the mikereport

Sunday, May 31, 2026

Drive Through Sacramento Valley

Valley Hills - Central California 2026

Dilapidated Structure - Central California 2026

Interesting drive back home: I got turned around in Merced and had to switch on the GPS lady - she was able to get me to Highway 99 north. But then she found an alternate route cutting across the Sacramento Valley utilizing a series of small two lane roads.

I don't know how much time was saved, but the drive was nicer than freeway traffic. I had to stop at one intersection for pix of hills and a falling-down structure.

Saturday, May 30, 2026

Mariposa Creek / Road Closed

Mariposa Creek - Mariposa 2006

I had made sure to bring along everything that I would need for a photo trip into Yosemite. As I drove out of Mariposa on Highway 140 I was pleased that I had gotten an early start. Then I saw the electronic sign ahead: "Highway Closed at Bear Creek Bridge."

What!!??

I pulled over and checked out the Yosemite website. Yikes . . . sure enough the road was closed between Mariposa and El Portal due to a landslide.

Then a U-turn and back to the motel, where I was able to verify that indeed the road was closed. I quickly tried to run through various options in case I stayed an extra day in Mariposa. But I had spent a lot of time the day before taking photos in the foothills along highway 49. Luckily I was able to cancel the motel reservation.

Before leaving I went for a walk along Mariposa Creek. Nice!

Road Conditions Screenshot 2006

Friday, May 29, 2026

Mariposa Sightems - 2

Street - Mariposa 2026

Truck, Clouds - Mariposa 2026

Some rain, but not enough to get the streets wet. Dinner at a Mexican restaurant, then prep for the next day's trip into Yosemite.

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Mariposa Sightems - 1

Garage, Clouds - Mariposa 2026

Shed - Mariposa 2026

After leaving Hornitos I drove the short distance to the town of Mariposa and checked in to my motel. Then walked around with a Sony RX100 and an iPhone. (Top photo - iPhone. Bottom one - Sony.)

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

St. Catherine's Church (Hornitos) - 2

Tombstone, Church (Hornitos) - Mariposa County 2026

Cemetery (Hornitos) - Mariposa County 2026

I've photographed this church several times before, starting in the 1990s. The dramatic clouds seen in yesterday's post were still there for this visit.

I used a Nikon Z7II.

I couldn't quite decipher the inscription on the tombstone, but I was able to look it up on the web: