Brisbane, QLD


Friday, July 22, 2011

MOUNTAINS AND WATERFALLS

We stayed in a motel in Mariposa, just outside Yosemite National Park. The next day my cousins took us back into the Park. On the way to Yosemite Village we stopped by a surging river.
 Bonnie said she had never seen the rivers so full in all the years that she has been coming here.

Lynne had booked us a ride through the park on an open road train. We had an informative guide and lots of photo stops.

This is El Capitan Mountain, very popular with rock climbers. There are many climbers on the wall every day. Can you see any? See the heart shaped depression in the middle down low. Just to the right..........
see there they are a group of 3 or 4 climbers. How they stay on the wall is a wonder. It takes a few days to get to the top. They sleep hanging in a sleeping bag attached to a peg thingy in the wall.

At every bend in the road there was a stunning scene to greet us.

Lynne and I are standing below a waterfall called Ribbon Falls. Although it is not very impressive, it famous for being the highest single drop waterfall in USA.

A closer look at Ribbon Falls.

Three old girls in paradise, one from Queensland, one from Idaho and one from California.

After the train ride we took a shuttle bus to Yosemite Falls, it is a double decker waterfall.  Then we walked  right up to the bottom with hundreds of other tourists and a dog.

We got soaked but it was awe inspiring listening to the thunder of water. Can you see a faint rainbow in the spray. What a day, I'll never forget.

25 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos! I'd love to see this for myself now!

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  2. Oh my heart almost stopped when I saw where the climbers are. What an adreneline rush to sleep against that rock face just hanging by a peg. I don't think... I can imagine how you felt you need to pinch yourself. It's a dream come true, Diane and you saw your cousin after so many years again. Wonderful post!

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  3. Imagine sleeping on a rock face. I new knew people did that. We stayed overnight at Yosemite in one of those permanent tents ... they freaked me out with all their warnings and horror movies about bears.

    Your photos are terrific and bring back memories.

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  4. the climbers gave me a little shiver and a big shake of the head of why why, but the rest of the photos are spectacular, you are blessed to have seen all this beauty and to do it with friends is even better. thanks for sharing it with me, i have not seen it and never will so this is perfect for me.

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  5. The climbers look like ants !
    When I think that I get dizzy already on the 3rd floor, lol !

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  6. As usual, magic Diane! I will pop back tomorrow to start at the beginning. Have missed your photographic genius.

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  7. Impressive all the waterfalls. To climb such a mountain is for daredevils.

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  8. I would not care to sleep hanging from a bag on a peg thingy on a sheer rock face. I suppose that means they have to eat and pee hanging from a bag thingy on peg too.

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  9. Yes Gayle, the problems of the human functions would be most interesting to know, just what does happen!
    The dare-devils can have that sport all to themselves!
    The big waterfull ( oops waterfall) is fantastic. Great photography, Diane.
    Cheers
    Colin (HB)

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  10. Like the others, I shivered at the idea of climbers hanging from a "peg thingy" so I hurried to the next photo.
    Beautiful photos, Diane. I'm impressed with the scope of your US trip. You saw so many places! Fabulous for you.

    —Kay, Alberta, Canada

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  11. I cannot imagine sleeping in a tent on the side of a rock face. Those photos are stunning Diane. What an adventure you had, seeing all those beautiful sights with your cousins.

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  12. You've shown how very majestic and impressive Yosemite truly is. Your pictures are wonderful, and you make me want to visit more than ever. However, I think I'll stick to seeing waterfalls rather than doing any rock climbing.

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  13. Yosemite is one place we need to visit --and hopefully, we won't wait too long to do it!!!!! Just fabulous--gorgeous---inspiring--awesome... Love every single picture--but the waterfulls (waterfalls) are my fav's as you can imagine.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  14. Such breathtakingly exquisite scenery whichever way you turn to look, Diane. What a marvellous experience you had!

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  15. Incredible shots Diane!!
    Wow... I could not, in a million years, imagine what it must be like sleeping on the side of that rockface - awesome. I've heard of that happening, but your photos really bring home what it must be like.

    The waterfall is beautiful - the 3 'old girls' are pretty ok too :D)

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  16. Stunning scenery - those climbers make me feel giddy!

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  17. Diane, gorgoeus shots of Yosemite. The climber must be very brave. I love the shot of you and your cousins. You will have some great memories from this trip.

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  18. stunning photos. the atmosphere would be wonderful. general sherman is amazing. i can't imagine anything still alive after 2500 years. incredible

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  19. Gorgeous photos of the Yosemite falls! When we visited it was the end of summer and only a trickle. I loved the views you showed of the climbers!

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  20. looking at your map, when did you go to Sarawak? my birth country.

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  21. Yosemite is awe-inspiring == you definitely went at the right time of year (fewer tourists and more water than later in the summer).... I don't understand those rock climbers either (neither why nor how!).

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  22. This is such fun! Thank you, thank you!

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