Thursday, May 29, 2008

Beautiful Yosemite

This past weekend, we graced Yosemite with our presence. This time, it was not to attempt feats of valor like last year. Instead we did proper touristy stuff like relaxing, sightseeing and taking tons of pictures.

Even the almost incessant drizzle and generally cloudy and cold weather could not quite mask the ethereal beauty of Yosemite. No wonder the national park boasts of some of the most photographed vistas in the world. My camera does not do much justice, still...

One of the views from the famous Tunnel View point



The same view later in the day when the fog and mist had rolled in



The Bridal Veil falls - isn't the scene breathtaking? Trivia: legend goes that if you stare at the Bridal Veil falls for an entire minute without blinking, you will get married within a year (don't know if you will get divorced if you are already married :-P)!



Tipis at the Native Indian museum in the Yosemite visitor center. They look so cute - wonder whether they are as cute to actually live in!



The mandatory sunlight* filtering through trees (albeit giant sequoia trees) snap.
*ok ok - it is hazy alright



The "clothes pin" giant sequoia tree. Apparently a natural forest fire burnt a hole through the trunk. Yup, the resilient tree is still thriving and going strong. And oh, believe it or not, the hole is wide enough for a pick-up truck to drive through!



Snow in Upper Mariposa Grove - it had snowed the previous day there! Needless to say, the trip to Mariposa Grove consisted of a lot of stamping about and shivering in addition to sightseeing!



The venerable Grizzly Giant sequoia tree. This grand dame is a royal 2700 years old!


Bottom line: Yosemite definitely ought to be on your list of must-visit places!

8 comments:

Laksh said...

Nice! Marked it in my list of places to see when I visit CA later this year.

Anonymous said...

Did you go into the high country at all? That is the best part of Yosemite. Tenaya Lake is too beautiful to miss..

J said...

Heyyyy wow supera iruku..woo photo la paakavae nala iruku...inum nerala paatha epdi irukumoo..you did a wonderful job with the pics! Sure I will add it to my travel list :)

Naan last year Kerala poyirunthen..pics paakarappa, Munaar gavanam varuthu. that was a wonderful place. Have you been to Munaar?

Anand said...

I wish to go there sometime.. nice pics.. :)

SK said...

Breathtaking indeed!!! ;--))
Nature never fails to take my breath away.
Clouds and some rain also do add a particular charm, a fresher look to the place.

Archana said...

Laksh - nice :-)) - I will wait for your pictures!

Lekhni - Unfortunately snow had closed most of the roads at higher altitudes :-( - must do a revisit during a summer!

J - nejamavey romba azhaga irukku - definite-aa paaru! haven't seen munaar yet - but went to kumarakom and alleppey last year. Kerala is always super beautiful!

Anand - Welcome aboard :-)! I hope you go too :-)!

SK - so true :-)!

Shilpa said...

Beautiful place ! I wonder when I will ever see the place !!

Archana said...

Shilpa - come during summer no?