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I Could Paint This

A friend from childhood inherited a cabin at Hume Lake. In 2018, she invited me to join her and another friend for several days. We had such a wonderful time together that she has invited me back each summer since.

Every time I go, I choose a different route to get there. My favorite is to go through Sequoia, then take Ten-Mile Road to Hume. Some years the road has been closed, so I take my second favorite route, which is Dry Creek Road to Hogback to 245. This year 245 is closed.

So, this year I went through the Park both directions, in spite of road construction below Giant Forest and some logging activities in the Forest Service stretch.

There were beautiful wildflowers and flowing water. Even the dogwood was still in bloom, but the flowers were never near a turnout. My destination was Hume Lake, so I didn’t pursue the flowers.

Let’s take a tour.

This is the middle fork of the Kaweah River with Moro Rock appearing to tower higher than Alta Peak. It’s an illusion. Might make a nice painting, doncha think?
When I was a kid, the road went beneath Tunnel Rock. No mas. I could paint this, but not sure anyone would care.
Through the windshield is never an ideal way to take photos. But, this is another triumph of hope over experience. I could paint from this inferior photo.
If I was still using a film camera, I would declare this shot of the Sentinel Tree a waste of film. However, I could paint from this.
I photographed the Marble Fork bridge last fall when the water was almost nil. This would make a nicer painting.
Not painting this. Since 2015, there have been 3 devastating wildfires in Sequoia and Kings Canyon. I’ve lost track of which fire wrecked which areas.

Ten-Mile Road was a mess last year. This year it is a dream—a skateboarder would have loved the beautiful asphalt. Asphalt isn’t a subject that interests me for painting. Prolly doesn’t interest you either.

We have reached our destination! I could paint this, but it isn’t in Tulare County, and I’m unsure of my market having an interest.

Hume Lake

Monday I’ll show you some photos of my time at Hume.

1 Comment

  1. Any scene that includes a river and mountains is a winner! Your looking at a Sequoia and thinking, “I could paint that” is like me looking at an afghan and thinking, “I could crochet that!”

    I’m fairly sure I remember driving under tunnel rock. Well, not me, my grandparents with me in the back seat of their station wagon.

    The asphalt road and burned out trees . . . nahhhh.

    And why not research the local Hume Lake gift shop (or surrounding communities) and see if that market is interested in your paintings? It might be more hassle than it’s worth, but you’ll never know unless you try!

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