In the life of a Painter

We wait all winter to get across the road to the Eastern Sierra and then the day comes, the Tioga Pass opens, and then we can hardly wait to gather up a coat and make the trip over the big hill.  This year I went for two days and did two paintings - one in Tuolumne Meadows and one at Mono Lake.  I felt a deep joy at being in my "heart country."  Mono Lake has always been a special place to me since I was 18 and newly arrived to Yosemite Valley to work at the Ahwahnee Hotel.  I discovered backpacking and day hiking and could not be stopped.  This painting was done en plein air as the snow was melting at Tioga Lake in a cold wind where I was bundled up heavily.  Hat, gloves, sunglasses for the glare off the snow, and a soaring heart to be in the High Sierra once again!  And now on to summer, warm days, melting snow, and joyous views!  Have a trip planned?