This is less than a quarter mile from where we are staying. The house was barely missed (by about 200 ft,) by the fire three years ago. This view is out toward Fallen Leaf Lake and Desolation Wilderness behind it. It was quite an undertaking to get here from the valley. Michael had to process veggie oil in the rain and then had truck work until 2am the morning before we left. It was a lovely storm for the solstice yesterday though, parting at about midnight to show the sultry red shadow of the total eclipse of the full moon.

We skiied to Fallen Leaf Lake today, Sheldon in snow shoes over the icy roads and through the deep snows. It's great to be at a house on the edge of the forest but there is an undercoat of ice on the local roads that was pretty challenging.

Renting the house was Orien's idea and she did it for her friends and because she doesn't get to see them enough. During the week of having the place she will have had 30 people (at different times) and their kids staying in this gorgeous four bedroom house. She is a very generous and hard working gal and am I glad she was able to do this. It has beenvery fun seeing how everbody pulls together for meals and clean up and how sweet they are with one another.

When we got in we couldn't get up the driveway and a hearty crew came out to clear the ice so we could pull the VV in. I'm very proud of my dear Orien and feel really lucky to be comfortably with her friends AND to have good snow right out the door.