Last edited Sat Jul 17, 2021, 01:44 AM - Edit history (1)
Congratulations to all the entrants in this great contest, and thank you to all the DUers who supported us and voted. This was a tough competition, because there were so many great images. All of the photos were very moving. I always say that every good picture tells a story. The stories that these photos told were poignant and thought provoking.
I would like to take a moment to say a little bit about the home in the winning photo. Feel free to skip the rest of this post.
Savvy California drivers know that the best way to travel between L.A. and Lake Tahoe is to avoid I-5 at all costs, and instead take California Scenic Highway 395 through the Owens Valley and the Eastern Sierra. It's a beautiful drive with breathtaking scenery all along the way, and more than enough history to fill several books and feature films.
For decades, a welcome landmark along the route was this old home, and another one just a little bit larger, side by side on the same lot. It became semi-famous, and was known as "That 395 House" or "The 395 House." Google it. You'll find dozens of images taken in all seasons, all times of day, even some with the Milky Way behind it.
The houses were occupied until the mid-seventies, when the couple who owned them died tragically in a head-on crash. The family still owns the property, and they sometimes comment in online threads about the homes. They're OK, if somewhat surprised, that the houses have gained such fame, and have been photographed so many times.
Sadly, the little house is no more. It finally lost its battle with the brutal winds, deep snow and blazing hot summer temperatures. It fell about a year or so ago, and is now just a big pile of worn timbers. The back walls which faced the strong winds howling out of the mountains gave out first, and the front walls eventually fell too.
I often sell my photography, but I never considered offering this shot. Legally, I would need the written permission of the family to do so, and out of respect, I never even considered asking them. I have a 16x20 hanging in my living room, and that is good enough.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Ross
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