Weekend in the Sierra

The cameras in mobile phones have come a long way in a relatively short time. I still 'need' my big DSLR, or at least I will when I finally replace the one that got destroyed when we flipped the boat last summer. But one of the main reasons I've been able to survive without a DSLR is because of my cell phone camera. It takes great photos. Plus it easily takes videos. But another added bonus? Google Photos, the app I use to view and edit the photos from my phone, magically creates video slideshows of any of your special events. It created this video all on its own and even added the music. It added some photos or video snippets I wouldn't have, but then again, it's completely instant gratification. And yes, I do like making video slideshows now and then, but right now when I can't even write a decent blog post, instant gratification is my very best friend.

As you can see in the video, we're in the middle of remodeling again. Remember the flood we had in December? Not only did it soak the floors in the bathroom where the leak originated, it soaked the floors in the hall, and even into the older bathroom. (It also leaked into the kitchen, but we're pretending not to notice that...la la la la la la...I can't hear you!)

Anyhoo, we were planning on remodeling that bathroom in the future, so this just made it happen quicker.
Here's a quick summary of events:

DECEMBER 2015
We walked into a soggy cabin. Mopped up everything that we could, bought some fans and tried to dry it out as best as we could.
Merry Christmas.


We pulled up the carpet...

and threw out the carpet pads, which were the most soaked.

JANUARY
Our contractor came by the next week and assessed the damage.
The leak started here. Burst pipe under the sink. Joe our contractor had to drill holes in the bottom of the cabinet so it would dry.

He got rid of the flooring.

had to drill holes in the walls so the walls would dry.

Thankfully the old bathroom was still usable, but the water soaked into the floors in that room, too.

February we didn't go up, and Joe did a lot of tearing down. So when we went in March, this is what we found:

MARCH
Stripped to the studs.
WOW, that bathroom is really big!

APRIL
Which brings us to the current month...
We have a tub. And insulation.

Much progress. We've been spending a lot of time at Lowes and Home Depot deciding and picking things out.

And all of it needs to be done by July when the family comes for Camp Retz.

It'll happen!

Hetch Hetchy - Yosemite

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Day trip to Yosemite

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Destruction

Believe it or not, the Rim Fire is still burning but no structures are threatened anymore. It's 84% contained and expected to be fully contained by October 1st. There are still 945 firefighters there working this blaze, but there were were over 5000 when the fire was at its peak.

We were at the hideaway this past weekend and drove out on Highway 120 past Groveland towards Yosemite, near where it started. Here are a few of the sad views we saw. It's unfathomable to understand how big this thing actually got.

Driving along Highway 120 east of Groveland.




The next 6 photos were all taken at the Rim of the World Vista Point.
As far as the eye can see and much much more was burned.





Besides being able to see how much damage this fire has done, the most jolting thing was the smell. It didn't smell like the wonderful scent of a campfire. Maybe my mind was playing tricks on me and maybe I was being sensitive, but it smelled like something old or something dead. It had been a month since the fire was in this area and the smell was still strong.

But all of the structures that we saw along the side of the road were still standing.
This is a terrible photo, but you might be able to see a few burned pine trees behind this motel. It came so close, but the firefighters did what they had to do to save it. So amazing.

And there were signs everywhere thanking the firefighter and the law enforcement.
It truly is an amazing thing about the human spirit how we come together to help each other and to support and show our gratitude for those who give everything to help others. I know our small community and the surrounding towns had pot lucks for the firefighters, brought them goodies and food and beverages and even local businesses gave firefighters a free spot to rest their weary bodies.

Video from the highway:


Video from Rim of the World Vista Point:

Nevermore

Raven in Yosemite.
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Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas!
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Abstract Photo Monday on Wednesday

I was inspired from by a post from Andrea's photo blog where she's showcasing some abstract photos every Monday. She invited anyone to share their own abstract photos so I took her up on the challenge. Thanks Andrea!
I took this first photo in Vancouver. I was on a cruise ship at Canada Place and left the shutter open for a total of 1 second, hand-held as still as possible for about 3/4 sec then moved the camera right till the shutter closed.

This photo was taken in Yosemite, also with a shutter speed of 1 second, driving slowly up a curvy, snow-packed road at 5:20pm in January.

Snow Drift

Wind blowing atop Half Dome in Yosemite.

submitted to Thursday Challenge: Weather 

Quoth the Raven

"Nevermore."
Submitted to Tuesday's Photos: minimalist 

Ansel Adams wannabes

I was right there along with them.

This is the view we were all capturing.
El Capitan to the left, Half Dome center, Bridal Veil Falls to the right and the fog on the valley floor. Nature at its finest.

Sunday at Yosemite

Last weekend was one of those perfect weekends. We went up to our hideaway in the Sierras and our friend, Phin joined us. We got there Saturday afternoon and within 15 minutes of arriving, it started snowing. 5" in 2 hours. Sunday, the sun was out. And we headed to Yosemite. It was so amazing to see, what I consider our nation's most spectacular National Park, blanketed with fresh snow but with blue skies. Lots more pictures to come!

Solitary

In Yosemite National Park, the residents of these cabins exprience quiet solitude.
submitted to Photo Tuesday - Theme: Solitary

The Trickster

The coyote can be wily and sneaky but also insightful.
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As happy as I am that I got this photo, I was sad that he was so close to us. Obviously, he was't afraid of humans, searching for handouts. I suspect food is a lot harder to find in the cold winter months in the Sierra Nevadas, but if humans keep feeding them, they'll never survive on their own. Come on people, It isn't cute to feed wild animals Cheetos. Especially in Yosemite. We're in their environment, not the other way around. And while I'm on my soapbox, throw your water bottles away...don't leave them in the forest! Hello...you're out there enjoying nature and you want to pollute it? Where's the logic in that?

Super Genius

Coyote in Yosemite.
This is the original photo I used in my surreal submission to Pixite.
I'll post details of how I superimposed him onto the snowy road in the comments of that picture.

Surreal

Visions on a snowy road in Yosemite.

submitted to Pxite - Theme: Surreal