Boiling River in California

Steamy mornings

5:30 am, our alarm clocks rang out nearly in unison. Another short night of sleep... The air was a frigid 19 degrees and getting out of the warm tent was harder than it'll ever be but the allure of a beautiful sunrise was enough to spring us up and head down the dirt road to find what we came for.

Just off the side of the road, a beautiful river flows down from the mountains, thermal springs in the area mean the river runs near boiling all year long. The atmosphere was sublime and the hot water tempting to dip a foot into, a stupid idea, but tempting none the less when it's so cold you can hardly feel your fingers. We sat for as long as we could, watching the sun slowly shine its light and warmth across the valley. Not a sound could be heard except for the bumbling river and the occasional bird chirp. It was one of those mornings that pass by in slow motion, everything melts away in the silence and tranquility...