Themes

Death Valley is a land of extremes and of legends: record heat, lowest rainfall, deepest basin, lost gold, shimmering mirages. In yesterday's uncrowded world, wilderness was where people became lost. In today's world, wilderness is where you can find yourself.

Mammoth Lakes area is "my special place". It's situated in the Inyo National Forest on the eastern side of the Sierras. The area is filled with wonderous geological formations both volcanic and glacial. The important item to bring is your camera. But be careful, there is so much to photograph, you might forget about everthing else the Eastern Sierras has to offer.

The Mono Basin covers 695 square miles of arid lands east of the towering slope of the Sierra Nevada. On the east, north, and south are much lower mountain ranges and hills formed by relict volcanoes. Mono Lake is an oasis in the dry Great Basin and a vital habitat for millions of migratory and nesting birds. The lake covers an area of about 70 square miles and reaches a maximum depth of about 150 feet, but averages about 60 feet in depth.

Sure it has beautiful beaches, but I am most interested in the volcanic geology of this wonderful "hot spot".

Situated in Marin County just north of San Francisco is the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Its coastal range has an abundance of trails for hiking and of coarse senic photography.

My home town, the city by the bay visited by thousands of travelers every year. Here are a few photos with some of the many places to visit.

Legend has it John Muir shouted with joy when he first saw Yosemite. I believe we all do the same each time we return to this majestic place.