A little bit of Yosemite before going to Japan...

Its been too long since the last entry here - backpacking, fishing and traveling, with plenty of work in between has kept me from the time needed to post. I wanted to share some photos from my recent trip out to Yosemite before heading out to Japan tomorrow AM...

I visited California for work, checking out epic, gnarly, old-vines vineyards like this one here. 

Check out the Bedrock Zinfandel Old Vines if you want to see what American wine is REALLY all about...

Meanwhile, after work I hit the road and explored the hills...

the redwoods....

the coast...

Then I went east towards the Rocky's and saw a whole new set of sights I had never beheld...

From windmills to fruit farms to gold country... and then arriving in paradise.

Too late to get a campsite in the park, I found a road in the state forest where I could camp wherever I wanted and I had the place to myself...

Into the valley the next morning, I fished the Merced before the crowds hit.

I spent some time in the valley then headed out to beat the crowds.

Beautiful views and high mountains awaited me on the road to Tuolomne Meadows.

In the valley I fished another stream but it was just a bit too warm for my liking.

On another day, high mountain brookies and beautiful hikes were the focus.

Meandering meadow streams and deep-bowl lakes held unfulfilled promises of Golden Trout tantalizing my senses... 

But there was no need for a glittering golden prize on this trip, I knew I would be back to see these gently cascading brooks once more...

... tempted by the pull of the spirit of John Muir, and his trail that draws me in.

A sunset drive brought some of the most incredible mountain views one can get from a road.

Memories made and images etched into my brain for a lifetime, thankfully reinforced by these examples here!

Camping was a pleasure in this park, with many beautiful sites spread along the roads and throughout the wilderness.

The jewels of the high mountain small streams pulled me in with their brookie-like spots and gently fading parr marks.

I took it all in, and I knew I would be marked forever by this magical park.

Stay tuned for updates from Japan!