Sierra Lakes

Last week I visited a number of lakes in the eastern Sierra.  There's no such thing as a bad lake there, but TJ Lake was above average.  It's above Mammoth Lakes.

Sun shimmering on the water of TJ Lake.

I had a cozy cabin at Convict Lake.  The Lizards enjoyed hanging there.  They especially liked the sweet smell of the sage.

After a day of hiking in the mountains, there's nothing better than taking a dip in a natural hot springs pool.  This is Pulky's Pool, conveniently only a ten minute drive from my cabin at Convict Lake.  Water temp about 100, fine mountain views.

Here's a shot of my Convict Lake cabin.  The resort has a fine restaurant, a well stocked general store, and a resident deer who bludges every chance she gets.

The multicolored rocks at Convict Lake are of volcanic origin.  They remind me of Artists Palette in Death Valley.  Which is not too far from here!  Ah, the diversity of California.

Fishing is good in the Sierra!  A lot of folks at the resort walked by with good strings of fish.  You can sail Convict Lake on kayaks or low power motorboats.  Rental boats are available.  A fine, tranquil spot.

A lone fisherman on Lake George, above Mammoth.

Blue Lake, above Virginia Lakes about 15 miles NW of Mono Lake.  Though the Virginia Lakes were crowded, there were only a handful of people here, only a half mile to the west.

I progressed to Lake Tahoe, where I spent a peaceful afternoon lolling on the beach under a tree, or sitting in the lake, reading a book about the Napa wine culture and enjoying the warm sun/cool water contrast.  All good.  The rocks along the Tahoe shoreline lend a surreal air to the scene.

On the Nevada side, large cedars tower above the sage.

Tioga Road

I took a Monday-Friday jaunt to the Sierra.  Need to do that more often!  I drove over to the eastern Sierra on the Tioga Road through Yosemite.  It's always spectacular, especially when turbulent clouds add drama.  This view is from Olmstead Point.

Love the granite!

I've loved Tenaya Lake for 35 years.

This granite dome seems to rise right out of the grass of Tuolumne Meadows.

Rugged terrain at Tioga Lake, just east of the pass.

And at the east end of Tioga Road...Mono Lake.

My destination was Convict Lake, just south of Mammoth Mountain.  Stayed in a cozy cabin, and strolled up to the lake at dusk.

Block Island plus Adams

I'm back home now, but toward the end of my eastern sojourn I visited the Adams National Historical Site in Quincy, Mass.  This is the house John Adams was born in, in 1735.  The home was about 50 years old at the time.  Next door is the home, also owned by the family, where John and Abigail lived after marrying in 1764, and where John Quincy Adams was born in 1767.

Unlike many of the founding fathers, John Adams did not have financial troubles.  This was mainly because he left the family financial matters to Abigail, who from all accounts was every bit as sharp as Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama.  The Adams' previous residence was a middle class dwelling, but by the time John returned from Europe after the Revolution, their financial status had improved and they were able to purchase this home, Peace Field, a short distance from John's birthplace.  This house was originally much smaller and in bad repair...soldiers had used it as a barracks during the Revolution...but the Adams family eventually enlarged and renovated it into a handsome mansion, full of 17th to 19th century art.  John and Abigail died here, but the home remained in the Adams family well into the 20th century.  BTW, John Quincy was really sharp.  He went to Europe with his dad in 1777 at age 10, learned French, and was an interpreter to the court of Louis XVI at 13!  Eventually John Quincy learned 14 languages, and served his country as an ambassador, secretary of state, president, and congressman...after his presidency!  And...his wife was hot.  JQ was, according to our tour guide who was very knowledgeable and really into the family, lacking in people skills...in otherwords, he was a geek 200 years before there were geeks!  But he was brilliant. 

Rhonda suggested we go to Block Island for the day.  As with all of her culinary suggestions, this one was spot on!  Here we're on the ferry, leaving Point Judith, bound for Block Island.

Cuttin' a wake, headed into the Atlantic.  It was a windy, choppy crossing...we took the high speed ferry, going 20 knots into a 20 knot headwind, so it was blustery, with big swells.  Bracing! 

Coming into Block Island.  The main town, New Shoreham, has all the modcons, while the rest of the island is peaceful and quiet...a fine combination!

Rhonda at the Southeast Lighthouse at the Mohegan Bluffs, on the south shore of Block Island.  We rented a Smart Car convertible and cruised around the island...very cool!  As you can see, it was a beautiful day...bright and sunny, temps in the 70s.

The Block Island shoreline.  Gravel roads lead to many secluded beaches.

At the northern tip of the island, there are grasslands.  On this clear, blustery day, the Atlantic was filled with whitecaps, with the Connecticut mainland in the distance.

A seagull standing sentinel on the northern tip of the island. 

Coming back on the ferry, we saw this lighthouse at Point Judith and went to investigate.  There's been a light at this spot for about two hundred years.

The day before I left, I strolled down to Easton's Beach in Newport.  Fine stretch of sand, within easy walking distance of downtown.  Water temp in the mid 60s...it gets warmer later in the summer.  I really liked Newport...the city combines history, scenery, dining, shopping, sailing, partying...can't think of a better place to spend the summer!