Tags
challenge, Glacier Point, Half-Dome, park, picture, travel, Tunnel View, Yosemite
It was the wrong season, so said everyone. But what the heck, one has to grab the opportunity when one is handed it and not crib about seasons. So off I went with the First Born son on the trip to Yosemite National Park (link) on a hot July afternoon. Here is the view from Glacier Point (link) viewing area. To the centre is Half Dome.
For the FB, this was the third trip. In the very first one, he hiked to the top of Half Dome. “Rising nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and 8,800 feet above sea level, Half Dome is a Yosemite icon and a great challenge to many hikers.“ (link). Here is a closer look at Half Dome.
The Wawona Tunnel below is bored through solid granite bedrock. “At 4,233 feet (1,290 m) long Wawona Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in California.” (Wiki)
And when you exit the tunnel, comes the Tunnel View, supposed to be the world’s most photographed spot. “The view looks eastward into Yosemite Valley, and includes surrounding features, such as the southwest face of El Capitan on the left, Half Dome on axis, and Bridalveil Fall on the right” (Wiki)
A lone tree I captured with the valley in the background.
Another scenic view of pine trees
That’s our tour bus with the Ranger who drove it, standing in front. Well, you really didn’t think I hiked all the way up and back, did you?!! By the way, I have never felt as safe as I did with her driving the 40-foot bus. And not even a thought of nausea, in spite of the hairpin bends and the height. To think I never once could lift my head or enjoy the view during my travel to Kufri (link). The lady gave us a very interesting and witty running commentary of the history of the Park all through the drive.
There is only one word to describe the whole experience: A.w.e.s.o.m.e!
Random Musings by Swati said:
Beautiful pictures Shail. While working at the journeymart I had read about Yosemite National Park and today after seeing the pictures by you I can imagine the beauty of the place.
shail said:
I feel as if I did not spend enough time there 🙂
Random Musings by Swati said:
There’s always a next time! But whatever time you spent there you utilised it superbly.
soonie2 said:
Incredible! Someday I’ll make it out there!
shail said:
Oh,you should make it! 🙂
vishvanaathjee said:
Reading this brings back year 2010 memories when we too visited Yosemite.
Mystery spot is another place you may like to visit if you haven’t already been there.
We are arriving there on Sept 21.
Will you be there?
Regards
GV
shail said:
Nice to know that, GV. No I haven’t been to Mystery Spot,yet.
vishalbheeroo said:
Truly Awesome:) Wow that’s superb and you are blessed to be there.
shail said:
Indeed I am 🙂
SallyA said:
You know I’ve lived in California since 1976 and I have still never been to Yosemite.At least both of my daughters had the opportunity for a winter trip there.Fantastic photos! And of course, now that you’re back in Northern California I have moved to Southern CA where my 1st granddaughter is due in a couple of weeks.
shail said:
Since 1976! My son couldn’t believe that when i told him 🙂 Oh… you have moved! 😦 But that’s good news about your grand-daughter being on the way 🙂 🙂
Bhavya said:
I’d read about Yosemiteand have been wanting to visit ever since. Now you’re making me J.. big time 😦
shail said:
I am sure you will see it too some day! 😀
Jas said:
Beautiful captures Shail 🙂
shail said:
Thank you, Jas 🙂
Ruch said:
Oh loved the clicks ! How camera happy you would have been there ! This is one place I must go to !
shail said:
Ahh Ruch, YOU will LOVE it! 😀
Kalpana Solsi said:
WOW! WHAT A TRIP AND LOVED THE TUNNEL.
shail said:
Yes, that was an experience too 🙂
sugandha118 said:
Shail…these are beautiful pictures…impressed
shail said:
Thank you, Sugandha 🙂
Jazz said:
Yosemite is one of our favorite places.. And he hiked the Half Dome in his first visit ? That is so awesome, it really is a challenge.. I could just do 1/3rd of that hike but totally loved it. 🙂
shail said:
The first time he went was with the intention of hiking. You did 1/3rd?! That’s awesome too as far as I am concerned 🙂
LP said:
Yosemite is a favorite place for me and my husband. We plan to take our first born on his first visit there and take pictures in the exact same spots where we took ours before he arrived in our life.
shail said:
Wow, isn’t that awesome! 🙂
rainbowhues23 said:
And sure it must be…the pictures look so darn awesome!! WOW!!
shail said:
It is wow 😀
shachi18 said:
A place very close to my heart. Been on top of Half Dome….was thrilling but would not do it again! Glad you got to visit. Any season is a good season here. Did you do the Tioga Pass road? Love that part of the park too.
shail said:
Oh wow.You hiked to the top! 🙂 Nope, not the Tioga Pass road.
pixie said:
Its a beautiful place! 🙂
But, this year there have been so many wildfires there that its heart-wrenching to see the forest burning away!
Lovely Pics!! 🙂
shail said:
The ranger was telling us about the fires, the lightning struck trees and all.
pixie said:
yea.. 😦
its pretty sad!
apalasengupta said:
A.w.e.s.o.m.e!
A.w.e.s.o.m.e!
A.w.e.s.o.m.e pics n post! 🙂
shail said:
Thanks, Apala 🙂
subzeroricha said:
The place looked to be worth a visit for sure juxtaposed with your words even more so. What I really like about your write ups is that you always intercede them with relevant links so the experience is never limited to one post it recedes to many things thus making the experience of reading composite for readers 🙂
Richa
shail said:
I always like to post relevant links. They give more info for those who are interested 🙂
suku07 said:
This is the first time I am hearing about the place….the pictures are sooo beautiful and you are so right.. just awesome 🙂
shail said:
Thank you 🙂 It is a place worth visiting 🙂
Usha Pisharody said:
Lovely pictures. Awe-bl*&%*&- some I say 🙂 🙂
The valleys, the distant domes, wow! Just Wow!
And that Ranger 🙂 More awesome yet 🙂
shail said:
She is one awesome lady, been on the job for twenty one years now she said. 🙂
shail said:
Reblogged this on Shots and captures.
Pingback: A tribute | Shail's Nest
Sandhya Kumar said:
Awesome pictures! Yosemite is completely taken/seen in a different angle than us. We had a Chinese guide. The bus was full of Chinese tourists. He was explaining first in English and then switched to Chinese. We never knew when he switched to Chinese!!! It was very difficult to follow!
Loved all the pictures but the first and the picture with a lone tree are the best!
shail said:
I read your post again from your FB link and came back here to my own post from my own comment, and found I hadn’t replied to your comment! 🙂
It is funny what you said about the guide! 🙂