A Little Cold for Your Hot from Yellowstone National Park - Los Angeles Fine Art Photographer

What comes to mind when you hear these two words of the opposite nature? Conflict? Confrontation?

How about the idea of taking a hot spring bath in winter?

The day on which we arrived at the Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone at sunset was the last day of the park was open for winter season. Everybody was supposed to leave the internal park. The temperatures were forecast to drop so low that the cars won’t start. The snowmobile did not take a chance and we left ahead of schedule. On the few stops for photographs, the engine kept on running. We couldn’t afford to have a stalled car in the middle of the park.

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It was in such a survival mode that we arrived at the edge of the park. Taking a risk that the road may be frozen over (which is disaster for us Southern Californians that can’t even drive in rain :-) ), we took a detour onto the Palette Spring. Getting out of the car takes courage. Seeing the steam from the geothermal feature, I drew closer and closer, picturing exactly the idea above - taking a hot spring bath in bone-chilling winter.

”That outfit looks familiar”, says someone that recognized the clothes from the company that we went to the Antarctica with.

”That’s right. And you know what? This cold beats Antarctica!” I replied.

I don’t know about you. We just survived an extended period of heat wave. I thought a little (visual) coldness will bring comfort to you. Me, on the other hand, enjoy the beauty brought out by the contrast of cold and hot.

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Sunrise in Heaven - Los Angeles Travel Photographer

By now, I hope you've all met the beautiful red fox that we had the fortune to meet by Lake Kussharo.  As if the encounter with her was not enough, our streak of luck continued. 

Lake Kussharo is a caldera lake in eastern Hokkaido.  It is the largest lake in Japan to completely freeze over in winter.  When we arrived the day before, the lake water was dark and choppy. However, later that day, it started snowing and the temperature dropped.  We took a risk and drove over before sunrise the next morning and was greeted by an amazing scenery.

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It was so cold that the steam from my breath froze on the screen of my camera.  But I was totally immersed in the beauty of the pink glow, frost flowers on ice, mist arising from the surface of the water and the reflection of the snow covered mountain.   

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May You be Surrounded by the Warmth of Family - Los Angeles Travel Photographer

Today marks the beginning of the holiday season in many countries/cultures.  The drop of temperatures and the changes of colors reminded me of this image.  

This was after we made our way safely from the Hyogo region and arrived in Kyoto, at the golden time of such historical city that once served as Japan's capital and the emperor's residence for more than one thousand years.  The air had chilled enough for its maple leave to turn yellow and red and momiji-watching has become a national ritual. 

Eikan-do Zenrin-Ji (永観堂禅林寺) was such an inspiring temple where autumn colors, cultures and architecture kept us occupied for a whole day (yes, we snuck out for lunch because it was so cold and negotiated our way back in the afternoon).  As the day-light faded, the warm tones glowing from within this door drew me in.  I can feel my skin slowly relaxed, just by looking at this image today.

Happy Thanksgiving and may you be surrounded by the warmth of family!

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After dinner, if you haven't, read the story and have fun trying to win a prize here to kick off the holiday season.