Snow Day Snaps
by William Etling

Round about 1970, I rode my dads vintage 1930 Flexible Flyer all the way down this hill, over the road in the distance, and down the slope beyond, until I hit a fence.

Today, a photo essay. Nature seldom dusts the peaks of the Los Padres with enough snow to frolic in, but last week was the exception. Sledders were sliding, rangers were rescuing a few from frozen folly on icy roads, there was even a cold camper tenting overnight. The wind howled, tossing chunks of crusty ice sideways over slushy asphalt.

Renton and Doris Mitchell were up there too, and we had a cozy car picnic with hot cider and Panino sandwiches. Past the Santa Ynez range, you could glimpse one of the Channel Islands, set like a distant jewel in the shimmering sea. Ah, California, I love ya.

Check out photos here

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William Etling is a 42 year resident of Santa Ynez, and the author of Sideways in Neverland: Life in the Santa Ynez Valley.