Wonderful photo a day response, Kim.

I am so sorry for the loss of your Step-dad, it sounds as though you had a great relationship with him. (Loved that bit about you naughty girls painting his nails when he dozed off.)

Your first image was a sad reminder to me of how close we are to seeing the same thing here in the Great White Frozen North. It's good your car deals well with snow - mine does not.

How fortunate that the roads were dry for a good part of your trip.

That shot, "looking north" is full of beauty and menace.

It's great that there are man made lakes with reclaimed water, providing a habitat for wildlife. More places should follow that model. Nice photo of that Heron on the edge of the water.