It is J-1! The beginning of another year. And for me what a beautiful morning it is.
I awakened before the sun rose as is almost always the case. I turned on my computer and read some email. Then my eyes drifted up to the skylight, what, what is that – OMG it snowed during the night! My wish had been granted!
I have wanted to get some pictures of snow on the cacti and now was my chance. I jumped up, quickly threw on some sweat pants, my medium weight Smartwool long sleeve shirt, hiking socks and my hiking boots. I grabbed my camera, changed the lens to the wide-angle 11-16 mm, packed my 55-200 mm into the camera case, grabbed my gloves, put a buff around my neck and zipped up my fleece jacket. Out to the garage I headed. Oops – I forgot to take my first cup of java which I had put into the travel mug so I went back into the house to retrieve the mug full of my morning energy.
I drove the short distance to the Broadway Trailhead, before I got out of the car, I took a picture of the dashboard to show the temperature. Yes it does freeze here in the desert – it was 27*F or -2.8*C for my friends from countries other than the US.
I entered Saguaro National Park and the trail I so frequently hike had turned into a winter wonderland overnight. I took 120 pictures and would have probably taken 120 more had my gloved hands not become so cold that I decided to make my way back to the trailhead and the warmth of my car. On the way back I passed quite a few others toting their cameras, snow in the desert is quite a beautiful thing.
Here are just a few of my favorite shots.
This is going to be the best year yet. I had asked the Universe to give me snow for the New Year as I raised my glass in a toast last night and look, she granted my wish!
I’m wishing all of my friends a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2015. And most importantly remember to always Choose Happiness!!
Thoughts and Adventures 