Alturas

Forest Service Parking Lot - Alturas  2017

Emergency Response Trailer - Alturas  2017

I arrived in Alturas later than I had planned. I checked in at my motel (an Emergency Response trailer parked opposite) and drove over to the local Forest Service HQ, where I got some maps and pointers from a helpful government employee.

In point of fact, the largest employer in Alturas is the government (Federal, State and local.) All its elected representatives are Republicans.

Monday Horse Blogging

Horse (Sierraville) - Sierra Nevada  2017

More eclipse light.

The horse wasn't there when the Google car went by in July, 2015.

Some Smoke

Mt Lassen, Lake Almanor - Plumas County  2017

Telephone Poles, Hills, Smoke - Sierra Nevada  2017

Driving from Boomtown to Alturas on Highway 89 I came to a viewpoint over Lake Almanor with some odd white shapes in the distance. It wasn't until I got out of the car that I realized that they were snow fields on Mount Lassen. Here's a nicer photo of the lake from 2007: Lake Almanor & Forest.

The air became progressively smokier and I started to get a wee bit concerned. Eventually, the atmosphere cleared up somewhat.

River, Truck - Sierra Nevada  2017

Fritos & Beer, 2007

Fritos & Beer - Modoc County  2017

I visited Lava Beds National Monument in 2007, camping there while using two of my first "real" digital cameras, a Sony R1 and an Olympus C-8080. Photos from that trip to Modoc County were never posted to the blog, so I thought I could show a few interspersed with photos from last month's trip there.

Also, check out my powerful Infiniti G35, nice to zip around in, but not nearly as useful as my current Toyota RAV.

Church (Eclipse Light)

Church - Sierra Nevada  2017

Highway 89 travels through the northern Sierra Nevada, a mountainous tree-covered region, not as spectacular as the granitic areas to the south. I noticed this church and pulled into the small parking lot, and got out for this photo. The eclipse reduced the contrast significantly, making for a nice effect.

Eclipse

Eclipse Viewing - Sierra Nevada  2017

So, it was on this date last month that the famous eclipse occured. No totality where I was, but there was a definite dimming of the sun.

Mike Eclipse Viewing - Sierra Nevada  2017

Boomtown Color

Red Branches, Yellow Flowers - Nevada  2017

Sage, Barbed Wire - Nevada  2017

Every now and then I'd get some nice cloud-filtered light. Photos taken using an Olympus E-PL7 with a Panasonic 12-60mm zoom lens.

Boomtown Black and White

White Van, Clouds - Nevada  2017

Vacant Lot - Nevada  2017

Walking around the sagebrush and concrete.

There are those that think that converting a color image to black and white is . . . is . . . somehow just not right. Obviously I disagree.

Monday Cow Blogging

Cows - Sierra Nevada  2017

Nice rural scene just off Highway 89, a Sierra highway north of Truckee. I used an Olympus 75-300mm zoom lens for both shots. Cows were ignoring the sign on the fence.

Eat Beef - Sierra Nevada  2017

Return to Boomtown!

Boomtown - Nevada  2017

Union Pacific - Nevada  2017

Hali and I stayed here earlier this year. Purely a financial choice, although the rooms aren't bad at all. I'm sure that they expect one to spend some time in the casino.

I had wanted to take a photo trip to Alturas (California) in winter, last March, but road conditions were a little dicey so I postponed the trip. Last month's short trip was a chance for me to scout out locations without worrying about the weather. So I was in Boomtown one night going to Alturas and one night coming back.

It was pretty warm . . . I got there early enough that I could take some pix. In a way, the area kind of reminds me of Bryce Canyon City.

Please note that when I include my shadow in a photo, I label it as a self-portrait. Don't know if that's correct, but, oh well!

San Francisco (from the back seat)

Photo Shoot - San Francisco  2017

Man with Satchel - San Francisco  2017

I was using an Olympus E-PL7 and a 25mm "prime" lens while sitting in the back seat of Ben's Toyota Tacoma.

Chili Relleno-A-Thon 2

Egg Whites - Marin County  2017

Chili Rellenos - Marin County  2017

Heat the vegetable shortening in a skillet over medium heat. Roll each stuffed pepper in flour, tap off excess flour, and dip the peppers into the egg mixture to coat both sides. Gently lay the coated peppers into the hot shortening. Fry peppers until lightly golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes per side. (allrecipes.com)

Yum!

Chili Relleno-A-Thon 1

Eggs - Marin County  2017

Tomatoes - Marin County  2017

Annual Chili Relleno-A-Thon held at Barbara's house on the occasion of her poblano chili harvest. (This year, quite abundant.)

Eggs for the egg whites, tomatoes for a salad.

For those who might be interested, here's a complete list of words ending in "o" that are made plural by adding "es."

Earthquake Trail

Bay Trees - Point Reyes  2017

Ferns, Alders, Creek - Point Reyes  2017

A short trail near the visitor center, with earthquake information signs (right on the San Andreas Fault.)