I went over Donner Summit this past Sunday, January 15, 2017, and stopped at the rest area, which, as you can see, was buried in snow. Just for scale, I’m six foot one. We’ve been having a great winter, thanks to the meteorological phenomenon they’re calling the “atmospheric river.” It’s a real drought buster and long overdue. I couldn’t help reflecting on the poor Donner Party who were stuck up here the winter of 1846-47. Double the amount of snow, add starvation, and you get a sense of their ordeal. Lucky me; immediately after this photo was taken I got in my car, zipped down Interstate 80, and before long found myself having lunch at a cozy restaurant in California’s Gold Country. I did remember to say a silent Grace, thankful for many blessings.
Snow in the Sierra
