We have decided not to stay home anymore. We are going to resume our regular vagabonding, as safely as we can. We left sunny Southern California,
for some cold Sierra snow.
Sunset on the peaks are lovely.
But is quite nippy.
Winds on the peaks are 55-75 mph, with temps approaching 0 F,
gets your attention skiing!
View towards The White Mountains from The Sierras.
We’ve come 6 weeks after an epic storm.
It has been sunny, but cold since.
Maybe these folks are gonna wait till spring to dig out? I don’t blame them.
Cheers to you from the chilly Sierra~
How utterly gorgeous is that vista! Wishing you safe and wonderful travels…can’t wait to see your photos. 💖
I am so glad you are traveling along with me Teresa. You make the experience so much better! Cheers to you and stay safe & well დ
Such wonderful photos, Cindy! Thanks for sharing. Have a safe and lovely trip. 🙂
Much appreciated Lynette. Very happy to be moving again, with YOU! დ
Amazing pictures! Have fun travelling.
Much appreciated. Thank you & cheers to you დ
Beautiful photos. Mostly I miss going to Puerto Vallarta in the winter…
I hear you big time…….I have been there so often. I miss it, and everything else, too. It is so sad. It is moving into 3 years now with covid. We maybe need to travel again, in our own cars, to places that aren’t crowded, but are beyond beautiful. And there are so many such places…..დ
We had an apartment 2 blocks off the ocean where we stayed 6 months of the year (until we couldn’t, but that’s another story)
So sad. I am sorry დ
Why does it sometimes seem quieter when it’s cold?
It definitely goes quiet doesn’t it. Like all of nature is still. I remember being in Wyo when it was -50F with wind chill. I didn’t know the temp. It was sunny and still and the rivers were smoking, and I thought, what a great day for skiing. Boy was I wrong!!! I was young then…… 😉
Fantastic photos, Cindy. Isn’t it great when the sun highlights part of the picture?
Thanks my friend. It was pretty amazing, seeing that. The setting sun just spot lit the trees on the mountain top დ
I’m thrilled for you, Cindy! Beautiful landscapes and lovely lighting. Happy to follow you vagabonding on, seeing beauty through the eye of your camera. One request – we just had 2 feet worth of blizzard, so please bring on the warm destinations, too!
Chuckling…..We’re going to Arizona next, Superstition Mountains, sun, red rock, wide open western vistas. Traveling with you is the best! And thank you for your kind thoughts. Stay well დ
How wonderful – I’m happy to follow you along to Arizona in winter. In August, though, not so much. Safe travels, happy trails to you, and all that jazz.
It is not just “in every time there is a season.” It is also in every place! 😉
Indeed, you’re right! Can you please explain that to my beloved former employer who always had their annual summit conference in Scottsdale. In August. 😆
I fully understand why this was your former employer! Good move on your part 😉 🙂
Very astute! Enjoy your vagabond ways – the world awaits.
For both of us, thankfully დდ
The Sunset on the peaks picture,
I thought there are red flowers or leaves at first 😆❣️
Pine trees. I’ve never seen that before. Lit up with spot light from the sun! Amazing დ
I too have never seen it before. It’s beautiful but scary. Hope the trees are healthy. A hopeful sign is the alignment between where whole trees look rusty red and where the direct sunlight falls; the trees in the shade look OK.
The trees are not healthy. Smart of you to pick this up. The pines in California have been ravaged by years of drought, many are infested by beetles. You can easily see the effects of this when close up დ
I think I saw a Ground Hog in that van?
Cold air is best for sleeping!
Either a ground hog, or a very smart bear!! Stay safe & dry Wayne დ
and you keep warm Cindy
You would not believe what I experienced today Wayne. I am still stunned. I will post soon. I am so glad to be homebound anymore. Take care my friend დ
due tell? Sounds like an animal encounter………but what animal is the question?
Up in the snow……..Cougar?
They are comming up in new post soon……
Happy for you to be out there doing what you love! 💗💗💗
Thank you. It feels like freedom. We are going to do monthly shorter trips by car, no planes, boats, or trains, but we are moving and it feels right. Take good care დ
Beautiful. Too much snow for me.
This part of the Sierra can get incredible amounts of snow. We missed the snow tunnels you have to walk through to get to your cabin დ
Wow ! a snow river everywhere. Last image of Van certainly isn’t moving anytime soon. Safe travels Cindy.
Nope. That van is hibernating for the winter, like a bear! 😉
ha ha. it certainly is.
Stay safe and well my friend დდდ
Stunning, Cindy, and so well-deserved to be on the go again! Is this Mammoth Lakes area? That sure is a ton of snow! Gorgeous shots!
Yes, it is Mammoth. Mid week,Very limited people. Cold, fierce wind up high, freeze, thaw, I like it best like this. Well, maybe less wind. Stay safe and well Terri დ
Wonderful news! I’m looking forward to tagging along! Safe travels wherever your adventures take you!! Hugs!
Thank you for knowing how wonderful it feels Rebecca! I am still covid cautious as I have family responsibilities, but I am going to resume moving, modestly, every month, by car and foot. Finding wonder and feeling it. Traveling with you is feeling so very lucky to share with a friend like you! Stay well my friend დდ
Looks wonderful – enjoy
Thank you Sheree. Stay safe and well. დ
Thanks Cindy, you too
I enjoy your travels very much!
I enjoy them much more with you Bruce. Thank you დ
Good for you to take life by the horns…I love your adventurous spirit, Cindy as well as your images ..Enjoy your adventures and stay safe and warm 🙂
I am so thankful for you Carol. You are a wonderful person I am blessed to know დ
Oh bless you, Cindy for your kind words…I am blushing here Hugs x
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Wow Cindy, that is really snowed in !
It is. But is has been so much more, so many times, throughout my life, that it often scared me: https://cindyknoke.com/2016/02/04/cindys-nonsense-of-snow/comment-page-1/
How fabulous. Those colours! And I bet the crisp air smells divine. So happy for you, Cindy, that you are able to get back on the road to these beautiful places 💚
It has been a long two years for all of us. I know it is still going on, and I plan to be very cautious, but, I’ve had it with putting life on hold. Thank you Liz & stay safe and well my friend დ
Wow Cindy, what incredible shots. That land gives you something within, even at those temperatures. Mind you, I do hope the van owners aren’t trying to sleep in there till Spring 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋
The only thing sleeping in that van would be a bear!!! Maybe that’s why the owner is leaving well enough alone! Thank you very much Mark & be well my friend. დ
Haha, true! And thank you 😂 🤣
Wow!!! I miss travelling! Happy for you!
Yes. Life without travel is missing too much დ
Wise decision, with scenery like this!
Thank you Margaret. Much appreciated დ
Most of the time silence is most beautiful happening. The quiet nature after big storms and typhoons are sending different messages always. Love these pictures. And happy traveling. I am waiting for Asia to open up and I will jump start my travel. Hope the carona demon leave the planet . Cheers.
I hear you and agree with all you say, especially about the incredible beauty of silence. I value this more and more and find I have less and less to say! დ
Thanks and glad to read from you. I love that calm and silent nature. It’s most beautiful moments of life. Hope I can get to see all of these places too some day. What we see here is totally different and have its own beauty as well. Have a wonderful week end and wish you more pleasing time while traveling. Cheers.
May the silent beauty of nature rest with you დ
Thank you. It’s amazing feeling. Appreciate.
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I love the wonderful pictures. The best you can do not to stay waiting at home. I wish you more beautiful escapes from corona. LG Marie
Thank you Marie. I wish you health and happiness my friend დ
Looks gorgeous, Cindy. We had friends trapped in it and whose journey out to north of San Francisco took 17 hours on the roads! Here’s hoping yours is easier
Yikes!! That would be horrific. The Sierra is nothing to mess with. When she decides to storm, she does it BIG Time. I have been scared by the weather here in the past. Hope your friends are okay დ
thanks; they arrived back safely, eventually. The three year old slept nearly the whole way so there were a few pluses. When we visited Squaw a few years ago, I stopped to fill up with petrol and standing opposite me was my neighbour from South London. I don’t think I’ve ever been more surprised in my time…
OH YES!!! I got off a plane in Gatwick, years ago, when I was young, and someone said, “Hey Cindy!” I thought was hallucinating. It was a friend from high school! It has happened other times. Now I just expect the world to be very small, if you’re very lucky. Good on you!
I’m cowering under my duvet, Cindy! Peeping out.
Tee hee hee…… I see you striding through snow dritfts eating some tasty chocolate for energy!!! 😉 დ
Your landscapes are as good as your bird and animal portraits
You are so very kind Derrick. Much appreciated my friend დ
Anonymous is Derrick
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I know I am going to enjoy tagging along with you, Cindy… you visit such lovely places!
I love traveling with you!! დ
Wow the snow is so deep and beautiful!
It is lovely and beautiful. Thank you & be well Lisa დ
That’s some beautiful country, but it sure looks cold!!
It is warmer today. Not painful anymore! Took some interesting photos of frozen lakes. დ
Not painful is good! I’ll look forward to your frozen lake photos. (Hopefully, they won’t include ATVs, snowmobiles, and pickup trucks that have broken through the ice.)
Not a soul in sight today, except my husband, and all of nature. I spent the day with this really elusive herd of 100 or so wild Sierra Mustangs. Their eyes are so different from domesticated horses. Their iris’s are yellow so they have tiger eyes. They have never had their mains or tails trimmed and they are so long. They look you in the eye, and let me get almost close. I can never stop traveling again. Today was a thrill. These wild mustangs only predators are mountains lions, which keeps the population healthy. They are thriving in the Sierra winter and I have the photos to prove it! დ
I can’t wait to see the photos of the Sierra Mustangs!!!
Comming right up!
🙂
I grew up in the snowy deep freeze of Michigan and loved every moment. Made it through two record-breaking blizzards without batting an eye. I still love winter, but only from afar in beautiful photos like these! 😀 😀
Serious cold captures all your attention, as it should, if you are interested in staying alive. Your Michigan blizzards must have been epic. I am glad I don’t have to deal regularly with deicing, and snow removal, and plowing of roads. But I love visiting very much დ
Can’t believe we walked the mile to school in below zero temperatures and PLAYED along the way! Such goofy kids! 😀
Enjoy the weekend! 🙂
Sounds like happy kids to me! დ
Thanks for taking us along with you. Save me a seat by a fireplace. 🙂
Pull up a chair and have a glass of wine დ
WOW, dear Cindy, what a beautiful winter, such a lot of snow. We envy you – a little bit.
Keep well
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
I hope all of you are staying safe, well & warm დ
Love your pictures of the snowy Sierra!
Cheers to you, dear Cindy! Stay safe!
Cheers flying back to you my friend and take good care დ
How wonderful!
Empty too, which makes it even better! Cheers to you Beth დ
Wow that looks cold but beautiful!
That is precisely what it is. Thanks my friend & stay safe and warm დ
Beautiful photos and that’s one heck of a lot of snow!! Safe travels, and enjoy.
Thanks much my friend & hug your kitties for me დ
Hugging all the kittens may take awhile right now, given how many we have, but I’ll work on it!
Oh, my!!
Ahh I see you’re out surfing the winternet! Just go with the snow, my dear friend. (๑ Ỡ ◡͐ Ỡ๑)ﾉ❤️❄️❤️❄️❤️ ❄️
Love it!!! I will go with the snow…… ❄️❤️❄️❤️ ❄️
Despite this buried van, nothing is saying about epic storm, as you said. All the other pictures are just about peaceful and beautiful place to relax. 🙂
Yes. The epic storm was about 6 weeks ago and it has been sunny since, so there has been a lot of melt of. The area has received 271 inches of snow this season so far, compared to an average of 206 inches. The greatest amount of snow recorded here was 668.5 inches in 201-11 season.
Wow! The amount of snow is impressive! It’s hard to imagine!
Wow! Gorgeous photos!
Much appreciated! Thanks much Eugenia დ
Whatever shade her seasonal attire, whichever robe she wears, Nature is always at her finest posing for your lens. Wonderful images Cindy, (sensational light!) thank you. It feels like waking in another world far, far away.
With your camera at the ready, with breathtaking landscapes to inspire, and a crisp, clear vision all the way to the horizon, I’m sure your journeys will reward with many treasured memories, many adventures, and a library of images to enjoy.
Stay safe and stay well. Take care,
DN
You are a beautiful person Dewin. You have such talent with the written word. Thank you very my friend and be well დ
That’s very kind of you Cindy, thank you. I have so much still to learn about the way of words.
Enjoy your snowy adventure! Wander with wonder wherever you go!
DN
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I love i8t, love it,l,I’ve it Cindy!!
So happy you enjoyed & take good care დ
Oh, it looks gorgeous! Our neighbors used to live up in Incline Village but, after a couple of winters with 17 inches of snow to dig out of they moved down to the valley where there’s less snow. My goodness you can’t even get to the front door of that cabin!!
Stay warm and enjoy your vacation!!
I’ve been here when they built snowtunnels to get in and out of doorways, and the snow covered all the first story windows, up to mid-balcony on the second floor. The eastern Sierra can get epic amounts of snow. დ
Beautiful vistas, but oh, so cold!! Stay safe out there. x
Thank you Eliza. We dress like Darth Vader! დ
🙂 <3
S(n)o(w) beautiful!
Merci beaucoup mon Ami დ
Those are beautiful vistas Cindy! I’m glad you decided to resume your travel. We need to keep on living and doing what brings us joy. Happy Skiing and vagabounding!
I agree with you Brad. It has been more than 2 years of stasis. I need, at least, cautious travel in my life. Hope all is well with you დ
Thanks Cindy. Things are good other than no good prospect for where to move!
Stressful….. I hope something surfaces soon.
Just gorgeous, Cindy – and I understand how you feel about resuming your life. On a much smaller scale, that’s why Pretty and I have gone back to the women’s basketball games this year. We mask up – most of the folks who sit around us we know and they are masked up, vaccinated, boosted like we are. But yet there are a few we don’t know – those are the ones not wearing masks, of course.
We have accepted the risk – these games mean so much to us.
We send wishes for safe journeys to you and your family.
I am happy you are cautiously doing the things you love again Sheila. I wear masks to protect myself and other people. I wish non-maskers had more ability to’love thy neighbor’, especially vulnerable and unvaccinated very little children. დ
Nice pictures, as always!
Happy you enjoyed Andrew & thank you დ
You’re welcome.
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Cindy, I am delighted to read that you are resuming your regular vagabonding! Your shares enrich us. Safe travels and happy trails!
Your traveling with me Michele enhances the whole experience, so thank you დ
A lovely response. Thank you, Cindy. 🌞
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Cindy! Do you mean intelligent people actually leave a gorgeous place like The Holler and willingly travel to snow and cold??? I’m stunned. Here, we got 4.5 inches of snow, ice, and freezing rain yesterday, with much more on the way for today. I’ll post some photos for you!
Yes!! We endure the possiblity of frostbite for the thrill of whizzing down mountains on skis, or my kids on snowboards. Gotta get the 3yo twins on skis too, although it is a bit nippy for them. Maybe it will be a bit warmer tommorrow. I love seeing your photos! დ
Beautiful night photos!
Thanks much! დ
I think that van is a little snowed in. LOL
It would be a challenge just to open a door, any door! 😉
Way to go Cindy, Congrats. 🙂
Thanks my friend & stay safe დ
Looks really pretty, Cindy, except for the last picture!
That one does not look fun at all!! 😉
“Winds on the peaks are 55-75 mph, with temps approaching 0 F,” and just imagine what the wind chill factor was there. Were you in Mammoth? –Curt
We are in Mammoth. The top of the mountain was closed yesterday. The winds seem less today. The coldest I am been in is -50 below with wind chill in Jackson Hole. They closed the entire mountain and all the poinsettias died in the lobby. დ
I went on winter cross country ski treks and camping out in Alaska with the temperature hovering around a minus 30, Cindy. Fortunately, there wasn’t much wind. -50 would have been a bit much. As it was, we had to sleep with our shoes in the sleeping bag. Otherwise they were frozen solid in the morning. Not happy feet. 🙂 –Curt
-50 was go outside and freeze the surface of your lungs sort a situation. Scary. You would not believe the nature day I had today Curt! I still can’t believe it happened. I will post soon. I am SO GLAD to have decided to be on the road again. დ
I used to know it was cold in Alaska when my nose hairs froze, Cindy. 🙂 You’e got me excited to see your nature day! –Curt
My son was the one who went to the top of the mountain. I stayed in the toasty 26 F range! 😉
Grin!
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Brrrr! But it’s good to get out and about.
We had subzero temperatures here in Denver last night, and we did even have to leave home! 😂😭
Stay safe & warm John!
It is. Snow shoes and lots of insulation დ
I’m glad you’re traveling again! And also glad you’re sharing your photos of it!
And I a grateful you are traveling with me Ann. You make the trip more fun დ
Was für ein fantastisches Land liebe Cindy und was für fantastische Fotos. Liebe Grüße in die Staaten. Wolfgang
Vielen Dank Wolfgang! Glücklich, dass Sie es genossen haben. Bleib sicher & gut mein Freund დ
Most people leave the snow to get to the sunshine… but it’s nice to travel again, no matter where you go. 🙂
True, except for skiiers and snowboarders which we are დ
Woah, that’s a lot of snow, Cindy. How beautiful. Safe travels- preserving our sanity safely is key. I’m with you on road trips!
We’ve waited, put so much on hold, for two years. Life has to resume. For me that means travel, but not by plane, train or boat as of now. Take good care Jane დ
Good! We are thinking of opening up again too. Beautiful, beautiful snow and landscape – happy travels!
Thanks so much Leya. Very happy to hear you may soon be opening up. Travel is such an integral part of the joy of life for many of us დ
It is – but I am afraid I have lost much energy for it.
I understand. To each there is a season. You can always travel anywhere, anytime, in your imagination დ
I can…
So can I, thankfully.
❤
There comes a time when we must all end our isolation and embrace the world anew 🙂 Happy and safe travels!
Amen. Too much of life passed by in the last two years. We don’t know how much more of it we have. Thank you Rosaliene დ
Stay safe Cindy. Yes I agree time to start getting out and about again. Beautiful photos, but I think I would stay in warmer climes
Two years of waiting to too much. I won’t take planes, trains, or boats for now, but I am moving on and making plans. I love the snow, mountains, frozen lakes. It is so different from what I am used to. I am sitting by the fire now, with a glass of wine, after a day hiking, writing this to you! Take good care Pauline დ
I like the sound of sitting in front of a fire with a glass of wine. Cheers…🥂
Back 2Ux2 დ
🥰
I can’t believe you went to snow on purpose…I wish I could just send you ours and you could watch it melt around your house. I’m glad you’re traveling again. Have a wonderful time. Don’t expect to see any colorful birds or happy animals. LOLOLOL They’re probably at your house having fun in the sun.
Laughing……Send me all your snow!! The Holler would love it. I just photographed a Stellar Jay. I was shocked to see him დ
Wow, what alot of snow–epic, indeed! I’m so glad you’ve decided to travel again and I pray it will be safe and refreshing! I look forward to more wonderful photos.
You are a very thoughtful friend Katy. Thank you and be well დ
Beautiful shots! Love the pretty blues in your photos!
Happy you enjoyed & thanks much my friend დ
Such great place to visit Cindy..snowy or not a great area to travel.
Anita
Agreed! The Sierra are special დ
That is an incredible amount of snow beside the cabin! I always think that snow is the exclamation mark on natural beauty. those winds sound chilly. Stay warm and enjoy.
Thank you Sue. It’s warmer today with less wind. Quite beautiful and comfortable. დ
Stunning photos!
Lovely pictures of the snowy landscape. The colour of the sky looks magical in the first picture.
It has been a pretty amazing trip so far, I am doing all the things I have never done, coming to the place for decades, and the results are so surprising დ
Lovely shots… but wow, that digging out!
Have a great time, Cindy, and stay safe!!!!! ❦❦
I spent all day with wild elusive Sierra Mustangs today! Absolutely incredible დ
დდდდდ Nice!
Road tripping is probably the safest form of travel. I you fly, best way is air cargo all the way. 😉
Road tripping for now, at least. It has been both caring for my twin grandbaby boys, and covid, that has clipped my wings. But the wings cannot stay clipped, not for more than two years. I am still caring for my grandloves, but, I have negotiated time outs each month, to get back into what I love to do which is travel, move and see. It feels so wonderful. You would not believe today! I spent hours with a herd of reclusive wild Sierra Mustangs. It was a pause/approach situation on both our parts. The herd was about 100 strong and healthy, and this is The Sierras and winter! I have all the photos. Their only predators are mountain lions, they keep the popluations healthy. Their eyes are so different than domestic horses. Their irises are yellow. They look like tiger eyes. დ
Mustangs are a breed apart among horses. They are the hardest to tame down. But, when they are, mustangs are the most loyal, most dependable horse to have.
Safe travels now.
They were stunning creatures who looked me in the eye.
have fun Cindy.. oh that poor van!
😱
Hopefully the bear sleeping inside can rest all winter 😉
❤️😊💕
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It’s lovely to read that you’re traveling (safely!) once again, Cindy! Your photos are refreshing to look at and I can imagine breathing in all that fresh air…
It is so wonderful, away from the news, and the talking heads, and the fighting factions, back to nature where I belong დ
Beautiful pictures. What a wonderful trip!
It is turning out to be amazing. I hung out today with the elusive wild Sierra mustangs out in the middle of nowhere and got very close to them. They are magnificent! დ
My goodness! I just love your photos, Cindy. Good for you, leaving home.
It feels so good to at least partially resume my former life Thank you for your thoughtfulness Jennie დ
I bet it must feel terrific!
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So happy for you to get to go see some of that FANTASTIC cold beauty!!
Loving these photos! Living vicariously through the view from your lens!
Keep it coming, Sister! 📸👌🏻
I am so happy you are traveling along with me. You make the experience so much better!
Beautiful photos of the snowy Sierras, but winds on the peaks at 55-75 mph and temps approaching 0 F 🙂 You are an adventurer 🙂
Thank you Randall. They closed the top of the mountain and it was my son who was up there!! The next day it warmed up. I think the temp was 0 F with wind chill. I think an adventurer would be the person who overnights in a tent up there!!!! I am more of a comfortable adventurer 😉 😉
Ha, yeah I definitely am moving toward the comfortable side of adventures too 🙂
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Beautiful
Grazie Mille დ
Cindy these landscapes are outstanding! I think the van is going to stay a spell 🙂
I think the bear won’t wake till spring, and then he’ll drive away! 😉 😉
Magnificent clicks!
This is gorgeous,
Awww……Thank you very much! დ
Honored you think so Lebogang & thank you very much დ
I gasped out loud when I saw the gorgeous violet sky in the first photo, and the amazing colours in the other photos. Stunning!
Best of luck to those poor van owners. It doesn’t look like that vehicle is going anywhere soon!
Maybe there’s a bear hibernating in there! 😉
Reblogged this on Art, animals, and the earth.
I am so grateful for caring friends like you Sharon. Thank you & be well დ
Beautiful absolutely stunning!
Thanks so much Kerri & cheers to you my friend დ