Thursday, June 23, 2011

Postcards from Summer: Yosemite Valley, California



A quick drive due east of the Bay Area lands you in the magical park that is Yosemite.  There's been such rainfall/snowfall this year that some of the high roads are still operating under winter conditions and the waterfalls and rivers in the valley are still thundering at dangerous speeds.  But, it's always beautiful to pop in for a quick retreat... sunburst over the Half Dome at dawn, rocky trails climbing up and up from the valley floor, nostalgic visits to the same ice cream parlor you went to as a kid, wildlife coming within an inch or two of you (though maybe it's not so fun when said 'wildlife' includes the biggest ants I've ever seen in my life--bigger than most spiders), chill moments by the water or in camp at dusk, biking all around the meadows, driving the winding, hair-pinned roads, getting drenched in the hot sun by waterfall mist, treating yourself to a fancy lunch with wonderful friends at a beautiful historic lodge (in your ripped shorts, t-shirt, and hiking shoes), followed by a nap on a shaded creek-side bench.  Ah... summer.


Where do you go for your quick summer escapes?

P.S.  Don't forget to enter the Rosanna, Inc. cakestand giveaway--there are only a few short days left!


28 comments:

  1. Isn't Yosemite gorgeous?! I LOVE the place!

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  2. Breathtaking. I needed this today! I'm stuck in a cubicle, but wow-- these photos will tide me over. Thanks!

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  3. These are so beautiful and totally satisfy my naturelust for the day.

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  4. Your photography is wonderful. One day I'll take photos like thing. Perhaps once I'm done done with school I'll take a photography class :).

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  5. Beautiful images!!!

    I live in San Diego and am blessed to be able to be in Cali. The state is so diverse and your pics illustrate that!

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  6. I love Yosemite. Been camping there a few times. Next week we are on our way to Big Basin for some summer camping under the trees :)

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  7. These photos are stunning!

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  8. So beautiful! It looks like you had a lot of fun. I'm itching to get outdoors, specifically somewhere beautiful : ) The highlight trip of my summer will be to Madison, Wisconsin, and I'm super excited about it!

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  9. Your postcards are enticing me! I'm heading to Mammoth and Yosemite in about a week. I can't wait!

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  10. Difficult to comprehend the beauty of the place, especially in the last pic....

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  11. I will be there in october, for my honeymoon... Now that I see your photos I can't wait to be there!

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  12. So beautiful! I can't wait to get back to my mountains soon.

    Also, I am plotting for your cake. Haven't hit on the right idea yet...

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  13. Gorgeous shots! The Glacier Point images are just beautiful! We were in Yosemite a few weeks ago with our permits to climb Half Dome, but the cables weren't up:( Instead we climbed to the top of Upper Yosemite Fall. It was amazing!

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  14. Thank you so much, everyone!

    @Melissa: oh, big basin is wonderful.

    @Sue: the cables STILL weren't up yet when I was there!

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  15. Your photos are devastatingly gorgeous. I haven't had a chance to visit Yosemite yet. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  16. Gorgeous, gorgeous photographs! I think I'm the only Bay Area resident who hasn't been to Yosemite! I have to go soon! Hope all is well, Stephanie!

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  17. gorgeous! I am dying for a little camping nature visit.

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  18. love all the pictures!! so nice to be enjoying the outdoors for a change!!
    i am addicted to your blog..
    thanks for all the great recipes

    http://stellaroseblog.wordpress.com/

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  19. I just love that place ... been there with friends few months back and never wanted the weekend to get over :)

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  20. What a yummy seafood soup! And gorgeous photographs! Glad to find your lovely blog!
    ~Juliane of www.StyleNectar.com

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  21. Beautiful images!!!

    I live in San Diego and am blessed to be able to be in Cali. The state is so diverse and your pics illustrate that!

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  22. These are so beautiful and totally satisfy my naturelust for the day.

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  23. Isn't Yosemite gorgeous?! I LOVE the place!

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  24. Is there a picture of these freakishly large ants somewhere in the collection of images that didn't make it to the blog?  I would love to see these things.

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  25. no photos of ants--we were too busy running away from them!

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I love hearing from you and reading your comments! Thanks so much for stopping by the blog. Happy feasting!