Hood Mountain as seen from Annadel, above; other shots of the peaks and valleys in and around Annadel and Santa Rosa in these last photos from the time I spent in SR itself during that April visit. Plenty more from California still to come (think Redwood Forests in Mendocino and more of the coast line, etc.)…but these are my last visuals of my once and presumably future home for the time being 🙂
Above, Spring Lake; at bottom & in the middle below, Lake Ilsanjo as seen from close up and then near the top of one of my favorite trails. All from April, first day back in these parks whose hiking and biking trails I do so love, on that lovely visit in April and early May.
In this case, really one mountain – Mt St Helena. This mountain of volcanic origin has several peaks, the highest of which reaches 4,342 ft (1,323 m) in Sonoma County – other peaks are in Napa and Lake Counties. It’s also the highest peak in the bay area, which includes all the counties bordering SF Bay. You’ve seen it often before when I was still based in Santa Rosa, but I devoted more time to contemplating it on this last trip and am sharing my favorite photos of it in various moods and lights here. It’s easily recognizable and always fun to contemplate at all times of day, from many perspectives.
So yes, there’s actually an island in this photo, which you can see more clearly and easily from the other side of the lake, in the photo below :-). (Above, look for the taller pines that seem to grow from closer to or in the lake – yep, that’s the island.) The joy of my various series are that they help me see things in new ways – this is Spring Lake right near the apartment I lived in when I was in Santa Rosa, and despite many bike rides and afternoons reading on benches along its shores, I’m not sure I ever noticed the little island before!
All taken along Joe Rodota Bike Path, between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. Top photo in April, bottom & center above last October, outer middle two in February this year. And they say coastal California doesn’t have season! 🙂
In this case, really one mountain – Mt St Helena. This mountain of volcanic origin has several peaks, the highest of which reaches 4,342 ft (1,323 m) in Sonoma County – other peaks are in Napa and Lake Counties. It’s also the highest peak in the bay area, which includes all the counties bordering SF Bay. You’ve seen it often before when I was still based in Santa Rosa, but I devoted more time to contemplating it on this last trip and am sharing my favorite photos of it in various moods and lights here. It’s easily recognizable and always fun to contemplate at all times of day, from many perspectives.
(so much world, so little time....) 