Monday, January 31, 2011

Yosemite National Park

Our shadows look out over Yosemite

In October of 2010 we added Yosemite
National Park to our trip west. It turned out
to be a wonderful experience and we also
got some great photos!
I have only posted two of the b&w photos
from the many I took because I haven't
had time to finish the rest. These two are
my favorites so far...
I gathered up my 6x10 view camera and
headed up to Glacier Point. My main
purpose with this trip to Yosemite was to
capture an image of Half Dome from
Glacier Point that was really good. We
spent five days and I photographed
Half Dome every afternoon...many
beautiful days with many nice
photos, but it wasn't until the very last
day that I captured a unique photo.


Niki photographing with my camera
standing by

Niki's stitch of Half Dome

For a change of scenery we did some hiking
in the high country near Glacier Point. It
was very chilly!

A huff 'n a puff, but we made it to the top

When we reached the top we found
this neat twisted tree. Very
photogenic.

Niki all bundled up and still photographing...


The fall colors were wonderful.

We spent the morning at Inspiration Point
waiting for the fog to lift. When it finally
the view was...well,...it was inspirational!

Inspiration Point - fog

I took several photos as the fog moved
through the valley, but this is the one
I liked the best.

We headed off to the Mariposa Grove for
a very early morning shot.
The redwood trees are truly amazing.

We arrived at Mariposa Grove before the
sun cracked over the mountain. I wanted
even lighting on the trees, but that also
meant it was dark, so my exposures were
very long. Niki took this photo of me
with my trusty old stop watch counting
the minutes.

Niki photographing the trees

We headed down to Yosemite Valley after
photographing the Mariposa Grove to
discover this wonderful light filling
the valley floor.

Niki's photo

The valley floor had this wonderful
plant seeding its self every where in
the valley. The texture was
both dynamic and soft at the same
time...NEAT! Niki must have
taken 30 shots of the seed
pods! She was in awe of the
beauty of the force of life...

This tree was surrounded by photographers!
The colors were incredible!

Back up to Half Dome for the afternoon shoot

Niki's photo for the day at Glacier Point.


The next morning we headed for the high
country on the other side of the valley. We
headed toward Tuolumne Meadows. Everything
was in their fall colors of glory...winter is on the
way. We never made it to Tuolumne
Meadows...had too much fun photographing
along the way!

We found a beautiful little lake and spent some
time hiking around the edge looking for
photographic opportunities. Beautiful spot.
The name of the place is Siesta Lake.




As we traveled further we came across these
old pines. I'm guessing they are bristle cone
pines. Wonderful textures, but they were
in awkward places and not easily reached, so
Niki photographed them with her telephoto.
Sure wish there had been some way to
reach them other than being a rock/cliff
climber! They were great!



As I was driving, Niki caught a flash through the
side of her eye, so we made a U-turn and found
a sweet little spot. We think it was Tenaya
Creek, but we're not sure. The boulders
surrounding the creek made for some fun
photography.
as

We got as far as the overlook to Tuolumne
Meadows but it was late and I wanted to
get back to Half Dome for the afternoon light,
so we turned around here and headed back.
I tried to take a photo, but the wind
made it impossible.

This is Niki's photo of what I was trying to
photograph with a large format camera, but
the wind was shaking the bellows and lifting
the dark cloth causing movement...
just didn't work.

We returned to Half Dome for the afternoon
light, but all we got was fog. I set up my
camera anyway and waited. Sometimes
wonderful things happen if you just wait...
sometimes they don't. The only way to
know is to wait and see. So, we waited
and waited and waited. The majority of the
photographers who were hanging around
hoping for the fog to clear left, but I still
waited...

Half Dome would peak out through the fog
tantalizing everyone who wanted to take a
photo, but then it would disappear again. The
sun was setting and I was afraid it would get
too dark for me to photograph if the fog
didn't lift soon...we waited and then the
fog lifted and I finally got a photo!

Glacier Point 2

As the sun began to set, the clouds turned
pink and Half Dome took on a
warm hue.

The full moon was rising as we left Half Dome.
Another satisfying and beautiful trip to
Yosemite National Park...truly a small piece
of heaven fell to earth when Yosemite
was created.

Friday, January 28, 2011

50th High School Reunion


Clyde in his football uniform
1959

Clyde's 50th High School Reunion
was taking place in October, so
we decided to come early to
California so we could attend
this important event. It was fortunate
we were able to combine Joshua Tree
National Park, the 50th Reunion,
Yosemite and Annenberg Space for
Photography all in one trip!

We had a great time at Joshua Tree
National Park (see previous post)
and in the late afternoon
headed toward Beaumont.

We came across hundreds of
windmills as we entered the
Pass that leads to Beaumont

Heading into the Pass that leads
to Beaumont
It looks like smog, but mostly it's
low clouds that are back lit with
the light of the sunset.

After Clyde & I got married, Clyde's
folks moved to Cabazon. There was
nothing there except for these
dinosaurs. We were glad to see this
strange way-side attraction was
still live and well!

Niki in the mouth of a dinosaur

Mobile home park in Beaumont
where Clyde lived.
He planted all of the trees. It was
heartfelt to see how the trees
have grown strong and green.

Trailer Park where Clyde lived with
his parents while in high school

Niki with Clyde's mom, Edna Earl,
in their mom & pop grocery store
around 1968

Clyde giving America the Beautiful
to Principle Marilyn Sambrono for
the high school library

The high school year book
students interviewing and
photographing Clyde

High School Principle, Marilyn Sambrono
(dressed in school colors for the football
game that evening) and Lee Hackney,
District Director of Libraries and Technology
looking at one of Clyde's books

We enjoyed watching the football
game between the bitter rivals:
Beaumont High and Banning High

Dedicated Beaumont High
football fans!

Us old timers at the football
game against the rival high school
of Banning

The many students from different
generations joined together to
dedicate the science wing of the
new high school to a science teacher
that did so much for each of them...
Mr. Jack Lamb

Clyde talking about how Jack Lamb
influenced his life

After the dedication to Jack Lamb
we all joined together for some
cake, coffee and memories

The Beaumont Library is located
in a beautiful historic building

Claire de Felice, Librarian of the
Beaumont Library

Clyde donated his
America the Beautiful
book to the library

Decorating the dinning room the day
before the event

Check-in



Rosalind did all the work putting
together the historical images
for everyone to enjoy

Classmates finding themselves in
their high school graduation
photograph

Looking at all the old photos of
everyone from kindergarden to
high school

Dinner

Clyde with his two high school buddies - Bill and Dean

Class of 1960 at their first reunion

It was a fun event and a pleasure for me
to meet so many of Clyde's classmates. We
both had a great time!