Christmas in California

The Family at Tunnel View

The Family at Tunnel View

For the first time in my 16 years since having moved to Colorado, my wife and daughter and I spent the holidays with my family in California, back in my hometown of Mariposa, where I grew up. Nine glorious days with friends and family and even one day spent inside Yosemite National Park photographing the Winter Wonderland having just received about 8 inches of fresh snow. Sofia kept saying that Yosemite reminded her of the Chronicles of Narnia because everything was coated in white.

Literally from inside the tunnel

Literally from inside the tunnel

I’ve seen this tunnel view shot above from another web site, so when we ventured up to the Inspiration Point area and had enjoyed the view, I thought “Hey, since I’m here, I should try capturing that composition.”

But to really capture this “tunnel view” image, one needs to arrive at the turnout early in the morning, when the crowds are not present. I had to compose this image a little too high (too much of the black tunnel overhead) to remove the packed parking lot across the bottom.

The view of Half Dome, from the Merced River Bridge.

The view of Half Dome, from the Merced River Bridge.

Next stop was Yosemite Village (where I used to work) to check out the souvenir shop and to get some lunch. I can’t believe how crowded this place has gotten — even during the winter months with a foot of snow on the ground! They’ve changed the layout of the store, which made it a little hard to locate things, but overall, the place brought back a lot of memories for me.

Back on the road again, we stopped at the Merced River Bridge and Yosemite Falls meadow for a few quick shots because it was getting late and we had promised to make Tacos Abiertos back at home for everyone.

Half Dome in the Setting Sun

Half Dome in the Setting Sun

Frosted Pines

Frosted Pines

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls at Sunset

Yosemite Falls at Sunset

Yosemite Falls Meadow

Yosemite Falls Meadow

The Girls - Jesse and Maddux

The Girls - Jesse and Maddux


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