I began the story in pictures of our trip across the country at the end. Now I will back up, and go to the beginning, because I think it will make more sense. My husband and I left the California coast in the middle of June 2008, only a few days before a multitude of fires broke out in the northern part of the state, caused by a rash of dry lightning. I was not sorry to miss all the smoke that inundated our area, but there was still some lingering to greet us upon our return!

The first night of our vacation was spent camping in the Sierra Nevada mountains near Truckee, California. It was quite chilly still, but beautiful. We had the Forest Service campground mostly to ourselves. I can feel the crisp morning air on my face, and the pungent pine needles and bark prickling my nostrils, when I look at these photos!