California 1st November, Mount Whitney and the Alabama Hills
We woke early on the morning of the 1st, All Saints Day. We had felt cold overnight with a sleety hard rain falling on the roof of the car and we found that it had been snowing on the tops overnight and there was frost on the ground. I had a quick wander around in the early light and then we took the car to a parking space further down the mountain where it was slightly warmer. The views over the plain and Owen's lake were staggering. We had a good breakfast and coffee, most welcome, and because it was my birthday! I phoned home. Mairi had some little presents she had brought with her and it was lovely to open those. But the best present was to be out here with the golden sunshine illuminating the hills and the dust and mist coming off the lake. You can see in the sequence below how the light changes as the sun comes up. We took the car up the mountain as far as the road would take us. Here there was snow on the ground in the car park and we saw ...