Tom's Favorites of Highway 395

Last spring and fall we were focused on photographing along Highway 395 on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada. The Visitor’s Center in Bishop had a brochure that described this stretch of highway as having a hundred byways and along each highway a hundred wonders. Is that really possible? YES. We were consistently treated to photographic opportunities that made each foray out with our cameras a delight. Many of the specific locations have already been blogged. But, there are some advantages to seeing the photographer’s favorites from their ‘body of work’. Here are Tom’s favorites.

Mobius Arch in the Alabama Hills.

Convict Lake at sunrise.

Pond at Glacier Lodge near Big Pine Creek.

Water storage ponds outside Bishop. These ponds are owned by the City of Los Angeles.

The Sierra as viewed from Alabama Hills.

Mesquite Sand Dunes in Death Valley.

Top of Mt. Whitney at sunrise.

Zabriskie in Death Valley.

Ancient pines at Bristlecone National Monument.

Owens River near Bishop.

Red Rock Canyon State Park.

Mono Lake.

Bodie State Historic Park.

Cyclops Arch in Alabama Hills.

The road to Parker Lake Trailhead.

Mountain Range near Bishop with Mt. Tom in the foreground.

Tourists hiking among the ridges at Zabriski Point in Death Valley.

Yosemite National Park with Half Dome as seen from Olmstead Point.

Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park.

Rock Creek Lake.

Mesquite Sand Dunes in Death Valley.

Taken along Highway 168 on the way to North Lake.

Wild Iris growing in a cow pasture in Bishop.

Valley in Yosemite National Park.

Barn along Highway 395.

Red Rock State Park.

McGee Creek Canyon.

Twin Lakes in Mammoth Lakes recreational area.

Ponds near Bishop.

Mono Lake at dawn.

Road to Whitney Portal.

Sunrise at Alabama Hills.

Mt. Tom.

Buttermilk area at the foothills of the Sierra.

Lake Ellery east of the Yosemite entry gate from Highway 120.

Buttermilk area.

Overlook north of Bishop showing Mt. Tom in the foreground.

Road in Bristlecone National Monument.

View from road on our way to North Lake.

Ponds near Bishop.

Highway 120 east of Lee Vining.

Much photographed (we stopped at least 5 times) old house along Highway 395.

North Lake.

Road to North Lake (one lane with some pullouts).

Lake Tioga in Yosemite National Park.

Lake Lundy.

Mt. Tom from Highway 395.

Reservoir on the way to Lee Vining.

Highway 120 or Tioga Pass leading to the east entrance of Yosemite.

North Lake

North Lake is located close to Bishop, CA. It is one of the most popular places among photographers in the fall when the aspen turn bright gold and small shrubs turn orange. The road from the highway into the lake area is a two mile, one way, steep (with no barriers) scary ride!! We visited North Lake in May, well before the aspen even leafed out. We returned often in the fall to check on the trees as they slowly progress to their ‘peak color’. The best day of all . . . well it rained!! Enjoy this collection of our many trips.

Taken in the spring when there was still ice on the lake.

There are not many places to stand for getting a good photograph. By and large, photographers were courteous to share that meager three square feet.

We knew that these would be gorgeous in the fall.

Sunrise.

Color was starting.

From the creek that drains the lake.

From the road or parking lot (I can’t really tell).

From the road.

This was our view as we parked.

Taken from the passenger seat, this is across the valley as we headed up the steep road to the lake.

I suspect it is possible to get tired of these photos of just the one lake from essentially the one spot!!! We never tired of photographing it, however. LOL

A small creek just at the start of the uphill drive.

If you were brave, you could set up your tripod on top if this big rock.

Looking down the road on the way back.

We had come down from the mountain and were headed back towards Bishop. I looked to the side and this was my view!!!

Looking back towards the turn for North Lake.

Do we really want to go home? Not really.

Rockport Sea Fair

Rockport sits right on the coast of Texas and is sometimes considered part of the San Pedro Island winter escape destination for snow birders. It has scenic fishing piers, abundant birdlife, great beaches. It was also ground zero for Hurricane Harvey!! My brother is staying at an RV park not far from the beach. He has been there for several months and was quickly welcomed into the community and put to use as the resident photographer. When the city had its annual Sea Fair, the Chamber of Commerce asked him to photograph as much of it as he could. He spend three days waking around the venue with two cameras, several lens and a huge flash. Here are some of the photographs he took of the activities.

Fair ribbon cutting ceremony.

Sunset from the top of the Farris wheel.

Cutting up the floor with Grandpa.

President of the Chamber of Commerce with his daughter.

Vendor from Ghana, Africa.

Day playing band.

Mr. Cool with daughter. Why do I not think that is his last name?

Singer and fiddler of the band Asleep at the Wheel

All members of the Jeep Club that gathered for the parade.

Jeep Club veterans and dependents only.

This mermaid teaches kayaking.

Volunteers handing out water.

Young Hawaiian dancers.

Ready, GO!

Look at the little boy’s face.

Latin music singer.

Local radio celebrity and Sea Fair music coordinator.

These are the Emerald Girls. When off stage they clean restrooms and wipe off tables.

View of crowd forming to watch the Spazmatics band. Steve used his most powerful flash to light up the whole tent.

Spazmatics Band

Contest winners for the dessert food category.

La Reina, a Latin singer.

The man, an original of Asleep at the Wheel band which started in 1870.

Jeep parade.

Oh, so close to Louisiana you would expect candy and treats to be thrown to the crowd!

Watching it all in comfort of home.

No knee taken here.

United States Coast Guard demonstrates a sea rescue.

A very special thanks to Steve for sharing.