Tag: Yosemite National Park

Stellar…by Brad Marks

I must say, as far as days go, last week was pretty good. Although the rain finally arrived at the end of the week, I was able to get a number of good runs in on the trail – definitely enough to remind me just how hard the July 50K ultra is going to be (link here). If you recall, that is the race I missed last year due to shattering my elbow a mere week before I was supposed to toe the line. It’s redemption year and building the base early to leave nothing to chance. Then my brother Ron was able to come down thanks to an opportunity to attend TransWorld down in St. Louis. Horrible name, but before you jump to conclusions, it is the premier Professional Haunt Trade Convention/Expo in the States (link here). This is somewhat of an “invite only” event and you have to prove you are in the haunt business to be allowed to attend. AMAZING. To put it into perspective it took us 3.5 hours just to make it through maybe a 3rd (at best) of the exhibits. While I recover from the trail training and the miles of expo walking, going to let Brad take over and take you through another “stellar” experience.

Take it away Brad…

If you haven’t seen the majesty of Yosemite Falls when there’s water flowing, add it to your bucket list of future destinations right now.  Go ahead, I’ll wait.

We had been planning a trip to Yosemite for years, but something else always came up and it slid down our list.  Last fall we decided to team it with other destinations we wanted to see Out West to make sure we’d end up going. 

Sidebar story:  Normally the waterfalls (Bridal Veil and Yosemite) only run in the spring when there’s ample snowpack melting.  The winter before Jan and I went, Yosemite received record snowfall, some say on par with what they used to receive way back a hundred years ago.  Others said it was twice as much as usual.  A few of the roads in the park didn’t even open until late May or early June.  Even when we went in September, the upper mountain roads were just then opening.

Steller's Jay by Brad Marks

Quite breathtaking. Hit the jump to learn more about the falls and a rather stellar resident.

Continue reading Stellar…by Brad Marks

Just Hanging Around…by Brad Marks

We are now in a do not pass Go, do not collect $2000 straight line to Christmas. We made it through the day we give thanks for what we “have”, quickly followed by the US tradition of stomping/clawing/punching/gouging/insulting and other equally rude behavior to get all the things we “don’t have”. The irony in the juxtaposition speaks volumes for our society. Luckily, we checked out of that scene many years ago. It is time to haul out the red and green decor and have the annual discussion with the boys that Santa “is” allowed to come down our chimney that one night of the year – excessive barking could result in a stocking full of coal. Note, last year Ruger responded with “Screw it, that fat sooty ass is mine!” (now that is a cocky puppy who knows what list he’s already on ha). Ruger has been (slightly) better this year so we’ll see how he reacts to the home intrusion. He does give a perfect lead in to today’s post from Brad. Continuing the game bird theme, here’s another one of his intriguing adventures.

Take it away Brad…

One thing I didn’t expect to be doing was standing in line at a National Park to experience the scenery.  But that’s just what happened at one area of Yosemite.  While Jan and I were waiting for our turn to get a photo of Yosemite Falls without a million tourists in our way (not much of an exaggeration on a late summer Saturday), we began chatting with the family next to us.  They had been in the park for a few days and were heading out the next day.  The gentleman said since we were just starting our visit, we must make sure to head to Glacier Point before leaving the park.  Often times advice is worth just what you pay for it.  However, this advice turned out to be pure gold.  He also said to make sure we were there before sunset for the best view.

Late one afternoon, later into our visit we began the drive to Glacier Point overlooking Yosemite Valley.  Jan and I, OK really just me, didn’t anticipate the number of cars also heading the same direction.  We were in a minor traffic jam inside the park.  Luckily for us, most of the cars were shooting right past the turnoff for Glacier Point.  I felt glad to be free of the taillights in front of us.  But my shoulders slumped a bit when I saw a sign for “only” 16 more miles of twisty roads.  The first mile was all switchbacks, but from mile two to the summit was a smooth ribbon of newly paved asphalt with gentle curves.  Jan and I arrived at the summit with time to spare before sunset.

I parked the rental car in one of the few spaces I could find near summit. The elevation was over 7,200 feet for those keeping score at home.  Jan and I began the quick walk to the point to see Yosemite Valley from a completely different perspective.  A few feet into the journey, there was a group of people looking over a fence into some low scrub brushes.  That usually means there’s something worth taking a peek at.

Sooty Grouse by Brad Marks

Hit the jump to read about the fruits of the peek!

Continue reading Just Hanging Around…by Brad Marks