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Golden Hour at Pinnacles
When the trail is as high as the sun, the grass becomes transparent, the tree becomes a totem, the moment becomes gold. “Wind speaks through pines, Light animates granite. An eagle soars- It’s shadow crosses over us. All life is intertwined.” – Terry Tempest Williams
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Time Capsule
We went to Pinnacles NP, saw an interesting scene in our hike. There’s a hole and a foot print on the face of rock wall. Is it a fossil? Because it’s a vertical rock, and the foot print is going sideways. It certainly can’t be human, because of gravity. The size is too big for…
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American River & Coloma
Went back to Coloma, where the California Gold Rush started back in 1848. There’s certainly no more rush now, time is rather slow here. We walked around the big state historic park, saw some old buildings where Chinese used to live and work from the 1850’s till 1883. Stores that carried Chinese necessities, which also…
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Whisper of the Pinnacles
Whisper of the Pinnacles, crickets luluby.
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Chushu at Grinding Rock
It is End of Heat (Chushu), the 14th traditional Chinese solar term, when the heat starts to retreat. It’s a day to worship ancestors and welcome Autumn. We decided to go for a drive to Indian Grinding Rock SHP, where we can slow down in the mountains. When we arrived, it’s already late, so quiet…
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Mountain Has It’s Own Thermostat
In the heat wave, we entered the mountains, thinking maybe we made a mistake to pick such a hot day. But the deeper we go, the cooler it gets. As if it the mountain controls it’s own thermostat, isolated from outside world, I wonder if the sun ever penetrates through. In the deep cool air,…
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Pinnacles at Dusk
Walking into the mountains at dusk. That moment, when soft light glows on half of the cliff, trees are dancing with the breeze, standing like a bonsai on the contour of rocks. Different birds starting their serenade for the nightfall. That moment is almost sacred, makes you feel like stepping into a different realm, where…
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Indian Grinding Rock
Haven’t been back to Indian Grinding Rock SHP for awhile. Different from last time during their annual Big Time Gathering, this time it’s almost empty. It’s a perfect place to soak in serenity. Strolling around the path, the ground almost echoes our steps. The traditional bark houses quietly nesting on the open field, randomly. It…
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Ancient Wind
There’s something about standing here at the entryway of the Whitney Portal. Just be still and listen. The mountain doesn’t need to announce its existence, just being there is overwhelmingly enough. Water just sings its way down to the valley. And that wind! That ancient wind that blows from the high Sierras to the mighty…
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July 4th
It’s hard to believe July 4th is gone almost a week now. Sometimes it feels like jet leg after vacation, switching from vacation zone back to daily life. Looking back at the pictures I took, some normal street shots from Columbia Old Town. A little boy insists on following me and being in the picture,…