BajaNomad

Spring Storm Threatening the Owen's Valley

DianaT - 3-28-2013 at 10:48 PM

The rain is needed and if it comes, it will increase the wildflowers! Great place to travel around any time of the year

Storming over the Sierra Nevada



And storming over the Inyo Mountains and the Whites and a peek of light



Headed back to town. The clouds were hiding the light except for a small hole in the clouds.



And just down the street --- an unsettled sky.



So many trips to take around here, and then we will be headed back to Baja. :biggrin:

And just because some like, and others complain about the dog pictures, here is a picture of one of my traveling companions and her really long tongue.



[Edited on 3-29-2013 by DianaT]

Vince - 3-29-2013 at 10:01 AM

That entire eastern Sierra area is so very photogenic. These photos help prove it. Galen and Barbara Rowell moved there for their photography business for that reason. Galen was a world class photographer. Barbara wrote an excellent book, FLYING SOUTH, about their adventure flying around Mexico, Central and South America. They were both passengers in a chartered plane and were killed a few years ago in Bishop, coming home from Alaska. Check out their studio in Bishop. Great photos of the Bishop area and around the world.

DianaT - 3-29-2013 at 10:11 AM

Thanks Vince --- and yes, it is a magnificent area. These snaps were taken while just driving around----so much more out there!

And yes the Mountain Light Gallery is a must see when one visits this area; a must see over and over again. It is just so sad such talented people left this world far too soon.

[Edited on 3-29-2013 by DianaT]

TMW - 3-29-2013 at 10:17 AM

Beautiful pictures of beautiful country, thanks.

Whale-ista - 3-29-2013 at 10:52 AM

Thank you for the photos and update on eastern sierras. I'll be in Death Valley soon, hope we have some scenic skies for our travels.

Will this weather impact DV? Do storms make it that Far East and south?

And Any idea how the wildflower bloom is progressing, or have we missed them?

Thank you again for your imagery,

Lori

DianaT - 3-29-2013 at 01:40 PM

Thank you TW and Lori. :yes:

Lori, we have not been over to Death Valley so far this year. Storms around here can do some funny things. Google Death Valley as I know there are a couple of sites dedicated to Death Valley including the National Park site. And have a GREAT time on your trip.

I hope you get some really good skies. Some days around here there is not a cloud anywhere to be seen and the sky can be quite bright and beautiful in a different way. And recently, we had a lot of dust that they discovered came from the Gobi Desert.

TMW - 3-29-2013 at 02:47 PM

Most of the storms dump their rain in the mountains before DV, however there can be a great deal of runoff into the valley, flash floods. Many great places to see there. Visit the new visitors station at Furnace Creek very interesting exhibits. Try here for info http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm

tripledigitken - 3-29-2013 at 02:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Vince
That entire eastern Sierra area is so very photogenic. These photos help prove it. Galen and Barbara Rowell moved there for their photography business for that reason. Galen was a world class photographer. Barbara wrote an excellent book, FLYING SOUTH, about their adventure flying around Mexico, Central and South America. They were both passengers in a chartered plane and were killed a few years ago in Bishop, coming home from Alaska. Check out their studio in Bishop. Great photos of the Bishop area and around the world.


Agree with you about Galen, he was a terrific photographer. RIP

Ken Bondy - 3-29-2013 at 03:25 PM

Those are magnificent images Diane!! When my kids were growing up we had a condo in Mammoth and spent a lot of time driving 395. Got to LOVE the Eastern Sierra, a magical part of the world. And the more dog pictures the better. Everything in life is made better by dogs. Is this one Maggie?

woody with a view - 3-29-2013 at 05:52 PM

#'s 2 and 4 are Nat Geo worthy!

just saying.....

Skipjack Joe - 3-29-2013 at 06:18 PM

Love those morraines that come off the eastern sierras.

Natalie Ann - 3-29-2013 at 06:44 PM

Well, Diana, you have really got me excited about driving 395 for the first time this year. I love the storms.... both mountain and desert storms are soooo impressing compared to our fog rolling in and out each day.

For those of you interested in weekly (sometimes daily) updates on the wildflower bloom in all the desert parks, check out www.desertusa.com/wildflo/. Excellent site with info specific to each of the different areas.

nena

durrelllrobert - 3-29-2013 at 06:52 PM

Owens lake and even China Lake will have water and the fairy shrimp will come out of hybernation. I woked at China Lake for 11years and don't think I missed anything to see in the valley or mountains.

DianaT - 3-29-2013 at 07:49 PM

I would have loved to see Owens Lake in the old days. It had to be amazing!

wessongroup - 3-31-2013 at 02:12 PM

Thanks very much, miss the place ....... and dogs along is even better :):)

[Edited on 3-31-2013 by wessongroup]

bajario - 3-31-2013 at 02:37 PM

Beautiful pictures. We just drove it this morning and enjoyed it all the way. Left Mammoth at 6:00 am to heavy snow and by the time we got to the airport there was no precipitation and clearing skies as the sun rose. Sunny the rest of the way. Love that drive. Once we pass Johannesburg the allure isn't quite the same.

DianaT - 3-31-2013 at 03:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajario
Beautiful pictures. We just drove it this morning and enjoyed it all the way. Left Mammoth at 6:00 am to heavy snow and by the time we got to the airport there was no precipitation and clearing skies as the sun rose. Sunny the rest of the way. Love that drive. Once we pass Johannesburg the allure isn't quite the same.


Thanks --- glad you enjoyed the pix. So you are one of those weekend snow people who we now grumble about on Friday afternoons, and Sundays when it is more difficult to turn out on to the highway. :biggrin::biggrin: Seriously, I hope they got A LOT of snow as it is needed!

Just a friendly warning to any travelers in this area. Set your cruise control as it is easy to pick up speed and there is no shortage of Highway Patrol in this area. We heard one talking in the Car Wash in Bishop a while back and she was looking forward to Spring Break and the easy pickings. Between Lone Pine and Mammoth is a real danger zone. :biggrin:

Dog so make all of this better, and Ken, yes that is our Maggie Mae who is still enjoying life to the fullest.

[Edited on 3-31-2013 by DianaT]

durrelllrobert - 3-31-2013 at 03:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajario
Beautiful pictures. We just drove it this morning and enjoyed it all the way. Left Mammoth at 6:00 am to heavy snow and by the time we got to the airport there was no precipitation and clearing skies as the sun rose. Sunny the rest of the way. Love that drive. Once we pass Johannesburg the allure isn't quite the same.

I once owned the old St. Charles hotel right on 395 in Joberg. My parents lived there and operated an antique shop in the old kitchen and dinning room. Your right, nothing to look at around there (except Randsburg).

bajario - 4-1-2013 at 04:59 AM

We are weekend warriors. The road home was empty on Easter. First time I didn't see one CHP on this stretch. I've had no less than 4 speeding tix on this stretch in 20 years yet I was still struggling to stay below 75. It's tough for me to not make good time.
Heard the snow turned to rain yesterday in Mammoth. No good for the spring breakers as the warm days were melting the snow at a rapid pace.

bill erhardt - 4-1-2013 at 05:42 AM

Diane......Beautiful photos of beautiful country.

durrelllrobert - 4-1-2013 at 08:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajario
Heard the snow turned to rain yesterday in Mammoth. No good for the spring breakers as the warm days were melting the snow at a rapid pace.

Perfect time to soak in the hot springs with a big jug of mulled wine and yor favorite squeeze.

DianaT - 4-1-2013 at 08:38 AM

Thanks Bill --- it is beautiful country up here!

bajario,
We really need more snow and we don't need it to melt too fast! We will see what April brings. No CHP? You are lucky. From Big Pine to Bishop yesterday afternoo, we saw one on the road and one parked just off of 395 on 168 --- one of their favorite places to park.


Quote:
Originally posted by bajario
We are weekend warriors. The road home was empty on Easter. First time I didn't see one CHP on this stretch. I've had no less than 4 speeding tix on this stretch in 20 years yet I was still struggling to stay below 75. It's tough for me to not make good time.
Heard the snow turned to rain yesterday in Mammoth. No good for the spring breakers as the warm days were melting the snow at a rapid pace.

bajaguy - 4-1-2013 at 10:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Quote:
Originally posted by bajario
Beautiful pictures. We just drove it this morning and enjoyed it all the way. Left Mammoth at 6:00 am to heavy snow and by the time we got to the airport there was no precipitation and clearing skies as the sun rose. Sunny the rest of the way. Love that drive. Once we pass Johannesburg the allure isn't quite the same.

I once owned the old St. Charles hotel right on 395 in Joberg. My parents lived there and operated an antique shop in the old kitchen and dinning room. Your right, nothing to look at around there (except Randsburg).




Spent a wonderful 30 days at Cuddeback Lake gunnery range just south of Red Mountain in 1969