Yosemite

Carol Freshley November 5, 2016

It snowed in the Sierras and we were sure that there would snow in Yosemite. Snow was worth a three hour drive on very winding roads - one way! The shorter route over Tioga Pass was closed due to weather. While we only found a smattering of snow, we still had a great time and fall colors are just past peak but still in abundance.

Our first stop was at the Tunnel Viewpoint.  Bridal Veil Falls had much more water flowing than when we were in Yosemite last June.  There was still fog in the valley (see white in places - that is fog).  Bright sunlight challenging m… — Our first stop was at the Tunnel Viewpoint. Bridal Veil Falls had much more water flowing than when we were in Yosemite last June. There was still fog in the valley (see white in places - that is fog). Bright sunlight challenging my camera's ability to capture the full dynamic range. A split ND filter slid in sideways was my solution!

Tom's take . . . underexpose and artfully emphasize the ray of light.  You can see the fog below more easily in this image. — Tom's take . . . underexpose and artfully emphasize the ray of light. You can see the fog below more easily in this image.

From the Tunnel Viewpoint we drove down into Yosemite Valley.  Foggy and wet.  Steve was given the 'hot shot' seat next to me and got in some practice shooting from a moving car.  Not bad at it! — From the Tunnel Viewpoint we drove down into Yosemite Valley. Foggy and wet. Steve was given the 'hot shot' seat next to me and got in some practice shooting from a moving car. Not bad at it!

Tom was shooting from the back seat with his camera up between Steve and me.  He just can't pass up a great photographic opportunity (thank goodness). — Tom was shooting from the back seat with his camera up between Steve and me. He just can't pass up a great photographic opportunity (thank goodness).

Merced River was flowing rapidly.  We could tell that it had flowed beyond its usual banks through some parts of Yosemite Valley. — Merced River was flowing rapidly. We could tell that it had flowed beyond its usual banks through some parts of Yosemite Valley.

Fall colors!  Not much light on the Valley floor . . . yet. — Fall colors! Not much light on the Valley floor . . . yet.

This was one area where we could see that the Merced River had flowed beyond its normal banks.  Normally, we would not see trees out in the river as these were!  That is Yosemite Falls reflected in the river (peaceful along this stretch). — This was one area where we could see that the Merced River had flowed beyond its normal banks. Normally, we would not see trees out in the river as these were! That is Yosemite Falls reflected in the river (peaceful along this stretch).

Upper part of Half Dome.  As the day progressed the clouds moved in. — Upper part of Half Dome. As the day progressed the clouds moved in.

He got within 15 feet of this young deer.

I brought this leaf home.  It is an impressive addition to my altar. — I brought this leaf home. It is an impressive addition to my altar.

These mushrooms are about the size of half a pin head!  They were spotted by Steve as he was getting some macro images of the moss on a tree. — These mushrooms are about the size of half a pin head! They were spotted by Steve as he was getting some macro images of the moss on a tree.

We headed home early, knowing that it was going to be a long trip and I wanted to be out of the curves before dark.

A much needed pull out gave us a chance to photograph just one section of the long and winding road.  Can you spot the bridge we crossed in the upper mid section? — A much needed pull out gave us a chance to photograph just one section of the long and winding road. Can you spot the bridge we crossed in the upper mid section?

As we stretched our legs the morning sun welcomed our efforts.  Thanks for joining us. — As we stretched our legs the morning sun welcomed our efforts. Thanks for joining us.

Columbia Historic State Park

Carol Freshley November 3, 2016

Columbia State Historic Park features the largest single collection of existing gold rush-era structures in California. The structures have become a variety of shops, boutiques, restaurants, ice cream parlors, candy stores, saloons, and a even a tea house. Volunteer docents are dressed in 1850s era costumes and are strategically stationed to answer questions and watch over the park. We were fortunate to visit on a day when Halloween was being celebrated and the crowd was having fun, kids were trick-or-treating (docents handed out candy) and the weather was perfect.

The map gives you an idea of just how large the park is and the many structures still open.  Parking is ample and free.  Admission is free!  It is easy to spend a full day here. — The map gives you an idea of just how large the park is and the many structures still open. Parking is ample and free. Admission is free! It is easy to spend a full day here.

Photograph taken early before people began showing up.

The blacksmith's shop is a working shop where visitors can watch horseshoes being hammered into shape.

A docent is stationed in the general store to answer any questions.  I spoke to several docents and they love their volunteer opportunity, meet regularly, become experts on the history and significance of early gold mines in California and are … — A docent is stationed in the general store to answer any questions. I spoke to several docents and they love their volunteer opportunity, meet regularly, become experts on the history and significance of early gold mines in California and are happy to see people at the park. This gentleman was proud to dust and keep the store properly arranged. He said he was always looking for the right items to add to the store, changing up the inventory just like the original proprietor would have done.

He played for hours.  The sound of his whistle carried a long way down the main street. — He played for hours. The sound of his whistle carried a long way down the main street.

I believe this image was taken inside the tea house.  There was a significant Chinese population in many mining camps and discrimination against them was common.  Rooms such as this one had interpretive signs to help visitors better unders… — I believe this image was taken inside the tea house. There was a significant Chinese population in many mining camps and discrimination against them was common. Rooms such as this one had interpretive signs to help visitors better understand mining what life might have been like in a mining camp in the 1850s.

A young trick-or-treater waiting in line.

Docents strolling the main street and greeting visitors.

It appears that there is still activity in the theater.

You can go inside, dress up in 1850s period clothing and have your photograph taken.  It was a popular place! — You can go inside, dress up in 1850s period clothing and have your photograph taken. It was a popular place!

You have to admit there is a sense of style going on here!

There were two very old fire engines in town.  One is still being used.  Fires were a real problem in early mining camps and it was not unusual to have a fire devastate a whole mining camp every couple of years.  Getting fire fighting… — There were two very old fire engines in town. One is still being used. Fires were a real problem in early mining camps and it was not unusual to have a fire devastate a whole mining camp every couple of years. Getting fire fighting equipment and building more permanent brick structures was a big step in creating a permanent and stable community.

On the old fire truck.  The fire department is manned by volunteers. — On the old fire truck. The fire department is manned by volunteers.

Inside peek at the blacksmith's working area.

Another view of the interior of the tea house.

I was fascinated by her hat.  She was a docent handing out candy. — I was fascinated by her hat. She was a docent handing out candy.

The road to Columbia was almost a trip of its own. We passed a sign indicating that Mark Twain's cabin was about a half mile up the hill. So, up we went. We are staying just outside of Angels Camp, home of the Calaveras Jumping Frog. Mark Twain's first successful short story was about the Calaveras frog. The cabin was rebuilt on the site and it is surrounded by a fence.

We drove over both bridges on New Melones Lake as we took a loop route to and from Angels Camp.

Of course, there are always the road photographs.

Halloween Cyclocross

Carol Freshley November 2, 2016

When I first opened up this gift package of images from Cory I started laughing. I am so happy that she sent them. She wrote a description for us. "This was an event in Bend this past weekend, the Halloween Cyclocross Crusade. Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing and typically takes place in the fall and winter months. The course is short, 1.5 miles on which the riders will do several laps, and features pavement, wooded trails, steep hills, and grass with obstacles that the riders will have to quickly dismount and carry their bikes over, around, and through! Mud, lots of it, is also part of the race, which makes for some epic crashes! The racers will ride on two days, each time the course is altered so it’s a bit of a surprise. The first day is more serious while the second is still competitive but the riders wear their Halloween costumes and the onlookers will often offer the riders goodies such as cookies, marshmallows and beer! The music is rockin’ and it’s a wild, fun time!"

This almost qualifies Cory for our Butt Shot club!

I love the look on the bystanders' faces.

I hope by now you are laughing with me.  Love the hat on helmet. — I hope by now you are laughing with me. Love the hat on helmet.

Hmmmm . . . this does not look like it is going to turn out well.

So, to my cycle friends, Rick, Ann and Greg . . . are you in for next year? I will join Cory with my camera in hand. Bet this is a fund-raiser of some sort and it needs our support. Thanks to Cory for sharing. I hope you did not get much mud on your gear!