A bird's eye view

Post date: Feb 9, 2012 4:42:38 AM

P's been doing a lot of traveling these days, back and forth to the East Coast just about every week. He flies so much that he pretty much gets to sit wherever he wants on the plane.

Like many frequent fliers, he's usually partial to aisle seats, where there is just a bit more room, and it's easier to get in and out. But lately he's taken to requesting a window seat. When the skies are clear, there is just too much to see as the plane soars over the Sierra Nevada.

Today he flew back from JFK and the place flew directly over the John Muir Wilderness. First Mono Lake came into view, and then the whole panorama of this section of the Sierra: Banner and Ritter, the huge canyon of the San Joaquin, the Clark Range and Isberg and Post Peak Pass. Since we had just hiked this area a few months ago, the geography was all fresh in his mind. And there are other places to explore as well.

Further to the north you could see Half Dome and El Capitan, Tuolumne Meadows, and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, Cherry Lake and Lake Eleanor.

Quite a view.

The snow level seems to be at about 7,000 feet or so, and there were plenty of nice destinations that were calling.

Unfortunately, there are airplanes and business trips that are calling as well. We won't get into the mountains this weekend.

sigh.