2/16: Adventures in a Warm Winter

Hi Everyone! It's been a beautiful winter. Meaning it hasn't felt like winter at all, and we could really use the rain.

Mattie and I have been working hard, but finding time for adventures, climbing, finding animal prints and other silly things in the dirt, painting and drawing, and getting in a lot of exercise.

Liiiike going on walks through the creekbeds finding all kinds of weird and awesome stuff.

I want it to be a "camofrog." But I think he's a toad.

Sandstone creek walls.

Even found some recent prints from a good buddy near Upper Oso!

That's no little kitten. A big cat in the creek.

Of course we made it back to the mountains. My class this quarter was a 5-week intensive course, so when that finished last week we headed north on 395 to burning sagebrush, Greg and Milo. We were sad to hear about the burned homes in Swall Meadows, but happy that everyone stayed safe in the fire and windstorms. The rain that night was welcome, even though climbing was nixed for the trip.

We stayed at the sweet and perfect Convict Lake cabins again. Rain all weekend isn't so bad when you're stuck in a cabin with hot chocolate and soccer games on and Greg and Milo. And chili and homemade lasagna WHAAAT!!! It's like living in luxury!

And really, it was so ridiculously warm out that we just went outside and played in the rain all afternoon each day. Sagebrush wandering to the extreme. I found a walkie-talkie and a compass. I know! Jackpot! 

 

Weird fire skies south of Bishop. Mattie inspecting.

 The storms made rainbows on the White Mountains and great wild views over the East Side.

Because, rainbows and mountains for days.

We walked around until dark in warm winter rainstorms.

Milo and Mattie, with Mammoth looming.

Big friends aren't just in Santa Barbara.

Not a Mattie or Milo print. Beautiful bear prints. We followed his tracks for a while in the sand.

We headed back after 5 days in the mountains, and have been working working working on all kinds of different things since. Still climbing. Painting for a show next month. Finishing drawings. Meeting with students ALL THE TIME. 

Things are pretty amazing. More adventures soon! Heading back to the mountains in just a few weeks, joined a soccer team (gonna be rough getting back into it...), finishing up a big painting I like so far, doing some math for (kinda) fun, and generally loving this sweet sunny winter.

But really, COME ON RAIN! We want the river back! 

Love,
Allison & Mattie the Plein Air Dog

 

Mattie surveys the scene. Just getting started, Midland School.