Yosemite National Park--The Prettiest Place On The Earth

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Yosemite National Park--A Natural Wonder

Visitors come from all over the world to see the majestic towering cliffs, magnificent waterfalls, and beautiful meadows of Yosemite National Park. One can enjoy the camping scene or resort atmosphere throughout the shuttle loop in the valley or the quiet seclusion and beauty of the high country.

Yosemite Holds A Special Place In My Heart

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread." -- John Muir

Yosemite FallsI've been visiting Yosemite National Park almost every year since I was 7 months old and haven't missed too many years in my 64 years on the earth. Many of you, like me, grew up with yearly Yosemite vacations and now you continue the tradition with your extended families. To all of you Yosemite Lovers...take a moment to reminisce.

To those of you who have never been to the Park, please take a few minutes to peruse this lens and learn about one on the country's beautiful national parks.

Remembering trips to Glacier Point

What a spectacular view

You can get to the top of Glacier Point by car or hiking. We would most often travel by car. There were some years some of our party would hike to the top. Wow, what a spectacular view at the top.

In years past, we were even privileged to witness the Firefall. The Firefall is long gone and if you were not in Yosemite in the 50's and 60's or earlier, then you probably do not know what I'm talking about. It looked like a waterfall--only it was a fire being pushed over the cliff from Glacier Point. People would gather at the point and there would be a ranger naturalist program. Then we would listen as a man from Glacier Point and a man from Camp Curry communicated calling out to each other using an amplifying cone. Then we'd watch as the man pushed the large fire and coals over the cliff.

We most often observed the Firefall from the valley. Camp Curry was a popular place to observe the Firefall. There would be a ranger program there also and then the Firefall ceremony.

Tunnel lookout point (road to Glacier Point) 

Forgotten Tradition--Firefall from Glacier Point

See a photo of the one-time famous Firefall

Click on the History link below to see this awesome photo
A History of the Yosemite Firefall
A History and Personal Remembrance of the Yosemite Firefall

Remembering Evening Get-Togethers

A favorite family tradition

Several evenings my parents, my brother and sisters and our extended families would meet at one of the campsites and bring our favorite dinner entries and share with the other families. We also enjoyed stories and singing around the campfire, card games and other games.

Camp get-together for dinner 

Water balloon toss or splash 

Evening of card games 

Biking and Hiking the Valley Floor

A great stress reliever

I remember, as a child, lots of hikes. Once during each trip my Dad would take a day and go out of the valley to fish at El Portal. When Dad went fishing Mom would walk us all over the valley. We'd pack a lunch and stop somewhere near the river for a lunch break. When we got back to camp, we would get ready for a swim at the river near our camp.

In more recent years, I still enjoy the hikes but now we also take our bikes. There are paved bike paths throughout the main traffic areas of the valley.

Time out for great shot on bike ride 

Favorite Campground ... Washed Out 

All-Day Hike To Yosemite Falls--View From Top 

Yosemite Valley Shuttle

Easy way to get around the valley

A free shuttle has been available for years--a necessary transportation system to keep automobile traffic to a minimum. We use the shuttle to get to the chapel on Sunday mornings, grocery store to pick up something for our evening dinner, visit the Yosemite Lodge for swimming at the pool or a visit to the gift shop, or just making a "round trip" excursion around the valley loop in the evening.

I Remember The Horseback Rides

YosemiteValleyStable, stable, mulesAs an adolescent, I went on a 2-hour horseback ride each year. I remember riding a horse that was in the movies (so the stable hand told me). The horse's name was Blaze and he was in a moving with Clark Gable.

The Yosemite Valley Stable offers guided trips in the valley. Two-hour horseback , half day mule rides and all day mule rides are available.
yosemite, MuleTour

Half day mule rides and 2-hour horseback tours available at stables 

Beaches Galore--Around Every Bend of the Merced River

Particles of granite compose the beautiful beaches

We looked forward to our daily invigorating dip in the river each afternoon. We frequented the beach near our Lower River Campground (campground is closed since the flood). Groups of us would raft down the river together and shuttle back.

Another favorite beach was below El Capitan. It was a little bit of a distance so we would drive and take our lunch and spend most of the day there.

Beach At Lower River Campground 

Grab your raft and join the train 

rafting, Yosemite, MercedRiver

Raft rentals are available at Camp Curry 

Water Play Near Shore 

2012 Calendar

My Favorite Shots From Summer 2011

A beautiful Christmas gift for loved ones on your Christmas list, I am delighted to share my photos from my July 2011 visit to Yosemite. Enjoy.
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Useful sites to help you plan your next trip

I use the top link for cabin reservations and the 2nd link for camping reservations

Yosemite Hotel Reservations and Yosemite Camping Reservations : Yosemite Park
Book Yosemite reservations and make plans to experience this spectacular national park. View pricing information for Yosemite lodging reservations online. Check Yosemite hotel reservation availability and book your stay at YosemitePark.com. (You may book your reservations one year and a day ahead)
Federal recreation, camping and tour reservation information - Recreation.gov
Recreation Area Camping Reservations; Tours; Day Use; Search by Map; Wilderness Permits. (You may make camping reservations 5 months in advance)
Yosemite National Park Camping Reservations, California
Take the guess work out of making national park reservations; shows you exactly which dates are available in each campground. You'll still need to use the offical site to actually make your reservation.
Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
The Official park website has all of the information you are looking for to plan your visit to Yosemite National Park.
Mule and Horseback Ride Reservations
Experience the breath-taking views and majestic scenery of Yosemite National Park by mule or horseback

Scenes In Yosemite

Gallery Of My Favorite Captures From July 2011 Visit

My Most Prized Shots From Years Past

Hiking near Yosemite Falls

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Beauty Under The Clouds

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Gateway To The Valley

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Magical Yosemite In The Winter

I visited Yosemite just once during winter as a teenager on a high school club field trip. I remember the views and scenes as "magical.

yosemite winter,yosemite half domeYosemite at winter

Having no pictures of my own, I share some pictures--compliments of Photo Bucket and you can see what I mean about the "magical" element of Yosemite in the winter.

Yosemite during winter

Current Weather In Yosemite

Current weather conditions in Yosemite Natl Park, CA (95389)

Local Pollen Reports

32°F (Feels like 32°F)

Last update: 5/28/12 1:52 AM PDT

Humidity: 75%
Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 25°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 30.12in falling
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: N/A From: Airport Conditions
powered by weather.com

Tonight


Low
Low: 44°F
Sunrise: 5:40 AM
Sunset: 8:11 PM
 

Monday
May 28 


N/A
High: 72°F
Low: 45°F
Sunrise: 5:40 AM
Sunset: 8:12 PM

Tuesday
May 29 


Sunny
High: 74°F
Low: 49°F
Sunrise: 5:39 AM
Sunset: 8:13 PM

Wednesday
May 30 


Sunny
High: 81°F
Low: 54°F
Sunrise: 5:39 AM
Sunset: 8:13 PM

Yosemite Memorabilia on CafePress

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Quote from John Muir

Yosemite National Park

"But no temple made with hands can compare with Yosemite. Every rock in its walls seems to glow with life...as if into this one mountain mansion Nature had gathered her choicest treasures..."

Yosemite photos shared by Flickr

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Are you a Yosemite Enthusiast?

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DVDs About Yosemite on Amazon

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Yosemite National Park Waterfalls On YouTube

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Great Books About Yosemite

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Do you remember the Firefall?

Please share your feelings about Yosemite.

  • efriedman Aug 19, 2011 @ 10:47 am | delete
    Nice personal family touch in your presentation of Yosemite.
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Aug 7, 2011 @ 7:06 pm | delete
    I have always wanted to visit Yosemite and your lens makes me want to pack up and head out right now. Lovely photos and memories. I look forward to creating some of my own special memories in this extraordinary national park. Thanks for sharing.
  • One4Nell Aug 11, 2011 @ 4:49 pm | delete
    That's something you won't want to miss. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
  • Rewards4life Jul 10, 2011 @ 1:13 pm | delete
    I have never been to Yosemite National Park I wish I had though, such a beautiful place. Maybe one day we will have to holiday there. Lovely lens I really liked your personal touches.
  • One4Nell Jul 14, 2011 @ 7:40 pm | delete
    Hope you do have an opportunity to holiday in Yosemite. Thanks for the visit and comments.
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One4Nell

Hi, Welcome to my lens on my favorite family vacation spot, Yosemite National Park. This lens covers family memories as well as providing interestin... more »

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