2010-2011 winter was a big one, 210% of normal for the Kaweah River drainage. Mineral King, AKA The Land of No Electricity is at the headwaters of the East Fork of the Kaweah. The elevation on the floor of the Mineral King Valley is 7800′, the road is 25 miles long to reach the place and it should take about 1-1/2 hours if you drive conservatively (recommended!)
And that concludes our geography/natural science/history lesson. Now, for the visual aids. (If you are wondering what this has to do with being a California artist, the answer is that much of my inspiration comes from Mineral King.)
Farewell Gap, the very full stream, the cabin – this is the classic and probably most photographed scene in Mineral King.
Lots of snow up in Timber Gap, the grasses are low and the willows and currants are not yet leafed out. Summer is a bit late-ish this year.
A tree across the stream took a hit – it was a Red Fir, and they seem prone to snapping off unexpectedly.
When we pried open the back door, all swollen with moisture, this was how the back porch and yard looked!
The front was quite inviting (that is my knitting on the ground – it is about time for another slightly weird sweater)
This is a mountain quail, a cousin to the California state bird.
Thus we commence the summer season of 2011 in the Land of No Electricty!
6 Comments
Yup. Sitting here pining. Crying actually for the land of no electricity. Thanks much for the photos. It was my mini vacation for 4 min absorbing the beauty and magic of a place like no other.
Quincy experienced 80 mile an hour straightline winds (didn’t know what that was until the next day). At 1:30 am on Mon (Sunday night?) the electricity went out and we huddled on our spare King-sized bed in the basement – the Fazfam5 – until the storm left. The next morning we toured the land: trees down EVERYWHERE. Smashing cars and houses and whatever happened to be in their way. Compared to Joplin? Well, can’t compare. Thanks God for sparing us. We are grateful. As for electricity, we got to play Mineral King cabin until Tues night at 8:30! It was actually wonderful. I took my blowdryer and flat iron to my on vacation neighbor’s back yard outlet (and my coffee pot)! The quiet is so calming. We are plugged in again and life goes on…
Oh my, how scary, and boy oh boy does it cause gratitude in the aftermath!
I’m so jealous! I’m needing a good escape to “the land of no electricity”! It looks just as beautiful as ever, hope you enjoy your time there!
oh, my yes! That is very… civilized! Happy “Camping”!! Sounds like lots of fun.
delightful! is it potty free, too? 🙂
Goodness, no! We have running water, propane frig, water heater and lights, and I cook on wood. Very upscale!
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