Ashlyn and I decided to wake up before sunrise on Friday morning to photograph El Capitan. We found a trail that lead down to the edge of the Merced River. My hope was that we would be able to capture the reflection in the water, but unfortunately the morning didn't turn out that way. We stayed for about an hour after sunrise and then we both had enough of the bugs.

The area down here was very swampy and we had to walk through some water to get to the rivers edge.

This was my favorite shot of the morning. Funny - I had packed up the gear and we were on the way back to the car when I glanced back and saw the reflection in the marsh. Had to beg Ashlyn to let me take one more shot.

I'm getting closer to finishing the pictures from the trip. When I do, the entire album can be viewed on my Flickr Stream.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14062060@N00/sets/72157624523408598

As you enter Yosemite National Park, your first view isn't that much different than any other park we've visited. Lots of trees, some wildlife, and what looks like mountains in the distance. In fact you have to drive a good hour after entering until you reach Yosemite Village.

Now the magic of this park...to enter the valley you must drive through the mountain. As you exit the tunnel there are signs telling you to slow down and parking lots on both sides. Strange area to cause such a traffic jam.

And then you look up and realize that you are staring into a postcard. I wonder how many wrecks occur as people forget their in the middle of a major road when they see this?

We arrived just after noon - not the best time of day for a grand landscape shot. You can see in the girls faces how bright it was. Nevertheless, I was proud of the shot captured.

The water fall that can be seen from the Tunnel Viewpoint is called Bridal Veil Falls. We stopped there and hiked the short walk to the base of the falls.