Yosemite: 2006
Yosemite was an absolute blast. There was some snafus on the scheduling, but all-in-all, it went pretty well. kilah_hurtz and I are absolutely exhausted. I haven't been checking up on anything (email, vmail, LJ, etc) since Thursday afternoon, so if you've actually sent me anything, well, I haven't gotten it (and there was absolutely no cell phone service up there, unlike the last time I went up)
(FYI: The following LJ cuts are long.
The first is just my awe of Yosemite, but Thoreau I am not, so I cannot even attempt to even describe what I saw, felt, and ruminated on during my short time there.
The second are trip details, and the snafus along the way.
The third is just a brief antecdote about Coyote laughing at me.)
Paul Bunyan Country
I have to say, Yosemite has to be one of the MOST beautiful places on earth in terms of just breath-taking majesty of the natural world. Everytime I have gone, the scenery just takes my breath completely away.
You become very aware how small you are in the grand scale of things. This is honestly god country, where everything from solid granite mountains to the pine trees are shaped by something totally out of control of mankind. It is a place that does not care about petty squabbles, petty melodrama, or the day-to-day cares of humans in general. This place exists just because; and, inspite of man.
Everything is to Paul Bunyan scale, and heck, Paul Bunyan might even be dwarfed by the size of Half Dome or Vernal Falls (see scale of 2 people to Vernal Falls). This place makes you feel small, but not in a bad way.
The timelessness of Yosemite makes you very aware that there are greater things in life and there is absolutely more beauty in the world than we will every truly know. In a small way, Yosemite must be like space...that vast emptiness that does not care about you or your self-importance. A place so vast that your mind cannot grasp ahold of it. No matter what you do, you cannot make it care for you, however, it is a place that makes you care for it, instead. I don't think anyone who has gone to Yosemite has not been touched in some way. It is a place that calls out to the heart of mankind; that tels us that we must protect it, treasure it, and safeguard it, because there isn't or will there ever be a place like this again....at least not in our current timeline.
I know why John Muir fell in love with Yosemite, why Teddy Roosevelt sought to preserve this land, and why countless photographers go back time and time again. There's so much here. I wonder what would have happened if Thoreau had stayed in Yosemite instead of Walden, and what would have happened if Muir and Thoreau ever met.
(I must remember to bring Walden with me the next time I go back to Yosemite (in a few months)).
I think I've fallen in love with the land, and I simply cannot wait to go back and view more of it again.
Trip Details
This Yosemite trip was planned by my photography group, and about 18 of us went up to Yosemite. We had a planning meeting the week before on certain times with which to meet up, while the rest of the time was at our leisure. Six groups went up separately (Group 1-us; Group2 Ben & wife; Group3 Ron & group; Group4 Peter solo; Group5 Robin&Shiela; Group6 Mike & group).
None of the six groups ever met completely at any one given meetup location (only 5 ever did at any given time). This was partially due to the lack of cellular phone service up in Yosemite...people couldn't get ahold of each other (although, I could have sworn I had service back in November in Yosemite). We did have a radio frequency set, but only 4 out of the 6 groups had those radios.
(Although, these details might sound like we sped around Yosemite taking photos; in truth, we spent a good 1-2 hours at any given spot taking photos.
We set off for Yosemite on Friday, taking part of Friday off work. The drive up was uneventful, with "The DaVinci Code" to keep us company on the drive up; interesting book, btw. (Gotta love books on tape, keeps us more awake than anything else).
Just driving into the valley, and seeing those granite edifices never ceases to utterly amaze me, especially, with the light making a golden cast along its massive face. We stopped at several points, including some amazing moon shots near El Capitan meadow.
It was a bit nippy when we arrived. There was snow coming down into the valley along the road, but only a little bit within the Valley itself. We checked into the cabins, then we drove to see the show of the setting sun. We stopped at even more places, including Cathedral Beach, where the light was just breathtaking--hues of gold, pink, red...all shining on the grassy meadows, the faces of the rock cliffs.
I tried to take a few night shots, but the moon was too bright, and the Valley was too dark; not many turned out. I must learn how to do more night photography.
We trudged off back to the cabin to defrost. I have to say, the cabins at Curry Village are nice (albeit a bit small) with an extremely efficient heater (so efficient, we had to turn the bloody thing off later that night). The bathrooms were well-kept and warm; even if I had to trudge out there. (Cabins w/ private bathrooms cost double the price of a regular cabin, but still cheap if you compare them to hotel room costs.) However, the walls to the cabins are thin (we shared the back wall with another cabin, and they were annoying).
We got up at the crack-of-dawn (actually, before dawn), and made our way to the first meeting point, Sentinal Bridge...and waited. We had to wait for the sun anyways, and just as it peaked over, the Group 3(Ron's group of 5) arrived (we were the first to arrive at Yosemite the night before--the other groups opting to drive up late Friday nite (2-3am) instead; Group 2 (Ben's group) was arriving very very late Friday nite (having left around 9pm friday). No light was going to hit Half Dome, as it was in the East, but the light on Yosemite Falls was breathtaking, so we set up in the fields near Sentinal Bridge and shot Upper and Lower Yosemite falls. Group 4 (Peter) showed up a little later.
The other groups didn't show up, so kilah_hurtz and I opted for breakfast, then to meet everyone later at 10am at El Capitan meadow. As snafus go, Group 2-3 never showed up, but Group 5 (Robin and Shiela) were there. The weather was getting decidedly warmer as the sun moved upwards, and we shed our first layer of clothing (shell jackets,hats, gloves, and scarves). We (us and Group 5) decided to scout for good spots for our sunset meeting at HorseTail falls (it was the "famed" fire fall show at Yosemite..we weren't sure if we'd see it, but couldn't miss a once in a lifetime chance).
Using "The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite"
by MichaelFrye, we were trying to triangulate where the heck the famous photo was taken. Group 6 (Mike's group) finally showed up about an 45 minutes later, as we picked our way down the road. They parked, and most of them joined us for a spot scouting trip (although Mike opted to nap in the car -- lazy bastich....become Photographer of the Year, and he gets lazy..or has us scout spots for him. ROFLMAO).
We found the spot, made our way back to our respective cars, and went our way back to the lunchtime meeting spot. By this time, we had definitely shed our second layer of clothing. Of course, five groups show up. Group 6 (Robin and Shiela) ended up at Yosemite Lodge for lunch instead of Denigan's Deli at Yosemite Village. *sigh*. We all promise to meet up at the 4:30 meet up spot at HorseTail for sunset.
I told folks I was forgoing the 2pm spot at Fern Spring, and heading to Mirror Lake for some reflection shots. Groups 2, 3, and 4 decided my idea was much better than going to Fern Spring (which is a tiny tiny waterfall), so we all trudged up to Mirror Lake (only a 2mile round trip hike). It was absolutely gorgeous there.
Afterwards, we headed back to HorseTail falls, where we met up with Group5 (Robin& Sheila), but Group6 (Mike's group) never showed. Blergh. We and Group5 headed to the spot we scouted out earlier, but the other groups were going to try for another spot recommended to us by another photographer who lives in Yosemite.
After HorseTail, kilah_hurtz and I headed back over to Sentinal Bridge for a Half-Dome & Full Moon shot. We tried to make dinner again, but this time, NONE of the groups even showed.
We had dinner instead over at Yosemite Lodge, and I decided to forgoe star trails, and call it a day.
Whereby Coyote laughs at me
Saturday morning, when we met up with Ron's Group (Group 3), we headed back to the Red Chapel, where I had parked my car to meet up with everyone. kilah_hurtz was carrying my gear, and I was putzing around with my wide angle lens.
kilah_hurtz suddenly hissed, "Fox!"
I looked up, and there, crossing the road right in front of me was no fox....it was Coyote. We both froze, as Coyote watched us. I looked forlornly at my wide angle lens (10-22mm). I swore silently. I was sure he was going to leave before I could swap out lenses.
kilah_hurtz asked "Do you need the big lens?"
Me: "He's going to leave"
kilah_hurtz: He's not going to leave.
And sure, enough, Coyote watched us intently. He even laid down right infront of me, staring.
I hissed quietly back at kilah_hurtz, "Gimme the BIG lens before he leaves!
kilah_hurtz said, "He's not going to leave. He's going to watch."
And true to form, Coyote just laid there, content, watching...
As kilah_hurtz and I performed the swapping of the lenses (I wanted the 100-400mm), Coyote laid there, content, just staring and watching. He was RIGHT infront of me in perfect view with the most absolute Perfect Coyote Expression. As I finished the change and was raised the camera to eye level, Coyote's mate walked in front of me towards the prone Coyote. I was a little shocked at seeing the second coyote.
And true to form, Coyote got up and started away at a slow trot just as I started snapping photos. Both turned tail and disappeared into the bush, as I madly snapped away.
Figures. BLERGH!
kilah_hurtz said, "This is why you want a second camera body, right?"
I took a big sigh. I could feel Coyote laughing at me the entire time, he raced off into the woods.
And to make matters worse, as we got back to the car, and started down that same road, Coyote watched us from this big rock at the turn of the road, and as I slowed down...he took off.
Damn Coyote.
BTW, I only got photos of Coyote's mate, and most of them are a little blurry.
Damn Coyote.
Anyways, that pretty much concludes this trip to Yosemite. kilah_hurtz and I are absolutely exhausted. Photos forthcoming later; I took over 300 shots, I am hoping I get 20 decent ones; 5 really good ones (hope, hope, hope). I am definitely planning to go back in the spring when it gets warmer, and some of the roads begin to open up more, and when the snow has become run-off.
For those that want to go, let me know, and I'll include you in plans. I'd love to go see Yosemite again with my friends. Campgrounds for tent camping are dirt cheap. Cabins are half the price of most regular hotel rooms.
(FYI: The following LJ cuts are long.
Paul Bunyan Country
I have to say, Yosemite has to be one of the MOST beautiful places on earth in terms of just breath-taking majesty of the natural world. Everytime I have gone, the scenery just takes my breath completely away.
You become very aware how small you are in the grand scale of things. This is honestly god country, where everything from solid granite mountains to the pine trees are shaped by something totally out of control of mankind. It is a place that does not care about petty squabbles, petty melodrama, or the day-to-day cares of humans in general. This place exists just because; and, inspite of man.
Everything is to Paul Bunyan scale, and heck, Paul Bunyan might even be dwarfed by the size of Half Dome or Vernal Falls (see scale of 2 people to Vernal Falls). This place makes you feel small, but not in a bad way.
The timelessness of Yosemite makes you very aware that there are greater things in life and there is absolutely more beauty in the world than we will every truly know. In a small way, Yosemite must be like space...that vast emptiness that does not care about you or your self-importance. A place so vast that your mind cannot grasp ahold of it. No matter what you do, you cannot make it care for you, however, it is a place that makes you care for it, instead. I don't think anyone who has gone to Yosemite has not been touched in some way. It is a place that calls out to the heart of mankind; that tels us that we must protect it, treasure it, and safeguard it, because there isn't or will there ever be a place like this again....at least not in our current timeline.
I know why John Muir fell in love with Yosemite, why Teddy Roosevelt sought to preserve this land, and why countless photographers go back time and time again. There's so much here. I wonder what would have happened if Thoreau had stayed in Yosemite instead of Walden, and what would have happened if Muir and Thoreau ever met.
(I must remember to bring Walden with me the next time I go back to Yosemite (in a few months)).
I think I've fallen in love with the land, and I simply cannot wait to go back and view more of it again.
Trip Details
This Yosemite trip was planned by my photography group, and about 18 of us went up to Yosemite. We had a planning meeting the week before on certain times with which to meet up, while the rest of the time was at our leisure. Six groups went up separately (Group 1-us; Group2 Ben & wife; Group3 Ron & group; Group4 Peter solo; Group5 Robin&Shiela; Group6 Mike & group).
None of the six groups ever met completely at any one given meetup location (only 5 ever did at any given time). This was partially due to the lack of cellular phone service up in Yosemite...people couldn't get ahold of each other (although, I could have sworn I had service back in November in Yosemite). We did have a radio frequency set, but only 4 out of the 6 groups had those radios.
(Although, these details might sound like we sped around Yosemite taking photos; in truth, we spent a good 1-2 hours at any given spot taking photos.
We set off for Yosemite on Friday, taking part of Friday off work. The drive up was uneventful, with "The DaVinci Code" to keep us company on the drive up; interesting book, btw. (Gotta love books on tape, keeps us more awake than anything else).
Just driving into the valley, and seeing those granite edifices never ceases to utterly amaze me, especially, with the light making a golden cast along its massive face. We stopped at several points, including some amazing moon shots near El Capitan meadow.
It was a bit nippy when we arrived. There was snow coming down into the valley along the road, but only a little bit within the Valley itself. We checked into the cabins, then we drove to see the show of the setting sun. We stopped at even more places, including Cathedral Beach, where the light was just breathtaking--hues of gold, pink, red...all shining on the grassy meadows, the faces of the rock cliffs.
I tried to take a few night shots, but the moon was too bright, and the Valley was too dark; not many turned out. I must learn how to do more night photography.
We trudged off back to the cabin to defrost. I have to say, the cabins at Curry Village are nice (albeit a bit small) with an extremely efficient heater (so efficient, we had to turn the bloody thing off later that night). The bathrooms were well-kept and warm; even if I had to trudge out there. (Cabins w/ private bathrooms cost double the price of a regular cabin, but still cheap if you compare them to hotel room costs.) However, the walls to the cabins are thin (we shared the back wall with another cabin, and they were annoying).
We got up at the crack-of-dawn (actually, before dawn), and made our way to the first meeting point, Sentinal Bridge...and waited. We had to wait for the sun anyways, and just as it peaked over, the Group 3(Ron's group of 5) arrived (we were the first to arrive at Yosemite the night before--the other groups opting to drive up late Friday nite (2-3am) instead; Group 2 (Ben's group) was arriving very very late Friday nite (having left around 9pm friday). No light was going to hit Half Dome, as it was in the East, but the light on Yosemite Falls was breathtaking, so we set up in the fields near Sentinal Bridge and shot Upper and Lower Yosemite falls. Group 4 (Peter) showed up a little later.
The other groups didn't show up, so kilah_hurtz and I opted for breakfast, then to meet everyone later at 10am at El Capitan meadow. As snafus go, Group 2-3 never showed up, but Group 5 (Robin and Shiela) were there. The weather was getting decidedly warmer as the sun moved upwards, and we shed our first layer of clothing (shell jackets,hats, gloves, and scarves). We (us and Group 5) decided to scout for good spots for our sunset meeting at HorseTail falls (it was the "famed" fire fall show at Yosemite..we weren't sure if we'd see it, but couldn't miss a once in a lifetime chance).
Using "The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite"
by MichaelFrye, we were trying to triangulate where the heck the famous photo was taken. Group 6 (Mike's group) finally showed up about an 45 minutes later, as we picked our way down the road. They parked, and most of them joined us for a spot scouting trip (although Mike opted to nap in the car -- lazy bastich....become Photographer of the Year, and he gets lazy..or has us scout spots for him. ROFLMAO).
We found the spot, made our way back to our respective cars, and went our way back to the lunchtime meeting spot. By this time, we had definitely shed our second layer of clothing. Of course, five groups show up. Group 6 (Robin and Shiela) ended up at Yosemite Lodge for lunch instead of Denigan's Deli at Yosemite Village. *sigh*. We all promise to meet up at the 4:30 meet up spot at HorseTail for sunset.
I told folks I was forgoing the 2pm spot at Fern Spring, and heading to Mirror Lake for some reflection shots. Groups 2, 3, and 4 decided my idea was much better than going to Fern Spring (which is a tiny tiny waterfall), so we all trudged up to Mirror Lake (only a 2mile round trip hike). It was absolutely gorgeous there.
Afterwards, we headed back to HorseTail falls, where we met up with Group5 (Robin& Sheila), but Group6 (Mike's group) never showed. Blergh. We and Group5 headed to the spot we scouted out earlier, but the other groups were going to try for another spot recommended to us by another photographer who lives in Yosemite.
After HorseTail, kilah_hurtz and I headed back over to Sentinal Bridge for a Half-Dome & Full Moon shot. We tried to make dinner again, but this time, NONE of the groups even showed.
We had dinner instead over at Yosemite Lodge, and I decided to forgoe star trails, and call it a day.
Whereby Coyote laughs at me
Saturday morning, when we met up with Ron's Group (Group 3), we headed back to the Red Chapel, where I had parked my car to meet up with everyone. kilah_hurtz was carrying my gear, and I was putzing around with my wide angle lens.
kilah_hurtz suddenly hissed, "Fox!"
I looked up, and there, crossing the road right in front of me was no fox....it was Coyote. We both froze, as Coyote watched us. I looked forlornly at my wide angle lens (10-22mm). I swore silently. I was sure he was going to leave before I could swap out lenses.
kilah_hurtz asked "Do you need the big lens?"
Me: "He's going to leave"
kilah_hurtz: He's not going to leave.
And sure, enough, Coyote watched us intently. He even laid down right infront of me, staring.
I hissed quietly back at kilah_hurtz, "Gimme the BIG lens before he leaves!
kilah_hurtz said, "He's not going to leave. He's going to watch."
And true to form, Coyote just laid there, content, watching...
As kilah_hurtz and I performed the swapping of the lenses (I wanted the 100-400mm), Coyote laid there, content, just staring and watching. He was RIGHT infront of me in perfect view with the most absolute Perfect Coyote Expression. As I finished the change and was raised the camera to eye level, Coyote's mate walked in front of me towards the prone Coyote. I was a little shocked at seeing the second coyote.
And true to form, Coyote got up and started away at a slow trot just as I started snapping photos. Both turned tail and disappeared into the bush, as I madly snapped away.
Figures. BLERGH!
kilah_hurtz said, "This is why you want a second camera body, right?"
I took a big sigh. I could feel Coyote laughing at me the entire time, he raced off into the woods.
And to make matters worse, as we got back to the car, and started down that same road, Coyote watched us from this big rock at the turn of the road, and as I slowed down...he took off.
Damn Coyote.
BTW, I only got photos of Coyote's mate, and most of them are a little blurry.
Damn Coyote.
Anyways, that pretty much concludes this trip to Yosemite. kilah_hurtz and I are absolutely exhausted. Photos forthcoming later; I took over 300 shots, I am hoping I get 20 decent ones; 5 really good ones (hope, hope, hope). I am definitely planning to go back in the spring when it gets warmer, and some of the roads begin to open up more, and when the snow has become run-off.
For those that want to go, let me know, and I'll include you in plans. I'd love to go see Yosemite again with my friends. Campgrounds for tent camping are dirt cheap. Cabins are half the price of most regular hotel rooms.