cold cold river and my rose

thank you very much for the kind comments on snowy mountains, this then is part two (and last of our adventure)...

mt. whitney is the largest summit in the contiguous united states, with an elevation of 14,505 feet (4,421 m). this time though, we didn't come to inyo county to visit the mountain. our plans were going to take place at the base instead. but with a mountain range this spectacular, it was nearly impossible to keep those granite peaks out of my cameras viewfinder. it is always changing, and always astonishing.



the purpose of this trip was to get photos of standup paddleboarding on the owens river. the kids were asked to do this in their swim suits. i don't know if it's easily visible, but parts of this river were frozen. luckily, the weather cooperated and the day was sunny and still, no wind. here are chuck's models, smiling when they were done, even with frozen toes. thanks so much kyle & vanessa. i took the sort of safer route and went out in the kayak instead (my feet still turning to ice). photos of chuck and i paddling by my son kyle. good job dear son. and thank you honey for another epic adventure   :)

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and...my youngest, the last of my five, turned twenty one today. i found a bakery that lives near her in brooklyn, nyc. and they awesomely delivered this darling cake in the morning, which surprised her and made her laugh. and prevented me from crying (too much) about not being with her. well, and also, she'll be home in only three days. oh my girl. happy happy birthday dear hannah rose. love mama.

(cell phone photo of yummy cake, sent by happy birthday girl)