, too, 15 min. away from Big Pine.

Barry


Yes, Ridgecrest is about 60 miles closer, but we really prefer to go to Carson City. We like the town better, and besides, Ridgecrest does not have a Costco or Trader Joe's. And for medical care that is not easily available here, most people head up to Carson City and Reno.

We also like to support our few local stores and the shops in Bishop. It is 15 minutes from Big Pine to Bishop and it is very unwise to try to make the trip faster --- the Highway Patrol is always on that stretch of road. We set the cruise control to stay out of trouble. :biggrin:

BTW--- the first three pictures were taken near Aberdeen and Old 395--- an area I am sure you know well. The water picture is above Glacier Lodge.



[Edited on 3-16-2013 by DianaT]

Barry A. - 3-16-2013 at 04:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.

Ridgecrest is closer, isn't it, and has excellent shopping??? Actually, I have been rather impressed with Bishop's shopping, too, 15 min. away from Big Pine.

Barry


Yes, Ridgecrest is about 60 miles closer, but we really prefer to go to Carson City. We like the town better, and besides, Ridgecrest does not have a Costco or Trader Joe's. And for medical care that is not easily available here, most people head up to Carson City and Reno.

We also like to support our few local stores and the shops in Bishop. It is 15 minutes from Big Pine to Bishop and it is very unwise to try to make the trip faster --- the Highway Patrol is always on that stretch of road. We set the cruise control to stay out of trouble. :biggrin:


Yep, Carson City is great--------we always stay at THE PLAZA HOTEL just south of the Capitol bldg.------great rates (about $50), excellent restaurants very nearby, and a Casino across the street. Also, THE PLAZA has an excellent free breakfast, too, and we think a fun place..

Ken Bondy - 3-16-2013 at 04:45 PM

Beautiful photos Diane!! Great light!

rts551 - 3-16-2013 at 04:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
There would be plenty of water for drinking, recreation and irrigation of NECESSARY agriculture crops if people didn't try and turn the natural desert into a greenbelt......places like Phoenix, Tuscon, Las Vegas and southern California come to mind

[Edited on 3-16-2013 by bajaguy]


Correction necessary. I'll give you Phoenix, they are from another planet anyway, But Tucson is far from a greenbelt. Very little agriculture (pecans in Green Valley) and most yards have desert landscaping. Home water reclamation and harvesting is permitted and encouraged...

rts551 - 3-16-2013 at 04:55 PM

Diane, you have such a wonderful eye for natural beauty. I especially like the lone fruit tree.

DianaT - 3-16-2013 at 09:23 PM

Many thanks to Ken and Ralph ---:yes:

JohnMcfrog - 3-17-2013 at 05:51 AM

Big Pine and the 7 Lakes Basin is one of my favorite places. My wife and I try to backpack there at least once a year. Here is a blog with some pictures of a grand tour that we did around the lakes. If you click on the pictures, they can be enlarged:
http://johnfrogsblog.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html

Juanito

DianaT - 3-17-2013 at 08:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by JohnMcfrog
Big Pine and the 7 Lakes Basin is one of my favorite places. My wife and I try to backpack there at least once a year. Here is a blog with some pictures of a grand tour that we did around the lakes. If you click on the pictures, they can be enlarged:
http://johnfrogsblog.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html

Juanito


THANK YOU --- those pictures are wonderful. We have not backpacked for years but who knows. We are getting back into mountain hiking and working on a couple of health issues. Your pictures are a real inspiration -- there is just nothing more beautiful than the high country in the Sierras. It has been too many years since we have hiked into one of Sierra back country lakes.

bufeo - 3-17-2013 at 02:15 PM

Really nice photos, DianaT. I haven't checked out those from John McFrog yet, but will. I've taken the liberty of sending you a PM.

Allen R