Monday, August 10, 2009

Yosemite National Park: Escape From the Mundane

I'm back! Took a little longer than I expected but life has a way of doing that. I recently went on vacation to Tuolumne (Too-ALL-uh-me) Meadows, which is a part of Yosemite National Park. I've been there many times before as a kid but it's been a few years since I've been back. The great part is, NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!! I love that each hill and mountain is exactly the way I remember it. There aren't many things in everyday life like that so it was a very refreshing getaway. I love to unplug and climb mountains, hike through forests and just sit in silence. There's nothing like it in the world. These next few posts are gonna focus on some of the things I saw while I was there and hopefully give you a taste of the beauty that I witnessed. Enjoy!


















The view from the gas station we stopped at while enroute. I'm guessing those smaller buildings are supposed to be vintage but they look a little too small.
















The seemingly ENDLESS highway 395!
















It's just beyond those mountains!!
















My dad and me in front of our tent cabin.
















The view from the door of our cabin. Fantastic!














Lembert Dome, which towers 800 feet above the meadow floor. It's one of my favorites because it gives you a great 360 degree view of the entire meadow.














An old bridge, several decades in fact, that crosses the Tuolumne River to Parson's Lodge. This lodge contains a brief history of the Meadow along with relics from the past.














My brother braving the icy waters with his new Chakos.














Looking for birds.




















Not exactly sure what kind of bird this was, but there was a nest inside the tree.




















Male bird keeping lookout.














A wooden structure built around the natural springs located in the meadow.














The water used to be clean enough to drink but due to human influences, you now have to boil it. The surrounding dirt is red because of the high iron content.














One of the many deer we saw.




















A nice view of Cathedral Peak. I'll have some pictures from the top in one of the following sets.
















Can't end the day without a good fire!



Well, that was day 1! More to come, so keep watching...

2 comments:

MOM said...

Whoo Hooo!!!
What an incredible set of pics! Wow, your camera is awesome...but it's nothing without the professional man behind it!
I love the one of Gaylor lake, you and dad, paul, the bird... well, I love them ALL. :-)
And your commentary... very impressive, my son. :-) looking forward to more .
Love you.

Unknown said...

Finally figured out how to leave a comment! Love your pictures as always! Great shot of you and your Dad, I bet he’ll treasure that one for sure. Jacquelyn showed me the one your Mom took of you and your brother in front of the falls, and the one of you with your camera. That would be a great one to use as your photography signature…