Yosemite

Last weekend some friends and I made a day trip to Yosemite. We left Saturday night about 2:30 in the morning. We only stopped for gas and once to look at the stars because there was a meteor shower that night too. When stopped Mike realized he forgot to bring shoes, DUMBASS! So the begining of the day started out with us trying to get food and shoes at 6 in the morning but nothing was open yet. Once things started opening and mike got some shoes we were able to begin our day...

This is the Merced river that runs through the middle of the Yosemite Valley. We stopped here on the way into the valley in the morning. It was fucking cold! (both the water and outside)


The first place we went was the Yosemite falls. I wanted to hike to the top because I've never been but that was quickly denied. I guess hikeing about 3,000 vertical feet in 3 miles didn't sound fun to them. So we just played around at the lower falls


The waterfalls are fed by snow melt and because of the lack of snow we were lucky to see even this much water coming over the falls. I would like to come back sometime during the spring/summer to see them in their true glory.


But you can't get this close when they are flowing good.


Mike and I climbed up the hill next to the falls and this is a shot from about midway up looking back over the valley. That pool looks like it would be fun to swim in if it wasn't so cold.


At the top of the little climb there was a slab of rock that formed a little cave/tunnel. This is looking out at the valley from the left side.


Here is the view from the right side.


After our fun at the falls we decied to head on an adventure to higher ground. (from left to right Tianna, Mike, Tana, Me) I was smiileing but the guy took forever to take the picture so i gave up cheeseing.


Here a picture looking back on the Valley. I quickly took this out the window thinking i didn't want to miss this angle. Turns out right after i snapped it we stopped. The pictures after we stopped came out shitty.


We stopped a lot to check out the different views. None of us had ever been up to this area before so it was all new to us.


This is the right finger of the Yosemite Valley(the valley makes a Y shape) showing Nevada falls at the top and Vernal falls down lower.


At the end of the road was Glacier Point. When I got out of the car this is all I could see and I knew things would be good here.


This picture is one of the scenes I picture when I think of Yosemite.


Glacier point was right on the edge of the valley wall and it was pretty scary. I'm normally not too scared of heights but this was hard to look off of. If the wall/railing wasn't there I would not be able to get so close. I estimated this at about 2,500-3,000ft, based on that yosemite falls is about 2,700 feet tall and looking across the valley at it it looked like we were higher than the top. DAMN!



Tianna and I


Of course you have to get pictures taken of yourself in a situation like this. I want to go right here next time.

SF trip

These are kinda old but I've been wanting to post them since I started this thing.

I went up to the city early before Gilly's B-Day surprise and play with my new(at the time) camera to figure things out and just enjoy a much needed day off. Here are a couple of the results from my expedition.


This cannon was the first place we stopped and I played on it like a jungle gym.


I even tried to shoot a passing boat but the damn thing didn't work.


I though this shot turned out pretty cool. I would like it better if the parking lot wasn't there but, at least there are no cars in it.


We then visted another group of buildings that were falling apart and they had some interesting things around them.


Weather and time can be a bitch.


It turns out a couple were an animal hospital once upon a time. These were the kennels. The barrels sticking out I assume were used as a places for the animals to sleep. They looked comfortable to me.


Save the racoons!




There was also what looked like the top of a light house rusting away next to one of the buildings.

After our adventure and dinner we went back to stages place to hang out.


So I played with my camera more.


I guess since it was his birthday I will put a picture up.

Halloween party in truckee

Every year we make the pilgrimage to truckee to burn shit, drink, dress up and go on adventures. This year was no exception. Although it was tamed down a bit due to some unforseen restrictions. First, and the worst in my mind, was the lack of rain which prohibited us from having a rediculously large bonfire like last year. But we still we able to keep warm. Second was not having enough 4WD vehicles for us all to drive on an adventure. And lastly we didn't have the large crowd of truckee locals Bartlet always boasts about. Yet, that was expected. We made due with what we had and drank the weekend away. Enjoy.


A group shot of friday night.


Gathered round the fire. Where the action was.


In an altered state, it was decided to build two stools high off the ground to battle with.


Even though Nic thought he would win he realized soon enough he had lost.


The precursor to our exciting evening.


For a smurf this guy is scary!


And who says pigs can't fly?


This shot is just odd. But at least we have the "death gaurd" on duty.


When there is no more room in hell the dead will walk the earth.


This couple. Heavenly? or Demonic?


In every drunken night asshole must be played at some point.


But you mustn't let your gaurd down.


Everyone was on gaurd


It was a game worthy of ESPN.


The "Heard of Ostridges" lead guitarist thinks he is also a brewmaster and was checking his fine ale...


....and decided it was only worthy of keg stands.


Bubba Ho-tep agreed




Bartlet was a little scared of the keg though.


I like these kinds of pictures. But Red still needs to learn how to hold the tap IN my mouth not just near it.


That seat was not safe!


Fun times


Once the keg ran dry a few of us went on a mission to the kiln for another fire.