FMTSO-Water

It's been a long while since I've posted anything in this space. I'm still very much active with my photography and in my camera club, but quite honestly, I've been more focused on my mail blog. Today I decied to join in on the Friday My Town Shoot Out because I have always loved participating in the different themes. And, because I have time for once. And because I kinda miss it. Today's theme is all about water. None of these were taken where I live, however, I take a lot of road trips and I think it's appropriate to showcase here, especially, since one of the photos come from the town I grew up in.

The above photo was taken in Oceanside, California. The photo isn't very sharp but in my defense it was a very windy day and I took this from quite a distance away while standing on the pier. This was taken in April while on a field trip with my camera club. Two other ladies and myself drove to Oceanside on our own in an attempt to catch the sunset. While waiting for the sun to go down, I captured these boys on their surfboards.

The above photo is the Kern River which flows through my hometown that I grew up in. This particular area is actually in the town of Kernville about an hour drive from where I used to live. This guy in the kayak is practicing maneuvers for his job as a river guide. The Kern River is very popular for white water rafting. When I was in highschool I lived for summers. They were the best because a bunch of us kids would float down the river with tubes tied together. It was so much fun. I really miss the river a lot.  The closest river to Las Vegas is Laughlin. Sometimes I will take a drive there but it's just not the same.

The photo above was taken this past weekend in Yosemite National Park in an area called Tuolumne Meadows. I love lakes and rivers more than the ocean. Granted, this photo was taken at the wrong time of day and it was a bit hazy out but I love this photo nonetheless. It's so serene.

A fallen pinecone rests in the water at Tuolumne Meadows.

This photo was taken in an area called Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite National Park. It's about a two hour drive from Tuolumne Meadows. These boats belong to the park ranger. We drove to Hetch Hetchy Valley to see the dam that was built in 1923.  We walked across the dam and through a tunnel to the other side. It was great exercise but it was really hot out. I was sweating profusely.

This is a picture of my husband taking photos. This is the other side of the dam after walking through the tunnel. 

I took this from the bridge of the dam. I had to squeeze my camera lens through the railing to get this shot. I'm not sure it's a waterfall in the normal sense, but water was coming out of these rocks hard, fast, and loud. I love the sound it made. Almost like big waves at the ocean, except it was at a river.

Coming back from Hetch Hetchy this is past Tuolumne Meadows and closer to the entrance of the park. I could sit here all day and just listen to the water flow over the rocks. It's a good way to quiet the mind and to mediate. Shortly after leaving this spot it began pouring rain.  We were headed to a campground to have dinner with fello photographers, about 18 people total. But when we pulled into the camp, I didn't have an umbrella or a warm jacket and I personally did not want my hot dog bun to get soggy. So I was the snob of the group and I went and got food somewhere else. My husband and I came back with a bottle of wine and some beer once the rain stopped, about 15 minutes later. 

I have some more photos that I took on this trip, specifically of Mono Lake. However, these are mostly sunrise and sunset photos so maybe I will post those next week for the theme of sunsets.

I hope you al enjoy my photos as much as I enjoy looking at yours. 

For those interested but not a part of the Friday Town Shoot Out please click on the link to browse all of the amazing water shots for this theme.

Have a fantastic weekend. 

I have a camera club meeting tonight. Our guest speaker is Cole Thompson who lives in Colorado. Check out his fantastic photography on his website.  Also, if interested you can learn more about my camera club here.

Thanks for stopping by.

Start of the Day.

What does the new day bring in your town or city? How does it start? Share with us the morning light or your drive to work, or other chores you have in the morning. Maybe it's even a trip you start early in the day. Or it can be another type of start, that doesn't necessarily begin in the morning. Show us your city at the start of the day.  (FMTSO theme)

Well, I can tell you that I'm not much of a morning person these days. I wake up anywhere from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. I'd much rather be an early bird, but the body wants what the body wants and that's usually a lot of sleep. Oh, and I don't get out much as I am always doing stuff inside the house. So here's how my days usually begin.

 

As soon as I wake up, and before I even get out of bed, I will set the timer on my phone for about 12-15 minutes and I will just write whatever pops into my head. I do not worry about punctuation or grammar. I just write until the buzzer goes off. Sometimes, I will write about a dream if it is still fresh in my mind, other times I will write about all of my desires such as new adventures, business ideas, things I want to manifest, etc.  This morning writing is to just put the vibration out into the universe.

 

 

As soon as I finish my writing, I will go downstairs and make a cup of hot green tea. This is what gets me going. After the hot tea is gone I will make myself some iced black tea and that's what I drink all day long. (water in between as well)

 

 

I love tarot cards and angel cards so I often play with these in the morning.

Sometimes I will give a reading to myself or a friend.

 

 

 

This morning I did a reading for all who read this blog post.

 

The first card represents a current issue or circumstance such as emotional or psychological toxicity. Archangel Uriel appears in this spread because he is here to help remove any anger, heartbreak, or negative thoughts from your psyche. He is with you now to help you with any emotional blocks that may be holding you in a state of lower vibration. All you need to do is ask for his help.

 

The second card represents an action to take. In this case the card Maya appears in the spread. My interpretation of the message is to always keep evolving. Learn something new and continue to grow. Do not become stagnant in mind, body and spirit.

 

The third card represents an end result if you follow the action that is recommended. In this spread, the card Shanti appears. This card is all about peace and tranquility.

 

Summary: Call upon the angels to intervene with help and guidance.  Always be growing. When the student is ready to learn, the teacher will appear. It doesn't matter whether you continue with formal education, read books at home, listen to audio, research web-sites, talk to mentors or whatever other means you come across. The point is to always learn something new. It will reap you great benefits and lead you to your life's purpose. If you allow yourself the opportunity to grow, the ultimate reward will be peace of mind, tranquility, and smooth roads ahead.

 

And so it is!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was bright and sunny yesterday morning as I went about my daily errands. First stop was gas.

 

 

The price of gasoline is starting to climb again. I believe it was $3.43 at the pump yesterday.

 

 

Leaving the gas station. Don't worry, I'm stopped at a light. I do not text or snap photos while the car is in motion. 

 

 

Time for Dr. Laura. Sometimes I will listen to Oprah Radio while driving. It depends upon my mood. If I listen to music, I usually listen to first wave or prime country as my top choices. But sometimes I'll listen to altnation. I'm a flipper of the stations so it really depends on what song is playing or what topic is being discussed.

 

 

I decided to check in at one of my favorite stores. I hadn't been in since before Christmas.

 

 

I bought several books and some trinkets. I also received a free aura reading and a free stress test.

 

 

This is Karen, the owner of the store. She is the most amazing person. Her soul is so genuine and she is the kind of person that you want to be around. She always welcomes me with a hug and kind words.  Her store is amazing too. There is always some kind of class or event going on and I have taken several classes there.  Whenever I need a pick-me-up, the Spirit Within is where I go.

 

 

 

Later, I went to the post office. This mobile post office is usually open for business outside the post office. But I didn't need any services.

 

 

I wanted to check my mail.

 

 

I hope there is something inside.

 

 

A letter from Randall. Yay!

 

 

My favorite shop for inexpensive and cute clothes.  I tried on several items of clothing yesterday and all I can say is that I am very frustrated with myself.  I'm kind of at that in between stage of weight where nothing looks good. Ugh!  I bought one blouse because I need to add some color to my wardrobe. I have way too many blacks, greys, beiges. So, I bought a pale green blouse.

 

 

In the evening, I attended a birthday party for one of my friends in my camera club. She takes phenomenal photos of wildlife with her focus on Africa. You can see her amazing work here.

I didn't take any photos of the party but there was quite a crowd of varying ages all they way from toddlers, teenagers, twenty some-things, and on up to the 70's. She had an Italian dinner catered and there was a slew of alcoholic beverages, sodas and water to drink. I, of course had a couple of glasses of white zinfandel. It was a good night.

 

I'm sure this post wasn't very exciting, the photos aren't great quality, BUT you did get to see a day in the life of me. If you'd like to see more starts to the day please visit the Friday Town Shoot Out main page and click on the participating links.  It's not too late to participate yourself if you'd like to join.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm hosting my first give-away

Good morning everyone. I am hosting my first give-away.  There is no special anniversary, no rhyme or reason, it's just because. Most of you who follow this blog know that photography is a hobby and that I belong to the most awesome camera club in the country, however, I have another hobby that I'm even more passionate about and that is my love of snail mail and Postcrossing.   I'm giving away........  Read The Rest of The Story and Enter Here

FMTSO: Entrances

I know this is a late entry but I wanted to participate even after my frustration with Blogger and Chrome the past couple of days. So, here is my late entry of entrances in my town.  These are all from my archived photos, 2009 or 2010.  It was the best I could do this week. Hopefully, I will get some fresh photos very soon.

 

This entrance is padlocked to keep the animals in and the people out.

 

 

Entrance into Bonnie Springs Ghost Town in Las Vegas.

 

 

Entrance to the cemetery and the restaurant.

 

 

Not the greatest picture, but this is the entrance to the chapel at Bonnie Springs.

 

 

The door to one of the shops at Bonnie Springs.

 

That's it for this week. 

 

Please visit more participating photos by checking out the home page of the Friday My Town Shoot Out blog. And if interested, we'd love for you to join us for next week's theme.

 

 

FMTSO: Leading Lines

All of the following photos were taken while on vacation. Some are in Nevada, some are in Oregon and some are in California. I hope you enjoy where the lines take you.

A place to rest in Jacksonville, Oregon.

Hay for the animals in Lakeview, Oregon.

A shoe tree in the middle of nowhere.

Signs to my nephew's wedding in Yoncala, Oregon.

San Jose, California.  The front yard of Winchester Mystery Mansion.

Melons at a farmers market in Oregon.

Tehachapi, California. I snapped this shot from the passenger side window while driving down the freeway.

Somewhere near Drain, Oregon.

Another covered bridge, also near Drain, Oregon.

A swing ride in Sonoma, California.

A church in Virginia City, Nevada.

A train ride in Sonoma, California.

I hope you enjoyed a bit of my vacation with me.

There are more terrific pictures of leading lines over here.