Highway 49 - 2

Sierra Foothills, Highway 49 - Mariposa County  2019

"State Route 49 (SR 49) is a north–south state highway in the U.S. state of California that passes through many historic mining communities of the 1849 California gold rush. Highway 49 is numbered after the '49ers', the waves of immigrants who swept into the area looking for gold, and a portion of it is known as the Gold Country Highway."

This is the first time I've been up in this area in February . . . nice expansive views.

Highway 49 - 1

Highway 49, Merced River - Mariposa County  2019

Trees, Snow Patches - Mariposa County  2019

After Lake Don Pedro highway 120 continues on up towards Buck Meadows and Yosemite. However, just before the Old Priest Grade there's an intersection, with highway 49 turning to the right and winding its way through the Sierra foothills.

I had planned to take that route since I had never driven it before. Also, the presence of some low-elevation snow last month held out the promise of some interesting views.

Lake Don Pedro

Lake Don Pedro, Digger Pines - Tuolumne County  2019

Oaks, Fence, Snow - Tuolumne County  2019

Low elevation snow around Lake Don Pedro. Unusual . . . typical views are not that pleasant.

Wet Roads

Wet Road, Trees, Mailbox - Stanislaus County  2019

Wet Road, Signs - Stanislaus County  2019

Recent heavy rains . . . probably taken in Stanislaus County.

I was on my way to stay for a couple of nights in the foothill town of Mariposa. Late last year I was going to drive through El Portal to see what, if any, damage had been done by the Ferguson Fire to the areas I'm most familiar with. But the road was closed. I reasoned that a trip in February would be kind of interesting, and at least there wouldn't be any more smoke! The plan was to use Mariposa as a base: I could easily drive up the road to El Portal and, if road conditions were favorable, continue on up into Yosemite Valley.

Monday Cow Blogging

Cows - Stanislaus County  2019

Taken on the way to Mariposa last month.

I didn't notice the big hawk up in one of the oak trees. I'd go ahead and crop the image so that I could show you a detailed shot of the bird, but alas, the resolution of my camera is not sufficient.

If only I had a Nikon Z7!

Marin Scenic

Pier, Clouds - Marin County  2019

Dog Walker, Richmond Bridge - Marin County  2019

Both photos taken with an iPhone. Bottom photo taken near the Target-By-The-Bay parking lot.

Presidio Building 101

Presidio Buildings - San Francisco  2019

Staircase - San Francisco  2019

Evening in the Presidio. We were there for dinner at The Commissary. I hadn't known about the history behind this particular building. Fortunately there was an interpretive sign: "With the end of the Indian Wars in 1890 . . . "

Wow.

Building 101 - San Francisco  2019

San Francisco Sightems -

Norm's Market - San Francisco  2018

Treat and 2nd - San Francisco  2018

. . . from 2018, taken with a Canon G5X.

San Anselmo Sightems

Porsche (San Anselmo) - Marin County  2019

Private Lot (San Anselmo) - Marin County  2019

Walking around San Anselmo before lunch at Mi Pueblo. Very cold.

Redwoods - Bon Tempe Lake

Redwoods (Bon Tempe Lake) - Marin County  2019

Redwoods (Bon Tempe Lake) - Marin County  2019

On the shady side of the lake.

Hikers - Bon Tempe Lake

Hikers (Bon Tempe Lake) - Marin County  2019

Looking towards the shady side of the lake.

Monday Salamander Blogging

Salamander - Marin County  2019

Seen while hiking around Bon Tempe Lake. This creature was just finishing swallowing a worm when we came face to face. Eyeball to eyeball.

Bon Tempe Lake

Lake, Sun - Marin County  2019

Just below Lake Lagunitas. Hali and I hiked around it . . . took longer than we thought!

Oak Branches

Oak Branches, Afternoon - Marin County  2019

Oak Branches, Rain - Marin County  2019

Top photo taken during our annual New Year's Day Hike, this year somewhat abbreviated.

Next one taken while Hali and I were walking around in quite heavy rain.

SF Sightems: Bat Mural, White Piano

Bat Mural - San Francisco  2019

White Piano - San Francisco  2019

I guess it's a bat, anyway. Seen near the still-unopened Salesforce Transit Center.

San Francisco Sightems: Branches & Leaves, Coffee Robot

Branches, Leaves - San Francisco  2019

Coffee Robot - San Francisco  2019

Both photos taken from inside the San Francisco Metreon. Didn't see anyone using the coffee robot, so hopefully baristas' jobs are secure for the time being.

Dragon Ball Z, Blue Umbrella, Rain

Dragon Ball Z, Rain - Marin County  2019

Dragon Ball Z, Blue Umbrella, Photographer - Marin County  2019

The photographer had set up a little tableau featuring Dragon Ball Z in the rain, with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. This was to commemorate the latest Dragon Ball Z movie.

Dragon Ball Z

Bridge, Sailor, Rain

Golden Gate Bridge, Rain - Marin County  2019

Lone Sailor Sculpture - Marin County  2019

I had got to walk Hanna to school on a recent rainy Tuesday morning. Once I saw her safely holding her teacher's hand I headed back towards Marin in the rain, stopping at the Golden Gate outlook for some photos. Not that many people there.

Monday Roadrunner Blogging

Roadrunner - Death Valley  2004

One last film photo for now. The bird was obviously looking for a handout, but didn't get one, and  finally wandered off.

Alabama Hills

Plants, Rocks (Alabama Hills) - Owens Valley  2004

Plant, Boulder (Alabama Hills) - Owens Valley  2004

As I said earlier, after leaving Death Valley, I'd quite often travel across the Inyo Mountains to Lone Pine. The Alabama Hills are just outside of Lone Pine in the Owens Valley.

I think that's about it for photos taken with the Mamiya 645. Interesting.