Reposting – USA Wanderings: Looking at Big Mountains in Yosemite

Have you ever been to a place and everywhere you look you think is so amazing? You find yourself saying wow, wow, wow everywhere? For me Yosemite was like that. Mountains everywhere and it was just amazing. We only had one night there sadly and I really feel like I didn’t get to see it as much as I would have liked, but it was incredible. So amazing. It was a last minute visit and not one I regret at all.

This trip has been one of the most amazing adventures of my life. I had initially thought that I would get to see a little of California and a lot of New York, but my friends have outdone themselves. I’ve seen things that I only ever dreamed about and Yosemite National Park is a place I never thought I would ever see.

The sign as we came in.

I didn’t have any real expectations and, again, was happy to go with the flow and just enjoy it. We were there for such a short time, and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to do everything, so some things were better than nothing. For me it was just so exciting to go and be able to say that I had been, that was enough for me.

My first view of Half Dome. You hear so much about this particular one and I was so happy to see it for the first time. Though seriously everywhere you look you will see an amazing scene, so much so that many of the photos I have for you today were taken out the car window. I couldn’t stop.

On the way there we could see plumes of smoke and there was a fire somewhere, but also signs saying it was under control. The smoke provided some interesting effects, especially with the North Dome above. We think the fire was on the other side of this.

We were staying almost across the road from here, and to the right was Half Dome, we couldn’t believe how well we picked the place to stay in, Curry Village. ThoughI have to say that I had the worst meal I’ve had since being here there, and the cabins are so basic and not that great, but you pay so much for them. The place really was set up to take as much money as they could from the tourists. We also had no internet for over a day which was a shock. It was only for one night, so it was bearable.

Since we were so close we did some night shots as well. Mine didn’t turn out that well as the there is movement in the stars. Not sure what I did, but it gives you an idea.

The next morning we went out early to see what we could get. We were on foot, but we didn’t mind. I think what we got was great. Then we went back for breakfast and hit the road.  We stopped a few times on the way out to look at more mountains. Really a fantastic experience, and now I’ve been there.

I was shooting with every lens I had, the two Tamron ones and the Nikon ones. I used the D750 and the D800. I made the most of them all. They all performed well. I am really liking the kit I have with me. The Lowepro Pro Runner II AW has been fantastic. I can’t believe how small it looks, but how much I can fit into it. Shh don’t let the airlines know that it weighs a ton.

I am going to leave you with a gallery now of my photos. Again there is a lot. I’ve had a lovely day today just sitting around and playing with my photos. It has been really nice.