YOSEMITE

Well here we are in Merced, south east of San Francisco.  We spent the day yesterday in Yosemite National Park.  This was such a contrast to the day before in Death Valley.  We drove along the valley and then up through huge granite domes as we climbed up into the park itself.  The road winds around the mountains as you climb up and up to about 10,000 feet and then back down to the village centre.  The scenery is just wonderful with lakes and a few snow sprinkled mountain peaks.  We had lunch at the village centre then did a short round on the shuttle bus before trying unsuccessfully  to find Mirror lake.  We kept going around in circles and finding the roads closed. The park does close down next week so I guess they are getting prepared.   There is an Ansell Adams Gallery in the centre however very few of his photographs with the exception of about half a dozen for sale ranging from $20,000 to $45,000.  Needless to say, post cards were our only purchase. 

We continued driving down, down till we reached the valley and then on to Merced.   As the sun went down the sky lit up to a beautiful pink and now that we are out of the mountains, twilight lasted for ages, it was lovely.  In the mountains, once the sun goes down, it is pitch dark almost straight away so this was a nice change. 

We have decided to stay at Merced for another night and rest before heading off towards San Francisco tomorrow.  

The Half Dome.  This is visable all around the park from different angles.

Mule deer.  Note the size of the ears.



My version of a mirror.  This was taken late in the afternoon on the Merced River towards the edge of the Park.

Lembert Dome.  A huge granite dome.  I took this with my 9mm wide angle, the trees are full size trees.