Looking Toward Fall

At last a new post to discuss fall into winter....

Severe Weather on the Horizon?

It finally seems safe to bury the snow shovel in the northland. But that means that severe weather can't be far off. Might that come on Friday?

A Final Hurrah for Snow Lovers?

Accumulating snow was edging into the forecast for midweek. What will come to pass?

Firefall at Yosemite: A Rare Spectacle

While Minnesota endures uneventful winter weather over the coming days, I thought I'd share an amazing spectacle that I unexpectedly happened into last weekend while visiting Yosemite National Park. (Dirty secret: I went there solely because I was missing snow.)

For those who haven't been to Yosemite before, it's notable for incredibly steep, tall and distinct rock formations. In spring, melting snow (assuming it snows) fuels a series of widely photographed waterfalls.

I was driving out of the valley floor in hastening darkness and noticed a bunch of people taking photos of what I assumed to be "just another falls." But this one was different. The setting sun lit the the falls in just the right way so that the water glowed like lava.

I had no idea what a rare spectacle I'd seen until I came back to the Bay Area and saw a Facebook post from KTVU. As I read up on it, I learned that it's a sight that's only seen certain weeks in February when snow and melting conditions are just right. To say it was awe-inspiring is somehow an understatement.

And for good measure, here are a few other pictures I took at Yosemite that incredible weekend. Enjoy!