alpine loop scenic byway, utah.
october 2011
(left: arriving into utah, right: leaving utah)
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Would you believe me if I told you this was the first time I experience real snowfall? Because it was. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen snow on the ground, and I have even experienced seeing snow falling from the sky, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen snow falling and having it stick to the ground & plants & trees & other delightful things! You should’ve seen me — I was dancing around like a kid in the candy store! I know this sounds like total crazytalk to some of you who grew up living in the snow-filled winters, but living in California, you rarely experience snow unless you a) live in the mountains or b) visit said mountains. And I grew up totally sheltered, so to see this was a total delight for me!
Apparently this was the first snowfall of the season in Utah too, where I was attending a photography workshop (the Film Is Not Dead Workshop, which I will be sharing about another time) at the time. This was the last day I was there, and was due to fly out in only a few hours, so I needed to kill some time and what a better way to do that than to explore the area? The weather had turned into a total stinker – it was raining pretty heavily, so I was limited in what I could do. I knew about the Alpine Loop from others at the workshop, and the front desk at the hotel told me that it was a beautiful drive, but discouraged me from driving it in this weather. When I got into my car to decide I sat there for a good minute and thought, yes, I’m going to do it. And I am so glad I did because magical snow awaited!
Coincidentally, fall/early winter is my absolute favorite time of the year — I always feel so inspired and in awe much more than any other time of the year. So to see this was like drinking a cup of the most refreshing thing ever — it totally filled me up.
What is your favorite time of the year and why? Do you love fall/winter as much as I do? Or do you love to bask in the summer sun like so many others that I know? I always feel like I’m alone with my love of this season (except for other photographers, that is)! I mean, come on, who can’t love weather that allows me to wear my cute coats, scarves, gloves and socks that I hoard up all year long?! ;)
