Excitement mounts ... and there's still 12 months to go

[Donald]

A while back I mentioned that after all that has gone on in my life in the past 12 months, I had now started to look forward, even to the point of thinking that I could go on holiday/vacation on my own in the future. I said that I was seriously looking at that trip-of-a-lifetime to Yosemite National Park. This would be a purely photographic expedition for me. All day, every day photographing.

Well, things are moving on apace.

What really surprised me, but I suppose I can understand it, is that you can only reserve a maximum of 7 nights stay at any one time in the various accommodations in the park. So, what I'm going to do is stay 7 nights in the park. Then the good folks at Tioga Pass Resort, just outside the eastern entrance to the park, in the High Sierra, have booked out a cabin for me for 10 days. Then I'll go back to stay in the park for 7 days. So, in all, I'll be there for 24 days. I know it is far more expensive staying in the park than staying outside, but I don't want a one hour + trip in and out every day. When? September 2016.

I've been in touch with the Ansel Adams gallery in the park and spoken to them about reserving a two-day personal guide at the start in order to get the 'inside track' on photographing in the park and be shown the locations that others might not find. A really nice guy, Kirk Keeler (http://www.kirkkeeler.com/photo-gallery/), has exchanged e-mails with me and we're getting that set up. And, of course, I'm already reading everything I think there is to read about photographing in Yosemite. But the idea of getting out to the eastern Sierra and places like Mono Lake, is also exciting.

This is going to be awesome. Like I say, this is my once-in-a-lifetime photo trip.

[Shadowman]

Nice way to go, I'm sure you'll enjoy.

[ST1]

Sounds like an excellent trip to me Donald, I would really like to have the opportunity to take s trip of this nature.

[DEAN01]

Sounds like a great trip, Donald. Enjoy!

[flashback]

Donald, if you haven't already you might want to consider reading John Muir's 'The Yosemite'. Readily available for purchase, it is also available as a free download at gutenburg.org.

[Donald]

Thanks guys.

Donald, if you haven't already you might want to consider reading John Muir's 'The Yosemite'. Readily available for purchase, it is also available as a free download at gutenburg.org.

Thank you, Jack. That is one that I hadn't been aware of. I will now start dropping hints as to what someone/anyone could buy me as a Christmas present!!

[NorthernFocus]

Good on you, Donald. I only visited Yosemite once and then only for a couple of days. It is definitely a place that takes some time to do anything meaningful from a photography perspective. And I suppose for an aficionado of B/W it is sort of like a pilgrimage to go there. So no doubt you'll really enjoy it.

You should be aware that over here we don't take kindly to rock kickers, particularly in places like Yosemite. So please try and control your impulses

[Jimr1961]

You're in for a real treat Donald. An early warm welcome to our jewel of nature.

[Donald]

You should be aware that over here we don't take kindly to rock kickers, particularly in places like Yosemite. So please try and control your impulses

Yeh, I thought about taking on El Capitan ... but maybe not!

[Polar01]

Donald, Mono in the evening shooting from the south west side is excellent, and you will just kick yourself it you do not stop a Bodie State Historic Park on 270 off of Hwy 395, it is a bit of a drive in I think about 13 miles, at about 25 mph or less. It does not have the smoothest surface in the world. If not enjoy your time in Yosemite.

Cheers: Allan

[Donald]

Donald, Mono in the evening shooting from the south west side is excellent, and you will just kick yourself it you do not stop a Bodie State Historic Park on 270 off of Hwy 395, it is a bit of a drive in I think about 20 miles, at about 25 mph or less. It does not have the smoothest surface in the world. If not enjoy your time in Yosemite.

Cheers: Allan

Thank you, Allan. That's just the sort of information I need. Logged and will be taken with me for reference. I've been looking at images of Bodie. Looks wonderful.

[CP140]

A bit jealous here... I haven't been to Yosemite in 20+ years...

I am however looking forward to three weeks in Australia this time next year (just booked the four day Ghan)... and there's some early planning being done for walking Hadrian's Wall in late spring 2017!

[IzzieK]

You have chosen a nice month to travel over there...am jealous too. You'll be busy just preparing for this trip. I'd make a list of what to bring if I were you, but then, I am fond of making lists on planned trips. Also good for checking what you have and what you don't. Worst comes to worst when it comes to airport inspections, at least you can show them something or check what you have and what you lost along the way...but that is just me...

[Krawuntzel]

Hello Donald
must be a great expedition. If you not already have it, have a look at:
http://www.michaelfrye.com/books/books.html
Erwin

[Donald]

Hello Donald
must be a great expedition. If you not already have it, have a look at:
http://www.michaelfrye.com/books/books.html
Erwin

Thank you, Erwin. Yes, I already have Frye's, "The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite."

[Donald]

I am fond of making lists on planned trips.

I'm with you on that, Izzie. I make lists for every trip I go on.

[chauncey]

Donald, I have a great idea if your concerned about traveling with your gear...
ship it to me and I'll deliver it to you upon landing.

[Manfred M]

Sounds like a great trip, Donald.

The USA South-West is a place that I've always wanted to visit, but as my wife has already been there, we tend to concentrate on other parts of the world.

The only comment I can make about "once-in-a-lifetime" trips is that they are habit forming and one always wants to do another one (and another one, etc.).

[Donald]

The only comment I can make about "once-in-a-lifetime" trips is that they are habit forming and one always wants to do another one (and another one, etc.).

Yes indeed. I'll need to start thinking about where the next 'once-in-a-lifetime' trip will be!

[Ndukes]

That sounds great, Donald, and it is nice to have it planned so far in advance. You might consider restricting yourself to studio photography for the four weeks preceding the trip. Best to play it safe.