Hi there! The hubs is my #1 fan and supporter here at my bloggy blog...he has always encouraged me to blog away and never complains about all that time I spend in the craft cave. For some time, we've been talking about having him be a guest blogger to talk about his favorite place (Yosemite) and share his favorite pasttime (hiking). So...without further ado...my first guest blog! Have a great week!
Greetings! I hope everyone is enjoying the last bit of the weekend. I am fortunate to be the first guest blogger ever here at A Blog Called Wanda! For those that do not know me, I am Wanda's husband Mark, aka "DH." Some of my interests are nature, hiking (especially in Yosemite), collecting Silver Age Marvel Comics, making videos/slideshows....and I share Wanda's passion for Photography. Today I am going to share some Yosemite hiking photos and a video...I hope you enjoy them!
First up, here's a collage I made in Picasa of some of my favorite photos of the Valley floor.
These next three photos were taken on the Mist Trail along the Merced River on the way to Vernal Fall. It's called Vernal Fall (not Falls) because it only falls one time...straight down. Yosemite Falls, on the other hand, has three separate drops, so it's called Falls. Just a little trivia. Back in the 1800's the Mist Trail had wooden ladders to go all the way up. Now the steps are carved from the granite. Wanda has done this hike with me before. It's on the way to Half Dome.
This is the amazing view as you round the corner and see the first full view of the Fall. The trail is on the right side and you can see why it's called the MIST trail. There is a famous photo of John Muir taken on this exact spot.
The View looking down on the Fall. Can you see the people looking over the edge?
One year my friend Randy and I hiked to the top of Yosemite Falls in the SNOW. Here is a sign we passed on the way down. The hike is about 4 miles from the Valley floor. I'm not a small guy and I kept falling through the snow. This trip will not be repeated in the snow. We made it to the top though!
Here is a view of Yosemite Falls I took from Glacier Point. Glacier Point is at about 3200 feet up from the Valley floor. I have hiked up the Four Mile Trail which brings you to this amazing view. If you look closely, you can see the switchbacks in the trail on the left side of the Falls.
Half Dome is the most challenging hike in the park...and you can see why when you look at these cables. The cables come at the end of an 8 mile hike! There's only one way to the top! For added fun, go on Youtube and search for Half Dome Cable videos. Before I hiked Half Dome I had heard that it would change my life. After I hiked Half Dome, I found that to be true. It's a milestone for me.
Here is a photo of me at the TOP looking out over the edge of Half Dome! I'm not the Gilligan dude in the red shirt. I'm the guy in the blue shirt! This is over 4000 feet above the Valley floor. I love this picture. This gave me the priviledge of going to the Yosemite store and buying the shirt that says "I made it to the Top" and I wear it proudly.
Winter in Yosemite is a whole different place. No crowds. Different vistas and everything covered in snow and ice. Here is a cool shot of some frozen leaves, and below that another collage, this time of Winter scenes.
The famous Tunnel View! It's named after the tunnel right before it that was carved out of the granite in 1933. This view never gets old. The waterfall you see is Bridal Veil Fall. You can see Half Dome in the middle and El Capitan to the left. El Capitan is the largest piece of granite in the world. People come from all over the world to climb it.
I wanted to share one of my short videos too. This is the first video on Wanda's blog. Let's see if it works like it's supposed to!
Every blog post needs a picture of BUDDY! Here is my shot of him lounging on the back of Wanda's chair in the family room. Looking quite debonair.
Thank you so much for letting me bust in on all the stamping and crafting activities and share with you. Wanda will be back soon with more cards. Have a great week. Mark.
Wow, the photography was breathtaking! You really captured the season, I could feel the cold!!! Cute pic of Buddy, too.
Posted by: Natalie | 05/31/2011 at 09:12 PM
Hi Mark & Wanda!!
Great idea to have the Hubs as your first guest blogger - the pictures and descriptions make you feel like you are right there seeing it first hand!!!! Amazing - loved the views :-) Share again anytime!!!
Posted by: Peg | 05/24/2011 at 01:54 PM
Loved the pictures of Yosemite. Would like to go back again. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Louise | 05/24/2011 at 09:10 AM
Thanks to everyone for the compliments! It was fun!! Who knows maybe I'll be back!...Stay tuned!
Mark
Posted by: Mark | 05/24/2011 at 06:15 AM
Thank you, Mark, I really enjoyed your video and beautiful pictures! How fortunate you and Wanda are to be able to visit this amazing place in all seasons! I've been fortunate enough to have visited Yosemite twice, both in the fall, so I haven't seen the falls in their full glory yet, but I hope to one of these days (our son lives in CA) Last time we were there, we came in from the East entrance and I was entranced! What a treasure we have!
Posted by: Lin | 05/23/2011 at 04:03 PM
Well, heya, Mark! It's so nice to "meet" you! Thanks for sharing your fabulous photos and some of your favorite things. I can see that photography skills run in the family. Both you and Wanda amaze me with your pictures. I fully understand why you love Yosemite. It's one of the most beautiful places on earth. Wish I lived closer, like I used to, so I could visit more often. And I hope you make another appearance on the old bloggity blog in the future. :)
Posted by: Audrey Pettit | 05/23/2011 at 12:07 PM
Ahhh . .. Ansel Adams would be SO proud!! Absolutely gorgeous photos there, "DH" . . .you guys are a great pair! oops . . .ya'll are a great TRIO!! sorry, Budster!! Thanks for a beautiful "guest blog" . . . a couple photos made me a little nauseus (the heights!!! WOW!!! .. . stay AWAY from the edges, man!!) . . . thanks for sharing your talent and your "great eye"!!
Posted by: Janice Rosenthal Rock | 05/23/2011 at 08:32 AM
Hi Mark,
You did a wonderful job, both on the photos and the writing. I don't know which photo I liked best, as they are all excellent!!
Thank you for sharing you joy of hicking and photography. You and Wand are a great match. A super couple!
Posted by: Fonda Jo | 05/23/2011 at 08:12 AM
Gorgeous pictures! And you should be very proud you made it to the top :) TFS!
Posted by: Gia | 05/23/2011 at 07:11 AM
love the Yosemite photos and info...keep 'em coming! the ultimate blog...cards, travel info and cats!
Posted by: Lisa Thompson | 05/23/2011 at 07:09 AM
Thanks so much for all the kind compliments. I hope to guest blog here and there, maybe a couple times a year (Wanda is just learning this tidbit for the first time). One thing I have learned from this experience is how hard blogging truly is! I found a new appreciation for Wanda and her talents behind the scenes on her blog. I am truly grateful for the chance to have been the first guest blogger and consider myself a very lucky man to have such a wonderful and truly amazing talented wife! I love you and thank you Wanda!
Mark
Posted by: Mark | 05/23/2011 at 06:57 AM
Hi Mark
You have a great hobby too!What a beautiful place.Its really stunning we don't have that kind of nature in our backyard here.
Gorgeous photo's and video..would love it if you share some more photo's..I get to know America a bit better this way.
Looks very scary to me sitting on the edge of Half Dome!!!
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 05/23/2011 at 04:53 AM
Gorgeous photos, thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Lynn Put | 05/23/2011 at 04:33 AM
Thanks Mark! Fantastic photos! You have a great eye for just the right shot. I have never been to Yosemite. It's on the list! Hope you come back to the blog after your next adventure.
Posted by: Julene | 05/22/2011 at 10:53 PM
Mark and Wanda, This was quite a nice surprise. Loved the pictures and video. I didn't realize it was Vernal Fall. Thanks for adding all the information. I thought of Huell Hauser when I saw the ladder at Half Dome. The picture of you sitting on the edge made me very nervous!! Quite an accomplishment... Thanks for your fine contribution to today's blog! Sue
Posted by: Susan Roberds | 05/22/2011 at 09:50 PM
Wow! You are quite the adventurer and photographer. Great post, Mark! Love the photo of Buddy. Linda in TN
Posted by: Linda C | 05/22/2011 at 09:37 PM
Hi Mark :)!! Those are some crazy fantastic photos!!! Love the collages, too & the video was great. A wonderful first guest blog post :) Hope Wanda invites you back! Have a great week.
Posted by: Debbie Carriere | 05/22/2011 at 08:01 PM
What AMAZING photographs Mark! Yosemite looks like such a beautiful place! I hope to go some day! How nice that you get to be Wanda's First Guest Blogger! :D
Posted by: Kimberly Gajewski | 05/22/2011 at 07:39 PM
Welcome to our world guest blogger Mark! Fab job on your first post! Thanks for sharing your Yosemite pics with us...you have a great eye just like your wife! Awesome video as well...love that song! How blessed are we have Yosemite in our "backyard"? I hope you'll jump in again and do more posts...ah you'll need a special guest blogger badge of your own next time! :o)
Posted by: TeaDub! | 05/22/2011 at 07:23 PM
Nice job honey! Pictures look great! You need to start your own hiking blog. Hugs, me.
Posted by: Wanda G (stampcat) | 05/22/2011 at 06:45 PM