Aspens

"Aspens" 9x12 plein air pastel

Forest service road to the Aspens

Next, the hiking trail towards the Aspens and Fish Creek

Painting in progress

Today my friend Terry and I decided to head up to the San Bernardino Mountains, in search of an Aspen Grove said to be the only aspen grove in Southern California. So, with directions in hand, we drove up Hwy 38 towards Big Bear, to find the grove. The grove is on a Forest Service road, about 6 miles past the Barton Flats visitors center. Well, after we had driven about 8 miles past the visitors center, we turned around, and decided to take one more look at each and every side road. We finally found a road that said it went towards Fish Creek, so we took it. Well, we did find a trail head that said it went towards the Aspen Grove, but we had heard that one could see the grove from the road area, so we drove on, and soon decided, no, we will not be seeing any aspens from the road, so after turning around, we went back to the trail head area, and hiked down the trail. After a short hike (about 1/4 a mile or so), low and behold, yellow trees ahead with a babbling creek running through the bottom of the grove area. The trees appear to just be starting to change colors, but it was beautiful, peaceful and the weather was absolutely perfect. My painting, perhaps could use some changes, but nevertheless, a fun exercise and at least I was out painting. I do think I want to go back and give it another try. Maybe the second one will be better. Until then, but in the meantime, I hope you can come see my booth at Art For Heaven's Sake, next weekend (Oct. 15-17), more on this event later.