A day in November with Full Fall Colors and Snow in Yosemite!!

You know, sometimes the Lord just out and out blesses you beyond words.  When my good friend and shooting buddy, Jeremy,  callled me and said, "John, you need to go to Yosemite.  I can't because I am on call, but you need to take a look at what is going on down there." or something to that affect, I listened.  Thank you Jeremy for calling me!!  So, I went down there.  Up at 5am and on my way.  I got at the gate and they said, "You will need to put chains on about two miles down the road."  I thought, "Well,  I have chains and they charge $40 to put them on (I have never put on chains.  I grew up in Michigan, but I always had snow tires or just managed through the Winter) so it is fine.  It was Veterans day weekend so they let me in for free, so I thought,  "I am only going to be out $20."  However, when I got to the chain area I heard the guy that was putting chains on say to the guy across from me, "These aren't the right size."  A chill went up and down my spine.  Sure enough, I looked in the back hatch and I had chains way to big for my little Ford Escort.  (This old beater gets me everywhere I want to go and doesn't miss a beat!  Thank you Jesus!!)  He told the guy, " $90 plus $40 to put it on."  Arrrgggghhhhh.  "Oh well, that is what my credit card is for", I thought.  So I said to the guy behind me and to the side.  "Hey, I will sell you these for $45."  He was game, but they were too big.  I didn't stop there.  To the guy in front and to the side of me.  "Hey, I will sell you these...." .they fit and he did.  He and his wife were from Chicago and had a rental car.  He said, "Thanks buddy, now I can still have lunch.", with a big laugh and a large appreciative smile and handshake.   So, the chain man put on the brand new chains on my car and said, "Ok thtat will be $130."   So,  I took the $40 I had with me, the $45 from selling the other chains and thought, "Well,  $45 more to shoot is well worth it.  Here put it on my card."  And he said, "Sorry buddy, we don't take that credit card"......Arrrrgggghhhhhh!!!!  "Now what?",  I thought.  Well, maybe I will just shoot outside Yosemite or perhaps I will go back to Mariposa and buy them there.  But, what about the light?  All the time I knew it would be  alright because with God in my life I just don't get too excited about things.  He always works it out.  It may not always be smooth for me, but He just gives me that peace that passes all understanding,  but, still, Oh my word!......And then he looked at me and said, "You're ok buddy."  I said what, huh?  He said, "Your'e ok buddy, just pay it forward.", with another big smile and handshake.    All I could think after thanking him was "Thank you for your blessings Jesus."  So, I continued onward and the following photos tell it all.  That was one of the quickest 8 hours in my life.  I couldn't stop shooting.  I beleive it was Michael Frye, Yosemite area photograper, that said it was probably a once in hundred years event.  Snow with full color! God blesses Robin and I, always.  And I am grateful......so grateful...Please enjoy.

P.S. This ones going on my wall, 20X30 on canvas!!

So I went on what is now my yearly pilgramage to Bishop, California in the Fall.  My good friend, Jeremy Mester, and I got in the car on Friday morning and headed over the Eastern Sierras and down towards Bishop for the second year in a row.  My wife and love of my life, Robin, sacraficed this year and allowed the guys to go to the mountains.  It was beautiful out and it was a real joy.  The excitement of knowing where we were going and also where we haven't gone previously was almost too much.  We knew it was going to possibly thunder storm the first night and so we were anxious to see how that might photograph.  We were not disappointed.  As I said to Jeremy...God is always good to us on our trips.  He blesses us with such beautiful glimpses of Him.  We are so very greatful.   The first morning we got up and caught sunrise at Lone Pine, CA, with Mt. Whitney in the background and the Alabama Hills in front of it.  Lone Pine is the row of trees (5th photo down).  The rest of the photos are of the mountains East of Bishop.  It all is so breathtaking.  Please enjoy and God bless you all.

Nancy's Dahlias

Robin and I were fortunate to be able to go and visit a friend of my co-worker's  who lives in Davis, California.  I had mentioned to my co-worker that we wanted to photograph more varieties of Dahlias and unbenounced to me she knew a friend, Nancy,  who was very open to allowing us to visit her home and garden.   Nancy even suggested that we could come over at 7am on Saturday morning to ensure we got the best light.  Awesome!  After getting up at 5:30 am, we got ready and headed out on the road. On our way there we saw a rain storm over the city of Sacramento in the morning light which was beuatiful and then the sun came up and there were distinct rays coming through the mist, equally as stunning.  No photos of those, but great memories. 
When we arrived at Nancy's she graciously invited us into her home, greeting us with her two small dogs (they threatened to lick us to death), and then escorted us out to her garden in the backyard,  to the side of her home. We became very excited to see  many Dahlias in a variety of  colors.  Thank you Jesus for such beauty!!!!  We began shooting and got lost in the wonderful experience.  Robin and I shared our excitement with each other and Nancy.  Nancy, at one point, even brought out a step stool for us so that we could shoot above the flowers.  Too cool.  After about an hour and one-half  I finished (Robin had been done for about 10-15 minutes) and I went into the house where coffee was awating me.  We chatted for some time, shared our stories, and then Nancy was kind enough to escort us to the Davis Farmer's Market where we found wonderfully fresh fruit and vegetables.  What a great start to the day.  We just want to say how thankful we are to Nancy and to my co-worker.    Below are some of our photos.  Half are mine and half are Robin's.  You can try to guess whose is whose......Please enjoy and leave a comment....

Bodega Bay

On Saturday, June 9, my adventure to Bodega Bay began.  It started at 4:00 a.m. so that I could go from Sacramento to the Ocean and be there by 7:00a.m.  God blessed me with a beautiful day and some photos that caught some of the beauty that He displays.  I hope you enjoy them. 

and one from around Fairfield. I love the Golden State!

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The Fresno Blossom Trail 2012

I am constantly amazed at the beauty that surrounds us here in Northern California.  Now you show someone the photos below and they say how beautiful they are and then they always ask where did you go?  I then tell them Fresno, CA and they look at me like I have gone off the deep end.  However, each Spring they have the Fresno Blossom Trail Festival out to the East of Fresno and it is spectacular.  So take a look, enjoy the wonderful colors, and know that God's hand is everywhere we look.  We just need to open our eyes and take the time to see.  Enjoy!

Newborn Photos of Truman Lewis & Family

What a blessing it was to spend time with this lovely family.  Travis and Heidi truly reflect what a young couple living for Christ should be.  The love and patience you have with your children is amazing.  Thank you so much for allowing me into your home.  Sister Jill was such a blessing because I could not have gotten the results without her help. Thank you Travis, Heidi, Colton, and Truman.  May the Lord continue to bless you and your family.