Water from snowmelt in the Sierra Mountains seeps into the ground in the valley to the east. When the water comes in contact with hot rock deep below, it is heated and rises to the surface as a geyser. the water bubbles and sputters. Signs warn visitors to stay away from the creek because people have been scalded and died when swimming.
July 3, 2012 This pretty blue wildflower is related to Forget-Me-Not. It gets its common name from the prickly seeds that develop from the flowers.
I am NOT an early morning person, so I was a bit peeved when Kenny woke me at 5:00 one morning when we were staying at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. I guess it was my fault, the night before we had gone up the road above the ski resort to see the sunset on the mountain range called the Minarets. I was not as impressed as I thought would be after having read that was a "must-do" activity. The light was at a bad angle and I mentioned that it would be much more impressive at sunrise. When we got to the overlook I gasped when I saw the full moon slowly sinking behind the jagged mountains. When I saw that spectacular sight and the sunrise that followed, I was glad he woke me!
