Mono Lake, California.

The reserve was established to preserve the spectacular "tufa towers," calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water. It also protects the lake surface itself as well as the wetlands and other sensitive habitat for the 1 – 2 million birds that feed and rest at Mono Lake each year.
Mono Lake is a majestic body of water covering about 65 square miles. It is an ancient lake, over 1 million years old -- one of the oldest lakes in North America. It has no outlet.
Throughout its long existence, salts and minerals have washed into the lake from Eastern Sierra streams. Freshwater evaporating from the lake each year has left the salts and minerals behind so that the lake is now about 2 1/2 times as salty as the ocean and very alkaline.

   Mono Lake is in Lee Vining , Ca.  on highway 395 about 130 miles south of Reno, Nv.

   Not only is beautiful Mono lake here but Lee Vining is also a gateway to Yosemite valley . Highway 120 which is just a couple miles south of Lee Vining leads into Yosemite national park. There are many other beautiful areas all around Lee Vining. This is an area that  may be overlooked by people who visit California.  An area of great beauty !!! You can see the southern sierra mountains in the background in this next photo.

Camping at Wrights lake . Location is Off highway 50 in California just out of South lake Tahoe. Wrights lake is a beautiful campground which also has numerous trails that go up into Desolation Wilderness which is a popular backpacking spot near Lake Tahoe.

                                                     Wrights lake

 

 

    We hiked up to twin lakes . About a 4 mile hike uphill. Well worth it. Beautiful, pristine lake !!!

                                 Jasper enjoying the views

Super clear water. Just had to stop and swim in it !!! Beautiful , warm day .

                                                Twin Lakes

Another beautiful sunset on the pond

Another beautiful sunset at the pond. These photos taken from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Morning dew . And other things.

 

This photo was taken at Point Reyes .

I am still not able to upload from my photos. But, found that I could upload from the photos I have on picassa. I have some amazing photos I want to post but will have to wait . Dont have time today. Have to put them on picassa first .

Does anyone know why I can not upload anymore direct from my computer??? I cant find any help on blogger.

Woods lake Camp and hike to Winnemucca and Round Top lakes.

This is round top lake on a 6 mile hike which leaves from Woods lake campground and goes in a big circle past two beautiful lakes that are about 10,000 foot altitude.
This area  is located outside of South  Lake Tahoe , Ca.

Esta, Me , Alida and Zeke and Jasper the doggies.

Winnemucca lake

Vegan dinner. Roasted vegies in foil on fire and Yummy Beans.

Round top Lake

My Furry Kids

Jasper laying on the cats bed. Jasper is a rescue dog. I got him at about 3 yrs. old. He is now 11 or so . Great dog !!! Dont know how someone could give him up.

Sassy, Cajun and Fannie are all rescues as well.

Cajun came from a hoarders house. She had 145 cats in a 800 sq . foot condo. Fortunately for Cajun , he was a just born baby at the time . He came to the shelter and lived in a cage till he was 6 months old. I finally had to take him home.

Sassy sassafrass came in to the shelter at about 6 months old. She was found in the street and appeared to be dead . But , on second look , the lady who stopped could see she was breathing. Brought her to Truckee vet. I took her home for recovery but ended up keeping her.

Levi , the most special kitty I have ever had. He was a genetic dwarf . Came to the shelter at about a year old. I fell instantely in Love with him . Took him home about a month later to foster and well.... you know how that went. He was the biggest lovebug ever. Unfortunately be passed away last Dec. due to heart failure at age 6.

Levi , Munchkin man

Fannie on the bottum trying to scare Levi. Levi never did like her much . She wasnt allways so nice to him , so couldnt blame him for that. Fannie is the oldest of my kids . The head kitty of the family . I adopted her when I first started to volunteer at the Humane society. She is now 13 years old.