Late in November we looked forward to a winter vacation promised by weather predictions that we could enjoy an excellent snow storm in the High Sierras, Yosemite National Park, and at our vacation getaway in Mariposa. The photo opportunities first; the food and fun to follow.  Nervously, 6 inches hit Mariposa two weeks early and we began to worry - a little.

I grew up with no adult ever trusting the ‘weather man’ on radio or television.  My grandmothers would accurately predict the daily temperature, sun, rain, snow, sleet and hail.  The grandmothers are long gone but I picked up on some of their wild theories so for the first time in years, I had a really good feeling about Christmas 2008 weather conditions even after the Mariposa early bird.  Adulthood left the childhood Christmases way behind as my toys are beyond the reach of Santa Claus’s budget.  I only look forward to using my ‘toys’ to capture weather phenomena by digital photos and high definition video.  (I.E. The ‘really big’ moon tonight 1/10/09.)

I mention ‘video’ here for the first time because at long last there is a new toy on the market that I could not wait to get my fingers on and the first time I would get to use it would be over Christmas week.  The name of the toy is a “FLIP.”  It’s a high definition video recorder no larger than a cell phone and so easy to operate including the download to Flip computer software.  I can edit video for email, a movie, and even freeze-frame individual photos.  I can’t quite shut up about it to people who have digital prosumer cameras as I know they will love this as much as the pros but for different reasons.  I can’t afford a scherpa and Chuck has his own gear 10 times the amount I carry.  This camera fits in any pocket, just my style.

Ok… That’s a long set-up but you need to know if you wish to hopefully enjoy what we experienced.

Arriving at Mariposa home several days before Christmas, all the chores were done and we prepared our camera gear for the ‘big snow’ which was still promised.  My husband dutifully monitored all the Yosemite web cams and weather sites to assure us we were in for a grand Christmas Day.  Does anyone know the statistics for “snow on Christmas DAY?”  Rare.

Excitement rose as I was testing my “Flip” on deer, birds, squirrels and those mean gophers digging up every inch of acreage we own and then some.  Email tests to indulgent friends confirmed I should be able to email them a video at my first sighting of the big snowstorm.  Meantime, our property was still colored in oranges and reds from the late Fall.  Blue skies and sun plus mild temperature.

But then….Oh My!

The first photograph I emailed to my entire waiting list was captioned “We all know to be careful what we wish for, right?”  It snowed and it snowed and it snowed.  Beautiful snow.  Absolutely gorgeous.  But so much that no one could drive into Yosemite Park on Christmas Day.  Cars that bravely tried to drive on sheets of ice piled on snow covered roads were lined up on roadsides and the wonderful, professional services of Park Rangers and Mariposa Sheriff Department were happy to return everyone to the safety of their homes and a warm fireplace.

Chuck and I grew up on the east coast and are seasoned drivers of the worst snow and ice conditions so we knew immediately our Christmas Day plans would wait one more day.  Christmas day was magical in all respects for the children and the child in the adults who could not quite believe the amount of snow falling like soft cotton balls while the sun was shining brightly.  It was dry and a comfortable 23 degrees which kept every snowflake frozen to everything.   No need to rush to capture the moment as it was going to be around for quite some time.

Sure enough, driving into the Park December 26th delivered more sound effects out of my mouth that I had not heard since childhood.  It was amazing as the sun played on every inch of the bright snow as to make it sparkle.  I can only suggest “diamond covered landscape.”   I could not see one twig, leaf, pine needle, ground patch not completely covered with a thick layer of powder.  The human eye worked overtime trying to see everything as we slowly drove to the Park.  Again, no rush as conditions were perfect.  No slush, no brown, no dirty snow.  How many times will I say “white?”

On entering the Park gate, I took out the “Flip” and as my husband drove, I just went for the goal as I put down my window and held the little guy outside to capture everything on both sides of the narrow road but mostly straight ahead as the road was white, the bushes and trees were white with a glimpse of dark limbs and tree trunks.  The bends and turns of the road presented one surprise after another.  The blue sky peeked through, sometimes the sun peeked through, but mostly the majesty of the granite covered with snow creating colors of the Park in its entirety that I had never seen in 16 years driving or walking this route in winter months.  The Merced River flowed and glistened with the enormous rocks within and along the banks which were covered in snow caps several inches high.  It was surreal.

One landmark destination after another revealed the ‘usual suspects’ in varied colors of light and condition.  Ansel Adams would have loved this day.  El Capitan was ‘rose beige.’  Half Dome was slate blue.  Yosemite Falls, multicolored.  The tall, protective trees provided a canopy over the road that took our breath away as inches of snow were frozen on every branch and every twig.

A burst of loud laughter escaped me as we saw a few people-packed automobiles, leaving the Park after Christmas vacation.  The autos had at least two feet of undisturbed snow covering the roofs which looked like two and three-decker vehicles driving toward us.  We later saw all the autos in Hotel parking lots totally snowed in with a few brave men grasping shovels here and there digging themselves out of the recently-plowed driveway sealing them tightly into the parking spaces they sorely sought on arrival days before.   (East coast reminders that I don’t care to remember, thank you very much.)

How in the world does one capture what I describe?  For me, the “Flip” was my best tool this trip but I would not know it until two days ago when I finally found time to see how the software would produce usable photos.  My husband is the genius behind any camera in all areas so he has no challenges.  I love photographing the people seeing Tunnel View for the first time.  I especially love capturing Chuck taking “his” best shot when I can get a glimpse of his objective in the background.  So I was pleasantly surprised with video results.  Seeing the video on computer is excellent but I am beyond thrilled with how great the high definition video views on the television monitor.  I guess I will be ‘bolting’ the doors to lock guests in until they see 20 edited minutes and will then be very happy to have seen it…!

Back to the Park, we had our usual ‘break’ at the Ahwahnee where we have the same food item every time we are there.  We are not even given menus.  Everyone knows. We love the bar/lounge/patio as opposed to a long formal lunch in the elaborate and beautiful dining room. That we do for special occasions with guests visiting for the first time.   Photos of the unique Ahwahnee hotel building are exquisite and I plan on putting them on this site over the next couple of months until Spring. The grounds of the Hotel provide its own gallery of beauty with a display of topiary-like shapes from bushes to benches and small tables, lanterns, bird feeders and even the pool area.

Chuck captured every single photo he had planned to take and at 5:45 pm as I sat huddled in the Jeep keeping warm since the sun went down, I heard Chuck and then saw him coming toward me saying, “I got a keeper!”  That means, a GSD or Great Photo Day. In reality he has more keepers than I can keep up with helping with editing and readying for print and for the website.  And saying that… this is my report!

There will be more snowstorms coming up but we now look forward to the “Horsetail Fall” 2009 capture in February.  There are 3 years of Chuck’s captures in the Yosemite Gallery.  Each year presents a new ‘look.’  Our Santa Barbara Newspaper looks forward to printing something yearly and we don’t like to disappoint them.  It is amazing to me how many people here have never been to Yosemite.  The Horsetail Fall shoot is like a pilgrimage. Photographers both professional and amateur come from all over the country every year to try their luck for the ultimate photo of the magic.  It is wonderful to meet so many new people yet we see the same group year after year to share our tales of wonder seen through viewfinders as well as our eyes.

Finally, coming up soon for those who are not snow bunnies, birds, skiers, etc., the Annual Film Festival begins in Santa Barbara the end of January for two weeks.  I only look forward to seeing Clint Eastwood once again, having chased him around Pebble Beach for years making his acquaintance on that beautiful Golf Course.  Matter of fact, The Lodge at Pebble Beach was our regular vacation spot every two months for years which finally led us to buy a vacation home in Northern California.  And because of our fondness for Pebble, we named it “The Lodge in Mariposa.”

Happy New Year!

FIRE!

How does the word “fire” affect you?  Scary?

It really is one of the most feared of English words. You know you can shout the word and people will scramble without having to ask where, what, now?

First, we are OK.   But, California is not.  It is burning with wild fires, mostly nature caused but some man made.  Either way, it is not pretty and the fires must be extinguished as quickly as humanly possible.  Meantime, there is a whole lot of devastation going on in this state.

Our website fans know we have a home in Santa Barbara and we have a vacation home near Yosemite, in Mariposa, CA.    Incredibly, both homes are in harm’s way of massive fires at the same time.    Did you say evacuate the SB home?  Ok, but where do we go if not to Mariposa?   The irony! 

So, we sit in SB, two vehicles ‘packed and ready’ to leave our home at a moment’s notice from the Firefighters and we  pray for those brave, hardworking men and women who risk life and limb to save our lives and hopefully, our homes. 

The reality of ‘moving out’ hits and you think you are in control.  I have personally been ‘ready’ since 1990 when the Painted Cave fire devastated a lot of Santa Barbara.  I have had bags packed for 18 years.  But the moment they started to go into the car, you come to instantly know in your heart that you are saying good-bye to your house, your things and after only 5 minutes of that frivolous thinking, it is OVER.  And that is because you know that your life and the lives of those whom you love are more important than anything material could ever be.  So, with documents in hand, necessary medications, water and snacks, I am at peace knowing my husband and I will be fine, just fine.

*Mariposa house shown and safe.

**SB remains cautiously optimistic as of July 7, 2008