Silver Lake and Caples Lake

Along California's Highway 88 are two lakes that I love. I went on a late spring fishing trip, and came away fishless, but took in some gorgeous scenery.

Silver Lake is at the 7000' level of the Sierras. Lots of snow, and the lake is still partly frozen.

Silver Lake seen just before the sun crested the mountains, right after sunrise, then looking at the body of the frozen lake from just beside Kay's Resort.



These Canada Geese were all over Silver Lake, and they were fearless! I wanted to fish from a spot on shore next to them, and they were leary, but they just watched me and were not going to be moved from their spot! After the sun came up, they wandered into the lake and out to the ice shelf.



Caples Lake, a little higher up the highway, was more extensively frozen. There was only one spot, about 30' square, that was not iced over. You can see the sole fisherman on the rocks in the photo on the left. You can see how low the lake is by the level against the dam, well below the rim. Later this summer water will rush over that in prodigious amounts! The snow-sheet has begun to melt away from the edge, but it's still frozen over with clear ice.


And, of course, there's snow-melt cascading down hillsides all over the mountains.

Fair Oaks Cemetery - May 11, 2005

Nothing like a walk through a cemetery to make one humble.
The Fair Oaks Cemetery was established in 1903, so it's not that terribly old. But still, I couldn't help but me moved by a few of the things I noticed.

Like this child's marker, or the marker of a former sheriff's deputy.


Another thing I noticed was several headstones listing both husband and wife, but without a passing date for one or the other. Obviously, one is still alive. I was moved by what a bond that represents. To have loved and lost, and now after a death, to pledge to be committed to that one and only, even after death, and to be placed next to the departed partner when you go, is a love that one day I hope to experience. That depth of commitment and honor is not so common in today's society as I think it once was.


Then there were the husbands and wives who, after living long lives together, die within a year, and sometimes months, of each other. The power of that bond in life, and the depth of the loss to where the strength and will to live without that partner leaves you, is staggering to me.


And then there are the recent losses. The fresh memories of loved ones.

This photo was taken on the one year anniversary of the death, and it's obvious the family had been by recently.


This grave is well tended and often visited even four years after the loss.


And this tombstone shows the remebrences offered on Mother's Day, last Sunday.


These are fresh flowers, all placed within a day or two, for reasons known only the those that remember him.

Miscellaneous

Cooling Towers at Rancho Seco. I know these photos are a dime a dozen, but they are just so impressive up close. Much larger than they look, and they LOOK big.


This lady was selling strawberries at the stand, Sunrise & Jackson, May 11, 2005. She was really kind, but what a way to make a living.