Kodachrome Basin

 

Table Cliff Plateau

On Christmas Day, while we were in Bryce Canyon, we decided to go to Kodachrome Basin State Park. We went there once several years ago and liked it very much, so we thought it might be nice to visit again. We spent the morning in Bryce Canyon where it had snowed over night and was very cold. Then we hopped into the car and drove the 22 miles to Kodachrome Basin. From the road - scenic Highway 12 - we had a good view of majestic Table Cliff Plateau (photo above). Again, this is a mix of photos taken with my big camera and my phone.

Very soon, we enjoyed the first view of Kodachrome Basin.

We had stopped to take a couple pictures, and when we turned around we also had a lovely view of Bryce Canyon. As you can see, we had descended considerably - all the snow was gone and it was significantly less cold.

The light patterns were unpredictable. Clouds raced across the sky and they often made taking good photos rather challenging. 

This impressive wall changed its color with the racing clouds. I found it fascinating.

The park displays several layers of sandstone rock, all in different colors. If you are thinking of Kodak when you see these colors and contrasts, you are not mistaken. It was the National Geographic Society who in 1949, with consent from Kodak Film Corp., named the park Kodachrome.

We enjoyed hiking along the slickrock. 

The views were stunning and, best of all, we were almost the only people there. During the entire time we spent in the park, we saw two more couples and a lone ranger. No one else. After the crowds in Bryce Canyon this was bliss.

Of course we had to take a selfie.

The texture of the rock in some places was very interesting.

More slickrock and junipers throughout the park.

To my delight there were dead and crooked trees. I would have been very disappointed if I hadn't seen any.

This one was my clear favorite.

Please don't ask me what these flowers/plants are, I have no idea. If someone knows, please let me know. I just liked the look of them.

Finally, we decided to take the dirt road out to Grosvenor Arch, which we had done during our first visit as well. It's only another 10 miles.

The views of Kodachrome Basin and Bryce Canyon in the distance are quite spectacular.

However, after a few miles the arroyo had flooded the road and there was still water standing.

To the left and the right it looked like this.

We debated for a while whether we should try and drive through it - we had done things like that before - but on this trip we were experiencing some minor trouble with one of our tires and finally decided not to risk it. We certainly didn't want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere on Christmas Day.

So we turned around and drove back.

There were still many opportunities to stop and admire the scenery. The Geek though thought it funnier to take a picture of me while I was busy taking a photo with my phone.

And this was my photo. Much nicer.

On our way back we passed these beautiful windmills, so decorative with Bryce Canyon as a backdrop.

Across the street cows were grazing near an old shed. 

We were back in Bryce Canyon just in time for a rather dramatic sunset. We walked up to Inspiration Point - this time I made it to the top as well. Very slowly with many breaks so I could cough and catch my breath (I really don't recommend a nasty cough in thin air!), but I made it and it was so worth it.

After this long day the fish and beer tasted especially good. Of course the beer is for T Tuesday over at Bleubeard and Elizabeth.

Haunted Neighborhood

 

The closer we got to Halloween, the more "creepy" decoration appeared in my neighborhood. Some were very creative like in the setting above that displays an entire scene. But I noticed that this year there were dominantly skeletons on display. I wonder what had happened to the ghosts that used to "roam" our neighborhood in October.

The above scene is across from our neighborhood market and therefore I pass it pretty often. It seemed to me that I either hadn't noticed everything before or things were added to this scene over the last few days. I don't think they will get full from their barbecue...

I have to admit, the rattlesnake - or what is left of it - made me laugh.

I'm not sure I would appreciate a welcome committee like this one.

Were they playing ball with the skull and just got tired of it, in need for a break?

At least this pair had the decency to throw on some clothes.

And I fear these witches aren't up for anything good.

Finally I found some friendly ghosts. Hurray! Not all is lost.

Of course you all know what comes after Halloween - Día de Muertos. Even I own a Talavera Frida catrina.

You know who will love all these skulls? Nicole for her Friday Face Off.

And at the end, the sweetest Halloween face of them all. Little Franklin, my friends Matt and J's little rescue dog. Isn't he a cutie?

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Autumn Walk

One day last week I thought I can't sit one minute longer on my butt and knit. So I hopped into my car and drove over to the lake for a "short" walk. Of course it did turn out a longer walk than I had planned. I should know this by now.

It was a beautiful day with very pleasant temperatures. Down at the lake I met one of my friends, a Green Heron. He was busy waiting for his lunch and wasn't the least bit interested in me.

When I'm at the lake on my own, I seldom walk the entire length around the lake, but turn onto the smaller trails that lead away from the water into the drier areas where more often than not I enjoy complete solitude. Just the way I like it.

I admired the different lichen on the trees...

... as well as the beautiful Lace Lichen, our state lichen.

The bark of California Buckeye is very interesting.

Some of my favorite trees in this part of the lake area is the Manzanita.

It's a slow growing little tree with fascinating red bark. 

The berries display a similar red.

Manzanitas are some of the earliest plants to bloom, often already in January, and an important food source for bees at that time. Lichens like to grow on them as well and give them an interesting appearance.

Someone had stashed away their food in the hole of a tree trunk.

Was it this little Ground Squirrel? Or someone else?

There weren't many mushrooms, at least I only saw this one.

The trees around the lake - mostly natives - don't show a great autumn display. The more I was delighted to discover this group of trees.

Almost at the parking lot I saw this beautiful California Foothill Pine cone on the ground.

So, now let's turn to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's T Tuesday. I don't have a "real" drink to show this week. However, while I was cleaning up a bit I found this emptly bottle of wine sitting in my studio. I think I kept it because I liked the label and was thinking of painting something like this. I hope it counts as a "drink" ticket.