Snow in Southern Arizona!!

Just a few days ago--February 27, 2011--we awoke to the above view of our back yard.

We live in southern Arizona.  This snow stuff just doesn't happen here!  Well, very often that is.  When we went to bed, the wind was whipping up this storm.  I heard it raining some in the night.  Then I didn't hear anything.  It was VERY quiet.

When we got up and looked outside, we saw this whitish-bluish view of a desert sunrise through snowy trees.  The trees above are the same trees that are in the photo at the top of the blog.  When we opened the door to really get a look at the snow, it was VERY quiet outside.  All sound was muffled by the snowy blanket on the desert.

This desert dweller was probably not impressed by this whole thing.

Cactus in the snow.

The friend of the rabbit above--also huddling in our back yard.

This snow was a big deal to those of us in the desert of Arizona who rarely see this.  The storm was fast-moving.  The snow was gone by noon.

That must have been our last hurrah of winter.  The forecast for later this week calls for temperatures in the mid-80s.  It will be really hot here soon enough, so I'll turn back to these photos from time to time to recall the cold and the quiet of our snowy morning.

Road Trip to Lone Pine and Neighboring Areas--Part Two

You may recall from an earlier post here that we went to Lone Pine, California and surrounding areas for a nostalgia trip.  It was a great trip with nice times and wonderful scenery. 

After we returned from the desert east of Lone Pine, we headed north on Highway 395 to Bishop.  We visited the Mountain Light Gallery, the quilt shop, and Erick Schat's Bakkery.  Then we headed out of town along Bishop Creek.  We knew the road would be closed at some point because of the snow in the mountains.  We went as far as the locked gate across the road and got out and walked around a bit and looked at the snow like the desert dwellers we are.

Not too much picnicking going on.

Then back to Lone Pine in time for sunset.

We ate most of our meals at the Mt. Whitney Restaurant/Cafe.  Have a salad for dinner so you can have a milk shake for dessert!

Then it was time to head back home again.  But . . .not before noticing the industrious bird outside our motel room.  And discovering this home under construction in the hedge just outside our motel room door!

Since this trip was in April, I'm sure that by now the bird family is growing!

Different experiences for us to see snow and then spring bird actitivy in the same day!  Be sure to look OUTSIDE your door!