Looking west out over Sacramento and beyond the Pacific. I've always been interested in mountains.  I had forgotten how much.  Traveling from Carson City to Sacramento was all about mountains.  We reached passes around 8000 feet and fortunately no falling snow.  I was surprised by how many passes in the Sierra Nevadas are closed for the winter.


Driving from Sacramento to Bishop CA back on the east side of the Sierras the dry climate and empty spaces returned. I wonder how much you would have to pay to own this beautiful ranch. California real estate is incredibly expensive.
Mono Lake, a million year plus old lake, is a salty inland sea that has been drastically lowered due to diversion of water to LA.  Before the diversion millions of ducks used the lake during migration. Geologically very interesting with tuffa towers exposed due to the lower levels of water.