Escape from the Snow

Alabama Hills
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It started snowing today around 4:30 a.m. and didn't stop for hours, adding several inches to what has already accumulated.  It sure is beautiful, but scary to drive in.  We are not used to driving in the snow and don't want to end up in a ditch!

We met our group at a local coffee shop and headed south to Alabama Hills (approximately 2 hours away) to escape the snow.

Our assignment today: research a location and be prepared to shoot as soon as we get there.  Your images must tell a story.  Last night we went online to see what we could find about the history of the area and see photos already taken.  It was an interesting experience.  I didn't realize how much history was there.

Alabama Hills
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It started raining when we got close, although it never rained too hard.  The rock formations are beautiful and so varied.  This area is used extensively by the movie industry.  Films from as early as the 1930s were made in these hills.  Many current films and commericals are also created here.

We hit the ground ready to shoot and everyone scattered.  We got glimpses of sun, but not much more than that.  There was really no sunrise to speak of.  I would love to return to this area for both a sunrise and sunset shoot.  These hills would be magnificent all lit up by the sun.

Based on my research, I had a certain expectation for the shoot.  The area did not look at all like what I was expecting.  So, I really walked around trying to find some shots.  I think I did find some nice ones, take a look.

We had breakfast right there in town and headed back.  We heard that Mammoth had received 5 inches of snow since we left - a mere 5 hours earlier!  Yikes!  The "chains required" signs were up and we were afraid we were going to have to put them on, but it applied to an area just north of Mammoth so we were safe.

The highway was plowed, the roads in Mammoth proper, not so much.  We did OK u