Had to get to the mountains before the snow flies.

Since the 16 year old was bent that she missed the trip we took to the Sierras two weeks ago, we made some time this Saturday to get back up there before the winter closes the country down.

Back to Monitor Pass, then off on dirt roads until we came to a spot where we could stop and shoot safely for a bit.

A little photography time didn't hurt either.

Interestingly, although it is deer season, and there were multiple pickups parked where the pavement ended, we saw and heard no one the whole time.  I don't know where the hunters went, but it wasn't where we were.  

Part of the fun is to burn some powder, shoot cans and pinecones, and generally have a good time.

Here the youngest strikes a pose.  Nobody better break into her apartment!

                                                        Where the sky meets the earth.

 Our route ran along the edge of where the land fell away steeply to the east, toward the Slinkard and Antelope Valleys.  It went quite suddenly from rolling meadows and rocky hills to steep mountainsides plunging down to the east.  It seemed the sky scraped along the top of the ridge, the clouds combed by the stiff pine trees.

At the edge of the falloff, you could see Slinkard, and then the Antelope Valley down below.  Soon there will be a pile of snow here, and no one will be back until the spring, but today it was an airy and awesome place to spend an hour or two.

The Aspens were significantly more colorful than two weeks ago, but there were still large swaths that were predominately green.

All in all, a good time.  The kids got to get out with their dad, we saw some new country, and had a great time taking pictures and pushing some ammo out the tubes.  I hope we get the chance to score another trip or two this fall.