Close to Home

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I can't resist "drive-by photography". Besides, sometimes it's the only way I can photograph a particular scene, and I lack the self-discipline to pass it by. This is just outside the town that is closest to our community. At this point, we were only ten-twenty minutes from our house.

January in Bear Valley

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Posting here has been sporadic, at best; but, I expect to do better within a few weeks. I am looking forward to having more time to spend on my websites and on photography, in general.

Yesterday,we spent the day in Bear Valley—signing papers and making it official. Early next week, we get the keys to our house and we will officially own two mortgages—we hope that doesn't last very long. It was lovely to spend some time there and remember why we are doing all this work.

The shot above was taken in one of the community campgrounds. I have a feeling I will be spending some time up there with the oak trees. The snow had fallen the night before—more snow fell during the day—and turned the entire valley into a wonderfully picturesque scene. I didn't want to be cooped in offices and busy with the final "walk-through". On the other hand, I wasn't eager to go for a long hike, since the warmest it got all day was about 34 degrees. Not the ideal weather for a southern californian and former central Texas gal. I was by far happiest when we had time for a drive around the valley and a little bit of shooting from outside the car window. It looks as though, I will have to get over being such a wimp about the weather.

Distractions

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I really should deal with a couple more piles of stuff and finish some boxes I am working on. Instead, I took a break to revisit a shot from last fall.

This weekend is a sort-of deadline for wrapping up and getting some pictures for the realtor. What can I say? I offered, she accepted. At least this way, we can cheat just a little. Meaning, we can shove something aside for a shot; then, if we need to, we can put it back for a couple of days before anyone actually comes to look. Not exactly the type of photography I am longing for, but at least I will have a camera in my hands, and I won't be facing a cardboard box.

A Bird in the Bush

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Yesterday afternoon, I took a short break from packing to enjoy the clouds and grabbed the G7, on the way. As I headed back inside, the movement of this bird caught my eye and I snapped. I didn't get a second try. A cyan filter seemed appropriate for this one.

Going Downhill

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Going downhill describes my energy level, now; but, my level of anticipation has begun to build. I am spending more time thinking about living "out in the country"—something I have never done.

Meanwhile, we lurch through these cycles during which our current house is less cluttered and quite encouraging, then a horrific mess. One day I finish clearing an area, but before I have time to fully enjoy it, I pull stuff out of a closet or from behind a piece of furniture, to resume the sorting and packing. Oops, no longer inviting , no longer encouraging. This weekend, we are in the "horrific mess" stage. Jim litters outside. He is in the process of building and painting, as he completes repairs on the deck and fence. I wreak havoc indoors.

The photo, above, was taken near South Fork, Colorado.

Reflections

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I suppose I could find ways to take interesting photos of the packing process, but I can't get motivated to do that. Instead, I take an occasional break from this life-changing-thing to go back to the shots from the Arizona trip.

That trip seems so long ago now. So many things have happened since then, and so many decisions have been made. I am caught by that trick time plays where an event seems to have occurred yesterday, yet a lifetime ago.

More on The Chicken Coop

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On December 12, I posted a picture of the chicken coop along the West Fork Trail of Oak Creek Canyon. I'm sure you had guessed that I wasn't able to resist taking a look inside. You're right.

Endings

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This sunset image taken at Dead Horse Ranch State Park is another of my favorite shots from the Arizona trip. Since it was one of our last evenings in Arizona, I was already feeling a little sad about that wonderful time coming to an end. I am experiencing some of those same feelings about saying goodbye to this place where I have spent such a huge chunk of my life.

The Magic Road to Bodie

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When we were in the Eastern Sierras last summer, we ended up driving to Bodie two days in a row because I didn't come close to getting my fill in one day. The trip to the park is just one visual treat after another. If I were in that area for a nice chunk of time, I would love to spend one day just exploring the paved portion of the road to Bodie and skip, for one day, the torture of the three mile stretch of gravel and ruts that you have to survive to get to the main gate of the park. (By the way, one of my favorite things about the Tehachapi areas is that I will be closer to Bodie!)

Arizona Flora and Big Changes

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Although I meant to learn the name of this plant found in Arizona, I got only as far as good intentions. Jim and I had fun rigging a way to take a shot inside the RV with a cushion as a backdrop and window light for illumination.

Almost from the moment we returned from our week spent exploring Arizona, we began, in earnest, to plan big changes in our life. Once the decision was made, we plunged ahead and things fell into place at warp speed. It looks as though we will be moving to Bear Valley Springs. That's near Tehachapi, California (about 120 miles northeast of Los Angeles) and we are packing boxes like mad. My mind is reeling.