James Yockel Photography

Yosemite National Park- Day 2

2009-11-28T16:10:00.000-08:00

I set my alarm to wake up early the morning of the second day so I could get to the Glacier Point at or shortly after sunrise. I woke to a steady rain and clouds covering everything in sight. I decided that it would be best to just go back to bed and hope the clouds moved off. No such luck. When I finally got back into the park it was still raining and everything was shrouded in clouds. I decided I would head directly to the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees and hide from the rain under some of the biggest trees in world. Again, no such luck. The pass to that section of the park was closed due to ice and snow. Unfortunately that pass also takes you to the Glacier Point and Sentinel Point trails, so most of my plans for the day look unlikely to happen. The closest point of interest is the Tunnel Overlook, one of the most recognized vistas in the world. When I arrived there, I was greeted by a solid wall of clouds (look for a photo on the site). So, the only road open is the loop around the valley floor. I dodged the rain off all morning, managed to get some shots of Bridal Veil falls during a break in the clouds, took a walk toward Yosemite Falls and along a few short trails in the meadows. The sky looked like it might be clearing a bit, so I tried the road back to the Tunnel Overlook, but when I arrived it was closed to anyone w/out tire chains. My little Hyundai rental was shaky in normal weather so I turned around. It was pretty cold and I didn't want to get my camera wet, so finally I gave up and went to Yosemite Village to have lunch. I should have known that was not a great idea, the place was mobbed since it was raining and lunch-time. After fighting the crowd for a while I was able to get a guidebook to read while I was waiting for the weather to break.

I headed out and drove the loop around the valley a few more times, managing to dodge the raindrops (mostly) and get a few shots that were cool. As the day wore on the rain moved out and eventually I saw a few bits of sun. Things were starting to look up, and the remaining remnants of low hanging clouds made for some really cool photos. I decided I might try the Tunnel Overlook again... success! The road is open and I can see most of the valley. It isn't the classic view I was hoping for, but based on the rest of the day, this is pretty good. After that, it was getting near sunset, so I headed over to Curry Village to check in to my cabin. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I ended up w/a cabin that had a good heater, a comfy bed and a private bathroom. I looked through my notes and planned out tomorrow. I would love to try the Glacier Point trail, but I need to be on the road by 3, and I doubt that the road will be open early enough. I think the Happy Isles Trail (yeah!) and the Vernal/Nevada Falls Trail will be open and accessible. As long as the Tioga Road and Tioga Pass are open, things will be good. If not, I will need to go through Sacramento which adds about 3 hours to the drive. All in all, not a bad day. Not what i was hoping for, but not bad at all. Looking forward to tomorrow.

2009-11-14T21:18:00.000-08:00

I recently returned from a brief visit to Yosemite National Park. I would have loved to spend a few more days, but unfortunately I only had a long weekend tacked on to the tail end of a trip for work. Here is my journal entry for day 1...

Leaving South Lake Tahoe. I accomplished my good deed for the day before 10:00 a.m. When I stopped to fill up before heading into the Nevada desert, I was able to help a New Zealander open up the gas tank on his rented Mustang. We looked all over the interior for a release mechanism, no luck. Turns out you just push the fuel door and it pops open (my idea). Who knew...

It was a beautiful sunny day, about 65 degress. After an uneventful drive, I entered the park through the eastern gate, via Tioga Pass. On the advice of some people I met in Tahoe, I pulled off the main road to visit Saddlebag Lake. About half way up the road to the lake, I had an uncomfortably close encounter w/a bicyclist who was careening down the middle of the road and an altogether unsafe speed. Luckily, my reactions were good and I avoided him.

I pulled into a small trailhead to take a few pictures, and was approached by a young man needing a little help w/his truck. It wouldn't start, and I tried valiantly to jump start it, but my rented Hyundai compact car just didn't have the juice. I offered to take him to to a lodge about a mile back so he could call a tow-truck, but it turns out that he was a park employee and needed to go into the park, so I took him w/me. He was a nice guy and gave me some good tips on what to see and some interesting park trivia. We passed a bicyclist and I commented on how many I had seen in my short time there. He agreed and said that he had just finished a ride when he asked me for help. I told him that I almost killed a biker not too long ago near Saddlebag lake. He said, "I think that was me..." I apologized for almost killing him (even thought it was his fault...)

I pulled off at another turnout to take some pictures, and as I was pulling back into traffice I almost died at the hands of some monster SUV barreling around a curve at more than double the park speed limit. Can't trust anyone in this place...

I finally reached the valley about 4:3o p.m. and visited some of the famous monuments. I wanted to make sure I got some good shots before the sun went down, mission accomplished. Total of about 600 pictures for the day.

Finally arrive at my hotel and when I turn on the TV I find out there was a minor earthquake less than 100 miles south of the park's western entrance in El Portal. Never felt a thing. Worse than that, the weather forecast is for snow overnight.

Tomorrow's big plans: Mariposa Grove of big trees, a waterfall on the way that supposedly still has water in it, Glacier Point, Sentinel Point and the Taft Fissures.

A Closer Look

2009-08-26T13:21:00.000-07:00

The best things in life are the memories we make. They are ours to cherish forever, so we can re-live our happiest moments and remember the times that are long since past. Through the lens of my camera, I try to capture the images, moods and feelings of the places I visit. Be they landscapes that catch my eye, people that touch my heart, or places that intrigue my mind, I try to capture them on film to remember and share. Hopefully you can re-live some of your memories, share mine or imagine your dream vacation through the work you see before you. From the crooked streets of medieval Italy to Death Valley, or the coast of Maine to the San Francisco Bay there is a subtle beauty in the world that we often miss in our daily rush. Take a moment now to slow down, share some memories and see through my eyes. Perhaps next time you are going about your day, you will see this subtle beauty when you stop to take A Closer Look.