Can hardly believe I’ve been here in Germany nearly three weeks and tomorrow it is already time to go home again.
Took this while on the roof in 50-60mph winds. 10 stops of neutral density for a 30 second daylight exposure. Not the most technically perfect shot, but gives a good mood for this past weekends weather… Bad weather is still a novelty for me, I guess I’m a bit spoiled…
The stone watchman sits gazing towards the cathedral in Regensburg, keeping an eye on its progress.
The legend goes:
There was a competition between the bridge maker and the cathedral maker on who would finish first. The Devil heard of this and approached the bridge maker. In exchange for the soul of the first to cross the completed bridge, he would help the bridge maker finish first. The bridge maker accepted the deal. However, being a bridge maker, it was his duty to be the first across the bridge to show that it wouldn’t fall apart. Some years later the day finally came, the bridge was finished, well before the cathedral. So there the bridge maker stood, looking at his new masterpiece as it gracefully spanned the mighty Danube, remembering his deal with the Devil. Now, The bridge maker was no stupid man and had no intention of giving his soul to the Devil. He took off his hat and through it across the bridge; his dog quickly running after it, the first to cross the bridge…
Regensburg is a cool city that I’ve visited a few times now, as it is only about an hour away, and has really good pizza! The city itself was spared “remodeling” during the war, so unlike Nürnberg or Berlin, the city center is pretty much in original condition, and even includes the remains of old Roman walls from the 2nd century.
“Who built this thing?” I ask, as the Walhalla appears on a hill in the distance.
“Ohhh, some 19th century megalomaniac Bavarian king…” Sabine replies, as if I should now be used to odd structures made by 19th century Bavarian kings with minor psychological problems.
So, who would have ever thought that there is a giant copy of the Greek Parthenon overlooking the Danube. Anyhow, its a pretty cool place, albeit a bit crowded on a nicer that average February Sunday. The local farmer’s wife was sure making a killing charging 1.50 Euro for the parking…
Despite the blue skies, I don’t think the temp has risen much above freezing since I’ve been here. Sunday morning was a nice and cool 14 degrees, the coldest so far, I think (or at least that I’ve been outside for). But the sun is out, so I shouldn’t complain too much. I still haven’t found the motivation to go for a run, maybe a few more days to adjust to the temperature…
Still a bit jet lagged the other night, took this out of the bedroom window at about 5:00am
Nice day today. Seems I still can’t remember it’s 2008 though. Germany in 10 days…
Standing on a chair in my front yard. USS Ronald Regan at sunrise, a few days back. I’ll try and get on the roof next time.
It is a pretty rare event that we get some snow in the mountains here. My brother and I made plans to head up to the hills after he got off work this evening. We made it about half way up Gibralter before we were turned around by the police. Said we would get stuck. Only in Santa Barbara…
By last Monday the news was basically forecasting the end of the world in California from the “massive” storm headed our way. All reports were warning of 8-10″ of rain in the lowlands and 6-10 feet of snow in the mountains. When my buddy Tim said he and a friend were making a trip to Mammoth, I couldn’t help but ask to come along. If there was too much snow and we couldn’t make it I could at least take some pics, and if we got there it would hopefully be some awesome conditions.
Friday night we drove up to Bishop, arriving by midnight after hours of heavy rain and high winds, making the journey a bit longer than usual. By 5:30am we were on the road north to Mammoth. When the lifts opened at 8:30 we were near the front of the small line and cutting fresh lines through powder a few minutes later. Running through the trees, I had an encounter with one which did some damage to my leg and took me out of action in the early afternoon, unsure of what I could do on Sunday. Sat night we drove through blizzard conditions which required a police escort up the 395 to June Lake. Waking up on Sunday morning and looking out the window of our cabin, I saw beautiful blue skies and snow covered peaks in every direction. When we arrived at June mountain for a day on the slopes, I had to suck up the pain in my leg, and get out there, it was just too good! So we spent all Sunday running black and double black diamonds in awesome conditions, and there was hardly even anyone out on the slopes and never a line for the lifts! I think it will be hard to ever beat a day like Sunday. I took a few pics, but preferred to spend my time enjoying the conditions.
Saturday night at June Lake
Sunday Morning at June Lake
Pano from the top of the first lift at June mountain; June lake in foreground, Mono lake in background (click to see larger)
Tim on some steep slopes
Seth cutting through some fresh stuff
Too much fun!
