Blurry sunrise.. me and Dave went to Davis for the day since Dave had to drop some stuff there to graduate. It was a long drive, but a good one 

Neat 'mackerel sky' clouds... but no rain. where is my rain? 

The view from Magic Mountain... the mountain itself, not the amusement park 

An 'Emo' Solstice/Holiday Blessing to Friends and Family

I'm not a huge fan of the Christmas season, and for the most part try to ignore the hype. However, the solstice, which all these pagan rituals were originally direced towards, happened Wednesday night, and on Thursday i spent about 12 hours in the car with dave talking and thinking... a better ritual for me than whatever christmas may or may not offer.

I can't say the whole year has been great, but the last few months really have been. Things have turned around so much since last summer... and it seems like many years ago that i was living in Solstice. Things are great, but most importantly, it looks like next year will be better.

So here is what i wish for next year, for me, and for all of you who read this.

(pardon the emo, but it's just one post a year)

May your winter days be cool, around 55 degrees good hoodie weather. May every day be the first clear day after the biggest storm of the year, when the canyons run full with water, the air is crystal clear, and the mountains are coated in a thick layer of snow.

May every summer day be warm, about 85 degrees on the coast, with a mysterious lack of fog and smog, and a spattering of summer thunderstorms over the peaks to the northeast.

May your springs and falls be crisp, and windy. May the hills remain green well into May, and the fires in October be small and cleansing.

May you be surrounded by friends and family, except when you are taking times to walk the canyons alone. May you have an awesome girl (or guy, per your preference) at your side to wander with when you don't want to be alone. May your car run well, your dog or cat be healthy and content, and may the road be open and free when it comes time to leave town.

Have a good holiday bizatches. Time to get back to work.

It is portland, circa december 2005. The hipster eats the owl pellets, straight out of the owl's mouth. The raver girl offers him mcdonalds, but he declines. they are covered in ice..  

little Dudleyas popping up! 

Back on the south side of the mountains, there is no snow. Here is a view of the city from below Mt Lowe. 

acorns and ice 

it's been COLD up high. 

Icy Spring is well named. This is all ice from water seeping out of the ground, not snow. 

The snow was all around me when i was working at the top of Big Rock Creek but it wasnt down in the canyon. 

Winter has finally come to the mountains... last Friday when this picture was taken 2-3 inches of snow fell in the high country. By the time today rolled around most of it had melted... but hopefully we will get more, soon. 

'Oppie' the Opossum, caught on film by my parents. He/she lives in their neighborhood, and used to hang out under our house and in our woodpile. Apparently they eat young rats, so glad to have it around. 

merry christmas! 

a dust storm in the desert, blowing left to right (Real estate is on the move!) 

Alas, while surveying an area for work, i ended up at the bottom of Mountain High.. which is open! All fake snow, probably crappy. Still, i was jealous of those bastards snowborading while i worked. 

This is looking back at Inspiration Point/Party Beer Rocks from that ridge the sun sets behind! Hohn Sweet Home is somewhere on that flat ridge between the two trees. but closer to the dead tree. (the mountain near the dead tree is Sugarloaf near Big Bear, i believe). Someday before i die i should come here to watch the sun rise... as a compliment to many sunsets watched from the other side. 

Creepy Cabin II - this looks like there is a weird light eminating from inside.. it may be a flash reflection but its a weird shape/angle 

a weird picture from a creepy cabin... is it a bug, or a wayward spirit? if it is a bug, it is an odd angle. if it is a ghost.. it definitely followed me out of Cedar Canyon while i was exploring it. that place was super creepy. 

Should i regrow my beard? i am kinda stubbly, because i am lazy, but i dont think i will grow it out again yet. On a side note, tomorrow i am going to be climbing into the attic of an old ranger station to look for bats!