I'm one reflective son-of-a-bitch I guess...

It appears that I may be in my photographic "reflective period". Quite possibly.

The reflecting I do could mean a couple things. One, that I am continually thinking of that mirror image of myself. Not the one actually in the bathroom mirror everyday, but the one that represents something or someone I should have been. Or, two, the one that represents my wishes, daydreams, and aspirations...the hoped-for aspects of my life that are yet to be realized...the image of what I still can be. In either case, it was time for a blog entry!

Not that anyone reads this blog other than myself, I suppose I do it for "exercise". And, in reality, I don't really expect anyone else to be reading this. I have made no effort to cultivate a following, as my daughter Jenifer has, ie, reading other people's blogs, posting comments, inviting people to read hers, and actually writing new posts on a daily basis!

This post was originally for a bit of blather about our daytrip to Yosemite yesterday, hence the reflective shot of Yosemite Falls in the Merced River. Since I did drive away from there with a minor revelation or two, here goes.

My first observation about one of our most glorious national parks is that it is just that: glorious. From the moment we came around one of the sharp turns on Highway 120 inside the park (there is about a 20 mile drive from the West entrance to Yosemite Village) and I saw this huge canyon, the river, and the granite walls leading away from Half Dome in the distance...we realized that this would be well worth the 107 mile drive. Not that we had any doubts that it would be worthwhile. But that everything was going to be more impactful than we had imagined over the years...and it was.

From that first vision after rounding the bend in the road, I was feeling a little like when we used to go to Disneyland when I was a kid. "Wow...look, there's Half Dome, Loretta!", I blurted out gleefully. "There's one of the falls...Bridalveil I think!" We drove on, closer now. "And...and...check it out...there's...there's...what the heck is that? El Capitan? I don't think so". We could've looked at one of the maps and brochures they gave us at the gate, but Loretta was driving (so I could take pictures and act like a kid) and I was hyperventilating a bit by then.

Despite my excitement about finally being in Yosemite, I did manage to take a few pictures as well as some video. Loretta had to remind me a few times that one afternoon in Yosemite does not a photographic study make. There will be other times. Other times to explore some less travelled locations and camera angles. But for then, it was right.

We were there on the Thursday before Memorial Day Weekend. The people were starting to arrive for the first big summer holiday weekend of the year. Tour busses, over-priced motorhomes, church group busses, campers, and foreign tourists. This aspect of Yosemite will be it's own photographic study at a later time...the throngs of visitors from all over the world. These bustling crowds could just as easily have been at Disneyland, or Seaworld, or New York City...instead, they are moving along in cattle-like lines in the shadows of El Capitan, Half Dome, and all the other natural wonders. At times, it seemed as though they were not really aware of where they were. They were just on vacation...and it just happened to be in this famous national park.

For me, our brief visit to Yosemite was a chance to walk in the footsteps of one of America's most famous photographers: Ansel Adams. From this fact comes my feeling of unworthiness. When I think about the conditions and the time period in which Ansel Adams worked, it is amazing how he did it. Traveling from San Francisco (some 200 miles away) in the early part of the 1900's, it must have required such effort and sacrifice compared to the smooth pavement and air-conditioned comfort I experienced the other day. Not to mention the difference in equipment from then till now.

If you do get a chance to visit this place, definely bring your camera, a box lunch (the prices for food and lodging are outrageous), and mosquito repellant. I was nearly eaten alive by the little buggers while trying to take pictures near the river in the picnic areas. The late snow had left many wet spots near the banks. And the river level itself was very high from the Spring runoff occurring while we were there. This runoff also provided quite a spectacle at Yosemite (lower) Falls. The spray was quite heavy near the viewing bridge, akin to taking a Lady of the Mist boatride at Niagra Falls! It is a very cleansing-like experience standing on that bridge, letting the ice cold mist hit you in the face (as well as every other part of your body and camera equipment). It creates its own wind, blowing through the little gorge at the bottom of the falls...very intense.

The cost for a trip or two to Yosemite? Well, I day pass (actually good for one week) is $20 per car. An annual car pass
to Yosemite is $40 (good for an entire 12 month period
following). An annual pass to all national parks: $50. We opted for the annual Yosemite-only pass as we will certainly return within the next 12 months at least once.

My last trip to Yosemite was when I was about 12 years old with my family...I think my Dad's mother came as well. I don't remember an awful lot about it...I was mostly concerned with having to sit in the backseat next to my grandmother who kept telling to stop fidgeting.





We'll be back soon.

I was fidgeting a bit this time as
well.

Loretta was much more tolerant though...lucky me!

Note to self: bring more money!