Enter In... /  by Dave Hileman

...the Cathedral Rock at Yosemite. Not too difficult to guess why this name was given to this immense rock cliff. Stain glass is applied in the fall.

A Well Watered Tree /  by Dave Hileman

At Mirror Lake in Yosemite.

"The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring." Isaiah 58:11 NLT

Climbing El Capitan (Three Photos /  by Dave Hileman

There were several people ascending El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. I was not one of them. Proof is that I am here typing this on Friday. These two were interesting to watch as they prepared for the climb that day. Most of the climbers spend nights on the cliff. I have a photo of one of those tents I will get to next week. With a story!

Red Shirt is below, with his companion above in the crease.

Red Shirt is below, with his companion above in the crease.

Detail of red shirt, I would not be looking down.

Detail of red shirt, I would not be looking down.

For reference, these two are near the dark slash mid-mountain on the sun  side. 

For reference, these two are near the dark slash mid-mountain on the sun  side. 

Memorial Done Right (Two Photos) /  by Dave Hileman

George Rodgers Clark (not the Lewis and guy) saved much of the western lands for the emerging United States by his clever and brave plan to retake the fort at Vincennes in Indiana. Worth the visit to see the memorial built in the depression and the excellent murals inside. 

North Carolina Museum of Art /  by Dave Hileman

This is a hidden courtyard at the NCMoA with a beautiful pool and several sculptures. When the sun is setting it is an even more beautiful place. We enjoy walking here there are several miles of paths and trails and always something to see. 

Dogwood too! /  by Dave Hileman

This is not a view of Yosemite that would first come to mind as a significant draw for tourists, yet, many people were coming for the day and the two things I overheard the most (yes, that my qualify as nosy) were the waterfalls and the dogwoods. And many were here to seek out the prettiest blossoms. I loved this bloom against the texture of the old growth tree. 

Kit /  by Dave Hileman

Brand new baby fox under one of the boardwalks at Muir Woods National Monument north of San Francisco. Nice place but very crowded because it is close to SF. People "uber" out to the park and then find they have no cell coverage so they try and use the pay phone to call for a ride back to the city. People were constantly seeking help on how to use such an archaic devise so the rangers printed instructions on the phone. Survival skills may be short supply in the Bay area. 

Spillway /  by Dave Hileman

Flowing over the crest of Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park the abundant snow fall and spring rains erased the decade long California drought.

"You sent abundant rain, O God,
to refresh the weary land." Psalm 68 NLT

King's Canyon /  by Dave Hileman

One of the fast running rivers we encountered this spring with the near record snowpack melting. This is in King's Canyon National Park. A very nice drive deep into the canyon and then ending at a nice place to hike around a large meadow. It was flooded so we were not able to hike the circuit but had to do an "out and back."

The Playwright /  by Dave Hileman

One of the National Park sites we visited this Spring was the home of Eugene O'Neil near San Francisco. It is one of the least visited of the 417 parks in the system because you must make a reservation and be shuttled onto the property. It was well worth the time. This Bird of Paradise is near the front door of the house. 

Gunnison River "Way Down There" /  by Dave Hileman

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a narrow slash in the rock that is merely 40 feet wide at the river at certain points and that was completely full of water side to side when we were there. It is also very deep so that it receives on 33 minutes of sunlight at the base. One person said nothing matches if for "depth, sheerness, narrowness, darkness, and dread of the Black Canyon."

Rail /  by Dave Hileman

This is Moro Rock at Sequoia National Park. It was quite a walk and lots of steps with rather steep drop-offs. It is nice to have a railing.

"Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil."                                                Psalm 119:133 NLT

UP /  by Dave Hileman

This is the road to the crest of the mountain pass at Coronado National Monument. It was a remote and desolate spot in Arizona. 

Mingo Falls /  by Dave Hileman

One of the tallest waterfalls in the East at 180 feet this falls is about five miles from Cherokee just south of the Smokies but outside the boundary of the National Park. It is only a short walk from the road but up lots of steps. 

I never know... /  by Dave Hileman

if this is a rhododendron or a mountain laurel or if they are two names for the same plant. But I love these blooms along the paths and roads in the Blue Ridge and the Smokies.