BajaNomad

Mono Lake Green, and Top of the World

DianaT - 4-4-2013 at 11:00 PM

On the way home from a quick shopping trip to Carson City, it was one of those moments --- STOP, look at that color --- stop this car somewhere! Can't stop on the highway! No time to find the right spot or set up, but never had either one of us seen Mono Lake with such a green color so we grabbed a quick picture --- the color did not last!



And it was a beautiful day for the clouds.



We were headed home, but we saw Highway 120 and we have never followed it all the way to its eastern end, which is all the reason we needed to take this detour. What's another 70-80 miles. It is one of those roads that feels like Top of the World highways.



Just a beautiful place



Along the way to Benton is the Historic Benton Hot Springs, but I did not like any of the pictures we took in that area, so we shall return. :biggrin:



[Edited on 4-5-2013 by DianaT]

JohnMcfrog - 4-5-2013 at 08:36 AM

Never have seen Mono with the green color. Love to kayak by the tufa.

thanks,

Juanito

wessongroup - 4-5-2013 at 08:39 AM

Thanks, love the dog :):)

snow looks a bit "lite" for April

[Edited on 4-5-2013 by wessongroup]

DianaT - 4-5-2013 at 09:17 AM

In all the years we also have never seen big green stripes in Mono Lake and they kept moving and disappearing as the clouds moved! It was something to see and it did not last long.

And yes, the snow on the Whites is light this year and so far the snow pack in the Sierras is below 50% of normal for this time --- not good.



[Edited on 4-5-2013 by DianaT]

Nice

BeemerDan - 4-5-2013 at 10:39 AM

Those are beautiful pics, I had to look close at the one with the dog. At 1st I thought it was a cow standing on a rock!

DianaT - 4-5-2013 at 04:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeemerDan
Those are beautiful pics, I had to look close at the one with the dog. At 1st I thought it was a cow standing on a rock!


Thank you. :saint:

Regarding a cow vs a dog ---well, the dog's nickname among the locals in Bahia Asuncion is GORDO. :biggrin:

He is almost 12 and has slowed way down, so he is on a diet --- that is when he is not sneaking our other dog's food. He still loves being out there, but I do worry more about him climbing on high places as his eyesight is going and he has trouble with depth perception. It is amazing, however, how he can jump up on rocks and then always asks for help getting into the car. :yes:

Skipjack Joe - 4-6-2013 at 10:29 AM

Amazing country, isn't it?

The mid elevation desert zone with juniper trees is one of my all time favorite areas. The area around Mono Lake is like that. So is Santa Fe, New Mexico and the rim of the Grand Canyon.

We just passed through that area and overnighted at Bridgeport. The windows were frosted in the morning. Saw a large flock of some sort of blue birds that we couldn't identify (no field glasses).

I've never driven east on 120. In fact I thought 120 stopped when it got to 395.

DianaT - 4-6-2013 at 11:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Amazing country, isn't it?

The mid elevation desert zone with juniper trees is one of my all time favorite areas. The area around Mono Lake is like that. So is Santa Fe, New Mexico and the rim of the Grand Canyon.

We just passed through that area and overnighted at Bridgeport. The windows were frosted in the morning. Saw a large flock of some sort of blue birds that we couldn't identify (no field glasses).

I've never driven east on 120. In fact I thought 120 stopped when it got to 395.


Bridgeport is one of my favorite places and we considered it as a possible new location, but the winters are just too cold there!. And yes, the mid-elevation deserts are beautiful!

Highway 120 goes from 395 to Highway 6 and Benton--- 46 miles, the sign says. I think you would really enjoy it! There are so many places to turn off --- old ruins, more tufas and it climbs right up into a pine forest! This was a trip home from shopping, but now have a list of more places to see.

Ken Bondy - 4-6-2013 at 11:29 AM

Breathtaking. Do a coffee-table book Diane on the Eastern Sierra!!!

DianaT - 4-6-2013 at 06:10 PM

Ken Bondy, you are always too kind. :yes:

CaboMagic - 4-7-2013 at 04:30 PM

Absolutely agree w/Ken! Diana your photography is sensational - always glad I've clicked on your posts esp the ones w/photos. thank you thank you thank you for bringing such beauty and wonder to the computer screen, and for introduction/s to places never been LG

DianaT - 4-7-2013 at 07:53 PM

Thank you Lori for the really nice comments.

Right now we are so enjoying looking for places to which we can return to really set up some pictures --- we seem to move way too fast as we are always looking for what is over the next hill.

Just as soon as the road is open, we are headed back up to the Bristlecone Pines that are only 24 miles from here. Nothing like looking at the oldest living things in the world --- it makes us feel young! :biggrin:

A pix from a past visit

Islandbuilder - 4-7-2013 at 08:36 PM

Really great images Diana!
When living in SoCal I didn't really appreciate the high desert's bleak beauty. But after 25 years in the Pacific Northwest I now appreciate the desert landscapes.

DianaT - 4-8-2013 at 07:53 AM

Thanks Bill,
It has been a while since we have been in the Pacific Northwest and enjoyed its special beauty. :yes:

Whale-ista - 4-8-2013 at 08:23 AM

Gorgeous images! Love the colors and landscape. Owens Valley is a treasure trove of light,shapes and colors.

You have a great eye, can see the attraction takes you off the beaten path. Good for capturing photos. Bad for staying put ;);)

DianaT - 4-8-2013 at 08:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Whale-ista
Gorgeous images! Love the colors and landscape. Owens Valley is a treasure trove of light,shapes and colors.

You have a great eye, can see the attraction takes you off the beaten path. Good for capturing photos. Bad for staying put ;);)


Thank you very much. Staying put? Not until we tip over and are carried away. :biggrin: