I Visited Yosemite Only Once

And as stupid as it sounds now, it was simply a means to an end, not my destination. I was far more interested in seeing Mono Lake, and driving through Yosemite to get there was the most direct route. Of course, once I entered the park I was blown away by the scenery.

I remember when I rounded a corner and was greeted by the view in the photo above (sadly, not my own). It took my breath away. Why I did not stop to take photos at that spot still puzzles me.

The trip was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing I undertook over Labor Day weekend 1996. I was working at a job from hell (one of many in my illustrious career) and I wanted nothing more than to get away from the City. Not planning ahead (something I was wont to do at the time) was a big mistake. I hadn't made any plans where to stay overnight, figuring it wouldn't be an issue.

It was an issue. Everything was full up. TLDR, I got some great pictures at Mono Lake…

Finished with my photos and unable to secure lodging anywhere nearby, I turned around and started back to San Francisco around 6 pm.

I took a slightly different route back through the park, and after night fell I was convinced that if there was any road in California that was ripe for alien abduction, it was the road I was on: no traffic and absolutely pitch dark. No abduction and no missing time, but the stars were so amazing I did stop at one point and took some night sky photos. I have no idea what happened to those photos. I got the film developed and was told there was nothing on the entire roll. Did I forget to remove the lens cap? Unlikely, but as tired as I was at that point it's entirely possible.

I finally got back to the City sometime after midnight. I crawled into bed and slept until noon the next day.

Ben has never been to the park at all, so this may end up being a future road trip…