Mt. Baldy

I know that I have done quite a bit of whining about the weather lately saying it is too cold and won't stop raining but yesterday and today I was rewarded with an absolutely stunning site. Mt. Baldy is covered and I do mean covered in snow right now and so is Big Bear, San Juacinto and all of the other surrounding mountains so you are treated with that magical view that you get from this area. It is my favorite time of year. I love to see the mountains covered with snow. This morning we were up before the sun rose and got to see it rise over the snow covered peaks. That is always a special treat to see. I used to love watching the sunrise during winter from the gas station parking lot on my graveyard shift. I have hiked most of the hills around Baldy, eaten at the lodge, sled down the hills and picnicked by the San Antonio Creek. I know that road like the back of my hand because when I needed to that was where I headed to clear my head. Sometimes I would hike for hours by myself or with a friend and sometimes I would just drive up Baldy Rd. and pull out at the first turn out and sit and think. Other than the site of my family I don't think there is any other site in the world that can make me feel so at home and so at peace. At the end of next month we will be on the other side of Mt. Baldy. Talk about a shock to your system. I have spent my entire life in the inland empire and Mt. Baldy has always meant north. It will now be south, I can see myself getting pretty mixed up in my directions. The sun will set behind the mountains to the southwest and because of the elevation difference the mountains don't quite seem so tall. So here's to Mt. Baldy, my friend, my compass, my shoulder, my place. I will miss you.